Least, pronounced [LEEST], is the superlative of the adjective little: little, littler, least. It can also function as noun and adverb: She passed the exam without the least preparation. (adjective) Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (noun) The … Read more
In conversation we’d probably find ourselves tongue-tied if we couldn’t begin sentences with the grammatical subject there: There are only three eggs left in the refrigerator. There’s a lot of traffic on the freeway this morning. In each example there begins the sentence, but the true subjects– eggs and a lot of traffic –are delayed … Read more
At a recent writers’ conference I heard a successful self-published author say, “Readers are not looking for great writing; they’re looking for a great story.” Does that mean that taking pains over grammar, diction, and syntax is a waste of time? Certainly not! Just because readers are not looking for “great writing” doesn’t mean that … Read more
Several readers have asked for clarification on the words proved and proven. Both are forms of the verb prove: “to demonstrate or establish as true.” As a regular transitive verb, prove has the following principal parts: prove (present) proved (simple past) have proved (past participle) proving (present participle) The form proven is an irregular past … Read more
A reader asks the difference between the words discomfiture and discomfort. Although you may find the words given as synonyms in a list, a distinct difference exists. Discomfort connotes a lack of ease. Discomfiture connotes unease together with embarrassment. discomfort (noun): 1. Something that makes a person feel (mentally or physically) uncomfortable; an inconvenience, a … Read more
Considering the flurry of comments triggered by my inclusion of a bean idiom in a recent post, I decided to give the humble bean a post of its own. The noun bean is Germanic in origin. August Fick (1833-1916) German comparative linguist, suggested that bean was cognate with faba, the Latin word for bean, but … Read more