Doubts Archives
Compiled by OFW editor:
Annette Benjamin
Publish Date: May 25, 2013
Choose / Chose
“Choose” is present tense, meaning “to select” something. “Chose” is past tense, meaning “to have selected” something. Will she choose the same door the contestant before her chose?
Compiled by OFW editor:
Annette Benjamin
Publish Date: May 24, 2013
Stand Out / Standout
“Stand out” is the verb and “standout,” the noun. Although short and chubby, Ophelia will stand out among the pygmies. Look at him, he’s a standout.
Compiled by OFW editor:
Annette Benjamin
Publish Date: May 23, 2013
Bring / Take
We use “bring” to move objects toward us and “take” when the object moves away from us. Please bring the bricks and take the rubble to the dump.
Compiled by OFW editor:
Annette Benjamin
Publish Date: May 22, 2013
Startup / Start Up
“Start up” is the verb and “startup,” the noun. I’ll load the gun while you start up the engine. OFW is a great startup.
Compiled by OFW editor:
Annette Benjamin
Publish Date: May 21, 2013
Break Away / Breakaway
“Break away” is the verb and “breakaway,” the noun. John and Mary want to break away from the daily grind of life. The thugs made their breakaway on skateboards.
Compiled by OFW editor:
Annette Benjamin
Publish Date: May 20, 2013
Sleep Over / Sleepover
“Sleep over” is the verb and “sleepover,” the noun. Bad boy. You can sleep over in the corner. Tatiana asked if I would like a sleepover.
Compiled by OFW editor:
Annette Benjamin
Publish Date: May 19, 2013
Discreet / Discrete
Often these two words are simply misspelled. “Discreet” refers to showing restraint or prudence in speech or behavior. His part in the fraud was discovered because he wasn’t discreet in his spending. “Discrete” is not often used correctly, but means “distinct or separate.” The machine consisted of several discrete parts.
Compiled by OFW editor:
Annette Benjamin
Publish Date: May 18, 2013
Sneak / Sneaked / Snuck
We say “snuck” when we speak, but it’s not correct usage. When writing fiction, we should strive to use the correct term whenever possible, unless writing dialogue. “Sneaked” is the past tense form of “sneak.” “Snuck” is not.
Compiled by OFW editor:
Annette Benjamin
Publish Date: May 17, 2013
Break / Broke
We have spotted this hilarious gaffe in several bestsellers. Igor leaped from the third floor and broke his leg. Why would Igor break his own bone? We need a direct action to break something. “Sandra broke her glass” is acceptable but “Sandra broke her arm” isn’t, unless she actually snapped the bone with her own hand. Igor leaped from the third floor, and the fall broke his leg.
Archives:
Advertisement 
