STATIONARY OR STATIONERY? stationary or stationery? STATIONARY = standing still (a STATIONARY car) STATIONERY - notepaper and envelopes stiletto (singular) stilettos (plural) See PLURALS (iv). stimulant or stimulus? Both words are related to 'stimulate' but there is a difference in meaning: A STIMULANT is a temporary energiser like drink or drugs. A STIMULUS is something that motivates (like competition). stimulus (singular) stimuli (plural) See FOREIGN PLURALS. stomach ache stood See STAND. storey (plural storeys) or story (plural stories)? STOREY = one floor or level in a building A bungalow is a single-STOREY structure. A tower block can have twenty STOREYS. STORY = a tale I read a STORY each night to my little brother. Children love STORIES. strategem or strategy? STRATEGEM = a plot, scheme, sometimes a trick, which will outwit an opponent or overcome a difficulty STRATEGY = the overall plan for conducting a war or achieving a major objective 194 SUBMIT strategy or tactics? STRATEGY = the overall plan or policy for achieving an objective TACTICS = the procedures necessary to carry out the strategic policy stratum (singular) strata (plural) See FOREIGN PLURALS. subjunctive The subjunctive form of the verb is used to express possibilities, recommendations and wishes: If he WERE a gentleman (and he's not) he would apologise on bended knee. (X If he was a gentleman ) If I WERE rich (and I'm not), I would help you. (X If I was rich ) I wish I WERE going with you (and sadly I'm not!). (X I wish I was going with you.) I recommend that he BE sacked immediately. (X he is sacked) I propose that the treasurer LEAVE the room. (/ leaves) It is vital that these questions BE answered. (X are answered) The subjunctive is also used in these expressions but there is no change to the verb. God SAVE the Queen. God BLESS you. Heaven FORBID. submit submitted, submitting See ADDING ENDINGS (iv). 195 SUBTLE subtle subtlety subtly success (singular) successes (plural) See PLURALS (ii). successful successfully successful + ly sufferance suffixes See ADDING ENDINGS. suggest (not surjest) superlative See COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE. supersede (not -cede) supervise (not -ize) surfeit (not -ie-, exception to rule) See EI/IE SPELLING RULE. surjest Wrong spelling. See SUGGEST. surprise (not suprise or surprize) surprising surreptitious 196 SYNOPSIS survivor (not -er) swam or swum? Note these tenses of 'to swim': I SWAM the Channel last year. I have SWUM the Channel five times. swinging or swingeing? swing + ing = swinging swinge + ing = swingeing See SOFT c AND SOFT G. swum See SWAM OR SWUM?. syllabus (singular) syllabuses or syllabi (plural) See FOREIGN PLURALS. synchronise/synchronize Both spellings are correct. synonym synonymous synopsis (singular) synopses (plural) See FOREIGN PLURALS. 197 tableau (singular) tableaux (plural) See FOREIGN PLURALS. tactics See STRATEGY OR TACTICS?. taping or tapping? tape + ing = taping tap + ing = tapping tariff (not -rr-) taught or taut? Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: Mrs Jenkins TAUGHT maths. Hold the line TAUT. Pull it tight. technical tee shirt/T-shirt Both versions are correct. temperature (four syllables) tempo (singular) tempi or tempos (plural) See FOREIGN PLURALS. temporarily temporary (four syllables) temprature Wrong spelling. See TEMPERATURE. tendency (not -ancy) 198 T THEIR, THERE OR THEY'RE? tenses See SEQUENCE OF TENSES. See entries for individual verbs. terminus (singular) termini or terminuses (plural) See FOREIGN PLURALS. terrible (not -able) testimonial or testimony? TESTIMONIAL = formal statement in the form of an open letter bearing witness to someone's character, qualifications and relevant experience TESTIMONY = formal written or spoken statement of evidence, especially in a court of law thank you or thank-you? (never thankyou!) I should like to THANK YOU very much for your help. THANK YOU for your help. I have written all my THANK-YOU letters. You will see that 'thank you' is NEVER written as one word. It is hyphenated only when used as a compound adjective describing 'letter' or another noun. Those who care about such things can never bring themselves to buy otherwise attractive thank-you cards that have THANKYOU or THANK-YOU printed on them! their, there or they're? Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: They have sold THEIR house. He is waiting for you over THERE. THERE is no point in lying to me. THEY'RE going to Krakow for Christmas. (= they are) 199