Like “only,” this word is sometimes misplaced syntactically — e.g.: “Orick said that although the educational programs are sponsored by Purdue University, they are not solely related [read ‘related solely’] to preservation of agricultural farmlands.” Welton W. Harris II, “Land-Use Plan Sessions Scheduled,” Indianapolis News, 2 Dec. 1997, Metro N. §, at 1.
Also, the word is fairly frequently misspelled *"soley" — e.g.: “Since playing basketball as a freshman, Prentiss has concentrated soley [read ‘solely’] on softball.” John Hines, “Buffaloes Figure to Roam Farther,” San Antonio Express-News, 9 Feb. 1997, at C8.
*Invariably inferior forms.
For information about the Language-Change Index click here.
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Quotation of the Day: “Tell me how much a nation knows about its own language, and I will tell you how much that nation knows about its own identity.” John Ciardi, “Stumping the Boondocks for Idioms,” Chicago Trib., 27 Aug. 1978, § 7, at 2 (as quoted in Dwight Bolinger, Language: The Loaded Weapon 188 (1980)).
