Different vocabulary7 pps

file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/errors.txt

the appropriate period from which your subject dates, you could

substitute a less silly but still vague phrase such as "for many years,"

or "for centuries"; but it's better simply to avoid historical

statements if you don't know your history.

See "today's modern society."

BEGS THE QUESTION

An argument that improperly assumes as true the very point the speaker

is trying to argue for is said in formal logic to "beg the question."

Here is an example of a question-begging argument: "This painting is

trash because it is obviously worthless." The speaker is simply

asserting the worthlessness of the work, not presenting any evidence to

demonstrate that this is in fact the case. Since we never use "begs"

with this odd meaning ("to improperly take for granted") in any other

phrase, many people mistakenly suppose the phrase implies something

quite different: that the argument demands that a question about it be

asked. If you're not comfortable with formal terms of logic, it's best

to stay away from this phrase, or risk embarrassing yourself.

BEHAVIORS

"Behavior" has always referred to patterns of action, including multiple

actions, and did not have separate singular and plural forms until

social scientists created them. Unless you are writing in psychology,

sociology, anthropology, or a related field, it is better to avoid the

use of "behaviors" in your writing.

See also "peoples."

BEMUSE/AMUSE

When you bemuse someone, you confuse them, and not necessarily in an

entertaining way. Don't confuse this word with "amuse."

BESIDE/BESIDES

"Besides" can mean "in addition to" as in "besides the puppy chow, Spot

scarfed up the filet mignon I was going to serve for dinner." "Beside,"

in contrast, usually means "next to." "I sat beside Cheryl all evening,

but she kept talking to Jerry instead." Using "beside" for "besides,"

won't usually get you in trouble; but using "besides" when you mean

"next to" will.

BETTER

When Chuck says "I better get my research started; the paper's due

tomorrow," he means "I had better," abbreviated in speech to "I" d

better." The same pattern is followed for "he'd better," "she'd

better," and "they'd better."

BETWEEN

"Between 1939 to 1945" is obviously incorrect to most people--it should

be "between 1939 and 1945"--but the error is not so obvious when it is

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