A Word On Words

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LydiaSharp
Posts: 37
Joined: January 11th, 2010, 4:49 pm
Location: Ohio
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A Word On Words

Post by LydiaSharp » January 14th, 2010, 7:28 pm

"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
Lydia Sharp
Science Fiction * Fantasy * Women's Fiction
http://www.lydiasharp.blogspot.com

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Emma
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Joined: December 11th, 2009, 1:35 pm
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Re: A Word On Words

Post by Emma » January 14th, 2010, 9:57 pm

Love the quote!

LydiaSharp
Posts: 37
Joined: January 11th, 2010, 4:49 pm
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Re: A Word On Words

Post by LydiaSharp » January 15th, 2010, 7:23 pm

I believe Janet said that on a Query Shark post. Instant quotable. ;)
Lydia Sharp
Science Fiction * Fantasy * Women's Fiction
http://www.lydiasharp.blogspot.com

rose
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Joined: December 6th, 2009, 2:23 pm
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Re: A Word On Words

Post by rose » January 17th, 2010, 2:48 pm

Very sharp, Ms. Sharpe! Pithy, to the point, and helpful.

rose
Follow my work at Smashwords:

Riders on the Rez http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/35697
The Good-Bye Man

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