Does being reluctant and reticent mean the same thing? It may seem so, but if we look closer at the definitions of these words, you will see that there are differences between them.
words
Word Clash: Affect versus Effect
Knowing when to use affect versus effect in writing challenges all English speakers -- even native ones! Let's break down these commonly confused words.
Word Clash: Capitol versus Capital
A way to help you remember when to use “capitol” is to focus on the o’s: Congress gets nothing done in the Capitol; zero things, a goose egg.
Word Clash: “Home in” versus “Hone in”
As a writer and an editor, it is my duty to hone my vocabulary to best home in my message. In fact, I have a section of this website dedicated to the honing of words: The Whetstone. Should the words I use cause confusion, what use of a writer am I? I admit that I … Continue reading Word Clash: “Home in” versus “Hone in”
Wiseacre and wisenheimer | (S)word Sharpening
Reflecting on the words "wiseacre" and "wisenheimer" allowed me to consider if it is better to be an expert or a novice in all things.
The serene, pristine, and halcyon days
My wife and the soon-to-be-mother of my soon-to-be-present child had been feeling anxious, just as her pregnancy calendar turned to the ninth hour—the final month. She was fretting over the placement of dressers, the storage of clothes and toys, and the cleanliness of sheets and surfaces. Turns out she had been “nesting”, a natural reaction … Continue reading The serene, pristine, and halcyon days
2020: A Purple Passage in History
The first 7 percent of the new decade has made recent history seem like salad days for most of the globe. The coronavirus and George Floyd's death have spurred massive calls for massive societal changes. But being angry will not register change. Only humility can bring change.
Hi, my noun is John
One name re-inspires a movement, rekindles racial tensions, and rescinds beliefs in progress. Plus, are you ready for the final showcase in this week's The Price (of Liberty) is Right? What would we be without our names? Would we be we without our names? Would you be you without your name? Names confer meaning upon … Continue reading Hi, my noun is John
Take an oeillade on this overlooked subject-verb disagreement
Do not be overcome with shame and guilt. I have fallen victim to this overlooked subject-verb agreement issue. Plus, eleven previously unranked words join the Words of the Week. My doubts about function words' legitimacy at the Words of the Week table have been proven wrong. Consecutively, adjective and noun got their spotlight. Verb has … Continue reading Take an oeillade on this overlooked subject-verb disagreement
Pre-position your prepositions
My word-usage crusade grows in purpose: use a hyphen in “pre-position” to avoid confusion with “preposition.”