Daily Fix – Page 16 – Editing Addict, LLC

Grammar Bomb: Comprise VS Compose

September 8, 2015June 7, 2015Leave a comment

The building comprises twelve offices. The twelve offices compose the building.

Comprise [THINK: consist (I)]

Compose [THINK: form (O)]

“The fundamental difference between comprise and compose has to do with the whole versus the parts of any object or concept.

…comprise is a verb that means “to include or contain” or “to consist of” as in The pie comprises 8 slices.

…Compose means “to be or constitute a part of element of” or “to make up or form the basis of,” as in Eight slices compose the pie.

…The key rule to remember is that the whole comprises the elements or parts, and the elements or parts compose the whole.“

[read more about it on blog.dictionary.com]

WordHit: Pastime [noun]

September 2, 2015June 9, 2015Leave a comment

#WordHitEA

pastime [noun]: a hobby

{Common misspelling: pasttime}

Grammar Bomb: i.e. VS e.g.

August 31, 2015June 7, 2015Leave a comment

I love tropical fruit, i.e. the luscious and tender kiwi, handpicked and stored at room temperature, or the zesty mango marinated in banana juice; I hate sugary treats, e.g. licorice, chocolate, and ice cream.

#GrammarBombEA

i.e. [THINK: in elaboration]

e.g. [THINK: general example]

“…i.e. is a shortening of the Latin expression id est, which translates to “that is.” It is used to introduce a rephrasing or elaboration on something that has already been stated…

The term e.g. is an abbreviation of the Latin expression exempli gratia, meaning “for the sake of example” or more colloquially, “for example.” It follows that this term is used to introduce examples of something that has already been stated…”

[read more about it on blog.dictionary.com]

WordHit: Occurrence [noun]

August 27, 2015June 9, 2015Leave a comment

#WordHitEA

occurrence [noun]: something happening

{Common misspelling: occurance}

Grammar Bomb: Discreet VS Discrete

August 25, 2015June 7, 2015Leave a comment

Be discreet when reviewing the students’ grades; their assignments were discrete units, not group projects.

#GrammarBombEA

Discreet [THINK: careful with speech (EE)]

Discrete [THINK: separate the Es]

“Discreet implies the showing of reserve and prudence in one’s behavior or speech. Discrete means something quite different: “distinct, separate, unrelated.”“

[read more about it on blog.dictionary.com]

WordHit: Misspell [verb]

August 19, 2015June 9, 2015Leave a comment

#WordHitEA

misspell [verb]: spell incorrectly

{Common misspelling: mispell}

Grammar Bomb: I VS Me

August 17, 2015June 7, 2015Leave a comment

Even though Shakespeare wrote about the love between “you and I,” it is still incorrect, and should be “you and me.”

#GrammarBombEA

“…what about “between you and I”? Technically, it should be “between you and me.” …Using the word “I” can sound learned and elite; however this leads to it being overused when it’s actually incorrect. This problem is called hypercorrect incorrectness.

The “you and me” problem is confusing when there are two objects, as in the sentence “Thanks for inviting my husband and I to dinner.” …here’s a simple trick. Omit the first person and see how it sounds.

If you said, “Thanks for inviting I to dinner,” it sounds wrong. Without two people, it is easier to use your ear to hear if “I” or “me” is grammatically correct.”

[read more about it on blog.dictionary.com]