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A Word On Words

Posted: January 14th, 2010, 7:28 pm
by LydiaSharp
"Words are tools. Using them incorrectly is like hitting a screw with a hammer. Don't do it."
~Janet Reid

We're all familiar with the common typographical errors such as loose instead of lose, definately instead of definitely, heroin instead of heroine (and for the love of all things good in the world please learn the difference between it's and its!), but there are also a few not-so-well-known wordables I'd like to clear up.

The word that does not generally apply to people.
"The dog that loves me has a no tail."
"That person is heartless."
"The person that stole my dog is heartless."
Correction: "The person who stole my dog is heartless."

Different from is correct. Different than is not.
"This red apple is different from that green apple."
"This red apple is bigger than that green apple."
To emphasize, here is another example, excluding the word different.
"Learn right from wrong."
"Learn right than wrong."
The second sentence makes no sense because the words are not interchangeable.

Hopefully is an adverb. Pair it with a verb.
"He appeared hopeful."
"He looked at me hopefully."
"Hopefully, he would look at me."
Correction: "I hoped he would look at me."

Get lost, screw. Hammer, meet nail.

~Lydia Sharp

Re: A Word On Words

Posted: January 14th, 2010, 9:57 pm
by Emma
Love the quote!

Re: A Word On Words

Posted: January 15th, 2010, 7:23 pm
by LydiaSharp
I believe Janet said that on a Query Shark post. Instant quotable. ;)

Re: A Word On Words

Posted: January 17th, 2010, 2:48 pm
by rose
Very sharp, Ms. Sharpe! Pithy, to the point, and helpful.

rose