Friday, August 14, 2020

Idiomatic usage: dated at vs. dated to


Most of the time

dated at denotes a time period. (dated at + number of years)

dated to is followed by a date. (dated to + date)

Incorrect: Rock samples taken from the remains of an asteroid about twice the size of the 6-mile-wide asteroid that eradicated the dinosaurs have been dated to be 3.47 billion years old and thus are evidence of the earliest known asteroid impact on Earth. 

Correct: Rock samples taken from the remains of an asteroid about twice the size of the 6-mile-wide asteroid that eradicated the dinosaurs have been dated at 3.47 billion years old and thus are evidence of the earliest known asteroid impact on Earth.

Note: dated to be is unidiomatic



Monday, July 13, 2020

Idiomatic Usage: grounds for


grounds for (something)

The basis for some action or decision, often one that is disciplinary or legal in nature.

  • Be careful now—plagiarism is grounds for expulsion.
  • Your negligence is grounds for a lawsuit. 
  • Is infidelity grounds for divorce in this state?


Tuesday, June 23, 2020

introduce to vs. introduce into


introduce to: to present someone to someone else for the first time so that they can become acquainted

  • I would like to introduce you to my cousin, Sarah.
  • We proudly introduce to you the Dutch team.
  • Let me introduce you to him.

introduce into: to put something into use for the first time, or to put something into a new place

  • New computers have been introduced into the office.
  • The grey squirrel was introduced into Britain from North America.
  • Fuel was introduced into the jet pipe.


Thursday, June 11, 2020

each other vs. one another


The reciprocal pronouns "each other" and "one another" are used to show that people do the same thing, feel the same way, or have the same relationship.

Use each other when there are only two people or things, and one another when there are more than two.

  • The two companies are in competition with each other.
  • Sarah and Sam have had a big argument and now they're not speaking to each other.
  • Emily and Neal looked at each other.
  • I and my best friend talk to each other every day.
  • Rose and Gina never liked each other.
  • We sent New Year cards to one another.
  • The triplets dislike one another.
  • The dog, cat and bird looked at one another.
  • Apes spend a great deal of time grooming one another's fur.




















Tuesday, June 09, 2020

Apostrophe: Quick Tips 2


The apostrophe (') is used in nouns to show possession.

If the plural form of the noun ends in s, add the apostrophe (')

Plural
Plural Possessive
boys
boys’
girls
girls’
ladies
ladies’

Sarah excused herself to use the ladies’ room.

Note: The sign of the possessive case is always added to a word. It is not something that is inserted within a word.




Monday, June 08, 2020

Apostrophe: Quick Tips 1


The apostrophe (') is used in nouns to show possession.

If the plural form of the noun doesn't end in s, add the apostrophe and s.

Plural

Plural Possessive

men
men’s
children
children’s
mice
mice’s
teeth
teeth’s
women
women’s

Note: The sign of the possessive case is always added to a word. It is not something that is inserted within a word.



Sunday, June 07, 2020

Usage: advise...to vs. advise that


Use advise...to when the sentence is giving advice directly to someone or something. If you advise someone to do something, you tell them what you think they should do.

  • I advise you to go home. (I am giving this advice directly to you.)
  • Sam advised Sarah to sell her car. (Sam advised Sarah directly)
  • The minister advised him to leave as soon as possible

Use advise that when the sentence is giving advice not directed at any particular person or thing.

  • Experts advise that sunscreen should be reapplied on an hourly basis. (The experts are not giving this advice directly to people; the advice is being given to all of us.)
  • Experts advise that investors sell their stock in the company. (The experts are not giving this advice directly to the investors; the advice is being given to all of us.)