![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Answer: "one and the same" or "one in the same"?
Monday, 24 April 2017 17:49![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
green_grrlEnglish is full of phrases that get sprinkled through conversation. We pick them up, use them, and don't think too hard about them until we have to write them down. Then we realize we're not quite sure what the exact phrase is. lauramcewan asked us about one of these: "Is it 'one and the same' or 'one in the same'?" When spoken, the phrase tends to sound like "one 'n' the same," so it is understandably confusing.
Unlike some other usage questions, there is only one right answer here. ( I'll illustrate with the Avengers. )
lauramcewan asked us about one of these: "Is it 'one and the same' or 'one in the same'?" When spoken, the phrase tends to sound like "one 'n' the same," so it is understandably confusing. Unlike some other usage questions, there is only one right answer here. ( I'll illustrate with the Avengers. )
Commonly Confused Words: Decent / Descent
Monday, 6 March 2017 07:33whymzycalHappy Monday, grammar friends, and welcome to our next look at a pair of Commonly Confused Words!
Today we’re going to look at decent and descent, two words that are often mistaken for one another because their spellings are so similar. With examples from ( the Avengers and Star Trek. )
Today we’re going to look at decent and descent, two words that are often mistaken for one another because their spellings are so similar. With examples from ( the Avengers and Star Trek. )
Commonly Confused Words: Appraise/Apprise
Tuesday, 28 February 2017 07:32melayneseahawkHello, and welcome to another article on Commonly Confused Words! Today’s topic is a pair of words that I confuse all the time, so I thought I’d settle it once and for all: what is the difference between “appraise” and “apprise”, and what are some ways to remember which is which?
First, let’s start with some definitions...
( appraise/apprise, with examples from Steven Universe and Star Trek (2009) )
Tune in next week for another set of Commonly Confused Words!
(The Star Trek example is shamelessly borrowed from Deastar’s marvelous So Wise We Grow.)
First, let’s start with some definitions...
( appraise/apprise, with examples from Steven Universe and Star Trek (2009) )
Tune in next week for another set of Commonly Confused Words!
(The Star Trek example is shamelessly borrowed from Deastar’s marvelous So Wise We Grow.)
Friday Funnies: You've Got the Wrong Word
Friday, 24 February 2017 17:28whymzycal
Hover text: later still: wait, HOW DID UTAHRAPTOR KNOW?
Malapropisms (replacing one word with an incorrect, similar-sounding word, usually in a way that ends up being funny) and mondegreens (sort of like malapropisms, except you mis-hear a word instead of saying the wrong word) are something many of the grammarians see and hear at their jobs. That said, thanks to Ryan North at Dinosaur Comics,I doubt anyone can do them as well as T-Rex.
So, do you have any favorite malapropisms or mondegreens? Mine is “from the gecko” (instead of “from the get-go”). I keep imagining the Geico insurance company’s spokeslizard—or maybe even a tiny, tiny T-Rex. Adorable!
ANSWER: Hear, hear or here, here?
Tuesday, 15 November 2016 08:42![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/This week we are going to focus on the proper use of hear, hear vs here, here. And we're going to have help from the Stargate SG-1 crew.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
ANSWER: Shoo-In or Shoe-In?
Monday, 2 November 2015 17:19http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/Which is the correct spelling: "Shoo-in" or "Shoe-In"?
With examples from the X-Files:
( shoo-in or shoe-in? )
With examples from the X-Files:
( shoo-in or shoe-in? )
Friday Funnies: Cold Coffee
Friday, 30 October 2015 19:18ariestess
original image via Mother Goose and Grimm/Mike Peters Website
So let me start off this week's Friday Funny with an item of note. As far as I know, there has never been an instance of two Friday Funny posts in a row about the exact same error. This wasn't done on purpose, but it certainly shows that this is an error that comes up a lot. In fact, last week's comic brought up some interesting discussions regarding how and when to correct someone else's grammar faux pas. I'm not sure that's something that can easily be determined in a "blanket statement" kind of way, outside of the old cliche of knowing your audience.
That said, this is one of those misheard/misused phrases that actually irks me a lot. And when I've tried to explain it to people in the past, they get mad at me for "ruining the spirit of the moment".
In a nutshell, it's a matter of degrees, and it reminds me of the saying, "I have no f*cks to give." If you really don't have an iota of care about the situation, the correct phrase is "couldn't care less", but if there's even a smidgeon of care, then you can use "could care less". Plus, I tend to use the former if I'm just too bored to care at that particular moment in time.
Friday Funnies: 10 Misspoken Words
Friday, 14 November 2014 18:30http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/We all know that person. The one who makes us cringe every time they say a word wrong or mangle it in the process. There are quite a few phrases, but here’s a sampling of ten common terms:
From: 10 Misspoken Phrases
And yes, I admit it. I used to say "irregardless" a lot, until someone came along and threatened to chop my head off if I ever did it again. Fortunately, there are several online dictionaries that include a spoken pronunciation of multisyllabic words if there is ever any doubt.
But how about you? Are there any common phrases or words that drive you nuts? Feel free to share them in the comments!
From: 10 Misspoken Phrases
And yes, I admit it. I used to say "irregardless" a lot, until someone came along and threatened to chop my head off if I ever did it again. Fortunately, there are several online dictionaries that include a spoken pronunciation of multisyllabic words if there is ever any doubt.
But how about you? Are there any common phrases or words that drive you nuts? Feel free to share them in the comments!
randi2204![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
cedara asked us “What’s the meaning and origin of the real McCoy?” Let’s see if we can provide an answer, with some assistance from the characters of Star Trek.( Who’s the real McCoy? )
Answer: Another thing/think coming?
Monday, 5 November 2012 18:19randi2204carodee asks “Which option in this sentence is correct: ‘if you think ___, you’ve got another thing/think coming.’?”An interesting question! ( Let's take a look at it with some help from Buffy and Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Bill Cosby. )
