Word Watch: Sophia
A valued English Christian name is almost invariably spoken as if it were Italian.
A valued English Christian name is almost invariably spoken as if it were Italian.
Pedants may disapprove of the growing legitimacy of a once “improper” construction. But perhaps we can celebrate a small simplification.
The meanings of “exult” and “exalt” overlap and they both have Biblical resonances. Yet the two words are etymologically distinct.
Not so long ago, “bored of” was regarded as a solecism, used principally by children and the uneducated. Now, the “illiterate” form is everywhere.
The emergence of this Americanism has been so gradual that probably no-one will even notice the change.
The verb “to nestle” has enjoyed a great boost in its popularity in recent years, in no small part thanks to estate agents.
While the word itself is fairly new, sensationalism has always been an important filter for information.
Since the turn of the century, it’s been fascinating to observe how common singular nouns have – for no apparent reason – become plural.
Even highly literate writers are caught out by the interlocking permutations of the two verbs ‘to lay’ and ‘to lie’.
Subscribe to Reaction and receive unlimited access to the site, our daily email with analysis every evening and invites to online events.
© Copyright 2024 Reaction Digital Media Limited – All Rights Reserved. Registered Company in England & Wales – Company Number: 10166531.