RobertHaigh's entries
Here's the list of entries submitted by RobertHaigh — There are currently 32 entries total — keep up the great work!
The property of a language in which a sentence does not require an overt subject. Spanish is a pro-drop language: it is perfectly normal in Spanish to say No canto bien (Don't sing well) rather than Yo no canto bien (I don't sing well).... | added 3 years ago |
Clipping is a type of word-formation in which a short piece is extracted from a longer word and given the same meaning. Examples include bra from brassiere, gym from gymnasium, flu from influenza, cello ... | added 3 years ago |
Both spellings are acceptable in both British and American English, but British English strongly prefers likeable, while American English slightly prefers likable.... | added 3 years ago |
These words are not equivalent. Dissent is disagreement with an opinion, especially with a majority view. Dissension is serious and persistent disagreement among a group of people, especially ill-natured disagreement which leads ... | added 3 years ago |
When you are dissatisfied you are disappointed, unhappy or frustrated. When you are unsatisfied, you feel that you need more of something. Only a person can be dissatisfied, while an abstract thing like hunger or a demand for goods can ... | added 3 years ago |
The word wastage is not a fancy equivalent for waste. Waste is failure to use something which could easily be used. But wastage is loss resulting from unavoidable natural causes, such as evaporation.... | added 4 years ago |
Something which is obsolescent is dropping out of use but is not yet entirely gone, while something which is obsolete has completely disappeared from use.... | added 4 years ago |
Childish vs. Childlike: Navigating Distinctions in Behavior Understanding the differences between "childish" and "childlike" involves recognizing variations in behavior and connotations. This article aims to clarify the distinctions betwe... | added 4 years ago |
In British English, ketchup is the only form in use. American English still uses all three forms, though ketchup is the recommended form for American writers.... | added 4 years ago |
A word taken from a classical language. For example, instead of breakable, English often uses the Latin word fragile; instead of dog we sometimes use the Latin word canine; instead of saying that a disease is catch... | added 4 years ago |
Pertaining to the time element in language; involving change in a language over time. A diachronic approach to the study of a language is the study of its development over a period of time.... | added 4 years ago |
A brief question which is tacked on to the end of a statement. English uses two different kinds of tag question, both of somewhat complex formation. Consider the statement Astrid is Norwegian. One kind of tag question extends this stat... | added 4 years ago |
Any piece of speech or writing which does not have the form of a complete sentence but which is normal in context. Examples: "Any news?"; "No smoking!"; "Hello."; "As if I would know."; "Wow!... | added 4 years ago |
Any construction in which two or more negative words occur in a single clause. Examples 1: "I didn't see nothing" (= I didn't see anything); Examples 2: "No football team can't win no championship without no defenders" (... | added 4 years ago |
A NOUN which is invariably plural in form, even though it may be singular in sense. Examples include oats, cattle, remains, pants, scissors, binoculars, pyjamas, shorts and tweezers. Such nouns are awkward to count: we cannot say ... | added 4 years ago |
Which spelling is correct? Both are acceptable. British English prefers phoney, while American English prefers phony.... | added 4 years ago |
Forbid vs. Prohibit: Navigating Distinctions in Restriction Understanding the differences between "forbid" and "prohibit" involves recognizing variations in language and the nuances of restriction. This article aims to clarify the distinc... | added 4 years ago |
Derisive vs. Derisory: Navigating Distinctions in Criticism Understanding the differences between "derisive" and "derisory" involves recognizing variations in criticism and language. This article aims to clarify the distinctions between "... | added 4 years ago |
The spellings imposter and impostor are both widely used, and both are acceptable, but some authorities prefer impostor. Etymology To grasp the disparities between "imposter" and "impostor," it is essential to unders... | added 4 years ago |
Both Bosporus and Bosphorus are acceptable spellings for the narrow, natural strait and internationally significant waterway located in northwestern Turkey.... | added 4 years ago |
Euphemism vs. Euphuism: Navigating Distinctions in Language Understanding the differences between "euphemism" and "euphuism" involves recognizing variations in language and communication. This article aims to clarify the distinctions betw... | added 4 years ago |
Saccharin vs. Saccharine: Navigating Distinctions in Sweeteners Understanding the differences between "saccharin" and "saccharine" involves recognizing variations in terminology and usage. This article aims to clarify the distinctions bet... | added 4 years ago |
The bat used in playing tennis and related games is either a racket or a racquet. Both forms are standard, so use either. However, the game resembling squash is always rackets in British English but racquets in Ameri... | added 4 years ago |
Professor R. L. Trask (Ph.D. in linguistics) has the following to say on show and shew: Except in quotations and in certain legal contexts, the spelling shew for show is now obsolete and should not be used. The past t... | added 4 years ago |
For many years there has existed a difference in the spelling for the name of element number 16 with the symbol S. British English spelt it "sulphur" while North American Engli... | added 4 years ago |
