writing – Page 6 – LC Plaunt, M.Ed.

Monday Muddle: fair, fare, fear

LC July 4, 2022 Monday Muddle

To fear better is not the same as to fare better.

Monday Muddle: fair: (adjective) impartial, just, equitable; light in colour; average, adequate; not stormy; (noun) trade show; agricultural exhibition; carnival fare: (noun) fee for transportation; a selection of food; (verb) achieve a level of success fear: (noun) feeling of imminent danger; anxiety; concern; (verb) to be afraid; to expect danger, unpleasantness; to revere

Monday Muddle: spilt, split

LC June 27, 2022 Monday Muddle

Monday Muddle: spilt: (verb, past tense of to spill) to allow or cause contents of a container to overflow the edges (including people from a building); to reveal information that should have been kept confidential split: (verb) to break or tear into parts; to divide into shares; to separate; (noun) a break or tear

If a bag split, the contents would likely be spilt.

“Spilt” and “split” are also both past participles which can be used as adjectives. e.g. Split pea soup, whether you are a fan of it or not, is better than spilt pea soup.

“Spilt” is the original British past tense of “to spill”, and “spilled” is the American version. Although “spilt” is still acceptable in the United Kingdom, it is becoming less common, and “spilled” is gaining in popularity—as the past tense, not as a condition of soup.

Tuesday Two

LC June 21, 2022 Tuesday Two

In two sentences tell me what you have learned about writing recently.

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)