Tag Archive: parts of speech

Feb 06

Stationary or Stationery? Which One When?

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Academic Writing, Business Writing, English Language Usage, Grammar, Projects, Usage

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February 6, 2012

Question PersonHere’s another word pair that is often confusing for people. These words are called homophones–which mean they sound alike (same sound), but have different meanings.

*  stationary (with an a) is a verb which means still, not moving, in one place.

*  stationery (with an e) is a noun that names the paper used for formal written communication–either personal or business.

For a high-tech way to remember which word to use when, remember that you use email to send digital communication and stationery for hand-written or printed formal communication.

The professional writing and editing team at Writing It Right For You is ready to help you with any projects–confusing or not!

Are there any other homophones that confuse you? Let us know in the comments section!

 

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Sep 19

Maybe You’ve Just Been Misunderstood (Part 2)

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Academic Writing, Business Writing, English Language Usage, Grammar, Spelling, Usage

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September 19, 2011

QuestioningWell, we’re back with Part 2 of our series on some of the most misunderstood words in the English language. Some words are so confusing that even a dictionary or thesaurus can’t help. That’s when you contact the experts at Writing It Right For You–we’re ready to help you!

(Thanks to Grammar.net for these great word exercises!)

4) “continual”: you THINK it means ongoing with no interruptions. It really means lasting over a long period of time, but not necessarily uninterrupted.

5) “infamous”: you THINK it means the same as “famous”, but it means just the opposite. “Infamous” is never a positive description–an infamous person has a very bad reputation.

6) “systematic”: you may THINK it means the same as “systemic” which pertains to the body as a whole. “Systematic” involves using a system in an orderly manner.

Check back soon for the 3rd Installment of “Maybe You’ve Just Been Misunderstood”!

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Jul 25

Maybe You’ve Just Been Misunderstood (Part 1)

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Academic Writing, Business Writing, English Language Usage, Grammar, News and Views

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July 25, 2011

QuestioningEnglish is one of the hardest languages to speak and write correctly. So many words, so little time. To assist you, this post will be part of a 4-part series of some of the most misunderstood words in the English language. Sometimes, even a dictionary or thesaurus isn’t much help. Call the experts at Writing It Right For You–we KNOW what all words mean!

(Thanks to Grammar.net for these great word exercises!)

1) “historical“: you THINK it means historic. It really means “pertaining to the past”, but not necessarily in an important way.

2) “novel“: you THINK it means a book. It really means a book of fiction. As an adjective, “novel” can also describe a new way of thinking or of doing something.

3) “less“: you THINK it means fewer. It REALLY means a smaller amount of virtually uncountable items.

Check back next week for another installment!

 

 

 

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