Vocabulary general 2 pdf
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sometime/some time
SOMETIME/SOME TIME
"Let's get together sometime." When you use the one-word form, it suggests some indefinite time in
the future. "Some time" is not wrong in this sort of context, but it is required when being more
specific: "Choose some time that fits in your schedule." "Some" is an adjective here modifying
"time." The same pattern applies to "someday" (vague) and "some day" (specific).
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/sometime.html03/09/2005 15:40:00
somewhat of a
SOMEWHAT OF A
SOMEWHAT, SOMETHING OF A
This error is the result of confusing two perfectly good usages: “She is somewhat awkward,” and “He is something of a klutz.” Use one or the other
instead.
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/somewhat.html03/09/2005 15:40:00
song/works or composition
SONG/WORK OR COMPOSITION
When you’re writing that cultural event report based on last night’s symphony concert, don’t call the
music performed “songs.” Songs are strictly pieces of music which are sung—by singers.
Instrumental numbers may be called “works,” “compositions,” or even “pieces.” Be careful, though:
a single piece may have several different movements; and it would be wrong to refer to the Adagio of
Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata as a “piece.” It’s just a piece of a piece.
See also
music/singing.
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/song.html03/09/2005 15:40:01
sooner
SOONER
RATHER
“I” d sooner starve than eat what they serve in the cafeteria” is less formal than “I” d rather starve."
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/sooner.html03/09/2005 15:40:01
soup du jour of the day
SOUP DU JOUR OF THE DAY
SOUP OF THE DAY
Soupe du jour (note the E on the end of soupe) means “soup of the day.” If you’re going to use French to be pretentious on a menu, it’s important to learn
the meaning of the words you’re using. Often what is offered is potage, anyway. Keep it simple, keep it in English, and you can’t go wrong.
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/soup.html03/09/2005 15:40:01
sour grapes
SOUR GRAPES
In a famous fable by Aesop, a fox declared that he didn’t care that he could not reach an attractive
bunch of grapes because he imagined they were probably sour anyway. You express sour grapes
when you put down something you can’t get: “winning the lottery is just a big headache anyway.”
The phrase is misused in all sorts of ways by people who don’t know the original story and imagine it
means something more general like "bitterness” or “resentment."
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/sour.html03/09/2005 15:40:01
spaded/spayed
SPADED/SPAYED
If you’ve had your dog surgically sterilized, you’ve spayed it; save the spading until it dies.
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/spaded.html03/09/2005 15:40:02
stalactites/stalagmites
STALACTITES/STALAGMITES
There” s an old joke that will help you keep these straight. Remember "ants in the pants"; the mites
go up and the tights come down.
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/stalactites.html03/09/2005 15:40:02
stationary/stationery
STATIONARY/STATIONERY
When something is standing still, it’s stationary. That piece of paper you write a letter on is
stationery.
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/stationary.html03/09/2005 15:40:02
stereo/high fidelity
STEREO
"Stereo” refers properly to a means of reproducing sound in two or more discrete channels to create a
solid, apparently three-dimensional sound. Because in the early days only fanciers of high fidelity (or
hi-fi) equipment could afford stereophonic sound, “stereo” came to be used as a substitute for “high
fidelity,” and even “record player.” Stereo equipment (for instance a cheap portable cassette player) is
not necessarily high fidelity equipment. Visual technology creating a sense of depth by using two
different lenses can also use the root “stereo” as in “stereoscope."
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/stereo.html03/09/2005 15:40:02
stomp
STOMP
STAMP
"Stomp” is colloquial, casual. A professional wrestler stomps his opponent. In more formal contexts “stamp” is preferred. But you will probably not be
able to stamp out the spread of “stomp."
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/stomp.html03/09/2005 15:40:02
