Grammar: All about (V)

Grammar: Which word to use (V)

https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-observer-style-guide-v

 

 

1. CORRECT USAGE

1.1. Similar words mean different things…

venal or venial

venal open to bribery; venial easily forgiven

1.2 Use the right word in context…

venerable 

worthy of reverence, not just old.

verdicts 

recorded by coroners, returned by inquest juries.

virus

not the same as a bacterium, but we often confuse the two.

2. SPELLINGS

v for versus, not vs: England v Australia, Rochdale v Sheffield Wednesday, etc.

2.1 To hyphenate (or not)?

YES

vice-chair, vice-chancellor, vice-president

vis-a-vis

EXCEPTIONS

2.2 One word or two?

One word

voiceover

Two words

venetian blind

vice versa

video game BUT  National Videogame Archive

videotape

2.3 Frequently misspelt

veld

not veldt

veranda

not verandah

veterinary

veto, vetoes, vetoed, vetoing

volcano

plural volcanoes

volcanology

not vulcanology

vortex

plural vortices

vuvuzela

not vuvuzuela

2.4 Change with form or plural

vapour BUT vaporise

verruca NOT verucca

vie, vying

virtuoso, (plural) virtuosos

2.5 Take note of capitals

[ic = initial capitals | lc = lowercase]

ic

Valium, Vaseline, Velcro

Vatican City BUT not “the Vatican City” (but the Vatican).

ic & lc

Thames valley, Ruhr valley, the Welsh valleys, valley girl (California); but Silicon Valley.

3. EXPRESSIONS

4. PUNCTUATION

5. GRAMMAR