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Category Archives: Tips
Language Tip 12 (2014-15)
Holidays are a linguistic pain. This is because so much time passes between Good Fridays and All Hallows’ Eves and Victoria Days for you to forget what you said and spelled last time. The Chicago Manual or Style says, “The … Continue reading
Language Tip 11 (2014-15)
Do not start sentences with “This + verb” (e.g. “This is a massive generalization…” “This sounds glib…”; “This runs counter to…”; “This is troublesome…”). This tip is a massive generalization. This advice sounds glib, but it’s an easy way to … Continue reading
Language Tip 10 (2014-15)
“bare” vs. “bear” Both of these words have several meanings, but “bear” is the one that means “to carry”; “bare” is normally used when referring to someone or something devoid of clothes, plants, etc. A few examples: Mussorgsky’s “Night on … Continue reading
Language Tip 9 (2014-15)
One of us was taught in high school that “like” should not precede an example: “I saw many fruits like oranges and apples and pears” supposedly meant “I saw many fruits THAT HAD A DISTINCT RESEMBLANCE TO oranges and apples … Continue reading
Language Tip 8 (2014-15)
Who vs. that Some people claim that relative clauses which relate to persons should only be introduced by “who” and never by “that,” although the latter option is in fact very common. According to this logic, the following is WRONG: … Continue reading
Language Tip 7 (2014-15)
Quoting. Quoting is not a get-out-syntax-free card. When you integrate quoted words into your sentence, your “combined” sentence has to be grammatical. This is nonsense: In “Strange Fits of Passion Have I Known” Wordsworth uses the symbol of the moon … Continue reading
Language Tip 6 (2014-15)
“Albeit” is tricky to use correctly, which is probably why students don’t use it often. Also, dictionaries give “albeit” bad press. Some dicitionaries cautiously label it “formal” or “literary,” while others slander it with “old-fashioned,” “archaic” and “obsolete.” If “albeit” … Continue reading
Language Tip 5 (2014-15)
The frequent confusing of “depressing” and “depressive” is depressing and it will soon turn us into depressives. In plain English: “depressing” is the (oft-used) adjective, “depressive” the (seldom-used) noun. If you want to say you’re feeling a little down or … Continue reading
Language Tip 4 (2014-15)
Once upon a time, one of us had a job teaching sugar-charged Mexican kids English. “Maestro” was the charming term they used (as in, “Maestro, Pedro won’t stop hitting me!”). Slovenians have their own difficulties with “teacher” or “professor,” so … Continue reading
Language Tip 3 (2014-15)
Do not mix up “motive” and “motif.” In English, a “motive” is what compels you to commit a crime. A “motif” is a recurring idea or image in a work of literature (or a thrice-heard theme in music). Because “motif” … Continue reading