Writing It Right For You

“may” or “might”

Pamela Hilliard Owens — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:00:17 +0000

This is another post about English language usage.

The word “may” expresses likelihood.

The word “might” expresses a stronger sense of doubt.

It is a difference of degree.

You may be right means there’s a possibility that you are right.

You might be right means you could be right. Or not.

If you think you need help with English language usage, you may be right!

chili or chile?

Pamela Hilliard Owens — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:00:38 +0000

Chili Peppers (Photo credit: sarowen)

As is often the case, when to use “chili” or “chile” depends on the context. Both spellings are correct when referring to the capsium fruit called chili pepper or chile pepper. Use the word “chili”, however, when describing the main dish chili con carne (chili with meat); chiles are powdered to make cayenne pepper. The name of the South American country “Chile” is always capitalized.

For those of us who must also be conversant in British English, the original chilly is also correct.

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Is it an equinox or a solstice?

Pamela Hilliard Owens — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:00:58 +0000

Here is another word pair that is often misused or misunderstood. Both words define the annual path of the Sun.

“equinox”: there are two sets of days of the year when the Sun crosses the equator and the length of the day and the night are equal (hence, “equinox”). The vernal equinox is in the spring about March 20-21, and the autumnal equinox occurs in the fall (autumn) around September 22-23. These dates are for the northern hemisphere, the vernal and autumnal equinoxes are reversed in the southern hemisphere. The word “equinox” comes from the Latin equinoxium, which translates to “equality between day and night”.

“solstice”: the solstice also occurs twice a year–once when the Sun is at its northernmost point (at the Tropic of Cancer) and again when the Sun is at its southernmost point (at the Tropic of Capricorn). The summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere occurs about June 21-22. The winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere occurs about December 21. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin solstitium which translates to “sun standing still”. During each solstice, it seems as if the Sun is standing still.

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Writing It Right For You

“may” or “might”

chili or chile?

Is it an equinox or a solstice?

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