Recently Added Articles Page #63

loan, lend

In formal writing, many writers use loan as a noun form and lend as a verb form. The verb loan is permissible, however, when referring to money as opposed to things.But in America today, most usage panels of dictionaries point out that loan may act a...

loath, loathe

Loath is an adjective that means “unwilling.”Loathe is a verb that means “to dislike or hate.”Example: I am loath to visit her again because I absolutely loathe her roommate....

loose, lose

Lose (pronounced “looz”) means “to misplace” or “to fail to win.” Loose (pronounced “luce”) is the opposite of tight.Some writers incorrectly use loose when they mean “lose.” The following is incorrect: The pundits predict she wil...

machination

The word machination means a crafty scheme or plot.Pronounce the first syllable as “mac,” not “mash.”...

mad

Yes, the word mad does mean “angry or wrathful.” It also means “demented, insane.” Various other meanings include “ferocious” (a mad dog), “extremely foolish” (a mad scheme), “excessively fond or infatuated” (mad about the opera),...

majority

First, when you mean “most,” use that term, not majority. Thus, in the following, the writer probably does not mean something above 51%. Instead, the writer means most: A majority of the increased sales came from our Internet advertising.Instead:...

manner, in a

Expressions like in a professional manner flag a loose, slow style. Instead, use the adverb professionally. Watch for in a rigid manner (rigidly) and in a childish manner (childishly). If the expression doesn’t have a readily available adverb, you ...

manner in which

This expression usually just adds verbosity to the style. Use way to get rid of it. Thus: The reckless manner in which the driver handled the car ….becomesThe reckless way the driver handled the car …....

medal, metal, mettle, meddle

A medal is awarded for bravery.Mettle means “courage.”Iron is a metal.My neighbor likes to meddle.Example: The conditions tested his mettle, and he was awarded a medal made of metal. He thinks he therefore has the right to meddle in every militar...

media, medium

The word media is the plural of medium. These days, however, using media as a collective noun to refer to the communications media has become standard. As a mass noun, it takes a singular verb. Watch out for your audience, however. If your readers wi...

memorandum, memoranda

The word memorandum is singular. Its plural is either memoranda or memorandums. In fact, memorandums now predominates. But you should remember your audience: If your readers get their noses out of joint over memorandums, then capitulate and use memor...

mitigate, militate

The word mitigate means “to make less severe or less intense.” The word militate means “to influence strongly.” The word militate is intransitive and is usually accompanied by the preposition against. The word mitigate, on the other hand, is ...

moral, morale

Moral is an adjective used to describe things that have a quality of goodness or character. The word moral also acts as a noun, as in the moral of the story.Morale is an emotional state of cheerful confidence.Example: The troops kept their morale hig...

much, many

Much means “in large degree or quantity.”Many means “numerous” or “of an indefinite number.”Generally, much is applied to mass nouns and things that are not easily quantified, and many is used for groups of singular nouns that have not be...

myriad

Though myriad may act as a noun (a myriad of problems) or an adjective (myriad problems), the careful writer uses it as an adjective because fewer words are required.Example: The United States has combined myriad nationalities into a single country....

myself, himself, yourself, herself, ourself, ourselves

The Grammar.com section on the Parts of Speech has a thorough discussion of “reflexive and intensive pronouns,” that is, the -self words. Click here for the beginning of that discussion.Many people incorrectly use myself and substitute it for I...

nauseous, nauseated, nauseating

Using nauseous for nauseated is incorrect but so common that we can no longer call it an error.But careful writers observe traditional meaning. The word nauseous describes something that causes nausea. The word nauseated relates to experiencing nause...

naval, navel

Your navel is your belly button. Naval is a synonym for nautical, which is used to describe anything having to do with the Navy or ships.Example: The naval officer still has stomach problems after he was hit by shrapnel near his navel....

neither

When neither serves as a pronoun, it is typically singular, that is, it requires a singular verb and a singular pronoun referring to it. Thus, the following is correct: Neither of the investments is a good one. When neither joins with nor, the pair a...

noisome, noisy

The human ear can detect only one of these words, that is, noisy. The other, noisome, is better associated with the nose. Noisy means “loud.” Noisome means “offensive,” “disgusting,” or “dangerous” as in noisome fumes.Example: We had ...

none, singular or plural

This indefinite pronoun may take either a singular or a plural verb. Don’t pay any attention to the myth that none always requires a singular verb. It doesn’t.In the words of New Fowler at p. 526: It is a mistake to suppose that the pronoun [none...

nor

Many writers use nor as a conjunction even when the negative state has already been established in the sentence. Savvy writers use or because the negative state carries over to the series. Consider this correct sentence, where the word no establishes...

now, know, no

Now means “at the present time,” “immediately,” or “at this point.” Know means “to perceive” or “to understand.” No means “no.”Example: Right now, it’s hard for us to know if they will say yes or no....

only

Garner Oxford at p. 239 describes only as “the most frequently misplaced of all English words.” You should put only immediately before the word you intend to limit. The greater the distance between only and the word it limits, the greater the cha...

or

Don’t hesitate to start a sentence with Or. It’s a coordinating conjunction, and great writers have been starting sentences with conjunctions for hundreds of years. You can remember the coordinating conjunctions by referring to the acronym BOYFAN...