Recently Added Articles Page #60

critique

Until the middle of the 1900s, the word critique served as a noun. But as the verb criticize began to have negative connotations, the word critique became a verb to mean “to review the good and bad aspects of someone’s work.”Example: The writin...

currently, presently

These words are often used to describe an action that is occurring now, at this moment in time.The word presently has come to be used more frequently to describe an action that is just about to happen rather than one that is happening at this moment....

presently, currently

See currently, presently....

data

In formal writing, it’s probably best to treat this word as a plural. Thus: the data are.The singular is datum, but in nonscientific circles, you’ll probably sound pretentious if you use datum.Usage panels now increasingly recognize that data can...

demure, demur

Demure is an adjective used to describe someone who is reserved, modest, or shy.Demur is a verb that means “to delay” or “to object.” Lawyers will use demur to describe the act of entering a demurrer, a motion to dismiss a case.You should tak...

dessert, desert

A dessert is something you eat after dinner.A desert is a hot place with a lot of sand. Desert can also be used as a verb meaning “to abandon” or a noun to describe something that is deserved.Example: After the soldiers decided to desert, they dr...

devise, device

To devise means “to formulate a plan.” In the law, devise means “to give away land or other real property in a will.”A device is something that is made to serve a specific purpose. Device is always a noun while devise is most commonly a verb ...

diary, dairy

A diary is a written record of daily events.A dairy is a place that produces milk or milk products. Dairy is also used as an adjective to describe something commonly associated with milk or cows. Since very few cows will have daily events worthy of d...

different from, different than

Although both of these phrases are common today, some believe that different than is always incorrect. The reason is easy to understand. The word than follows a comparative adjective or adverb. For example, her car is faster than mine. Or he runs fas...

discreet, discrete

To be discreet means to be “modest” or “prudent.”To be discrete means to be “obviously separate” or “distinct.” Discrete also has a specific meaning in mathematics as a finite set of numbers.Example: There are four discrete offices in...

disingenuous

Consider the following usage note on Dictionary.com:The meaning of disingenuous has been shifting about lately, as if people were unsure of its proper meaning. Generally, it means "insincere" and often seems to be a synonym of cynical or calculating....

disinterested, uninterested

To be disinterested means to be “impartial,” “free from bias,” or “indifferent.” A disinterested person has no stake in the outcome.To be uninterested means “having no interest in something; to be without interest.”Example: The faires...

uninterested, disinterested

See disinterested, uninterested....

e.g., i.e.

Both abbreviations are actually for Latin, not English words.Id est (i.e.) is Latin for “that is.”Exempli gratia (e.g.) is the Latin “for example.”If the phrase that follows means to further clarify or explain by means of definition, i.e. is ...

i.e., e.g.

See e.g., i.e....

elicit, illicit

Elicit is a verb that means “to draw out.”Illicit is an adjective describing unlawful or underhanded behavior or activity.Example: A good prosecuting attorney knows how to elicit a response that will make it clear the defendant was involved in an...

email, e-mail, E-mail

Here’s a usage note from Dictionary.com: The transition from World Wide Web site to Web site to website as a single uncapitalized word mirrors the development of other technological expressions which have tended to take unhyphenated forms as they b...

eminent, imminent

Eminent means “prominent” or “great.”Something is imminent if it is “impending” or “about to occur.”Example: The spectators rose to their feet as the eminent entertainer’s entrance became imminent....

empathy, sympathy

To feel empathy means "to understand another’s feelings or situation." When you feel empathy for others, you “stand in their shoes” and feel what they’re feeling.If you show sympathy for another, you show compassion or “feel sorry” about ...

enclosed please find, please find enclosed, enclosed herewith

Boot out all these expressions from your language. In the words of Bryan Garner, they are “archaic deadwood.” Garner, Oxford, p. 124.Instead, try these on for size: Here are the reports you wanted. I enclose the reports you wanted. Enclosed are t...

enormousness, enormity

These words may both be used to describe something that is “very large.” But enormity has recently begun to take on strongly negative connotations. Enormity implies that something is both “big” and “bad.” Enormousness does not carry this ...

ensure, insure, assure

Most writers use these words interchangeably.But there are some differences. For example, assure is used only in reference to people. You assure your boss. If you insure him, then you’re taking out a policy on his life.Also, insure is typically res...

equable, equitable

The word equable means “even, tranquil, level.” The word equitable derives from equity and means “fair, just, or relating to a court of equity.”Example: The judge’s equable temperament enabled him to consider the conflicting positions of th...

everyday, every day

Everyday is an adjective used to describe things that are “common” or “ordinary.”Every day describes things that happen daily; it’s a noun form often acting as a noun adverb.Example: The airline lost our formalwear, so we had to wear our ev...

explicit, implicit

The word explicit means “fully and clearly expressed; leaving nothing implied.” It also means “readily observable,” as in an explicit sign of success. And, of course, explicit describes material that is sexually graphic.The word implicit mean...