9 June 2017 - Continually vs. Continuously

Continually vs. Continuously

G'day folks,

Welcome to two more words that often confuse us.

These terms, along with their adjective forms continual and continuous, are often used interchangeably in speech and writing, but style guides urge writers to practice discernment when using continually and continuously. In formal contexts, continually should be used to mean “very often; at regular or frequent intervals,” and continuously to mean “unceasingly; constantly; without interruption.” To put this into context: reading grammar blogs continually, or at regular intervals, throughout the day might be a fun way to boost your knowledge about the English language, but doing so continuously, or without stopping, for the duration of a day would likely result in fatigue, hunger, and—dare we say—boredom.

Despite the rules of good usage outlined above, it is not uncommon for continually to be listed as a synonym for continuously in dictionaries, or for them to be used interchangeably in the wild. Both words come from the Latin verb continēre meaning “to hold together; retain,” and when continually entered English it meant what continuously does now.

One way to remember the difference is to use the letters in each term as a hint: continuously has an uninterrupted chain of Os and Us toward the end, reminding us that it means “uninterruptedly” or “unceasingly.” Continually, is interrupted by two jutting Ls, reminding us this term is associated with breaks, interruptions, and intervals. Knowing the difference between these terms will give you an advantage in formal settings, but don’t fret if you can’t keep the two words distinct all the time. After all, style guides are continually published, but the language is continuously changing.

Clancy's comment: Mm ...

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8 January 2017 - CONFUSING WORDS

CONFUSING WORDS

G'day folks,

Welcome to some more of those tricky words.

principal / principle 

Principal is a noun that means a person who holds a high position or plays an important role: “The school principal has 20 years of teaching experience. The principals in the negotiations will meet tomorrow at 10 o'clock.” It also means a sum of money on which interest accrues: “The depositors were guaranteed they would not lose their principal.” Principal is also an adjective that means chief or leading: “The necessity of moving to another city was the principal reason I turned down the job offer.” 

Principle is a noun that means a rule or standard: “They refused to compromise their principles.”

soap / detergent

Soap, a noun, is a cleansing agent that comes from natural fats and oils.

Detergent, a noun, is a cleansing agent that is usually made from synthetic, or man made, products.

stationary / stationery

Stationary is an adjective that means fixed or unmoving: “They maneuvered around the stationary barrier in the road.” 

Stationery is a noun that means writing materials: “We printed the letters on company stationery.”

  

Clancy's comment:  Mm ... Sound familiar?

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10 October 2016 - CONFUSING WORDS

CONFUSING WORDS

G'day folks,

Time for some more of those tricky words that trip us up from time to time.

 figuratively / literally

Figuratively is an adverb that means metaphorically or symbolically: “Happening upon the shadowy figure, they figuratively jumped out of their shoes.” 

Literally is an adverb that means word for word or according to the exact meaning of the words: “I translated the Latin passage literally.”

foreword / forward

Foreword is a noun that means an introductory note or preface: “In my foreword I explained my reasons for writing the book.” 

Forward is an adjective or adverb that means toward the front: “I sat in the forward section of the bus. Please step forward when your name is called.” 

Forward is also a verb that means to send on: “Forward the letter to the customer's new address.”

hanged / hung

Hanged is the past tense and past participle of hang when the meaning is to execute by suspending by the neck: “They hanged the prisoner for treason.” “The convicted killer was hanged at dawn.”

Hung is the past tense and participle of hang when the meaning is to suspend from above with no support from below: “I hung the painting on the wall.” “The painting was hung at a crooked angle.”

information / knowledge

Information, a noun, is a fact or knowledge about a specific event or subject.

Knowledge, a noun, means having information and understanding it through experience.

it's / its

It's is a contraction for it is, whereas its is the possessive form of it: “It's a shame that we cannot talk about its size.”

laid / lain / lay 

Laid is the past tense and the past participle of the verb lay and not the past tense of lie. 

Lay is the past tense of the verb lie and lain is the past participle: “He laid his books down and lay down on the couch, where he has lain for an hour.”

melody / tune

A melody, which is a noun, is a group of notes in a certain order that results in a sweet or agreeable sound.

A tune, a which is a noun, is an easily remembered melody.

part / portion

Part, a noun, is piece of something that has been divided. When all the pieces are put together, they equal a whole.

A portion, a noun, is a share or part used or given in a specific way.

passport / visa

A passport, which is a noun, is a document, usually a booklet, that states a person's official identity and citizenship and allows that person to visit another country.

A visa, which is a noun, is stamped on a passport. It shows that the passport has been examined by the officials of a country and permits entry into that country.

Clancy's comment: I hope these have been helpful.

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