This is part of the difference between series. I’ve heard some people confusing the words install and instill. Here’s the difference between the two. Install Install is a verb that means to put into place for use: Let’s install a new shower in our washroom. We need to install a new city manager because Ms. Jones is… Continue reading Difference between install and instill
Category: Writing
Difference between past and passed
This is part of the difference between series. I’ve heard some people confusing the words past and passed. Here’s the difference between the two. Past Past has 3 main meanings: Noun: Past can refer to the time before a person is speaking (In the past, I was much shorter.). Adjective: Past can refer to something having gone by… Continue reading Difference between past and passed
Why you need to stop underlining for emphasis
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″] [et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] I was editing a paper for a university student this week, and I noticed the title of a publication was underlined. Underlining titles was once the norm. Today, I recommend against it. I highly suggest avoiding underlining as emphasis if at all possible. The use of underlining… Continue reading Why you need to stop underlining for emphasis
Difference between discusting and disgusting
This is part of the difference between series. I’ve heard some people confusing the words discusting and disgusting. Here’s the difference between the two. Discusting Discusting is a misspelling of disgusting. It’s easy to see why people misspell it because disgusting sounds like discusting; the hard G sound sounds like a hard C sound. Disgusting Disgusting, on the other… Continue reading Difference between discusting and disgusting
Difference between been and being
This is part of the difference between series. I’ve heard some people confusing the words been and being. Here’s the difference between the two. Been Been is the past tense form of “to be”. Have typically accompanies it. Have you been to the store yet? Being Being, on the other hand, is the present tense form of “to be”. We… Continue reading Difference between been and being
Difference between bought and brought
This is part of the difference between series. I’ve heard some people confusing the words bought and brought. Here’s the difference between the two. Bought Bought is the past tense form of “to buy”. I bought 72 hot peppers at the grocery store yesterday morning. Brought Brought, on the other hand, is the past tense of… Continue reading Difference between bought and brought
Difference between definitely and defiantly
This is part of the difference between series. I’ve heard some people confusing the words definitely and defiantly. Here’s the difference between the two. Definitely Definitely refers to having no doubt or having certainty; it’s based on the word definite. I will definitely eat all this ice cream before I go to bed. Defiantly Defiantly refers to… Continue reading Difference between definitely and defiantly
Difference between residence and residents
This is part of the difference between series. I’ve heard some people confusing the words residence and residents. Here’s the difference between the two. Residence Residence typically refers to a place where someone lives (a home, apartment, dorm, etc). They have a winter residence in Arizona. Residents Residents typically refers to people who live in a residence.… Continue reading Difference between residence and residents
5 tips to avoid using sexist singular pronouns
There is no gender-neutral, singular pronoun in English. This presents a challenge for people who want to use inclusive language and avoid sexist language in their writing. Traditionally, “he” has been used, but that’s obviously sexist. As I’ve indicated in the past, using “their” is a perfectly reasonable alternative and has been in use for… Continue reading 5 tips to avoid using sexist singular pronouns
Why “isn’t a real word” is something you should stop saying
Have you ever heard any of these statements? “Ain’t isn’t a real word.” “Irregardless isn’t a real word.” “Snuck isn’t a real word.” The problem with statements like these is that they’re wrong. You see, my approach to English language is that English is in flux, always evolving. For centuries, words that once meant one thing… Continue reading Why “isn’t a real word” is something you should stop saying