An ellipsis is always three dots Reader’s question: If you have a full stop then an ellipsis, do you have three dots or four? Answer: We use ellipses to indicate that we have left out material we’re quoting from. In informal writing, we also use them to indicate we could have said more, but are choosing not […]
‘I’ll meet you at the airport’ or ‘I’ll meet you in the airport’? Reader’s question: Could you please teach me a simple method to remember how and when to use the words in and at appropriately? For example, which of the following sentences are correct? I live in/at England Garden. I am in/at the airport. I am waiting […]
The difference between there, they’re and there I think people who confuse there, they’re and their understand the different meanings of these words, but get confused because they look and sound alike. Words that look and sound the same are known as homophones. there = in that place they’re = short for ‘they are’ their = belonging to them They live there. […]
The difference between desert and dessert Desert A desert is a wasteland or to desert means to abandon. The explorers were lost in the desert for four days without water. He deserted his post when the gunfire started. Desert is also used in the expression, ‘get your just deserts’, i.e. what you deserve. Desserts Desserts […]
The difference between insidious and invidious insidious Insidious means treacherous or crafty. He took power insidiously. It was an insidious plot. invidious Invidious means likely to give offence. He made invidious remarks. It was an invidious comparison. One letter separates these two words, but they come from different Latin words. Insidious derives from the Latin word […]
Is something practical or practicable? Reader’s question: What’s the difference between practical and practicable? Answer: Practical means useful or matter-of-fact. This is a practical tool. Practicable means feasible, possible. The backup plan was practicable. Another important distinction is that practical can apply to people and skills, while practicable only applies to plans or actions. Learn […]
What’s the difference between premise and premises? Reader’s question: Should the term premise or premises be used when referring to a single location? Answer: We use premises for a single house or location, and premise as a term in logic, meaning something assumed or taken as a given. The premises were protected by guard dogs. The premise […]
Do you need italics with Latin expressions? Reader’s question: Do you put Latin expressions in italics? For example, ad nauseam and sic. Answer: Most Latin expressions are now so commonplace there is no need for italics. However, you are not wrong if you use them. The Australian government style guide (Style manual: For authors, editors and […]
The difference between incidence and incident Incidence means the rate of occurrence. The incidence of the disease is increasing. Incident is an event or action. During an incident on the yacht race, a man fell overboard. They can be used to express the same idea, but incidence cannot be made plural and incident can. Incidence […]
What is the plural of staff? Reader’s question: Which is correct: staff or staffs when referring to people? Answer: The correct word is staff if you are referring to a group of people within an organisation. You can use the plural staffs to refer to more than one body of staff. Pam Peters gives the following example in The Cambridge Guide […]
