Confusions, Contusions, Misspellings
Who knew (probably some of you did) the difference in correct usage between “blond” and “blonde.” “Blond” (no “e”) is always correct as an adjective (blond hair, blond girl.) But an “e” must be added when used as a noun substituted for a female: (Mary Ann is a blonde.) If the person is male, no “e” is needed. (Charlie is a blond.)
On discovering this picky but correct usage, I had to go back to my much-revised novel to add the “e” to three “blonds.”
A tortuous journey, it seems, might be when you’re lost on a road trip, in a hot car with no AC, and screaming kids in the back seat. No, that scene describes a torturous journey. It would be a tortuous drive if the road were twisty, curvy, and serpentine. Add that to the parents’ nightmarish, torturous trip that was like torture.
These informative gems of English usage were provided by Benjamin Dreyer in his book, “Dreyer’s English.” Benjamin is executive managing editor and copy chief of Random House publisher. I’m adding his book to my shelf next to Paul Brians’s “Common Errors in English Usage,” which I’ve quoted in my last two blog posts.
The two books (along with a dictionary and thesaurus) are my writing companions. Benjamin and Paul convey their expert guidance with nurturing and ironic-humored voices. Both authors keep me chuckling, learning, and writing more effectively.
Interestingly, some of the same pointers on correct spelling and usage turn up in both books, so I feel they merit special alerts. Here are a few:
Broach/brooch: To broach a subject is to raise it. A brooch is a decorative jeweled pin.
Discreet/ discrete: Discreet people are careful, proper, wary, and use discretion. Discrete things are distinct and separate.
Flaunt/flout: Flaunt is to show off. Flout is to defy (as with law or rules.)
Flounder/founder: Flounder is to struggle awkwardly. Founder is to sink or fail. A floundering person may eventually founder.
Gamut/gauntlet/gantlet: To “run the gamut” is to proceed through an entire scale or spectrum. To “run the gauntlet” is to run between two lines of people trying to beat you. “Gantlet” is a variation of “gauntlet” that Benjamin finds “fussy and prissy.”
Prescribe/proscribe: A doctor prescribes medical treatment. A dictator proscribes or forbids an activity.
Principal/principle: “Principal” as an adjective means primary or main. As a noun it can mean a primary person, such as a school principal. It can also refer to one’s financial holdings that may earn interest. “Principle” is a fundamental truth or strongly-held conviction.
Imply/infer: (I had this wrong once in my novel—now changed.) To imply is to suggest without stating in so many words. To infer is to draw a conclusion from what is implied. Benjamin recommends, “think of ‘imply’ as an outward action, and ‘infer’ as an inward one.”
In its 2017 edition, the “Chicago Manual of Style” approved the use of “they” as a singular pronoun when the subject’s gender is vague, unknown, or this pronoun preferred. (For example: A student may choose to review whatever book they like. Does anyone want extra cheese on their pizza?) People talk this way, and the singular “they” has been used in writing since the fourteenth century. (Maybe Shakespeare?) Now it’s time to end the awkward “he/she” or “he or she” in writing.
Here are some easily misspelled words that almost look right. The correct spelling is in parentheses:
Ad nauseum (ad nauseam), barbituate (barbiturate), expresso (espresso), concensus (consensus), dachsund (dachshund), damnit (dammit), diptheria (diphtheria), elegaic (elegiac), fuschia (fuchsia)
Miniscule (minuscule), non sequiter (non sequitur), perjorative (pejorative), perservere (persevere), perogative (prerogative), restauranteur (restaurateur), sacreligious (sacrilegious), sieze (seize), seperate (separate), straight jacket (straitjacket), supercede (supersede), wierd (weird), withold (withhold),
Remember! The correct spellings above are in parentheses. Interestingly, my spell check tried to change some of the misspelled words as I typed. And in some cases the spell check did not detect a misspelling. So be wary!
On discovering this picky but correct usage, I had to go back to my much-revised novel to add the “e” to three “blonds.”
A tortuous journey, it seems, might be when you’re lost on a road trip, in a hot car with no AC, and screaming kids in the back seat. No, that scene describes a torturous journey. It would be a tortuous drive if the road were twisty, curvy, and serpentine. Add that to the parents’ nightmarish, torturous trip that was like torture.
These informative gems of English usage were provided by Benjamin Dreyer in his book, “Dreyer’s English.” Benjamin is executive managing editor and copy chief of Random House publisher. I’m adding his book to my shelf next to Paul Brians’s “Common Errors in English Usage,” which I’ve quoted in my last two blog posts.
The two books (along with a dictionary and thesaurus) are my writing companions. Benjamin and Paul convey their expert guidance with nurturing and ironic-humored voices. Both authors keep me chuckling, learning, and writing more effectively.
Interestingly, some of the same pointers on correct spelling and usage turn up in both books, so I feel they merit special alerts. Here are a few:
Broach/brooch: To broach a subject is to raise it. A brooch is a decorative jeweled pin.
Discreet/ discrete: Discreet people are careful, proper, wary, and use discretion. Discrete things are distinct and separate.
Flaunt/flout: Flaunt is to show off. Flout is to defy (as with law or rules.)
Flounder/founder: Flounder is to struggle awkwardly. Founder is to sink or fail. A floundering person may eventually founder.
Gamut/gauntlet/gantlet: To “run the gamut” is to proceed through an entire scale or spectrum. To “run the gauntlet” is to run between two lines of people trying to beat you. “Gantlet” is a variation of “gauntlet” that Benjamin finds “fussy and prissy.”
Prescribe/proscribe: A doctor prescribes medical treatment. A dictator proscribes or forbids an activity.
Principal/principle: “Principal” as an adjective means primary or main. As a noun it can mean a primary person, such as a school principal. It can also refer to one’s financial holdings that may earn interest. “Principle” is a fundamental truth or strongly-held conviction.
Imply/infer: (I had this wrong once in my novel—now changed.) To imply is to suggest without stating in so many words. To infer is to draw a conclusion from what is implied. Benjamin recommends, “think of ‘imply’ as an outward action, and ‘infer’ as an inward one.”
In its 2017 edition, the “Chicago Manual of Style” approved the use of “they” as a singular pronoun when the subject’s gender is vague, unknown, or this pronoun preferred. (For example: A student may choose to review whatever book they like. Does anyone want extra cheese on their pizza?) People talk this way, and the singular “they” has been used in writing since the fourteenth century. (Maybe Shakespeare?) Now it’s time to end the awkward “he/she” or “he or she” in writing.
Here are some easily misspelled words that almost look right. The correct spelling is in parentheses:
Ad nauseum (ad nauseam), barbituate (barbiturate), expresso (espresso), concensus (consensus), dachsund (dachshund), damnit (dammit), diptheria (diphtheria), elegaic (elegiac), fuschia (fuchsia)
Miniscule (minuscule), non sequiter (non sequitur), perjorative (pejorative), perservere (persevere), perogative (prerogative), restauranteur (restaurateur), sacreligious (sacrilegious), sieze (seize), seperate (separate), straight jacket (straitjacket), supercede (supersede), wierd (weird), withold (withhold),
Remember! The correct spellings above are in parentheses. Interestingly, my spell check tried to change some of the misspelled words as I typed. And in some cases the spell check did not detect a misspelling. So be wary!
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J.R.
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Jun 27, 2019 07:17AM
Good stuff!
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I would have to disagree with the damnit/dammit issue. What happened to the "n" which is there when you use/write/say the word damn? My niece in Texas is currently involved in a discussion of the imply/infer issue. I still can't get my head around the difference. I like the definition of the word synonym - the word you use when you don't know how to spell the word you mean. Same would go for these definitions!Judy
Judy wrote: "I would have to disagree with the damnit/dammit issue. What happened to the "n" which is there when you use/write/say the word damn? My niece in Texas is currently involved in a discussion of the i..."I know there's an "n" in damn. But according to the Random House copy chief the correct way to write the cuss word is "dammit." And as far as infer/imply. Infer is an inward action, imply comes from someone else.
I adored this book and have it on my shelf as a go-to for my editing projects (as well as a good laugh once in a while). I confess, though, to disagreeing with him about gauntlet/gantlet. I can't quit picturing gauntlet as a glove. I realize it's the second (also-ran) spelling, but it's the one I prefer when I'm editing a publication I work for. Otherwise, I'll use the preference of a client.
Thanks Ginger! I think Benjamin Dreyer would also approve of your making an editing decision to go with your client's preference.
