The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation (14 page)
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Authors: Jane Straus,Lester Kaufman,Tom Stern
BOOK: The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
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K
L
M
KARAT
See
carat, caret, karat
.
carat, caret, karat
.
KINDERGARTNER
Note how the spelling differs from
kindergarten
.
kindergarten
.
KNEW, NEW
Knew
: past tense of
know
.
: past tense of
know
.
New
: up to date; original; unused.
: up to date; original; unused.
KUDOS
To this great man, kudos are due
. That sentence wouldn't raise many eyebrows, but
kudos
is not the plural of
kudo
. There's no such thing as “a kudo.”
Kudos
is a Greek word (pronounced “KYOO-doss” or “KOO-doss”) meaning “praise” or “glory,” and you'd no more say “kudos are due” than you'd say “glory are due.” Admittedly,
kudos is due
looks odd. Better to rewrite the sentence.
. That sentence wouldn't raise many eyebrows, but
kudos
is not the plural of
kudo
. There's no such thing as “a kudo.”
Kudos
is a Greek word (pronounced “KYOO-doss” or “KOO-doss”) meaning “praise” or “glory,” and you'd no more say “kudos are due” than you'd say “glory are due.” Admittedly,
kudos is due
looks odd. Better to rewrite the sentence.
LASTLY
If you wouldn't say “firstly,” why say “lastly”? Drop the -
ly
. (See also
secondly, thirdly, fourthly
.)
ly
. (See also
secondly, thirdly, fourthly
.)
LATTER
He offered a trip to New York, Chicago, or Tarzana. She chose the latter
. Oh no she didn't.
Latter
can't be used when there are three (or more) options. It applies only to sentences like
He offered a trip to New York or Tarzana
, which makes New York the
former
, Tarzana the
latter
. When there are more than two people or things mentioned, use
last
.
. Oh no she didn't.
Latter
can't be used when there are three (or more) options. It applies only to sentences like
He offered a trip to New York or Tarzana
, which makes New York the
former
, Tarzana the
latter
. When there are more than two people or things mentioned, use
last
.
LAXADAISICAL
The word doesn't exist, but that doesn't stop people from saying it. The word they're looking for is
lackadaisical
: “without energy or enthusiasm.”
lackadaisical
: “without energy or enthusiasm.”
LAY, LIE
These may well be the two most confounding three-letter words in all the language. The use of
lay
where
lie
is indicated has been a major problem for generations. Maybe because of the word's negative double meaning, people shy away from saying
lie
.
lay
where
lie
is indicated has been a major problem for generations. Maybe because of the word's negative double meaning, people shy away from saying
lie
.
All of the following are incorrect:
I'm going to lay on the couch. Your wallet is laying on the dresser. He wants to lay down
. Make it
lie, lying, lie
, respectively.
I'm going to lay on the couch. Your wallet is laying on the dresser. He wants to lay down
. Make it
lie, lying, lie
, respectively.
Lie
: You
lie
down today; you
lay
down yesterday; you have
lain
down before.
: You
lie
down today; you
lay
down yesterday; you have
lain
down before.
Lay
: Please
lay
the book down now; you
laid
the book down yesterday; you have
laid
that book down before.
: Please
lay
the book down now; you
laid
the book down yesterday; you have
laid
that book down before.
- Yesterday I lied/laid/lain/lay on the bed
.Most people would guess
laid on the bed
, but the correct answer is
lay
. - I have often lied/laid/lain/lay on the bed
.Again, most people would guess
laid
, but
lain
is correct. - I have often lied/laid/lain/lay my wallet on the dresser
.This time,
laid
is correct.
Lay vs. Lie Chart
| Present | Past | |
| To recline | lie; is/are lying | lay; has/have/had lain |
| To put or place | lay; is/are laying | laid; has/have/had laid |
| To tell a falsehood | lie; is/are lying | lied; has/have/had lied |
| Examples in the present tense : | I like to lie down for a nap at 2 p.m . |
| I am lying down for a nap today . | |
| Please lay the book down . | |
| I am laying the book down . | |
| I am tempted to lie about my age . | |
| I am not lying about my age . | |
| Examples in the past tense : | I lay down for a nap yesterday at 2 p.m . |
| I laid the book down yesterday . | |
| He lied on the witness stand . | |
| Examples with a helping verb (has, have) : | I have lain down for a nap every day this week . |
| I have laid the book down for the last time . | |
| He has lied each day on the witness stand . |
LEAD, LED
Correct:
He led the parade
. Incorrect:
He lead the parade
. Budding writers are increasingly using
lead
instead of
led
as the past tense of the verb
to lead
.
He led the parade
. Incorrect:
He lead the parade
. Budding writers are increasingly using
lead
instead of
led
as the past tense of the verb
to lead
.
There are three reasons for this confusion. First, the past tense of
read
, the other common -
ead
verb, is
read
. Second, the word
lead
, when it's a noun denoting a metal, is pronounced
led
, just like the past tense of the verb
to lead
. And third, they don't drill spelling in schools the way they used to.
read
, the other common -
ead
verb, is
read
. Second, the word
lead
, when it's a noun denoting a metal, is pronounced
led
, just like the past tense of the verb
to lead
. And third, they don't drill spelling in schools the way they used to.
LEAK, LEEK
Leak
: an unintended discharge of liquid or gas.
: an unintended discharge of liquid or gas.
Leek
: a type of onion.
: a type of onion.
LESS
See
fewer, less
.
fewer, less
.
LESSEN, LESSON
Lessen
: to decrease.
: to decrease.
Lesson
: something learned or studied.
: something learned or studied.
LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN
â¦
â¦
One of the most notorious misquotations in the English language is “Let he who is without sin among you cast the first stone.” This misuse of the pronoun
he
has been giving English sticklers nightmares for decades.
he
has been giving English sticklers nightmares for decades.
How could it be “Let he”? It couldn't. Here is the actual quotation from the Gospel of John: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
LIABLE, LIBEL, LIKELY
Liable
has a negative connotation:
He's liable to have an accident if he doesn't slow down
.
has a negative connotation:
He's liable to have an accident if he doesn't slow down
.
Libel
is a malicious attack on someone's character.
is a malicious attack on someone's character.
Likely
refers to simple probability:
She is likely to be on time
.
refers to simple probability:
She is likely to be on time
.
LIE
See
lay, lie
.
lay, lie
.
LIGHTENING, LIGHTNING
That flash in an overcast sky is a bolt of
lightning
, which is sometimes misspelled
lightening
.
lightning
, which is sometimes misspelled
lightening
.
Lightening
is the process of making something lighter in color or weight.
is the process of making something lighter in color or weight.
LIKE
Do it like she does
. Sentences like that one have always been unacceptable to purists. Nowadays, however, such sentences go virtually unchallenged, even by many editors.
. Sentences like that one have always been unacceptable to purists. Nowadays, however, such sentences go virtually unchallenged, even by many editors.
Strictly speaking,
like
can only be a preposition meaning “similar to” or “similarly to.” So
Do it like her
(i.e.,
similarly to her
) would be correct. But because no one would say, “Do it similarly to she does,” there is no grammatical justification for
Do it like she does
.
like
can only be a preposition meaning “similar to” or “similarly to.” So
Do it like her
(i.e.,
similarly to her
) would be correct. But because no one would say, “Do it similarly to she does,” there is no grammatical justification for
Do it like she does
.
In the mid-twentieth century, Theodore M. Bernstein said in
The Careful Writer
: “The usage of
like
as a conjunctionâ¦is not acceptable in better-grade writing.”
The Careful Writer
: “The usage of
like
as a conjunctionâ¦is not acceptable in better-grade writing.”
The
American Heritage Dictionary
's panel of experts has noted that for more than a century, anyone who said
like she does
was considered illiterate. Yet today, the panel says, “
Like
is more acceptably used as a conjunction in informal style.”
American Heritage Dictionary
's panel of experts has noted that for more than a century, anyone who said
like she does
was considered illiterate. Yet today, the panel says, “
Like
is more acceptably used as a conjunction in informal style.”
The traditional view is that if a verb follows the noun or pronoun, as in
like she does
, it means
like
is the wrong choice. Instead, use
as, as if, as though
, or
the way
.
like she does
, it means
like
is the wrong choice. Instead, use
as, as if, as though
, or
the way
.
- Do it
the way
she does
(not
like she does
). - Say it
as if
or
as though
you mean it
(not
like you mean it
). - Go when the light is green,
as
it is now
(not
like it is now
).
LITERALLY
I was so amazed, I literally hit the ceiling
. If someone has
literally
hit the ceiling, he ought to move to a place with higher ceilings.
. If someone has
literally
hit the ceiling, he ought to move to a place with higher ceilings.
It was literally like being in Paris
. Drop
literally
. Nothing is “literally like.” Anyone who says “literally like” doesn't understand the word.
. Drop
literally
. Nothing is “literally like.” Anyone who says “literally like” doesn't understand the word.
Literally
is supposed to mean “100 percent fact”â¦period. But not today, when, as in the previous examples,
literally
is often used figuratively. That way madness lies.
is supposed to mean “100 percent fact”â¦period. But not today, when, as in the previous examples,
literally
is often used figuratively. That way madness lies.
In responsible usage,
literally
allows no room for poetry, analogy, hyperbole, frivolity, or any other flights of fancy. Any sentence containing
literally
should mean what it literally says. We are being asked to accept that sentence as fact and not interpret or infer. So if you say you were “literally stunned,” we have no choice but to conclude that you were physically incapacitated.
literally
allows no room for poetry, analogy, hyperbole, frivolity, or any other flights of fancy. Any sentence containing
literally
should mean what it literally says. We are being asked to accept that sentence as fact and not interpret or infer. So if you say you were “literally stunned,” we have no choice but to conclude that you were physically incapacitated.
A newspaper item told of a couple whose dreams “literally collapsed” when a fixer-upper they bought came down in a heap as they started working on it. Now, we know what the writer meant, but the house is what literally collapsed, not the dreams. How could a dream, the very essence of all that is beyond materiality,
literally
collapse?
literally
collapse?
One simple solution: Say “virtually”:
I virtually hit the ceiling. Their dreams virtually collapsed
.
I virtually hit the ceiling. Their dreams virtually collapsed
.
Virtually
allows speakers and writers to enhance and embellish to their hearts' content, options they relinquish when using
literally
.
allows speakers and writers to enhance and embellish to their hearts' content, options they relinquish when using
literally
.
LOAN, LONE
Loan
: something given temporarily.
: something given temporarily.
Lone
: only; solitary.
: only; solitary.
LOATH, LOATHE
Loath
: reluctant.
: reluctant.
Loathe
: to dislike intensely.
: to dislike intensely.
I am
loath
to work for anyone I
loathe
.
loath
to work for anyone I
loathe
.
LOOSE, LOSE
Loose
: opposite of
tight
.
: opposite of
tight
.
Lose
: to misplace; to be defeated.
: to misplace; to be defeated.
MAIL, MALE
Mail
: correspondence.
: correspondence.
Male
: masculine.
: masculine.
MAIZE, MAZE
Maize
: corn.
: corn.
Maze
: a labyrinth.
: a labyrinth.
MANNER, MANOR
Manner
: a method; a behavior.
: a method; a behavior.
Manor
: a palatial residence.
: a palatial residence.
MARQUEE, MARQUIS
Marquee
: a projection over a theater entrance.
: a projection over a theater entrance.
Marquis
: an aristocrat; a nobleman.
: an aristocrat; a nobleman.
MARRY, MERRY
Marry
: to wed.
: to wed.
Merry
: cheerful.
: cheerful.
MARSHAL, MARTIAL
Marshal
: a law officer (noun). To assemble (verb). Note the spelling: one
l
.
: a law officer (noun). To assemble (verb). Note the spelling: one
l
.
Martial
: warlike.
: warlike.
MASTERFUL, MASTERLY
Another pair of words whose distinct meanings have been blurred by carelessness. The problem centers on
masterful
, in such phrases as
a masterful artist
or
a masterful performance
. Make it
masterly
, which means “highly accomplished,” “inspired,” “demonstrating mastery.”
masterful
, in such phrases as
a masterful artist
or
a masterful performance
. Make it
masterly
, which means “highly accomplished,” “inspired,” “demonstrating mastery.”
Masterful
has darker shadings. It's about being the alpha dog: dominant, supremeâalmost ruthlessly so. A
masterful performance
should refer to a boxer or a victorious football team rather than a cello concert.
has darker shadings. It's about being the alpha dog: dominant, supremeâalmost ruthlessly so. A
masterful performance
should refer to a boxer or a victorious football team rather than a cello concert.
MATERIAL, MATERIEL
Material
: whatever something is made from.
: whatever something is made from.
Materiel
: military equipment and supplies.
: military equipment and supplies.
MAY
See
can, may
.
can, may
.
MEDAL, MEDDLE, METAL, METTLE
Medal
: a decoration; a badge.
: a decoration; a badge.
Meddle
: to interfere.
: to interfere.
Metal
: an earth element.
: an earth element.
Mettle
: boldness; grit.
: boldness; grit.
MEDIA
Among the language's most abused words is
media
, a plural noun;
medium
is the singular. A
medium
is a system of mass communication:
The medium of television is a prominent component of the mass media
.
media
, a plural noun;
medium
is the singular. A
medium
is a system of mass communication:
The medium of television is a prominent component of the mass media
.
Every day we hear and read statements like “The media is irresponsible,” “The media has a hidden agenda.” In those sentences, “media” should be followed by “are” and “have.”
There are some who prefer and defend “the media is” and “the media has.” To them, the various means of mass communicationânewspapers, radio, TV, magazines, blogs, etc.âmake up one “media.”
The United States
is
where I live
is correct, even though “State
s
” is plural, so why not “the media is,” even though
media
is plural? Nice try, but no sale.
is
where I live
is correct, even though “State
s
” is plural, so why not “the media is,” even though
media
is plural? Nice try, but no sale.
Writers should insist on
the media are
. It's important that people think of
the media
as many voices, opinions, and perspectives rather than one monolithic entity.
the media are
. It's important that people think of
the media
as many voices, opinions, and perspectives rather than one monolithic entity.
MERETRICIOUS
A veteran newsman said, “His career is meretricious.” He probably meant
meritorious
. Instead, the sentence as it stands is an insult.
meritorious
. Instead, the sentence as it stands is an insult.
When you hear it, the first two syllables echo
merit
, but the similarity to
meritorious
ends there.
Meretricious
means “flashy,” “cheap,” “tawdry”:
The candidate made a meretricious display of piety
.
merit
, but the similarity to
meritorious
ends there.
Meretricious
means “flashy,” “cheap,” “tawdry”:
The candidate made a meretricious display of piety
.
METAL, METTLE
See
medal, meddle, metal, mettle
.
medal, meddle, metal, mettle
.
MIC
Mic
is a bogus and clueless abbreviation of
microphone
. For too many decades to count, the word was
mike
. “Ike is good on a mike” went a line from a popular early-1950s song about presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower.
is a bogus and clueless abbreviation of
microphone
. For too many decades to count, the word was
mike
. “Ike is good on a mike” went a line from a popular early-1950s song about presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower.
A bicycle is a
bike
, not a “bic.” So how is a microphone a “mic”?
bike
, not a “bic.” So how is a microphone a “mic”?
MINER, MINOR
Miner
: one who works in a mine.
: one who works in a mine.
Minor
: someone under the legal age of adulthood (noun); of less importance (adjective).
: someone under the legal age of adulthood (noun); of less importance (adjective).
MINUSCULE
Be sure to note that first
u
. A lot of writers think the word is “miniscule.” And it makes sense that a word for “tiny” would have a
mini
in it. Don't think
mini
, think
minus
.
u
. A lot of writers think the word is “miniscule.” And it makes sense that a word for “tiny” would have a
mini
in it. Don't think
mini
, think
minus
.
MISNOMER
A
misnomer
is a mistake, but not all mistakes are misnomers. The word is wrongly used in this sentence:
It's a misnomer that elephants are afraid of mice
. A
misnomer
is not the same as a
misconception
. The
nome
in the middle is from the Latin
nomen
, meaning “name.” A
misnomer
is a mistake in labeling: for instance, calling aluminum foil “tinfoil” or calling a koala a “bear” (it's a marsupial).
misnomer
is a mistake, but not all mistakes are misnomers. The word is wrongly used in this sentence:
It's a misnomer that elephants are afraid of mice
. A
misnomer
is not the same as a
misconception
. The
nome
in the middle is from the Latin
nomen
, meaning “name.” A
misnomer
is a mistake in labeling: for instance, calling aluminum foil “tinfoil” or calling a koala a “bear” (it's a marsupial).
If “Lucky” Brown loses his fortune in the stock market and “Speedy” Green blows out his ankle, their respective nicknames become misnomers.
MORAL, MORALE
Moral
: a lesson (noun); ethical (adjective).
: a lesson (noun); ethical (adjective).
Morale
: spirit; level of enthusiasm.
: spirit; level of enthusiasm.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, MOST IMPORTANTLY
Traditionalists do not accept
importantly
in sentences like
Most importantly, Churchill was a statesman
. Drop the -
ly
and save yourself a superfluous syllable. More important, you'll be using good English.
importantly
in sentences like
Most importantly, Churchill was a statesman
. Drop the -
ly
and save yourself a superfluous syllable. More important, you'll be using good English.
MORNING, MOURNING
Morning
: the start of the day, between night and afternoon.
: the start of the day, between night and afternoon.
Mourning
: sorrow over a tragedy.
: sorrow over a tragedy.
MUSCLE, MUSSEL
Muscle
: fibrous tissue; strength.
: fibrous tissue; strength.
Mussel
: an edible marine bivalve.
: an edible marine bivalve.
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