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Category Archives: Commonly Confused Words
Back Pain
We need to remember that many words beginning with re-, such as reflect, return, and revert, do not need to be followed by back: Even when I already know the story, I like hearing Grandma reflect back on her early days … Continue reading
Posted in Brevity, Commonly Confused Words, Flair & Finesse
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Major League Mistakes
With the Cleveland Indians playing in the 2016 World Series, a local theater showed the cult classic, Major League. Do you spot any errors in this sentence from an announcement of the special showings? Lead by veteran player, Jake Taylor … Continue reading
Shades of Gray
Sometimes we tax our gray matter over word choices that seem … well, gray. (Or is it “grey”?) Let’s look at a few. Orient vs. orientate Neither is wrong, but “orientate” is more British. Here in the U.S. we can … Continue reading
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Words Matter
Ironically, although an HR firm’s online article was titled “Words Matter,” it contained this sentence in need of editing. How would you improve it? As the economy has improved there are less active candidates in the marketplace. The two errors … Continue reading
“A” for “Alert”
This week’s 60-second tip covers two occasions when the word “a” should signal an alert: 1. Watch out for abbreviations after the word “a.” I just read an article, for example, that referred to a NFL record. Yes “N” is … Continue reading
60-Second Tip
Last week, in the newly shortened format for year 3 of my blog, we simply struck the needless “who is” in the first sentence of a movie synopsis. Now what would you do to refine the article’s second sentence (which … Continue reading
Summer Reading V
Do you have a perfect score for August? If so, the pressure’s on to close out the month with one more A+. Make your choices. 1. In lieu of/In light of the growing friction between Andrew and Becky, we are … Continue reading
Summer Reading IV
Let’s continue our laid-back August tempo with another brief quiz you just might ace. Make your picks. 1. Now that I have pored/poured over the materials you sent me, I feel more confident about my interview next week. 2. The idea … Continue reading
Summer Reading III
Remaining in vacation mode, let’s look at a few more word pairs and a chance to ace another quick quiz. Make your choices. 1. If no one is adverse/averse to extending the meeting, let’s tackle one more item. 2. My … Continue reading
Summer Reading II
Continuing our relaxed pace for the last full month of summer, here is another brief quiz. Make your choices. 1. Jill’s poetic captions exquisitely complement/compliment Jerry’s gorgeous photographs from their Canadian Rockies vacation. 2. I love the pieces I bought … Continue reading