Sloppy language reveals sloppy thinking, and I see a great deal of sloppy language every day in newspapers, legal briefs, and court rulings.
"Plethora" does NOT mean many; it means overabundance. Learn it. Live it.
"Transpire" does NOT mean to occur, though I'm sure modern dictionaries have caved in and list this as a non-standard definition. Instead, it means to come out or be revealed (note the connection to "respire" for breathing or "perspire" for sweating).
It's "gunwale," NOT "gunnel."
It's "peremptory," NOT "preemptory."
"Plethora" does NOT mean many; it means overabundance. Learn it. Live it.
"Transpire" does NOT mean to occur, though I'm sure modern dictionaries have caved in and list this as a non-standard definition. Instead, it means to come out or be revealed (note the connection to "respire" for breathing or "perspire" for sweating).
It's "gunwale," NOT "gunnel."
It's "peremptory," NOT "preemptory."
Please make proper use of the word "only," for if you misplace it the sentence takes on a different meaning. "I only arrived an hour ago" does NOT mean "I arrived only an hour ago."
It's "a historic event," NOT "an historic event." The "h" is pronounced.
"Healthy" means in good condition. "Healthful" means that which promotes good health.
"Tortuous" does NOT mean "torturous" and does NOT mean "tortious."
There is a lot more where that came from, but I grow weary.
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