Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 28)

Here are some more words I see frequently misused:

Gambit vs. gamut

Wrong: The colors in a rainbow run the gambit from red through violet.
Right: The colors in a rainbow run the gamut from red through violet.

A gambit is a tactical maneuver or ploy to gain an advantage. Gamut refers to the entire range or scope of something.

Then vs. than

Wrong: It’s colder today then yesterday.
Right: It’s colder today than yesterday.

Use then when referring to aspects of time (now and then; do this, then do that). Use than for comparisons (“It’s more brown than green.”).

There are plenty of other misused words to go. More next time.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 27)

To continue the series, here are some more words that writers often misuse:

Tact vs. tack vs. tactic

Wrong: I’m going to take a different tact on this problem.
Right: I’m going to take a different tack on this problem.
Right: I’m going to try a different tactic on this problem.

The phrase “taking a different tack” comes from nautical terminology. It means a course run obliquely against the wind in a zigzag fashion. So, taking a different tack means to try another approach. Tact, on the other hand, is a sense of what’s appropriate or a skill with delicate situations. A tactic is a plan or procedure to attain a goal. A person of tact, then, might try a different tack as a tactic for achieving victory.

Allude vs. refer

Wrong: She kept alluding to the particulars of the annual report.
Right: She kept referring to the particulars of the annual report.

You refer to something directly or allude to it indirectly.

More words next time.

Mark.

Good news, bad news

First the bad: I'm sad to report that the publisher (Shadowrose/Shadowmere) of my first two novels (The Mars Imperative and The Tesserene Imperative) has apparently gone belly up. They haven't responded to emails for phone calls since late last year. As a result, I reluctantly terminated my contracts with them back in early March. So now I'm waiting for the publishing right to revert to me (90 days after termination). In the meantime, I took to submitting the manuscript for my third novel to other publishers.

And there's the good news. I recently received an offer for the book. I'm still mulling over the offer, so I don't want to name names until I decide whether to accept. But it's quite likely that Sunrise Destiny will be on sale later this year. Hooray!

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 26)

Here are some more words that are frequently misused, and how to use them correctly:

Jive vs. jibe

Wrong: Their stories don’t jive.
Right: Their stories don’t jibe.

In this context, jibe means to agree or to be in accord. Jive has numerous meanings, including deceptive, teasing, pretentious, or irrelevant talk. So even when jive-talking, your stories should jibe.

Intense vs. intents

Wrong: For all intense and purposes….
Right: For all intents and purposes….

Intense (an adjective) has a number of meanings, including extreme, vehement, and to a high degree. Intents (noun) are plans, intentions or states of mind. The phrase “for all intents and purposes” specifically means virtually or practically.

More words next time.

Mark.

Connecting words (Part 3)

This is the last of a three-part series of blogs.

As writers, it’s too easy to fall into the habit of using the same few connecting words (and/plus/also, but/however/although, etc.) over and over. Here is a selection of words and phrases to be used when combining or differentiating clauses and sentences. This list provides some alternatives to add spice to your writing. The words aren’t all synonyms of one another, but all can be used for similar results depending on the context. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive list of all possible synonyms, but merely as a quick reference for commonly used words of each type. Feel free to add others to the list as you think of them.

Last time, alternative connectors. This time, conclusive and explanatory connectors:

Conclusive

• accordingly
• as a result
• consequently
• ergo
• hence
• in conclusion
• so
• subsequently
• then
• thereby
• therefore
• thus

Explanatory

• e.g. / for example
• for instance
• i.e. / that is
• in other words
• meaning
• namely
• such as

I hope you found these lists helpful.

Mark.

Binky Merton takes 2nd place

My short story, Binky Merton Takes a Trip, took 2nd place in the Rites of Passage contest at Between the Cracks Digest for April 2008. If you haven't discovered BtC, you owe it to yourself to check it out. It has terrific fiction and poetry, book excerpts, artwork, and book reviews.

Here's a direct link to Binky. I hope you enjoy it.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 25)

Some words are all-too-frequently misused, misspelled, or mispunctuated. Here are a few more and how to use them correctly.

Continually vs. continuously

Wrong: The waves continuously beat against the shore.
Right: The waves continually beat against the shore.

Continuously means nonstop, while continually means again and again, at regular or frequent intervals. While the waves may appear to be unceasing, they actually come in intervals.

Followup vs. follow-up vs. follow up

Wrong: We need to followup with him next week.
Right: We need to follow up with him next week.

First, there is no such word as “followup.” It can be written as follow-up (a noun; something that increases the effectiveness of something else), as in: “This will require some follow-up.” Follow-up can also be used as an adjective: “Be sure to write a follow-up story.” In the example above, however, the verb phrase follow up is an action that produces follow-up.

There are plenty of words like these. More next time.

Mark.

Connecting words (Part 2)

This is the second of a three-part series of blogs.

As writers, it’s too easy to fall into the habit of using the same few connecting words (and/plus/also, but/however/although, etc.) over and over. Here is a selection of words and phrases to be used when combining or differentiating clauses and sentences. This list provides some alternatives to add spice to your writing. The words aren’t all synonyms of one another, but all can be used for similar results depending on the context. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive list of all possible synonyms, but merely as a quick reference for commonly used words of each type. Feel free to add others to the list as you think of them.

Last time, additive connectors. This time, alternative connectors:

• all the same
• alternatively
• although
• as opposed to
• barring
• but
• despite
• different from (never different than; different to, if you speak UK English)
• else
• even though
• except
• fortunately
• however
• in spite of
• irrespective
• just
• let alone
• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• notwithstanding
• on the other hand
• only
• or else
• otherwise
• regardless
• still
• though
• unfortunately
• unless
• vs. / versus
• whereas
• yet

Next time, we finish up with conclusive and explanatory connectors.

Mark.