unrelentlessly.
*”Unrelentlessly” is a solecism for either “unrelentingly” or “relentlessly.” Ironically, this nonword literally suggests just the opposite of the intended meaning — e.g.:
o “He has unrelentlessly [read ‘relentlessly’ or, better, ‘faithfully’] served as a committee person involved in parks and recreation, fire prevention, police and emergency services, highway management, budget control and youth and school advisory committees.” Letter of Larry E. Rice, “Change Dewitt Leader,” Post-Standard (Syracuse), 19 Oct. 1995, at 15.
o “This prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] is still under the shadow of public opinion, and the opposition will unrelentlessly [read ‘unrelentingly’ or ‘relentlessly’] continue to fight against him through legal, moral and political means.” Amos Perlmutter, “Dodging a Misguided Political Fusillade,” Wash. Times, 22 Apr. 1997, at A14.
Language-Change Index — *”unrelentlessly” for “relentlessly”: Stage 1.
*Invariably inferior form.
For information about Language-Change Index click here.
——————–
Quotation of the Day: “Some people, including a distressing number of linguists, just do not learn their own language very well.” James Sledd, “What Are We Going to Do About It Now That We’re Number One?” 53 Am. Speech 171, 182 (1978).
