Don’t Raise a Ruckus about Rise and Raise
Here’s a little grammar lesson. Some verbs are transitive. This means they take a direct object. Writers often run into…
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Hale, Hardy, and Hearty
If you’re hale, you’re well. And some people like to use the expression “hale and hearty.” That sounds right, doesn’t…
Don’t Get Hung Up on Hang
It’s fine if you’ve hung a picture or a sweater on a hook. But if you sent a man to…
You Don’t Know the Half of It
The word half can sometimes cause half a mess. Here are some basic rules to keep in mind with the…
Hone What You’re Homing In On
Occasionally the misappropriation of a word or term becomes so common that most people don’t even know it’s used in…
Decent, Dissent, and Descent
In an article about a recent mountain hike, the author said this about his return trip: “The decent was more…
Pity the Fool
Maybe you’re familiar with 1980’s pop icon Mr. T’s catchphrase “pity the fool,” and think it originated with him. Not…
Don’t Assume Too Much
I’m sure you know what happens when you assume too much. But if you understand the distinction between assume and…
Requisite, Prerequisite, and Perquisite
Does your job come with perks? The word perk comes from perquisite—not to be confused with prerequisite. Those two words…
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