Category Archive: Grammar

Jun 19

Council / Counsel / Consul

Writing It Right For YouThe first two words are pronounced the same but have distinct meanings. An official group that deliberates, like the Council on Foreign Relations, is a “council”; all the rest are “counsels”: your lawyer, advice, etc. A consul is a local representative of a foreign government.

If you need writing or editing assistance with the very confusing English language rules, Contact the professionals at Writing It Right For You.

We’re here to help because “It Matters How You Say It”!

Visit Common Errors in English for more tips like this.

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Jun 18

Precede / Proceed

Writing It Right For You - English Grammar Usage Tips“Precede” means “to go before.” “Proceed” means “to go on.” Let your companion precede you through the door, then proceed to follow her. Interestingly, the second E is missing in “procedure.”

If you need writing or editing assistance with the very confusing English language rules, Contact the professionals at Writing It Right For You.

We’re here to help because “It Matters How You Say It”!

Visit Common Errors in English for more tips like this.

Permanent link to this article: http://writingitrightforyou.com/home/2013/06/18/precede-proceed/

Jun 17

Once / Ones

Writing It Right For You - English Grammar Usage Tips“Once” always has to do with time and answers the questions, “how many times?” or “when?” For instance: “I only played handball once.” “Once I got my boot off, I saw my sock had a hole in it.”

In contrast, “ones” have to do with things. In your tool collection, the ones you should keep handy are the ones you use most.

If you need writing or editing assistance with the very confusing English language rules, Contact the professionals at Writing It Right For You. We’re here to help because “It Matters How You Say It”!

Visit Common Errors in English for more tips like this.

Permanent link to this article: http://writingitrightforyou.com/home/2013/06/17/once-ones/

Jun 14

Rye / Wry

Writing It Right For You - English Grammar Usage Tips“Wry” means “bent, twisted.” Even if you don’t have a wry sense of humor you may crack a wry smile. No rye is involved.

If you need writing or editing assistance with the very confusing English language rules, Contact the professionals at Writing It Right For You. We’re here to help because “It Matters How You Say It”!

Visit Common Errors in English for more tips like this.

Permanent link to this article: http://writingitrightforyou.com/home/2013/06/14/rye-wry/

Jun 13

Jealousy / Envy

Writing It Right For You - English Grammar Usage TipsThe main difference between envy and jealousy is that envy is an emotion related to coveting what someone else has, while jealousy is the emotion related to fear that something you have will be taken away by someone else.

Definitions:

Envy:

Envy means “to bear a grudge toward someone due to coveting what that person has or enjoys.” In a milder sense, it means “the longing for something someone else has without any ill will intended toward that person.”

Example: 

  • I’m envious of his car / her clothes.

Easy to remember: 

Envy is the emotion when you want something that someone else has.

Jealousy:

Jealous means “apprehensive or vengeful out of fear of being replaced by someone else.” It can also mean “watchful, ” “anxiously suspicious, ” “zealous, ” or “expecting complete devotion.” The last is normally applied to God.

Example:

  • I am jealous the boss prefers to seek your advice

Easy to remember:
Jealousy is the emotion when you fear something or someone might be taken away from you.

If you need writing or editing assistance with the very confusing English language rules, Contact the professionals at Writing It Right For You. We’re here to help because “It Matters How You Say It”!

Permanent link to this article: http://writingitrightforyou.com/home/2013/06/13/jealousy-envy/

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