Monday Muddle – Page 13 – LC Plaunt, M.Ed.

Monday Muddle: fictional, fictitious, fictive

LC June 20, 2022 Monday Muddle

Monday Muddle fictional: (adjective) imaginary; characteristic of literary fiction (e.g. fictional character) fictitious: (adjective) artificial; fictional, but with the intent to conceal or mislead (e.g. fictitious alibi) fictive: (adjective) relates to a specific fictional element (e.g. fictive kinship)

The meanings of these three words are very similar, and all relate to creations of the imagination. But there are some nuances. If it’s in a negative context—not being factual for the purpose of being deceptive—use “fictitious”. If you are discussing literature, use “fictional”. “Fictive” is less common than the other two, and is often used in the phrase “fictive kinship” which is a relationship based not on familial ties but on a close relationship. (e.g. when you call your mother’s best friend Aunt Sue)

Monday Muddle: brake, break

LC June 13, 2022 Monday Muddle

When the verb “break” is used to mean pause, it is often stated as the phrase “to take a break”. But after working for an extended period it is also common for someone to say, “Let’s break for coffee.”

Working with someone on your breaks does not mean the same thing as working with someone on your brakes.

Saying your car has new breaks is not a good idea if you are trying to sell it. New brakes, however, would be worth mentioning.

Monday Muddle: brake: (noun) a device used to stop a process or machinery, typically a vehicle in motion; (verb) to apply brakes; to stop break: (noun) a pause at work; an interruption or disruption of progress; a crack or fracture; a change that potentially leads to something better; (verb) to damage, crack, fracture or divide into pieces; to interrupt; to pause

Monday Muddle: dugout, dug out

LC June 6, 2022 Monday Muddle

Monday Muddle: dugout: (noun) a shelter that is dug out of the ground and is covered with a roof; a shelter at the side of a baseball field, usually lower than ground level with a roof and a bench for use by the players and staff when they are not on the field dug out: (verb phrase) (past tense of dig out) moving material, often dirt or snow, in order to find or release something

In Canada, and possibly other places where winters are harsh, you might hear someone say, “After we get dug out…” because after a big snowstorm it can be a major project to get through your doorway and shovel a path to your driveway and your car. If, however, you hear someone say, “After we get dugout…” they may be talking about building a baseball stadium. In that case, a definite article (the) or an indefinite article (a) should precede the noun “dugout”. If you are the one building the baseball stadium, you would be responsible for getting the dugout dug out.

Monday Muddle: worse, worst, wurst

LC May 30, 2022 Monday Muddle

A comparative adjective (worse) is used when you are comparing two things. A superlative adjective is used when you are comparing three or more things. Unless you are comparing sausage, and then you may need to use “wurst”.