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disc/disk DISC DISK “Compact disc” is spelled with a “C” because that’s how its inventors decided it should be rendered; but a computer disk is spelled with a “K” (unless it’s a CD-ROM, of course). The New York Times insisted for many years on the spelling “compact disk” in its editorial pages, often incongruously next to ads containing the patented spelling “disc”; but now even it has given in. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/disc.html03/09/2005 15:37:38 discreet/discrete DISCREET/DISCRETE The more common word is “discreet,” meaning “prudent, circumspect”: “When arranging the party for Agnes, be sure to be discreet; we want her to be surprised.” “Discrete” means “separate, distinct”: “He arranged the guest list into two discrete groups: meat-eaters and vegetarians.” Note how the T separates the two Es in “discrete.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/discreet.html03/09/2005 15:37:38 discussed/disgust DISCUSSED/DISGUST “Discussed” is the past tense of the verb “discuss.” Don’t substitute for it the noun “disgust” in such sentences as “The couple“s wedding plans were thoroughly discussed.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/discussed.html03/09/2005 15:37:38 disinterested/uninterested DISINTERESTED/UNINTERESTED A bored person is uninterested. Do not confuse this word with the much rarer disinterested, which means “objective, neutral.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/disinterested.html03/09/2005 15:37:39 disrespect DISRESPECT The hip-hop subculture has revived the use of “disrespect” as a verb. In the meaning to have or show disrespect, this usage has been long established, if unusual. However, the new street meaning of the term, ordinarily abbreviated to “dis,” is slightly but significantly different: to act disrespectfully, or— more frequently—insultingly toward someone. In some neighborhoods “dissing” is defined as merely failing to show sufficient terror in the face of intimidation. In those neighborhoods, it is wise to know how the term is used; but an applicant for a job who complains about having been “disrespected” elsewhere is likely to incur further disrespect . . . and no job. Street slang has its uses, but this is one instance that has not become generally accepted. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/disrespect.html03/09/2005 15:37:39 doctorial DOCTORIAL DOCTORAL “Doctoral” is occasionally misspelled—and often mispronounced—"doctorial.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/doctorial.html03/09/2005 15:37:39 dolly/handcart DOLLY/HANDCART A dolly is a flat platform with wheels on it, often used to make heavy objects mobile, or by an auto mechanic lying on one under a car body. Many people mistakenly use this word to designate the vertically oriented two-wheeled device with upright handles and horizontal lip. This latter device is more properly called a “handcart” or “hand truck.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/dolly.html03/09/2005 15:37:39 dominate/dominant DOMINATE/DOMINANT The verb is “dominate” the adjective is “dominant.” The dominant chimpanzee tends to dominate the others. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/dominate.html03/09/2005 15:37:40 done DONE DID The past participle of “do” is “done,” so it’s not “they have did what they promised not to do” but “they have done. . . .” But without a helping verb, the word is “did.” Nonstandard: “I done good on the test.” Standard: “I did well on the test.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/done.html03/09/2005 15:37:40 double negatives DOUBLE NEGATIVES It is not true, as some assert, that double negatives are always wrong; but the pattern in formal speech and writing is that two negatives equal a mild positive: “he is a not untalented guitarist” means he has some talent. In informal speech, however, double negatives are intended as negatives: “he ain’t got no talent” means he is a lousy musician. People are rarely confused about the meaning of either pattern, but you do need to take your audience into account when deciding which pattern to follow. One of the funniest uses of the literary double negative is Douglas Adams’ description of a machine dispensing “a substance almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/double.html03/09/2005 15:37:40