REMEMBER remember (not rember) repellent or repulsive? Both words mean 'causing disgust or aversion'. REPULSIVE, however, is the stronger of the two; it has the sense of causing 'intense disgust', even horror in some circumstances. REPELLENT can also be used in the sense of being able to repel particular pests (a mosquito repellent) and in the sense of being impervious to certain substances (water-repellent). repetition (not -pit-) repetitious or repetitive? Both words are derived from 'repetition'. Use REPETITIOUS when you want to criticise something spoken or written for containing tedious and excessive repetition. 'Repetitious' is a derogatory term. Use REPETITIVE when you want to make the point that speech, writing or an activity involves a certain amount of repetition (e.g. work on an assembly line in a factory). 'Repetitive' is a neutral word. reported speech See INDIRECT SPEECH/REPORTED SPEECH. representative repulsive See REPELLENT OR REPULSIVE?. resent See RECENT OR RESENT?. reservoir From 'reserve', (not resevoir) 174 resistance reson Wrong spelling. See REASON. resonable Wrong spelling. See REASONABLE. responsibility (not -ability) responsible (not -able) restaurant restaurateur (not restauranteur) resuscitate (not rescusitate) revelant Wrong spelling. See RELEVANT. revenge See AVENGE OR REVENGE?. reverend or reverent? REVEREND = deserving reverence; title for a cleric The Revd. C. Benson The Rev. C. Benson REVERENT = showing reverence REVERENT pilgrims reversible (not -able) rheumatism rhubarb rhyme 175 RHYME rhythm ridiculous (not rediculous) The word comes from the Latin ridere, meaning 'to laugh'. rigorous or vigorous? RIGOROUS = exhaustive, very thorough, exacting physically or mentally VIGOROUS = full of energy robing or robbing? robe + ing = robing rob + ing = robbing See ADDING ENDINGS (i) and (ii). rococo Romania/Rumania Both spellings are correct. A third variant, Roumania, is now considered old- fashioned and should be avoided. roof (singular) roofs (plural) (not rooves) royal See REGAL OR ROYAL?. 176 RHYTHM sacrifice (not sacra-) sacrilege (not sacra-) safely safe + ly said (exception to the -y rule) See ADDING ENDINGS (iii). salary salmon sanatorium (singular) sanatoria or sanatoriums (plural) See FOREIGN PLURALS. sandwich (not sanwich) sarcasm See IRONY OR SARCASM?. sat See SIT. satellite Saturday saucer scan Scan has a number of meanings in different subject areas: It can mean to analyse the metre of a line of poetry. 177 B It can mean 'to look at all parts carefully in order to detect irregularities' (as in radar SCANNING and body SCANNING). It can mean to read intently and quickly in order to establish the relevant points. When we talk of 'just SCANNING the headlines', we shouldn't mean 'glancing quickly over them without taking them in'. Scanning is a very intensive and selective process. scarcely This word needs care both in spelling and in usage. See DOUBLE NEGATIVES. scarf (singular) scarfs or scarves (plural) See PLURALS (v). scaring or scarring? scare + ing = scaring scar + ing = scarring See ADDING ENDINGS (i) and (ii). scarsly Wrong spelling. See SCARCELY. scenery (not -ary) sceptic or septic? A SCEPTIC is one who is inclined to doubt or question accepted truths. SEPTIC is an adjective meaning 'infected by bacteria' (a SEPTIC wound). It also describes the drainage system in country areas which uses bacteria to aid decomposition (SEPTIC drainage, a SEPTIC tank). schedule scheme 178 SCARCELY SECRETARY scissors Scotch, Scots or Scottish? Use SCOTCH only in such phrases as SCOTCH broth, SCOTCH whisky, SCOTCH eggs, SCOTCH mist and so on. When referring to the people of Scotland, call them the SCOTS or the SCOTTISH. The term SCOTCH can cause offence. The words SCOTS is often used in connection with aspects of language: He has a strong SCOTS accent. The SCOTS language is quite distinct from English. What is the SCOTS word for 'small'? We also talk about SCOTS law being different from English law. In connection with people, we have the rather formal terms Scotsman/Scotsmen and Scotswoman/Scotswomen. Remember also the Scots Guards. SCOTTISH is used rather more generally to refer to aspects of landscape and culture: SCOTTISH history, SCOTTISH dancing, SCOTTISH traditions, SCOTTISH universities, the SCOTTISH Highlands search seasonable or seasonal? SEASONABLE = normal for the time of year (SEASONABLE weather) SEASONAL = happening at a particular season (SEASONAL employment) secretary (singular) secretaries (plural) (not secer-) See PLURALS (iii). 179 . repulsive? Both words mean 'causing disgust or aversion'. REPULSIVE, however, is the stronger of the two; it has the sense of causing 'intense disgust', even horror . areas which uses bacteria to aid decomposition (SEPTIC drainage, a SEPTIC tank). schedule scheme 1 78 SCARCELY SECRETARY scissors Scotch, Scots or Scottish? Use SCOTCH only in such phrases . offence. The words SCOTS is often used in connection with aspects of language: He has a strong SCOTS accent. The SCOTS language is quite distinct from English. What is the SCOTS