ENGLISH -12

 

ENGLISH -12

COMMONLY MISUSED WORDS/ PHRASES

English is a tricky language even for natives of the language, from improperly heard sounds /miss spelt terms leading to ‘EGGCORNS’. Well, egg corns are results of defective learning from some improper phonetics/ spelling.

NIP IT IN THE BUD Vs NIP IT IN THE BUTT

Nipping something in the bud suggests ‘eliminating’ the problem in the bud stage by nipping [pinching off] in the bud stage itself, before it gets to be large..

  BUTT is a reference to ‘buttock’ of a person and nip it in the butt refers to ‘bottom pinch’- a common expression in India.

REGARDLESS Vs IRREGARDLESS

Regardless implies “without considering”. Regardless of health, he attended the meeting. So, ‘regardless’ is a negative expression; “Ir-regardless” is double negative destroying the innate value of “regardless”.

PHASE Vs FAZE 

Phase refers to a stage or period with reference to some work or project.

Faze is to cause disruption or create confusion

CASE and POINT Vs CASE IN POINT

Case and Point are two different items as for instance “the point was he was implicated in the case.

CASE IN POINT is a reference to some typical example in support of a contention or opinion.

BEAR WITH ME Vs BARE WITH ME

Bear with me suggests ‘tobe patient to understand what I say”. On the contrary Bare with me suggests to ‘undress’ with me.

GO TO BED Vs SLEEP

“Go to bed” is an expression that relates to the time by which one retires to rest after the day’s work.”Go to bed” is an idiom

Sleep [v] It refers to the state of rest when the person is inactive [sleep phase] The expression, “I SLEEP LATE” implies that the person sleeps for long hours and gets up late in the forenoon. It should not be used to refer to the hour at which a person goes to bed.

YOU and I Vs YOU and ME

There is confusion –rather a semantic one with regard to the above sets of words.

“You and I” is intended to refer to a situation when one of the two persons involved explains an action performed by them. To-day you and I should complete the task [by working together] before 3. 00pm

“You and Me” is employed when you and I are receiving something or some benefit.  The certificates of ranks will be given to you and me this afternoon. Father has promised to take you and me to a magic show this evening. 

AS REGARDS Vs WITHREGARD TO / IN REGARD TO

As regards is a preposition that means “in respect of” or in relation to”? or “concerning” something

With regard to/ In regard to is an idiom “With regard our new servant we need to monitor his attitude.

Due to our inappropriate training in English we tend to be somewhat lackadaisical in using phrases /idioms and also words. If we bestow attention, on to the rules of usage in a language, chances are we stand wider recognition among users of the language  

GOOD LUCK   

Prof.  K.Raman