Monday Muddle: forth, fourth

March 4th is National Grammar Day because it is the only date that is also a complete sentence. How will you celebrate? forth: (adverb) forward or outward from a starting point fourth: (adjective, noun) ordinal number; number four in a series; (noun) 25% of the whole

Monday Muddle: woman, women

If you are going to try to impress a woman for Valentine’s Day, you might want to be careful about this one. For example, don’t say “For the women I love” unless that’s really what you mean. woman: (noun) ONE singular female human women: (noun) MORE THAN ONE female human

Monday Muddle: cloth, cloths, clothe, clothes

cloth: (noun) fabric; material made by joining fibres cloths: (noun, plural) small pieces of cloth, often used for washing clothe: (verb) to put garments on; to dress clothes: (noun, plural) garments; items you wear, usually made of cloth; (verb) the third person singular form of the verb to clothe

Monday Muddle: marinade, marinate

marinade: (noun) an acidic liquid, typically made of vinegar or wine with spices, used for soaking food to flavour or tenderize it marinate: (verb) to soak something in a marinade The increased use of marinade as a verb in the last decade has led some dictionaries to accept it as …

Monday Muddle: set up, setup

set up: (phrasal verb) arrange; construct, organize; make ready for use; start (a business) setup: (noun, adjective) organization, organizational; preparation, preparatory As a noun, setup is the result of setting something up. e.g. a great camera setup As an adjective, setup describes something that will be used in setting something …

Monday Muddle: every day, everyday

every day: (quantifier + noun) each day; all daysIf putting “single” between “every” and “day” makes sense, you need a space. everyday: (adjective) ordinary; routine; commonplace; average Might describe something that happens every day, but not necessarily.

Monday Muddle: cite, sight, site

cite: (verb) to quote; to refer to something; to summon to court; to issue a notice of violation sight: (noun) ability to see; field of vision; something seen or worth seeing Used in the word sightseeing. site: (noun) a specific location NOT used in the word sightseeing, even if some …

Monday Muddle: gnu, new, knew

gnu: (noun) large animal; African antelope; wildebeest new: (adjective) recently made or discovered; not previously owned or known knew: (verb, past tense of know) perceived; recognized; understood Have you ever wondered if it should be Happy New Year, Happy New Years, or Happy New Year’s? If you want to wish …

Monday Muddle: born, borne

born: (past participle of the verb ‘to bear’) was brought from the womb; resulted from; having qualities from birth (e.g. I am Canadian born.) borne: (past participle of the verb ‘to bear’) given birth to; carried; endured;produced; brought aboutUsed in all cases when followed by ‘by’. Both “born” and “borne” …