expedient vs. expeditious
What’s the difference between expedient and expeditious? The words were originally synonymous, but their meanings diverged long ago, and the distinction is small but significant. (more…)
Plum vs. plumb
Plum is an adjective meaning desirable, and it also denotes the sweet, purplish fruit. The adjectival meaning originated as a figurative extension of the fruit.
Plumb is a verb meaning (1) to determine the depth of, to probe, or (2) to work as a plumber; an adjective/adverb meaning (3) exactly vertical, (4) utterly, or (5) squarely; and a noun referring to (6) a weight on the end of a line, used to determine water depth. (more…)
enquire vs inquire
Often debated amongst scholars, the Macquarie dictionary explains the two thus:
(more…)
accept vs except Accept is a verb, which means to agree to take something . For example: "I always accept good advice." Except is a preposition or conjunction, which means…
Imply means "to state indirectly." Infer means "to draw a conclusion." You may infer something from an implication, but you would not imply something from an inference. Do you use…
Imply means "to state indirectly." Infer means "to draw a conclusion." You may infer something from an implication, but you would not imply something from an inference. Do you use…
Chomping at the bit. The correct phrase is “champing at the bit” – which, in a classic case of proper English trumping logical English, doesn’t make as much intuitive sense. (more…)
Some may say that commas are unnecessary but as evidenced in this example – commas save lives! Let’s eat Grandpa! Let’s eat, Grandpa!
