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Results 1 to 10 of 22 (page 1 of 3)
overall, over all
The overused adjective overall can be left out entirely or a more precise synonym can be used instead. Depending on the context, choose one of the following: absolute, aggregate, average, comprehensive, general, supreme, total, or whole. The (overall) goal of the provincial program is full employment. The final figures show an overall (total, absolute, average, general) increase in sales. The adverb phrase over all expresses the idea of “all things considered,” and is written in two words. Over all, I would say the party was a great success.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 10,649
OK, O.K., okay
Okay and the abbreviations OK and O.K. are informal and should be replaced by synonyms such as acceptable, all right, correct, approval, authorize or recommend in formal writing. Ian says he’ll be okay (all right) once his cold clears up. Once we have the Board’s okay (approval), we can begin hiring staff for the project. Jill okayed (authorized) the travel claims submitted by her staff. In everyday writing, choose okay rather than OK or O.K. Are my vacation plans okay (not O.K.) with you? The plural of the abbreviations is formed by adding ’s (OK’s or O.K.’s). You should replace the two OK’s in your email message with the word okay or with a more formal synonym.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 9,158
eligible, illegible
The near-homonyms eligible and illegible are adjectives. Eligible means “fit” or “qualified.” You will not be eligible for promotion until you have worked here for two years. Illegible signifies “unreadable.” It is often said that doctors have illegible handwriting.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 6,245
kickoff, kick off, kick out
The kickoff which starts a football game or other event is usually spelled as one unhyphenated word. The Nguyens watched every Grey Cup game, from the kickoff to the trophy presentation. The phrasal verb kick off does not take a hyphen. It can be used as an informal synonym for “begin.” Fireworks normally kick off Ottawa’s Winterlude celebrations. Kick off is also a synonym for “remove forcibly or officially.” Kick out (which is also unhyphenated) can be used in this sense as well. Zack was kicked off his hockey team because of his violent temper. Jenny and Jody were kicked out of the fast-food restaurant for starting a food fight.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 4,458
consensus, consensus of opinion, general consensus
Note that the second syllable in the word consensus begins with an s and not a c. Redundant expressions with consensus Because a consensus is a shared opinion, it is redundant to write a consensus of opinion. Management and staff struggled for hours to reach a consensus (not a consensus of opinion). Also, because consensus refers to general agreement among members of a group, using general in front of consensus is like saying general general agreement. Therefore, the modifier general in the familiar expression general consensus is redundant. There was a consensus (not general consensus) among seismologists that the earthquake measured 5.0 on the Richter scale.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 2,157
inasmuch as, insofar as
Insofar as (also spelled in so far as) means “to the extent that.” That’s the end of the story insofar (or in so far) as the citizens of Nanaimo are concerned. Inasmuch as, written in two words, is usually used as a long and very formal synonym for because or since. Inasmuch as you have expressed your desire to marry, we shall not oppose your wishes. However, inasmuch as can also be used to mean “to the extent that” and can thus be used interchangeably with insofar as in some contexts. The meeting went ahead in the absence of quorum, and the issues were dealt with inasmuch as possible (or insofar as possible) under the circumstances.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,897
knick-knack, knickknack
Knick-knack is the preferred spelling, although this word is sometimes written as a closed compound without a hyphen, knickknack. Doug grumbled when asked to dust his curling trophies and other knick-knacks. Judith was an avid knick-knack collector and had more than fifty ceramic frogs.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,581
foreword, preface
A foreword is an introduction to a book, usually written by someone other than the author. It is spelled foreword, not forward, foreward or forword. It was a great honour to have Michael Ondaatje write the foreword to my latest book. A preface is an introduction to a book, usually written by the author. The professor encouraged her students to read the author’s preface before reading the novel.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,554
laden, loaded
Laden means that the load is great in weight or quantity. The ships sailed back from Byzantium heavily laden with the treasures of the Orient. Loaded refers to things or people carrying a load, or to something that is full or charged. When your truck is fully loaded, you may leave. Whether loaded or not, guns should not be left within the reach of children.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,525
luxuriant, luxurious, luxury, deluxe, de luxe, luxe
Luxuriant refers to abundant growth. The lagoon was surrounded by luxuriant vegetation. Luxurious concerns luxury, that which is costly or of high quality. The CEO’s office was full of luxurious furniture. Luxury is properly a noun; however, it is now used as an adjective, especially in advertising. Sleeping in on the weekend is a luxury for many parents. When my father was a child, a car was viewed as a luxury item. Though some authors frown on the use of deluxe (sometimes spelled de luxe), it is a long–accepted adjective meaning “elegant and costly.” This is our deluxe model: it does cost slightly more than the standard condominium unit. Luxe—sometimes seen in advertising—is informal and can be replaced by such terms as elegant, opulent, sumptuous or expensive, depending on the context. Allesandra is a model and wears nothing but luxe fashions.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,478