The Latin verb ducere, meaning “lead,” is the basis of many English words pertaining to action, development, and movement. This post lists and defines these words. To abduct (literally, “lead away”) is to kidnap or seize someone; one who does so is an abductor, and the action is called abduction. Abduce is a synonym for … Read more
Each of the following sentences is muddled because a parenthetical phrase is incorrectly punctuated. Discussion of each example explains the problem, and one or more revisions resolve it. 1. This phase consists of a management experience whose intensity and scope has few, if any rivals. The phrase “if any” is a parenthetical—a sentence element that … Read more
Each of the following sentences features a list of words or phrases with flawed structure. Revise as necessary. 1. The film is aimless, seemingly deceptive and spreads a poor message. 2. She continues to suffer pain and anguish, incur medical expenses, and has been unable to carry out her usual duties and activities. 3. The … Read more
The ubiquity of fish in culinary traditions and the popularity of fishing as both a recreational pastime and a food-gathering activity has led to the development of many fish-based idioms, including those listed and described below. 1. all is fish that comes to his net: a proverb that alludes to a person’s resourcefulness 2–4. another/different/whole … Read more
In each of the sentences below, misplacement of a word, or absence of a word, presents an obstacle to comprehension. Discussion and a revision follows each example. 1. These regulations either need to be revised or repealed. When employing an “either . . . or” phrase, the verb that applies to both choices, which are … Read more
In each of the sentences below, a word has been misused or is ambiguous, affecting the clarity of the statement. Each example is followed by a discussion explaining the problem and a solution to it. 1. His follow-up comment only further inflamed their passions about his perceived sleight against the higher art. The error in … Read more
Words pertaining to worth and worthiness that are based on the syllable val or a similar letter combination are related. This post lists and defines the words in this group. The Latin verb valere, meaning “be strong” or “be well,” was extended in meaning to refer to worth, in both practical and aesthetic terms. Valor, … Read more
In each of the following sentences, the manner in which the statement is constructed hinders rather than aids comprehension. In each example, discussion describes the problem, and a revision provides a solution. 1. To what extent are you expected to know your customers, a term that refers to identifying and validating client identity? “Know your … Read more
For each pair of sentences below, choose the one that correctly inserts or omits a hyphen in a reference to a numerical quantity or proportion. 1. a) The bylaws require a three-fifths majority. b) The bylaws require a three fifths majority. 2. a) The statue is eight feet tall. b) The statue is eight-feet tall. … Read more
References to numbers, spelled out or in numeral form, often include erroneous use of hyphens or dashes, as shown in the following examples. Errors are explained and corrected in the discussion and revision that follows each sentence. 1. The US men’s basketball team won seven Olympic gold medals between 1936–68. A dash (not a hyphen) … Read more
Words are highly adaptable in terms of which part of speech they represent, but careful writers should be alert in order to minimize or prevent a linguistic affliction called adjective stacking, which is discussed in this post. Nouns are easily converted to adjectives, as when using the phrase “dinner table.” Dinner and table are both … Read more
A site visitor asked about the correct usage of a word used to describe meetings held in a face-to-face format rather than in a classroom-seating orientation. Is such a gathering a round table, or a roundtable? When describing a piece of furniture with a circular surface, we write “round table.” But as often occurs when … Read more