Grammar Moses serves up some Christmas leftovers
Judging from the response to last Sunday's 12 nuggets of word choice fun, here are 12 more Christmas cookies before you get back on the wagon.
1
Presently or currently?
"Presently" means soon. Currently means now.
2
Disburse or disperse?
"Disburse" is a verb meaning to distribute money. It is derived from the Latin bursa, or "purse." The verb "disperse" means to distribute stuff other than money.
3
Convince or persuade?
I hear style editors for The Associated Press are contemplating whether to make these words synonyms, but I don't give up easily. To "convince" someone is to get him or her to think in a certain way. To "persuade" someone is to prompt him or her to do something.
4
Allusion or illusion?
An "allusion" is a reference to something else. An "illusion" is a bit of fakery (think magic) or something that is likely misperceived.
5
Insure, ensure or assure?
You insure your car. You ensure that you will make it to your daughter's christening, even if the game goes into overtime. You assure your mopey son that all is not lost now that his fantasy team quarterback's ratings are in the teens.
6
e.g. or i.e.?
I can never keep this one straight. So I'll turn to grammarian Bryan A. Garner for the explanation. The abbreviation for id est (Latin for "that is") introduces explanatory phrases or clauses. e.g. is short for exempli gratia (Latin for "for example.")
I'll attempt to include both in one sentence.
My two neighbors, i.e. Brandon and Art, prefer beers with exotic names, e.g. Hoptimus Prime and Skull Splitter, while I prefer tried-and-true Miller High Life.
Of course, it's usually better to discard e.g. for "for example" and i.e. for "namely" so even Brandon and Art can understand you.
7
Personal or personable?
Both are adjectives. "Personal" describes what you keep to yourself, or between you and few others or something that is your own. "Personable" describes your outwardly pleasing nature, your affability.
8
Principle or principal?
"Principle" is a noun that means a code of conduct. "Principal" can be a noun or an adjective. A "principal" is the main person. The publisher is the "principal" leader at a newspaper.
9
Recur or reoccur?
For something to "recur," it happens regularly. For something to reoccur, it merely happens again.
10
May or might?
When you're talking about possibilities - this is where the words are confused - "may" conveys likelihood, while "might" casts doubt.
11
Who or that?
I could go on for pages on the topic, but let's narrow the focus to you refer to a bird caught in a trap as the bird "who" was caught or the bird "that" was caught.
It depends on your relationship with the bird. If it's a sparrow you've never met before, it's "that." If it's your pet, Tweetie, a bird you love and to which you've applied human attributes, it's "who."
If it's Big Bird, it's definitely a "who."
12
Lose or loose?
First, "lose" is a verb, and it has a "Z" sound. It's failing to retain something (e.g. weight) or failing to win something (e.g. a staring contest with your cat.) While "loose" also can be a verb meaning to release, it more commonly is used as an adjective that means something not securely attached (e.g. a pocketful of change) or something that is baggy.
I'm sorry, I can't think of anything that is baggy at this time of year.
Write carefully and have a happy new year!
• Jim Baumann is assistant vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald. Write him at jbaumann@dailyherald.com. Put Grammar Moses in the subject line. You also can friend or follow Jim at facebook.com/baumannjim.