Quick Tips RSS http://www.whitesmoke.com/quick-tips.rss en World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke 2006 120 Quick Tip: Getting Under Weigh with Nautical Terms http://www.whitesmoke.com/under-weight-with-nautical-terms English has many colorful expressions taken from the world of sailing, from "above board" (above the deck, or in plain view) to the "bitter end" (the very end of an anchor rope, tied to the bitts, posts mounted on the ship's deck).

The term "underway," also spelled "under way," was originally used to describe a ship in motion.  The original spelling, "under weigh," is now obsolete.  "Underway" and "under way" are both considered correct.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Getting Under Weigh with Nautical Terms]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:28:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/under-weight-with-nautical-terms http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Stationary v. Stationery http://www.whitesmoke.com/stationary-v-stationery These two words are homonyms.  Homonyms are two words that sound the same, but mean two different things.

It's really easy to mix these two up, since their spelling is only different by one letter!

Stationary = (adjective) unmoving, fixed, unchanging, standing still, remaining in one place.

Alice remained stationary until the teacher told her she could take her seat.

Stationery = (noun)  writing paper, office supplies

We received beautiful stationery with our names printed on it, as a wedding present.

A Memory Trick:

Stationary (with an a) can imply "standing still".  Think:  stationary = standing. 

The meanings are similar, and the spelling of "standing" is easier to quickly recall. 

 

Or, jot down the two on some stationery, every time you forget!

Good luck!


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Stationary v. Stationery]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:24:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/stationary-v-stationery http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Using Hyphens with Adjectives http://www.whitesmoke.com/using-hyphens-and-adjectives Use a hyphen when two or more words create one adjective.  Here are some examples:

  • A sign-in sheet
  • The second-last runner
  • A poorly-drawn picture

 

Do not use a hyphen if the two words are not being used to create an adjective.

Please sign in on the sign-in sheet.
That picture was poorly drawn.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Using Hyphens with Adjectives]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:23:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/using-hyphens-and-adjectives http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Accept and Except http://www.whitesmoke.com/accept-and-except Accept is a verb meaning to receive or give approval to. You can accept a gift, accept an apology, or learn to accept your limitations.

Except is a preposition or conjunction indicating that something is not included. If I like everyone except Bob, it means that I like everyone else, but I don't like Bob.

The two words are easily confused because they sound quite similar, but they are not interchangeable.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Accept and Except]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:20:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/accept-and-except http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Site or Sight http://www.whitesmoke.com/site-or-sight A site is a location. A website is a location on the web.

A sight is something that you see. A sight is also the part of a gun used for targeting. When you target something, you have it in your sights.

When tourists go to several locations to look at things, they are visiting the sites to see the sights.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Site or Sight]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:18:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/site-or-sight http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: He and She, Him and Her http://www.whitesmoke.com/he-she-him-her Use he or she as the subject of a sentence.  He is hungry.

Use him or her as the object of an action.  I gave the ball to her.

The rule is the same when the subject is more than one person:

She and her friend went out. - Correct

Her and her friend went out. - Wrong!

Confused?  Try taking out the second person.  She went out.  She and her friend went out.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: He and She, Him and Her]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:16:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/he-she-him-her http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Proper Use of Quotation Marks http://www.whitesmoke.com/proper-use-of-quotation-marks Only use quotation marks when something is being quoted.  Don't use quotation marks for emphasis.

Quotation marks can be appropriate even when someone is not being directly quoted.  Suppose Bob has a new girlfriend, but he says they are just friends.  You might write something like this:

Remember to invite Bob and his "friend," Susan.

The word "friend" is more or less a quotation from Bob.  The use of quotation marks implies that you don't really believe him.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Proper Use of Quotation Marks]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:14:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/proper-use-of-quotation-marks http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Advice and Advise http://www.whitesmoke.com/advice-and-advise Advice, rhyming with mice, is a noun.  You can give advice and receive advice.

Advise, rhyming with wise, is a verb.  When you advise someone, you give him recommendations or advice.

Advice is a recommendation.  To advise is to recommend.

The two words can be confusing because of the "s" in "advise."  However, the two words are pronounced differently.

Example: I need some advice.  Will you advise me?


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Advice and Advise]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:11:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/advice-and-advise http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Dangling Modifiers http://www.whitesmoke.com/dangling-modifiers Make sure modifiers describe something that is in the sentence. 

For example:

Walking outside, the stars were beautiful.
Never having taken math before, the test was difficult.

Who was walking outside?  It sounds like the stars were walking.  Who has never taken math before?  Here are better versions of those sentences.

Walking outside, we looked at the beautiful stars.
Never having taken math before, he found the test difficult.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Dangling Modifiers]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:09:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/dangling-modifiers http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Subject-Verb Agreement http://www.whitesmoke.com/quick-subject-verb-agreement A singular subject needs a singular verb.  Usually this is quite straightforward.

The apple is fresh.  The apples are fresh.

Sometimes it's not clear if the subject is singular or plural.  The following words are always singular, and need a singular verb:

either, neither, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, none, each

Either one is fine.  Everyone is here.  I wonder if anybody is coming.  Someone is at the door.  Each apple is fresh.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Subject-Verb Agreement]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:07:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/quick-subject-verb-agreement http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Correct Use of Apostrophes http://www.whitesmoke.com/correct-use-of-apostrophes Most apostrophe errors involve adding an apostrophe where it is not needed, rather than leaving one out where it is required.  When in doubt, do not add an apostrophe.

Most of the time, apostrophes are used to indicate possession or to show that a letter has been left out in a contraction.  If you're not doing either of those things, don't add an apostrophe.  If you are adding an "s" to make a noun plural, do not add an apostrophe.  Ask for three carrots, not three carrot’s.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Correct Use of Apostrophes]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:05:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/correct-use-of-apostrophes http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Role and Roll http://www.whitesmoke.com/role-and-roll A role is a character portrayed by an actor.  "Ghandi" was Ben Kingsley's greatest role.  "Hamlet" is a difficult role for most actors.

Roll can be a verb meaning to push something along the ground so that it rotates.  Roll out the barrel.  Roll up the carpet.

Roll can also be a noun describing something that has been rolled up.  Pass me that roll of carpet.  


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Role and Roll]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:02:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/role-and-roll http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Fewer and Less http://www.whitesmoke.com/fewer-and-less Fewer means "not as many" and is used for countable nouns.  There are fewer trees in the park these days.  Fewer people smoke cigarettes.  Fewer VCRs are being sold.

Less means "not as much" and is used for non-countable nouns.  The river has less water in the fall.  We play less music on week nights.  It will be less work if you let the dishes soak before you wash them.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Fewer and Less]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/fewer-and-less http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Seen and Saw http://www.whitesmoke.com/seen-and-saw Saw is the past tense form of "see."  Saw can be used by itself, without a helping verb.

You saw me.  I saw that movie.

Seen is the past participle form of "see."  Seen requires a helper verb, such as "have."

I have seen that movie.  A coyote was seen in the park yesterday.

It is never correct to use "seen" without a helper verb.

I seen you. - Incorrect


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Seen and Saw ]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:58:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/seen-and-saw http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Could Of or Could Have http://www.whitesmoke.com/could-of-could-have This is a nice, simple rule.  Never use could of.  It is always could have.

 

The same rule applies to should have and would have.  It is never correct to say should of or would of.  The correct version is always could have, should have, or would have.

 

I could have been a contender.  We should have taken the bus.  It would have been faster.

 

 


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Could Of or Could Have]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:57:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/could-of-could-have http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Irregardless http://www.whitesmoke.com/irregardless  

Don't use the word irregardless.  Like the word "ain't," it has become so commonly used that it appears in dictionaries, but it is very poor English.

 

Anywhere that you would use irregardless, just use the word "regardless."  They mean the same thing.

 


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Irregardless]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:53:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/irregardless http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Alter and Altar http://www.whitesmoke.com/alter-and-altar Alter is a verb meaning "to change."  The noun form, alteration, means a change that has been made.

Altar is a noun and means a table or raised surface used for religious ceremonies.  Because traditional Christian weddings are held in churches, altars are also used idiomatically to refer to weddings.  To be abandoned at the altar means that your partner cancelled the wedding at the last moment.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Alter and Altar]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:51:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/alter-and-altar http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Infer and Imply http://www.whitesmoke.com/infer-and-imply To infer something is to guess at a meaning without a lot of data.  If John is frowning, you might infer that he is unhappy.

To imply something is to suggest that it is true without explicitly saying so.  Have a look at the following example.

Susan said, "There was a cookie here a moment ago.  Then John walked by, and now the cookie is gone."

Susan has not accused John of taking the cookie, but she has implied that he took it.  John might infer that she thinks he took the cookie.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Infer and Imply]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:46:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/infer-and-imply http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Bares and Bears, oh my http://www.whitesmoke.com/bare-or-bear Bare can be an adjective meaning uncovered or exposed, or a verb meaning to uncover or to expose.  When you are not wearing shoes, you have bare feet.

Bear is a more versatile word.  It can be a verb meaning "to endure."  When it snows, I cannot bear to go outside in bare feet.

You can bear left or bear right, meaning to change your direction slightly.  Bear can also mean "to carry" (beware of Greeks who bear gifts).

Bear also refers to a large wild animal.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Bares and Bears, oh my]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:42:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/bare-or-bear http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Quick Tip: Forth and Fourth http://www.whitesmoke.com/fourth-or-forth Fourth is an adjective describing numerical position.  A fourth is also a name for a quarter of something.

Forth is an adverb meaning onward in position or time.  To go forth is to head out into the world.

The word also appears in an idiom.  To "hold forth on" something is to speak about it at great length.


This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Quick Tip: Forth and Fourth ]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:39:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/fourth-or-forth http://www.whitesmoke.com/