Forget the use of the serial comma. Many professional editors still get confused about the million-dollar question: Is it copy edit or copyedit? Does one word mean the other? Let’s talk about which word is the correct spelling. Find out when to use the one-word or two-word form in your …
Being an adequate speller does not mean you can spell all words correctly. You must have a basic spelling vocabulary of at least 2,800 words to form the core of spelling instruction. By adulthood, you should already recognize up to 40,000 words. It’s not too late to improve your spelling …
Lionize and lionise are two spellings of the same word, which many find confusing. We will examine the definition of lionize and lionise, where these words came from, when each spelling should be used, and some examples of their use in sentences. Lionize and lionise mean to treat someone as …
Many people are confused about how to spell roommate, room mate or room-mate. The question most asked: “Is roommate one word?” We will discuss how to spell roommate, room mate or room-mate, as well the definition of these words and where they came from, and some examples of their use …
The words benefiting and benefitting are alternate spellings of the same word. Many are confused about when each of these spellings is appropriate. We will examine the benefitting and benefiting meaning, the etymology, the appropriate use of each of these spellings and some examples of their use in sentences. Is …
Monetize and demonetize are antonyms. Antonyms are two or more words that have opposing meanings. We will examine the definitions of monetize and demonetize, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Monetize means to convert something into money, to generate revenue from something, to earn …
The spellings of the terms bachelor’s degree and master’s degree can be confusing. We will examine the definitions of these two terms and where they came from, the correct spellings and some examples of their use in sentences. A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree obtained from a college or …
First things first is a phrase that is often used in English. We will examine the meaning of the phrase first things first, the proper spelling, and some examples of its use in sentences. First things first is a phrase that means one should prioritize which items are most important, …
Need and knead are two words that are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently and mean different things. Need and knead are homophones. We’ll look at the reason that some English words begin with the dipgraph kn, the difference between the words need and knead, and some …
Plaque is 1.) an inscribed commemorative or ornamental tablet composed of a durable material such as metal or wood that is attached to a wall or other structure 2.) a sticky bacteria substance that attaches itself to teeth 3.) any patch on the body that is abnormal, such as a …