The English word quick is related to Latin vivus, “alive.” The version of the Apostle’s Creed I grew up with contains this sentence: “Thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.” The line echoes 1 Peter 4:5 (KJV): ‘Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and … Read more
This use of the word dispositive in a letter to the editor in my morning paper left me puzzled: Religious dogma and scripture tend to be grab-bags out of which all kinds of often-contradictory points can be made by [whoever] wants to reach in, and who is to say which of them is dispositive? I … Read more
Here are three miscellaneous errors that cropped up in one morning’s batch of letters to the editor in my morning paper. 1. A reader responding to an editorial opposing a proposed state requirement for schools to provide compulsory instruction in cursive handwriting: Your thumbs-down reasoning on the state imposing cursive (a right of passage), and … Read more
A reader asks, Can you please post an article on the correct usage of the words diminish, decline, and dwindle? I believe diminish is used with uncountable nouns such as the light diminishes, decline is used with abstract and uncountable nouns such as “decline in quality” or “decline in performance,” and dwindle is used only with … Read more
A reader sent me this example of the use of brainchild: According to Tesla’s brainchild, Elon Musk, demand for stationary storage batteries has skyrocketed to the point that an expansion of the gigafactory may have to be considered before it is even built.” Opines the reader, “Either Nicola Tesla invented Elon Musk, or something more … Read more
Recently I’ve noticed some odd uses of the word lest. Some may be no more than typographical errors, but others appear to result from a misunderstanding of the meaning and function of the conjunction lest. Lest introduces a clause expressive of something to be avoided or guarded against. Here are some examples: In helping my … Read more
A reader wants guidelines for the use of these two words: I’ve read every explanation I can find but I’m still trying to clarify how to best choose the appropriate context in which to use the word intrinsic versus inherent.” The adjectives inherent and intrinsic are synonyms. Both convey the idea of an inborn, essential … Read more
Preposition usage does change from century to century, but never, I suspect, as quickly as it seems to be doing now. Here are some examples of unconventional usage from the Web: Surprised + preposition INCORRECT: In effect, he said no one should be surprised from Donald Trump’s behavior.—Political commentary blog. CORRECT : In effect, he … Read more
Seven of these ten commonly confused word pairs beginning with the letters I-L are frequent enough to have earned one or more full posts at Daily Writing Tips. You’ll find links at the end of each item. 1. illicit / elicit Illicit is an adjective meaning, “not allowed by law or social conventions.” Elicit is … Read more
A French borrowing, vis-à-vis [VEEZ-uh-VEE] means literally, “face to face.” Vis-à-vis as a noun One meaning of vis-à-vis is “a political or diplomatic counterpart.” For example, a commenter in a Thai political forum refers to the US president as “Putin’s vis-a-vis in the White House.” Other meanings for vis-à-vis as a noun include “dancing partner,” … Read more
The spelling slough represents two meanings and two distinct pronunciations. 1. slough (rhymes with now) noun: soft, miry, muddy ground. This is the kind of slough that John Bunyan describes in his allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress: Now I saw in my dream, that, just as they [Christian and Pliable] had ended this talk, they drew … Read more
My introduction to nous to mean “common sense” came from my reading of the Inspector Morse mystery novels by Colin Dexter. Morse frequently tells his long-suffering sergeant, Robbie Lewis, to use his: Morse interrupted him. “Christ man, you’re not in apron strings. Use your nous!’” Nous comes from ancient Greek philosophy in which it is the word … Read more