‘Faint’ and ‘feint’

February 15, 2016March 16, 2016Hannah McCall 2 Comments

They may be pronounced the same way, but faint and feint have very different meanings. Perhaps the most confusing usage is that of feint as a word for lined paper – the lines may be faint but the type of paper is feint (or feint-ruled).

Faint

barely perceptible; lacking clarity, brightness or volume
possible but unlikely
lacking conviction, force or enthusiasm
feeling weak and/or dizzy
a sudden loss of consciousness
to lose consciousness for a short time
to grow weak or feeble

Feint

a deceptive or pretend movement designed to distract
to make a deceptive or distracting movement
paper printed with faint or pale lines across it

Luculent

February 12, 2016August 30, 2016Hannah McCall 7 Comments

Luculent is rarely used, but I think it deserves to be revived. It would be a lovely way to describe someone’s writing, if you were so inclined.

Luculent means ‘clear in expression’ or ‘brightly shining’.

Its origin is thought to be 15th century; in Middle English it meant ‘shiny’. The word stems from the Latin word luculentus meaning ‘full of light’.

Sources:

Merriam-Webster Online
Oxford Dictionaries Online

Possessive apostrophes

February 10, 2016March 16, 2016Hannah McCall 1 Comment

Trask writes that possessive apostrophes are the most troublesome of apostrophes, and apostrophes are the most troublesome of punctuation marks. (I think commas must give apostrophes a run for their money.)

The basic rule for possessive forms is that ’s is added to the end:

Henry's book

If the noun ends with s, the same rule usually applies:

Charles's shoe

The first exception is for a plural noun that already ends in s:

my parents' holiday
the ladies' bathroom

These words are not pronounced with an extra iz sound, and so we don’t indicate an extra s in writing.

This brings us to the second exception. If the possessive form of a noun ending in s is not pronounced with an extra s, it only takes an apostrophe:

Aristophanes' plays
Bridges' marmalade

The final exception is for pronouns:

Whose is this? 
The essay is hers

But this does not apply to possessive indefinite or impersonal pronouns:

one's conscience
someone's lunch

I have previously covered its as a possessive form, and it is perhaps the pronoun most commonly incorrectly assigned an apostrophe.

Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage gives a comprehensive breakdown of exceptions and usage in more complicated situations, and I highly recommend it if you are worried about using apostrophes correctly.

‘Aisle’ and ‘isle’

February 8, 2016March 16, 2016Hannah McCall 5 Comments

It is fairly common to see isle used where aisle would be appropriate, but the different meanings are straightforward to grasp.

Aisle:

a passage between rows of seats or seating areas
a passage between rows of cabinets and shelves (containing goods)
a lower part in a church parallel to but divided from (by pillars) the nave or chancel

Isle:

an island

The similarity between isle and island is a useful indicator of which word to use. If the thing you are writing about is not an island, you know that you need to use aisle.

Taradiddle

February 5, 2016August 27, 2016Hannah McCall 15 Comments

A taradiddle is a petty lie or fib. It can also mean ‘pretentious nonsense’.

The first recorded use is thought to be late 18th century. The origin of the word appears to be unknown, but it could be related to diddle meaning ‘to cheat or falsify’.

There is an apparent myth that taradiddle came into usage because of the town of Taradiddle in Ireland. There is no such place, and the myth is therefore a taradiddle itself. I believe there is a Taradiddle Lane in Cornwall, Connecticut, but it’s a bit hard to see on Google Maps.

Potterheads might recognise a variation of the word. Cornelius Fudge says it when he dismisses Harry’s story of a Dementor attack:

“We haven’t got time to listen to more tarradiddles, I’m afraid, Dumbledore.” Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J. K. Rowling.

Sources:

Oxford English Dictionary Online
Oxford Dictionaries Online

Sample style sheet

February 3, 2016March 16, 2016Hannah McCall 3 Comments

I have previously recommended creating your own style sheet to aid you when you are proofreading. If you aren’t sure where to start, I have produced a sample to help.

The layout is the same as the one I use when compiling a style sheet for the projects I proofread. All my non-publisher clients get a copy of the style sheet for their own reference once I have completed proofreading.

The sample is for a made-up project, but it should give you an idea of the things to consider. I have also included some formatting and layout elements you would need to think about as you get ready to publish (e.g. chapter headings and page numbering).

I would advise recording the decisions you make as early as possible (particularly the basic ones such as is/iz suffixes and single or double quote marks). If you do create a style sheet and later employ an editorial professional, send them a copy. It’s really very helpful!

I have uploaded a blank copy of the style sheet for anyone’s use (although if you share it I would appreciate a link back to my original). The sample is for a novel, but you can make adjustments to the blank copy for any writing project.

You can find the sample and the blank style sheet on my Resources page or download the sample by clicking this link: Sample style sheet.

‘Coo’ and ‘coup’

February 1, 2016March 16, 2016Hannah McCall 4 Comments

Coo and coup couldn’t really be more different in meaning. The sentences produced when they are used mistakenly can be distracting if you enjoy the surreal.

Coo

the soft throaty sound made by birds such as doves and pigeons
to speak in a soft, gentle way; a loving murmur
(old-fashioned British slang) an exclamation of surprise or amazement

Coup

(coup d’état) a sudden, violent and illegal overthrow of a government
a difficult or brilliant action successfully achieved

I am tickled by the idea of pigeons leading a violent regime change or armies taking part in a gentle murmur. But you probably don’t want that in your dissertation or novel. Unless you do …

Floccinaucinihilipilification

January 29, 2016March 16, 2016Hannah McCall 6 Comments

Floccinaucinihilipilification is rarely used. I don’t think I need to explain why.

It means ‘the action or habit of believing something to have no value’.

Its origin is thought to be mid 18th century, and stems from the Latin words flocci, nauci, nihili, pili (all of their meanings have the sense of little value) with the suffix –fication.

The use of floccinaucinihilipilification is so unusual that it made the news in 2012 when a British MP spoke the word in the House of Commons. It became the longest word in Hansard (the official report of proceedings).

You can listen to the British English pronunciation here if you fancy trying it out yourself.

Proofreading advice: use red ink

January 27, 2016March 16, 2016Hannah McCall 5 Comments

Use a pen with red ink to mark corrections and amendments. As a professional, I typically use red and blue ink on proofs. When I don’t have to differentiate between the causes of problems, I always use red. It’s bold and stands out – it is almost impossible to skim over without noticing.

If the idea of using red ink gives you horrible flashbacks to your time at school, choose another strong colour. Make sure it won’t be easily missed or hard to read (no silver glitter pens).

You may find it useful to use a ruler to guide you as you read line by line. It will help you to focus on the text and you won’t lose your place. Read slowly. Mark your corrections clearly to avoid any confusion later.

Previous articles in this series:

‘Plain’ and ‘plane’

January 25, 2016March 16, 2016Hannah McCall Leave a comment

This is fairly basic but it is easy to type or write the wrong word when you are in a hurry. I tend to find that plane is used in place of plain. I haven’t yet seen an aircraft referred to as a ‘plain’.

Plain

without decoration or adornment
without pattern or with one colour or with simple weave (when a fabric)
having no particular beauty
flat or smooth
easily understood; clear or simple; unequivocal
a lowly person or lowly people (usually in social rank or education)
a simple stitch in knitting
to mourn, lament or complain

Plane

an aeroplane
to glide, skim or soar without moving wings
a level surface; level or flat
a flat surface on which a straight line joining any two points on it lies entirely on that surface
a level of existence, thought or attainment
a tool with a block and projecting steel blade for smoothing timber or wooden surfaces; to smooth timber or remove material using a plane
a type of tall spreading tree