October 14 2016

Rules Of Grammar: Temblor vs. Trembler

Rules Of Grammar LogoIs an earthquake a temblor or a trembler? It depends on the source you site.

According to The Grammar Bible, a temblor is an earthquake and the word “trembler” refers to one who trembles; as in a person who shakes due to excitement or anxiety. However, a Google search has revealed that there are word definition sources that cite “trembler” as also meaning an earthquake; although these sources have this rendition of the definition listed as “informal.”

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August 2 2016

I Love Steno Trivia Tuesday

Trivia Tuesday PurpleQUESTION: What two words are combined to create the portmanteau word, “endorphin”?

Answer: endogenous and morphine.

Endogenous is defined as follows: “(1) Growing or produced by growth from deep tissue. (2) Caused by factors inside the organism or system. (3) Produced or synthesized within the organism or system.”

Morphine is “A bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of a soluble salt as an analgesic and sedative.”

An endorphin is a endogenous opioid neuropeptide. It is a “morphine-like substance originating within the body.” Endorphins are produced by the pituitary gland and the central nervous system.

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August 2 2016

Rules Of Grammar: What Are Portmanteau Words?

Rules Of Grammar LogoPortmanteau words are words that combine the pronunciations and meanings of two words.

Examples:

smog= smoke + fog
Brexit= Britain + exit
newscast= news + broadcast
docudrama= documentary + drama
sitcom= situational + comedy
affluenza= affluence + influenza
camcorder= camera + recorder
neither= not + either
irregardless= irrespective + regardless

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December 2 2015

Rules Of Grammar: Talking To vs. Talking With

To say that you are “talking to” someone denotes a soliloquy; whereas saying that you are “talking with” someone denotes colloquy. Using the preposition “to” in the aforementioned scenario expresses that you did most of the talking. To use the preposition “with” in the aforementioned scenario expresses that the conversation was on an equal footing of give and take.

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December 2 2015

Rules Of Grammar: In vs. Into

The preposition “in” is used to represent an action within a certain area. The preposition “into” is used to express a motion towards an area from outside of that area. For example: The boys swam in the lake. (This would denote that the boys were already in the lake.)
The girls dove into the lake.

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April 21 2015

Rules Of Grammar: Preventive vs. Preventative

According to WritingExplained.org, “preventive” and “preventative” are interchangeable. They can both be used as a noun or an adjective. The words both “refer to things that prevent, hinder, or act as obstacles.”

WritingExplained.org further explains that between the two word choices, internationally, “preventive” is the preferred choice; being used approximately eight times more than “preventative.”

The website also states that the existence of the word “preventive” predates “preventative” by a few decades, and is preferred by the New York Times, AP Stylebook, The Chicago Manual of Style, and other grammar sources.

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