Bryan A. Garner

Standard English (3). Today: Sociolinguistics. Although some linguists are fond of saying that a standard language is preferred not for any linguistic reason but merely for social reasons, the social factors that affect language users can’t readily be — and shouldn’t be — divorced from linguistics. That is one of the tenets underlying the field […]

Standard English (2). Today: Social Disapproval. Throughout the 20th century, commentators noted (sometimes in strong terms) the social disapproval that attaches to nonstandard English. Mostly this is put in negative terms. If you don’t speak Standard English, you’re at a social and professional disadvantage — e.g.: o “The intelligent people of America use reasonably pure

Standard English (1). Today: What Is It? This is a troublesome term: we all think we know what it is, but a definition proves elusive. Broadly speaking, it is the English used by educated people. Some Britons contend that it is the English used by educated Britons, and that whatever is used by educated people

Miscellaneous Entries. statistics = (1) the mathematics of collecting and analyzing numerical data; or (2) numerical data. Sense 1 is singular {statistics is an exacting discipline}. Sense 2 is plural {the statistics aren’t yet in}. status (/STAT-uhs/ or /STAY-tuhs/) forms the plural "statuses" (or, in Latin, "status"), not *"stati." status quo; status quo ante; *status

stalactite; stalagmite. They're both deposits of calcium carbonate found in caves and caverns. The difference is that a "stalactite" hangs from the ceiling, while a "stalagmite" rises from the floor. Writers sometimes fall into error by using "stalagmite" for "stalactite" — e.g.: "The Dripstone Trail Tour is a leisurely hour-plus trek known for delicate sodastraw

squash; quash, vb. "Squash" (= to flatten or soften [something] by forceful crushing or squeezing) is not a substitute for "quash" (= to overturn or make legally invalid; to suppress, as a rebellion). Many writers err on this point — e.g.: o "The Alabama story ends for the moment with criminal indictments, and with Windom

stadium. Although several dictionaries seem to prefer *"stadia" as the plural, "stadiums" is the more natural and the more usual form. "Stadiums" is also 30 times as common — e.g.: o "Dozens of stadiums have sprouted up all over the country in recent years." Lisa Respers, "Funds Sought for Stadium in Aberdeen," Baltimore Sun, 28

spring / sprang / sprung. So inflected. But "springed" is correct when the sense is "equipped with springs" {a springed mattress} {springed hinges} or "to spend the season of spring" {they springed in Europe}. (The latter usage will strike many readers as more than a little odd.) The real challenge with these words is to

sprightly. "Sprightly" (= [1] lively, airy; or [2] zesty, esp. spicy, in flavor) is subject to the mischievous misspelling *"spritely" — e.g.: o "Will she end up a bitter, washed-up star a la Baby Jane, psychologically torturing her spritely [read 'sprightly'] sis Jamie-Lynn? Let’s recap Britney's recent bizarre behavior." Tamara Ikenberg, "Not So 'Lucky," Courier-J.

Miscellaneous Entries. standby. The plural is "standbys" (not *"standbies"). stand in line; stand on line. While both phrases must be accepted as standard, "stand in line" predominates in most of American English. But the regionalism "stand on line" prevails in the New York City area and elsewhere in the Northeast, and it is heard (and

spread / spread / spread. So inflected. The weak form of the verb (*"spreaded") is erroneous — e.g.: o "According to Ms. Lucas, Deborah Isabelle's character and 'motivation' spreaded [read 'spread'] to other students." Antonio R. Harvey, "Bright Futures," Sacramento Observer, 21 June 1995, at A9. o "He spreaded [read 'spread'] the wealth around, throwing

sprain / sprained / sprained. So inflected. An erroneous "sprang" sometimes springs up — e.g.: o "A Web site has been created on the Internet for people to send quick get-well wishes to Kerri Strug, who sprang [read 'sprained'] her ankle Tuesday night." Times-Picayune (New Orleans), 25 July 1996, at A1 (photo caption). o "'I

spoliation; despoliation; *despoilment. A learned word, “spoliation” /spoh-lee-AY-shuhn/ means the act of ruining, destroying, or spoiling something. In the hands and mouths of the less-than-learned, it’s often misspelled and mispronounced *”spoilation” (an example of metathesis). The difference between the form of the verb and of the noun arises from different paths by which the words

spoil, n.; spoils. The plural form is preferred in set phrases {the spoils of war} {to the victor belong the spoils} and in similar uses when multiple objects are referred to {the looters carried off their spoils} — e.g.: o "The spoils of unmanned space exploration are clear — conveniences of modern life such as

Language-Change Index. The third edition of Garner's Modern American Usage reflects several new practices. Invariably inferior forms, for example, are now marked with asterisks preceding the term or phrase, a marking common in linguistics. The most interesting new feature is the Language-Change Index. Its purpose is to measure how widely accepted various linguistic innovations have