IT'S ALL IN THE "d"

Adverse and Averse


Commonly, we see the words adverse and averse used incorrectly; although they have SIMILAR meanings and are both adjectives, they are quite different and cannot be used interchangeably.


Adverse means bad or negative
Averse means opposed or against


Understanding this, one cannot be "adverse" to something as in "I am adverse to lippy teenagers" because that would translate to "I am BAD to lippy teenagers" which clearly does not make sense. 


CORRECT USE: I am averse to lippy teenagers.


Conversely, one does not have an "averse" reaction to something as in "I had an averse reaction to the lippy teenager" because that would translate to "I had an AGAINST reaction to the lippy teenager" which again, does not make sense.


CORRECT USE: I had an ADVERSE reaction to the lippy teenager.


Substituting the synonyms for ADVERSE AND AVERSE in your sentences will help you determine which word to use and lead you to use these words correctly...consistently! 

To pique/peak/peek your interest.....

Let's just get the relevant definitions out there right from the start, then we can pick apart the proper use of these homophones!

PIQUED: a verb meaning to excite with interest and curiosity


PEEKED: a verb meaning to have looked or glanced quickly, often from a concealed location


PEAKED: an adjective meaning to have a peak (or as our parents might have used; an adjective meaning to be pale and drawn in appearance suggesting oncoming illness - pronounced PEAK-KID)


The main reason for this particular blog subject is CYA having seen, countless times, the improper use of the word PEEKED or PEAKED in place of PIQUED.


Let's use them correctly in a sentence to clarify:
1. Her interest was PIQUED with an invitation to join the debating club.
2. Isaac PEEKED at the Christmas gifts hidden in the closet
3. The PEAKED meringue atop the key lime looked delicious.

Choose your words  carefully so you won't look PEAKED in front of your
co-workers!

TRY ... and TRY again!

This entry is short and sweet and I will try to express the sentiment simply and concisely.


We  should not "try and" be or do anything, but we should "try to" be and do everything! What I am trying to say is that I will  try to convince you not to use try & and together, but instead always use try to.


EXAMPLE:


"I will try to be more creative in my next Blog entry"  is correct while "I will try and be more creative in my next Blog entry" is incorrect!


GET IT?

Wreaking Havoc on Reek

Today's common error is really more of a spelling mistake. Very few people are likely to write either word very often, but may speak them regularly. Neither are very positive words, but both get their point across quite nicely.

WREAK - to cause destruction, inflict revenge or express anger or hatred in action against another

REEK - give off an extremely unpleasant smell or show strong evidence of an unpleasant quality.

The vengeful teen wreaked havoc at school by planting a stink bomb that reeked for a week!

JUST DON'T DO IT...and you won't need this post!

Today's blog is a two-fold lesson. Part 1 is knowing the difference between "libel" and "slander". Do you think you know? The misuse of these words is a mistake made by many and it is an easy one to fix.

"Libel" is written defamation and "slander" is verbal defamation. You can avoid both by abiding by the old adage "If you don't have something nice to say about someone, then don't say anything at all".

Part 2 of today's blog is the mixing up of libel and liable. "Liable" means having legal responsibility or likely to do something. Be careful with this one...it is more often a verbal faux pas than a written one.

If you know someone who is liable to use libel when they should be using slander, please forward this blog.



EN, IN or AS - Be SURE!

Ensure
Insure
Assure

We expect that most people don't mix up all three words as much as they do the first two, but we thought we would put them all in today's blog to ensure that you feel assured about using the word insure!

ENSURE is used when you are referring to GUARANTEEING something. It is the single-word option for make sure.

We ensure your satisfaction in our writing services.

INSURE means "to provide protection against loss, damage & liability", usually with a financial or replacement guarantee. It can also mean "to protect against risk", usually by offering preventive measures or a "Plan B".

State Farm will insure your home against theft and fire.

ASSURE is to to convince someone of something or to assuage their doubt.

We assure you that you won't make this error once you read this blog.