sortie. "Sortie" (= [1] a raid, esp. an unexpected attack from a besieged position; [2] by extension, an excursion) is occasionally misspelled *"sortee" — e.g.: o "NATO says it has flown 1,700 sortees [read 'sorties'] as of Wednesday, a quarter of which were bombing runs." Lance Gay, "The Daily Cost: Approximately $40 Million," Pitt. Post-Gaz., …

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sophistic(al); sophic(al). These words have opposite connotations. The former (usually "sophistical") means "quibbling, specious, or captious in reasoning." The latter (usually "sophic") means "learned; intellectual." "Sophistical," the disparaging term, is more common — e.g.: o "His sophistical alibi that he has a duty and responsibility to bless the rest of the nation with his political …

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*sooner rather than later. Not only is this idiom redundant; it isn't entirely logical because the comparison is never completed. Sooner and not later than what? "Soon" is usually an improvement — e.g.: o "If so, that could dampen fears that the Federal Reserve will act sooner, rather than later, [read 'soon'] to boost interest …

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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 …

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Miscellaneous Entries. solo. The plural is solos — preferably not *soli. soluble; solvable. Soluble is usually applied to dissolvable substances, whereas solvable is usually applied to problems. But soluble is also sometimes used in reference to problems; this usage is acceptable, though not preferred. somber; sombre. The first is American English, the second British English. …

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sometime (2). Today: Two More Uses. Part A: As an Adjective Meaning “former.” This is a slightly archaic sense of “sometime”: “my sometime companion.” The word does not properly signify “on-again-off-again” or “occasional” — as it appears to in the following quotation (as suggested by the incorrect use of “sometimes”): “Jack Kemp, the former Congressman …

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sometime (1). Today: And "some time." "Sometime" = at an indefinite or unspecified time; esp., at a time in the future {we'll see each other sometime}. "Some time" = quite a while {they spent some time together}. The difference may be illustrated by contrasting the senses of these two sentences: (1) "It was not until …

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solicit (1). Today: For “elicit.” To “solicit” a response is to request it. To “elicit” a response is to get it. But some writers confuse the two, usually by misusing “solicit” for “elicit” — e.g.: “‘The way the question was worded didn’t solicit [read ‘elicit’] the type of response I think we were looking for,’ …

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Miscellaneous Entries. *software program. Avoid this redundancy. Either word will do, though “software” will usually be the better choice because it’s the narrower term. solace (= comfort in sorrow or trouble; relief from distress) should not be used merely as a synonym of “comfort,” without the circumstance of grief or distress being implied. The misuse …

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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 …

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solecism. Generally, "solecism" (/SAHL-uh-siz-uhm/) refers to a grammatical or syntactic error, often a gross mistake. E.g.: "I once spoke French well enough to teach in a Marseille lycee — but that was 25 years ago and today I could hardly string two sentences together without committing some gross solecism." Michael Dirda, "The Lingo Kid," Wash. …

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sola topi. "Sola topi" (= a pith helmet, originating in India, made from the sola plant) is sometimes misspelled *"solar topi" — e.g.: o "But she kept the English cricketing cap and the solar [read 'sola'] topi." Joan Bridgman, "Mad Dogs, Englishwomen and Nureyev," Contemp. Rev., 1 Apr. 1995, at 213. o "The most unusual …

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Miscellaneous Entries. Smithsonian Institution. This is the name — not *"Smithsonian Institute." smoky, adj., is so spelled — not *"smokey." But the lovable mascot's name is "Smokey Bear." smolder (= to burn slowly without flame) is the standard spelling. "Smoulder" is a chiefly British English variant. sodomite; *sodomist. The first outnumbers the second by a …

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soi-disant. “Soi-disant” = self-proclaimed. This French affectation is inferior both to the translation just given and to “self-styled.” E.g.: o “What it may need instead is an establishment with the nerve to tell the soi-disant [read ‘self-proclaimed’] victims: Stop kvetching.” Michael S. Greve, “Remote Control Tuning for Speech,” Wash. Times, 9 Nov. 1996, at D3. …

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so (2). Today: For “very” and in “so therefore.” In traditional usage, “so” is a comparative adverb {so cold I could die} {so cumbersome that I don’t want it} {he’s not so tall as she is}. Gradually, speakers and writers began dropping the final part of the comparison {he’s so tall!} {she’s so smart} {it’s …

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so (1). Today: Beginning Sentences with. Like “And” and “But,” “So” is a good word for beginning a sentence. Each of these three is the informal equivalent of a heavier and longer conjunctive adverb (“Additionally,” “However,” and “Consequently” or “Therefore”). Rhetoric, not grammar, is what counts here. The shorter word affords a brisker pace — …

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