changing the conversation from one topic to the next is a "segue"
This is a "Segway":
719672
Blog posts : "Grammar"
scarcely
"Scarcely" is already a negative term. It is not correct to use another negative with it.
incorrect- I couldn't scarcely find all the pages that had blown away.
correct- I could scarcely find all the pages that had blown away.
troupe vs troop
a troupe is a group of performers
a troop is any other group of people
throne vs thown
royalty sits on a throne
something that is tossed is thrown
taken aback vs taken back
when something scares or offends you you may be "taken aback"
when something that was once given to you (or purchased by you) must be returned it is "taken back"
succeed vs secede
succeed- to accomplish
secede- to leave an organization or nation
stationery vs stationary
letter writing paper is stationery (remember "e" for "envelop")
something that stands still is stationary
sore vs soar
eagles soar
your legs get sore (after running)
setup vs set up
a "setup" is how something is put together (noun)
stereo setup; equipment setup
"set up" is a verb (an action)
Go set up the fish tank. I was set up on a blind date.
saw vs seen
"saw" is the simple past tense of "see"
I saw you in the store.
"seen" is the past tense of "see" that requires a helping verb "have" or "has"
I have seen this movie before. She has seen the play already.
immense vs emmense
I'm certain that the confusion stems from the appalling number of people who mispronounce this word as "E-MENSE". It is, in fact, "immense".
unconsolable vs inconsolable
To be sad beyond being about to be consoled is to be "inconsolable" not "unconsolable".
tried and true vs trite and true
I have heard people use the phrase "trite and true" and I find it to be a particularly hilarious mistake. Then again, I have a strange sense of humor.
trite means "worn out" or "over used"
The proper way to say it is "tried and true".
It has been tried and it is true.
thus far vs thusfar
"thus far" is always two words; like "a lot"
"So far" is also always two words but I don't think many people get that wrong.
threw vs through
"threw" is the past tense of "throw"
I threw the ball.
"thru" is not a word.
these are them vs these are they
The proper term is "these are they".
So stop using "these are them".
I could explain why but I'm doubtful that anyone would even bother to read it and I'm not sure I blame them. Just trust me.
theirselves vs theirselfs
Most people have trouble figuring out how to spell this.
Here's the reason; it isn't a word so don't use it.
They are going to go get it themselves.
shinny vs shimmy
You are not going to believe me when I say this but it is true:
You "shinny" up a tree or a pole.
You "shimmy" when you dance.
sleight of hand vs slight of hand
"slight of hand" means small hands
"sleight of hand" means a skillful trick or deception
An illusionist uses sleight of hand to trick the audience.
sherbet vs sherbert
The correct spelling is "sherbet" which most people know. So, why do they add an imaginary "r" to the second syllable of this word when saying it?
It should be pronounced more like "hooray" and less like "Herbert".