Just So You Know - A lesson in misused words and phrases.
Flammable. An oddity, chiefly useful in saving lives. The common word meaning combustible is inflammable. But some people are thrown off by the in- and think inflammable means "not combustible". For this reason, trucks carrying gasoline or explosives are now marked FLAMMABLE. Unless you are operating such a truck and hence are concerned for the safety of children and illiterates, use inflammable.
Nauseous. Nauseated. The first means "sickening to the stomach" ; the second means "sick at the stomach." Do not, therefore, say, "I feel nauseous," unless you are sure you have that effect on others.
The foreseeable future. A cliche, and a fuzzy one. How much of the future is foreseeable? Ten minutes? Ten years? Any of it? To whom is it foreseeable? Seers? Experts? Everybody?
The truth is...The fact is.... A bad beginning for a sentence. If you are possessed of the truth, or of the fact, simply state it. Do not give it advance billing.
choice excerpts taken from 'The Elements of Style' by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White.
Nauseous. Nauseated. The first means "sickening to the stomach" ; the second means "sick at the stomach." Do not, therefore, say, "I feel nauseous," unless you are sure you have that effect on others.
The foreseeable future. A cliche, and a fuzzy one. How much of the future is foreseeable? Ten minutes? Ten years? Any of it? To whom is it foreseeable? Seers? Experts? Everybody?
The truth is...The fact is.... A bad beginning for a sentence. If you are possessed of the truth, or of the fact, simply state it. Do not give it advance billing.
choice excerpts taken from 'The Elements of Style' by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White.