Read The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation Online
Authors: Jane Straus,Lester Kaufman,Tom Stern
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation (15 page)
BOOK: The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
11.89Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads
N
O
P
Q-R
NAVAL, NAVEL
Naval
: pertaining to ships; nautical.
: pertaining to ships; nautical.
Navel
: belly button.
: belly button.
NEITHERâ¦OR
As a conjunction,
neither
often teams with
nor
: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” The rule many learned in fifth grade was, “Neitherâ¦nor, eitherâ¦or, but never neitherâ¦or.”
neither
often teams with
nor
: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” The rule many learned in fifth grade was, “Neitherâ¦nor, eitherâ¦or, but never neitherâ¦or.”
Neitherâ¦or
is another once-unthinkable faux pas gaining momentum among people who ought to know better. A political adviser's resignation letter read, “This position is not a fit for me, neither personally or professionally.” (Make it “either.”)
is another once-unthinkable faux pas gaining momentum among people who ought to know better. A political adviser's resignation letter read, “This position is not a fit for me, neither personally or professionally.” (Make it “either.”)
A big-city newspaper editor wrote, “I neither commissioned or approved it.” Even editors need editors.
NEW
See
knew, new
.
knew, new
.
NEW RECORD
See
all-time record
.
all-time record
.
NONPLUSSED
Note the double
s
.
s
.
Nonplussed
is widely misused as a synonym for
cool
or
unfazed: Despite his anxiety, he appeared nonplussed
. Clearly, the writer meant
nonchalant. nonplussed
means the opposite: “confused,” “thrown off.”
His strange behavior left her nonplussed
.
is widely misused as a synonym for
cool
or
unfazed: Despite his anxiety, he appeared nonplussed
. Clearly, the writer meant
nonchalant. nonplussed
means the opposite: “confused,” “thrown off.”
His strange behavior left her nonplussed
.
NOR
See
neitherâ¦or
.
neitherâ¦or
.
NOT JUST
See
just
.
just
.
NOTORIETY
A critic wrote: “Burgess gained notoriety with his wildly popular children's books.” Another oft-abused word,
notoriety
has somehow become a good thing. But can't you hear the
notorious
in
notoriety
? There are all kinds of fame;
notoriety
is one of the bad kinds, just down the pike from
infamy
. This is a word best reserved for describing the world's scoundrels.
notoriety
has somehow become a good thing. But can't you hear the
notorious
in
notoriety
? There are all kinds of fame;
notoriety
is one of the bad kinds, just down the pike from
infamy
. This is a word best reserved for describing the world's scoundrels.
NUMBER
See
amount, number
.
amount, number
.
OFF OF
“Hey! You! Get off of my cloud,” sang the Rolling Stones, unnecessarily. Make it
off my cloud
. The
of
in “off of” adds nothing, so why not drop it?
off my cloud
. The
of
in “off of” adds nothing, so why not drop it?
ORAL
See
aural, oral
.
aural, oral
.
ORDINANCE, ORDNANCE
Ordinance
: a law.
: a law.
Ordnance
: military weapons and ammunition.
: military weapons and ammunition.
OVERDO, OVERDUE
Overdo
: to go overboard with; behave excessively.
: to go overboard with; behave excessively.
Overdue
: behind time; payable.
: behind time; payable.
OVERLY
She is overly concerned about her job
. Note that if the opposite were true, no one would say “underly concerned.” Make it
too concerned
or
overconcerned
.
. Note that if the opposite were true, no one would say “underly concerned.” Make it
too concerned
or
overconcerned
.
Many writers think
overly
is unnecessary and a bit precious. “Making
over
into
overly
,” says
Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words
, “is a little like turning
soon
into
soonly
. Adding -
ly
does nothing for
over
that it could not already do.”
overly
is unnecessary and a bit precious. “Making
over
into
overly
,” says
Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words
, “is a little like turning
soon
into
soonly
. Adding -
ly
does nothing for
over
that it could not already do.”
PAIL, PALE
Pail
: a bucket.
: a bucket.
Pale
: lacking color.
: lacking color.
PAIN, PANE
Pain
: physical or emotional suffering.
: physical or emotional suffering.
Pane
: a glazed piece or section of a door, window, etc.
: a glazed piece or section of a door, window, etc.
PALATE, PALETTE, PALLET
Palate
: the roof of the mouth; taste.
: the roof of the mouth; taste.
Palette
: a range of colors; a board to hold and mix paint colors.
: a range of colors; a board to hold and mix paint colors.
Pallet
: a low, portable platform.
: a low, portable platform.
PARISH, PERISH
Parish
: a district with its own church and clergy.
: a district with its own church and clergy.
Perish
: to stop existing; to die.
: to stop existing; to die.
PARODY, SATIRE
A
parody
is a humorous imitation of a book, film, song, poem, etc., meant to poke fun at the original's style or intentions.
parody
is a humorous imitation of a book, film, song, poem, etc., meant to poke fun at the original's style or intentions.
A
satire
uses biting humor, hyperbole, sarcasm, irony, etc., to lay bare the toxic absurdity of civilization.
satire
uses biting humor, hyperbole, sarcasm, irony, etc., to lay bare the toxic absurdity of civilization.
PASSED, PAST
Passed
: gone ahead of; approved.
: gone ahead of; approved.
Past
: a former time; beyond.
: a former time; beyond.
PAST HISTORY
A curious term for
history
.
history
.
PASTIME, PAST TIME
A
pastime
is a leisurely pursuit or hobby.
pastime
is a leisurely pursuit or hobby.
The phrase
past time
refers to something that should have happened or been done by now.
past time
refers to something that should have happened or been done by now.
It's
past time
that people realized that
pastime
is one word.
past time
that people realized that
pastime
is one word.
PEACE, PIECE
Peace
: tranquility.
: tranquility.
Piece
: a portion.
: a portion.
PEAK, PEEK, PIQUE
Peak
: a summit.
: a summit.
Peek
: a glance (noun); to steal a glance (verb).
: a glance (noun); to steal a glance (verb).
Pique
: ill humor (noun); to arouse or annoy (verb).
: ill humor (noun); to arouse or annoy (verb).
PEAL, PEEL
Peal
: to ring.
: to ring.
Peel
: to strip.
: to strip.
PEDAL, PEDDLE
Pedal
: a foot-activated lever (noun); to operate something with pedals, such as a bicycle or organ (verb).
: a foot-activated lever (noun); to operate something with pedals, such as a bicycle or organ (verb).
Peddle
: to sell or publicize.
: to sell or publicize.
PEER, PIER
Peer
: a person who is an equal (noun); to look attentively (verb).
: a person who is an equal (noun); to look attentively (verb).
Pier
: a structure extending out over water.
: a structure extending out over water.
PENULTIMATE
“He's the penultimate Washington insider,” said the glib pundit, blissfully unaware that
penultimate
means “second to last.”
penultimate
means “second to last.”
PERCENT
One word.
PERPETRATE, PERPETUATE
Perpetrate
: to commit a crime.
: to commit a crime.
Perpetuate
: to prolong or sustain.
: to prolong or sustain.
PERSECUTE, PROSECUTE
To
persecute
is to go after in an intimidating, bullying manner.
persecute
is to go after in an intimidating, bullying manner.
To
prosecute
is to go after in a legal manner.
prosecute
is to go after in a legal manner.
PERSUADE
See
convince, persuade
.
convince, persuade
.
PHASE
See
faze, phase
.
faze, phase
.
PHENOMENON
This troublemaker baffles even articulate speakers. And they know it. If you listen closely, you'll notice people trying to save face by fudging the last syllable.
Phenomenon
is singular. “Management is a universal phenomenon,” declares a business website. It helps to remember the -
on
on the end, which almost spells
one
.
is singular. “Management is a universal phenomenon,” declares a business website. It helps to remember the -
on
on the end, which almost spells
one
.
The plural form is
phenomena
. A commentator on national television had it exactly backward. He spoke of “the phenomena of climate change” and later used
phenomenon
as a plural. Others say “phenomenas” when they mean
phenomena
.
phenomena
. A commentator on national television had it exactly backward. He spoke of “the phenomena of climate change” and later used
phenomenon
as a plural. Others say “phenomenas” when they mean
phenomena
.
PIECE
See
peace, piece
.
peace, piece
.
PIQUE
See
peak, peek, pique
.
peak, peek, pique
.
PISTIL, PISTOL
Pistil
: the female organ of a flower.
: the female organ of a flower.
Pistol
: a gun.
: a gun.
PLAIN, PLANE
Plain
: a treeless area of land (noun); not fancy; evident (adjectives).
: a treeless area of land (noun); not fancy; evident (adjectives).
Plane
: a flat or level surface; short form of
airplane
.
: a flat or level surface; short form of
airplane
.
PLUM, PLUMB
Plum
: a type of fruit.
: a type of fruit.
Plumb
: to examine (verb); upright; vertical (adjectives); totally; precisely (adverbs).
: to examine (verb); upright; vertical (adjectives); totally; precisely (adverbs).
p.m
.
.
See
a.m., p.m
.
a.m., p.m
.
POINT IN TIME
At that point in time
is an exercise in empty pomposity, made (in)famous by the Watergate hearings of the early 1970s and still going strong. Why not just
at that point
or
at that time
?
is an exercise in empty pomposity, made (in)famous by the Watergate hearings of the early 1970s and still going strong. Why not just
at that point
or
at that time
?
POLE, POLL
Pole
: a long, cylindrical piece of wood or metal.
: a long, cylindrical piece of wood or metal.
Poll
: a collection of opinions; a survey.
: a collection of opinions; a survey.
POOR, PORE, POUR
Poor
: deprived.
: deprived.
Pore
: a small opening (noun). To study carefully (verb).
: a small opening (noun). To study carefully (verb).
Pour
: to send liquid flowing.
: to send liquid flowing.
Be careful not to say “pour over” if you mean
pore over
.
pore over
.
PRAY, PREY
Pray
: to speak to a deity.
: to speak to a deity.
Prey
: a victim (noun); to hunt, to exploit (verbs).
: a victim (noun); to hunt, to exploit (verbs).
PRECIPITATE, PRECIPITOUS
Media pundits have errantly decided that
precipitous
means “immediate” or “swift,” as when they discuss the advisability of “precipitous troop withdrawal.” The correct adjective would be
precipitate
.
precipitous
means “immediate” or “swift,” as when they discuss the advisability of “precipitous troop withdrawal.” The correct adjective would be
precipitate
.
Precipitous
means “steep,” like a precipice.
means “steep,” like a precipice.
PREDOMINATELY
Some mistakenly use it as an alternative to
predominantly
, as in “chiefly,” “primarily.” Funny thing about
predominately
: you might not see it for long stretches, and then, like some verbal swine flu, it crops up everywhere for a few weeks. Although
predominately
is technically a word, it's not easy to pinpoint what it means.
predominantly
, as in “chiefly,” “primarily.” Funny thing about
predominately
: you might not see it for long stretches, and then, like some verbal swine flu, it crops up everywhere for a few weeks. Although
predominately
is technically a word, it's not easy to pinpoint what it means.
PREMIER, PREMIERE
Premier
is generally an adjective meaning “the best,” “of unsurpassed quality, skill, or importance.” As a noun, it refers to a head of government.
is generally an adjective meaning “the best,” “of unsurpassed quality, skill, or importance.” As a noun, it refers to a head of government.
A
premiere
is an opening night or first performance.
premiere
is an opening night or first performance.
PRESENTLY
Careful speakers and writers might consider avoiding this word. If you tell hungry guests, “We're serving dinner presently,” they might think you mean
now
. But
presently
means “in the near future.” It's a stuffy word anyway; what's wrong with
soon
?
now
. But
presently
means “in the near future.” It's a stuffy word anyway; what's wrong with
soon
?
PRESUME
See
assume, presume
.
assume, presume
.
PRINCIPAL, PRINCIPLE
Principal
: a major participant; the head of an institution (nouns); of first importance; chief (adjectives).
: a major participant; the head of an institution (nouns); of first importance; chief (adjectives).
Principle
: a fundamental belief; a fundamental fact.
: a fundamental belief; a fundamental fact.
PROFIT, PROPHET
Profit
: gain.
: gain.
Prophet
: a predictor; a seer.
: a predictor; a seer.
PRONE, SUPINE
The victim was found lying prone, her eyes gazing sightlessly at a full moon
. Sorry, but this is a maneuver only the swivel-headed girl from
The Exorcist
could pull off, because when you're
prone
, you're lying on your stomach. Make that
supine
, which means “lying on one's back.”
. Sorry, but this is a maneuver only the swivel-headed girl from
The Exorcist
could pull off, because when you're
prone
, you're lying on your stomach. Make that
supine
, which means “lying on one's back.”
PROPHECY, PROPHESIZE, PROPHESY
A
prophecy
is a prediction.
prophecy
is a prediction.
When prophets make prophecies, they
prophesy
, not “prophesize.”
prophesy
, not “prophesize.”
It will be a crowning achievement, prophesized its chief engineer
. Lose that
z
and make it
prophesied
. It is doubtful you could find any dictionary anywhere that lists “prophesize.” Even the nonjudgmental
Webster's New World College Dictionary
shuns this common (mis)usage.
. Lose that
z
and make it
prophesied
. It is doubtful you could find any dictionary anywhere that lists “prophesize.” Even the nonjudgmental
Webster's New World College Dictionary
shuns this common (mis)usage.
PROSECUTE
See
persecute, prosecute
.
persecute, prosecute
.
PURPOSELY, PURPOSEFULLY
These words share much common ground, and they are sometimes interchangeable, but there are distinct differences.
Purposely
means “intentionally,” but some acts are intentional, yet pointless:
Little Jimmy purposely threw Alice's lunch in the mud
.
Purposely
means “intentionally,” but some acts are intentional, yet pointless:
Little Jimmy purposely threw Alice's lunch in the mud
.
Someone who does something
purposefully
is on a mission, with an important goal in mind:
The rescue team purposefully combed the woods for the missing child
.
purposefully
is on a mission, with an important goal in mind:
The rescue team purposefully combed the woods for the missing child
.
QUOTATION, QUOTE
To purists,
quote
is a verb only. When we
quote
, we repeat or reproduce someone's exact words.
quote
is a verb only. When we
quote
, we repeat or reproduce someone's exact words.
The correct term for quoted material is a
quotation
. In casual usage, a quotation is often called a “quote,” but
quote
as a noun is still not acceptable in formal writing.
quotation
. In casual usage, a quotation is often called a “quote,” but
quote
as a noun is still not acceptable in formal writing.
RACK, WRACK
As a verb,
rack
means “to afflict,” “oppress,” “torment.”
rack
means “to afflict,” “oppress,” “torment.”
To
wrack
is to cause the ruin of.
wrack
is to cause the ruin of.
A lot of people mistakenly write things like “nerve-wracking” and “I wracked my brains.” Drop the
w
in both cases. Both expressions derive from that device in the torture hall of fame called the
rack
.
w
in both cases. Both expressions derive from that device in the torture hall of fame called the
rack
.
RAISE, RAZE
Raise
: to lift up.
: to lift up.
Raze
: to take down.
: to take down.
RAP, WRAP
Rap
: a sharp blow; a type of music (nouns); to strike sharply (verb).
: a sharp blow; a type of music (nouns); to strike sharply (verb).
Wrap
: to enclose in a covering.
: to enclose in a covering.
REAL, REEL
Real
: actual, authentic.
: actual, authentic.
Reel
: a spool (noun); to stumble; falter (verbs).
: a spool (noun); to stumble; falter (verbs).
REASON BEING IS
One hears this odd phrase frequently, in statements like
The economy is in trouble; the reason being is profligate spending
. Make it either
the reason being profligate spending
or
the reason is profligate spending
.
The economy is in trouble; the reason being is profligate spending
. Make it either
the reason being profligate spending
or
the reason is profligate spending
.
REASON IS BECAUSE
The reason is because we spend too much
. Make it
The reason is that we spend too much
. Saying
the reason is
makes
because
unnecessary.
. Make it
The reason is that we spend too much
. Saying
the reason is
makes
because
unnecessary.
REEK, WREAK
Reek
: to smell bad.
: to smell bad.
Wreak
: to inflict.
: to inflict.
REFER
See
allude, elude, refer
.
allude, elude, refer
.
REGARDLESS
See
irregardless
.
irregardless
.
REIGN, REIN
Reign
: period in power (noun); to be in power (verb).
: period in power (noun); to be in power (verb).
Rein
: a strap to control horses (noun); to control or guide (verb).
: a strap to control horses (noun); to control or guide (verb).
RELISH IN
Jones is relishing in his new role as financial adviser
. The sentence mistakes
relish
for
revel
. Either Jones
relishes
his role or he
revels in
his role.
. The sentence mistakes
relish
for
revel
. Either Jones
relishes
his role or he
revels in
his role.
RENOWN
Ansel Adams is renown for his timeless photographs
. Make that
renowned
. This widespread gaffe results from thinking
renown
is akin to
known
, probably because they share those last four letters.
. Make that
renowned
. This widespread gaffe results from thinking
renown
is akin to
known
, probably because they share those last four letters.
REST, WREST
Rest
: to relax.
: to relax.
Wrest
: to take forcibly.
: to take forcibly.
REST, AS THEY SAY, IS HISTORY
The rest, as they say, is history
is a cringe-inducing cliché. Not
The rest is history
, which has its placeâit's that pseudo-sagacious
as they say
which really rankles. How to explain the enduring appeal of something so tired, weak, and breathtakingly unoriginal?
is a cringe-inducing cliché. Not
The rest is history
, which has its placeâit's that pseudo-sagacious
as they say
which really rankles. How to explain the enduring appeal of something so tired, weak, and breathtakingly unoriginal?
RESTAURATEUR
Note the spelling: no
n
.
n
.
RETCH, WRETCH
Retch
: to heave.
: to heave.
Wretch
: a lowly being; a scoundrel.
: a lowly being; a scoundrel.
RETICENT
Reticent
means “uncommunicative, reserved, silent.” But many people wrongly use it to mean “reluctant”:
I was reticent to spend so much on a football game
. No, you were
reticent
when you didn't protest the ticket price.
means “uncommunicative, reserved, silent.” But many people wrongly use it to mean “reluctant”:
I was reticent to spend so much on a football game
. No, you were
reticent
when you didn't protest the ticket price.
REVEREND
In formal writing, there's no such thing as “a reverend.” The word is an honorific used before a pastor's name:
the Reverend Josiah Blank
. Important:
the
is mandatory. Also note the phrase must be followed by the person's full nameâto say “Reverend Blank” is wrong twice.
the Reverend Josiah Blank
. Important:
the
is mandatory. Also note the phrase must be followed by the person's full nameâto say “Reverend Blank” is wrong twice.
REVIEW, REVUE
Review
: an examination or criticism (noun); to assess, to analyze (verbs).
: an examination or criticism (noun); to assess, to analyze (verbs).
Revue
: a variety show.
: a variety show.
RIFF, RIFT
Riff
: a brief musical phrase; pithy or flippant wordplay.
: a brief musical phrase; pithy or flippant wordplay.
Rift
: a crack; a disagreement.
: a crack; a disagreement.
RIGHT, RITE, WRITE
Right
: an entitlement (noun); correct, opposite of
left
, opposite of
wrong
(adjectives).
: an entitlement (noun); correct, opposite of
left
, opposite of
wrong
(adjectives).
Rite
: a ritual; a ceremony.
: a ritual; a ceremony.
Write
: to compose letters or words.
: to compose letters or words.
RING, WRING
Ring
: the sound of a bell; jewelry worn around a finger.
: the sound of a bell; jewelry worn around a finger.
Wring
: to twist.
: to twist.
ROAD, RODE, ROWED
Road
: a street; a path; a highway.
: a street; a path; a highway.
Rode
: past tense of
ride
.
: past tense of
ride
.
Rowed
: past tense of
row
.
: past tense of
row
.
ROLE, ROLL
Role
: a position; a part in a play or film.
: a position; a part in a play or film.
Roll
: a baked food; a flowing movement (nouns); to rotate; to flow with a current (verbs).
: a baked food; a flowing movement (nouns); to rotate; to flow with a current (verbs).
RYE, WRY
Rye
: a grain.
: a grain.
Wry
: mocking; ironic; droll.
: mocking; ironic; droll.
BOOK: The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
11.89Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads
Other books
The Tryst by Michael Dibdin
By Chance Alone by Max Eisen
It's Not Okay: Turning Heartbreak into Happily Never After by Andi Dorfman
The Death of an Irish Consul by Bartholomew Gill
Rough & Rowdy (Notorious Devils #1) by Hayley Faiman
Island Christmas by Kimberly Rose Johnson
An Ever Fixéd Mark by Jessie Olson
Against All Odds (Arabesque) by Forster, Gwynne
Reilly's Woman by Janet Dailey