Grammar

222 words to use instead of “said”

February 19, 2017 By Administrator

This is delightful infographic written by a delightful woman, Jennifer, who runs a site called Grammar Check.

Discreet or discrete?

May 4, 2014 By Administrator

Sometimes life gets complicated. Especially if you’re writing something and you choose the wrong spelling and the book isn’t edited and it is published for millions of people to see.

On the other hand, it proves you are human. But there is so much help available that you can find answers to almost anything regarding writing or spelling. I recently read a good novel that used “discrete” instead of “discreet,” and promised myself I’d blog about it to help others.

Discreet

You are discreet when you show self-control in your behavior. You don’t call attention to the situation. If you need to leave the room to visit the bathroom, you make a discreet exit. At least I hope so, because probably no one is interested in where you’re going.

If you watch Downton Abbey, you’ll understand what it’s like to be discreet. Almost all the gossip is done discreetly, except when the screenwriter wants to create tension.

Discrete

When you think “discrete,” try to think “separate,” “distinct.” If you think of society, you think of it as a discrete “whole” or “entity” created of individual agents. You could think of a birthday cake created with discrete items: M&Ms, chocolate chips, nuts, coconut, candied fruit, etc. On the other hand, you might say the cake had lots of goodies in it.

There’s also something mathematical about “discrete,” but I either got low grades or flunked mathematics, so I’ll just say that in math, discrete has to do with finite or countable sets of value. Or something.

Judy’s amazing new promo

April 25, 2014 By Administrator

I recently hired Vooveo.com to create a brief, descriptive video of my business, Editing and Writing Services. They did a fantastic job. I highly recommend them. Here are two different resolutions:

Quirky Word Pairs

August 5, 2013 By Administrator

Have you ever been confused by word pronunciations and meanings? Here are a few to make your day:

CHILDISH suggests immaturity/unreasonableness.
CHILDLIKE suggests innocence/mildness/freshness.

EXPLICIT Something deliberately spelled out (contract, document, etc.).
IMPLICIT Not specific, but either suggested or necessary to meet goal.

STAUNCH (adj) means fervent,faithful, strong.
STANCH (v) means to stop the flow. Usually used re bleeding, literally or metaphorically.
These two words are pronounced the same.

SASHIMI Japanese dish of thinly sliced raw fish.
SUSHI cold rice w/vinegar, formed into many shapes & garnished w/raw seafood/vegetable bits.

ASSAULT means threat that makes person fear violence. The act or an instance of unlawfully threatening or attempting to injure another. LEGAL DEFINITION ONLY
BATTERY means violent/ugly intentional touching. The act of beating or pounding. LEGAL DEFINITION ONLY

And if you need a good dictionary, try the American Heritage Dictionary. Superb. And as with other online dictionaries, it has the pronunciation available.