The Core of the Corps Is Loyalty
But if you use the wrong form of the word pronounced /kohr/, you will have little loyalty from your editors or your employers. Core means the middle, the base, the main parts. An apple core, core curriculum, core values … all basics. Corps means a body of people acting as a single group. The Marine […]
To Clench or To Clinch … That Is the Question
The Grammar Guru has received a request to explain the difference between these two words, to settle a fellow-editor’s dispute with her typesetter. Always glad to oblige — we editors need to keep those uppity typesetters in their places. According to Fowler, clinch is a variant of clench that appeared in the sixteenth century and […]
Sheer and Shear May Confuse You!
A simple tip today: don’t get these two homophones confused. Sheer is an adjective used to describe something that is nearly transparent (like sheer stockings) or that is smooth (like a sheer cliff). It is rarely used as a verb meaning “to move abruptly in a different direction,” as in The plane sheered away from […]
If You Meet a Murderer, Will You Mete Out Justice?
Watch these tricky little sound-alikes, because misusing them can really make you look bad. Both are verbs (well, most commonly used as verbs). Meet means to come face to face with, to come together with. (Example: We will meet in the conference room.) Mete means to dispense or hand out. (Example: The food pantry will […]
It’s Just a Phase; Don’t Let It Faze You …
and don’t give me any flak … I’m just a flack for good grammar and usage. These two pairs of words are consistently misused, so I want to set the record straight once and for all. Phase is a noun indicating a passing behavioural pattern or a certain stage of development. (Example: Most children go […]
Assure, Ensure, or Insure … When to Use Which
These three words cause a lot of confusion. There are some simple ways to remember which one should be used in what circumstance. I referred to the ultimate English reference tool, Fowler’s Modern English Usage, to ensure that I gave you the most accurate information on this sticky little problem. Assure is a verb meaning […]
Towing Lines and Hoeing Roads … What ARE We Coming to?
Two quick little corrections for some frequently misquoted idioms. One does not “tow the line;” one “toes the line.” This idiom refers to runners at the beginning of a race. They line up on the start line with their toes on or slightly behind the line. It may also refer to sailors standing in formation. […]
The Past Has Passed ….
Emergency beacons in my Inbox — a concerned blogger wants us to clear up the difference between “passed” and “past.” Actually, this one’s really easy, because the two words are completely different parts of speech. Past is either a noun or adjective. It means “previous times.” noun: His past is a closed book. adjective: That […]
Don’t Waive That, You Aberrant Flag-Waver!
Today’s “Get it straight!” pointer is for two words that sound just alike, but mean two completely different things. And you look silly when you mix them up. Trust me. A waiver is a release form stating that you will not hold another entity responsible if something bad happens to you. You sign them before surgery, […]
If You Keep Peeking Over that Peak, I’m Going to Get Seriously Piqued!
Some more sound-alikes to cause you trouble. A peak is the top of something, like a mountain. It’s a noun. Examples: Everest is the highest mountain peak on Earth. Bob reached the peak of his career in 1998. To peak means to reach the topmost limit of ability or performance. It’s a verb. Example: His […]