Grammar Wars
By Tabitha Onyinge
Recently I wrote: …our target population is women and the community as a whore… Did you notice that? Neither did I! But my keen editorial partner did. “Our target population is women and the community as a whole, not a whore,” she wrote. Ah, now you notice!
Mistakes do happen when writing, whether typographical or careless or a low command of the language in which you’re writing. Some, like the one I made above, can lead to very serious misunderstandings and loss to entities. Imagine a prospective client reading that we target women as a what? Hahaha, let’s not even go there.
The other day a friend sent me a text message: “…competing a meeting with Ben at Stake and Ale. See you soon…” To which I quickly responded, “Do you mean: Completing a meeting at Steak and Ale?” I was about to hit send when, like thunderbolts memories of a horrible sms fight I’d recently had with a friend, rushed back…
*Jimmi: Hi Deer! Just wanted to thank you for been their for me…
Me: Welcome Jimmi! BTW, Deer is the animal, Dear is the me you’re addressing. Being, not been and there, not their…LOL!
Jimmi: LOL! I get it Ms. Editor!
Me: Yes Jimmi, as my friend, you’ve to write good English y’know…
Jimmi: Hey, hey, hey! Easy girl. I don’t like the mood your in.
Me: Hey Jimmi, we say the mood you’re in or just you are in…
Jimmi: What! Are we now having an English class?
Of course I didn’t hear from Jimmi for a good three weeks! Whether the fight was worth it or not, I don’t know. What I know is that the effort you put in every word you write will to your recipient, either leave you looking daft or smart. Over time, we have compiled numerous pairs of English language words that most writers find confusing. Here are just ten of them:
1. Its versus it’s
Its is the possessive form of it, like hers, his, etc; whereas It’s is the reduction of it is.
The cow knows its language better than its master;and yes, it’s an English class.
2. Versus versus verses (You didn’t see it coming, uh!)
Versus is the situation where you pitch one against the other; while verses are stanzas that occur in poetry, Biblical writing, etc.
Today’s match pitched Nondies versus Blak Blood; and the verses the cheering team recited motivated Nondies.
3. Elicit versus illicit
Elicit is to persuade, coax, influence, etc, while Illicit means illegal or unlawful.
If I were a politician, I’d not elicit favours from tycoons involved in illicit contractual dealings.
4. Complement versus compliment
Complement is to add to, complete, increase, augment, or bring close to perfection, while Compliment is to flatter, heap praise, say something nice, give accolades, etc.
Each of these words I share will complement your English vocabulary, and in turn earn you numerous compliments from your peers.
5. Principal versus principle
Principal means of highest importance in a set, e.g. in the case of money; it is also the starting up amount in a loan; and also means a top-most executive, often of an institution e.g. the principal of a college. A principle is a standard, a fundamental, an attitude, etc.
The interest you’re paying on your loan is not very high because our society’s borrowing principle ensures that members don’t pay back amounts that are way above the principal.
#As a fresher in journalism college, I used the wrong word in a letter I addressed to the principal, and his secretary graciously corrected me. I’ve kept the lesson since.
6. Farther versus further
Farther is derived from far, and therefore means going a little beyond the known distance; while further means going the extra miles on an abstract distance. (To remember it, a friend and I at high school joked about it being the unreachable land of fur! Perhaps that could help you as well?)
We can take this discussion further if you wish, only that you live farther away from our office, and therefore hard to reach!
7. Imply versus infer
Imply is the meaning intended by or suggested by a speech or a written piece; while infer is the meaning a listener or reader deduces from the speech or written matter.
We were once in trouble for implying that a government officer was corrupt. He inferred that our investigative piece was out to ruin his career, which was far from truth.
8. Whose versus who’s
Whose is the possessive form of who, like ‘its’ discussed earlier on; whereas who’s is the contraction of who is.
Whose word counts here, mine or yours, I wonder? Perhaps the one who’s a native speaker of the English language will tell us.
9. Alumnus/ alumni/ alumna/ alumnae
Alumnusrefers to one male graduate, while alumni is either a group of male only, or a group of male and female graduates. Alumna on the other handrefers to one female graduate, while alumnae refers to a group of female only graduates.
Confusing huh! Don’t worry; these are Latin words, which are engendered, unlike the English words most of us are familiar with.
In recent times however, you can use the ungendered forms of the words, alum for one male or female graduate, and alums for many male or female graduates.
10. You’re versus your (This one is for Jimmi, hehehe)
You’re is the short form of you are. Your means you own something.
You’re not sure how to thank me for all my effort, don’t worry; your feedback is enough thank you!
Should you have your own words to share, or any words you wish us to clarify, or would like us to share more words that confuse most writers, kindly inbox us on info@deerleaps.co.ke
*Jimmi not friend’s real name.
