ToBE #26 : '-ize' or '-ise' - Which is correct?

First, an apology to my regular readers on my irregular mailing habits.

Second, I have inculded some new people on the mailing list of ToBE - Towards Better English - you may choose to subscribe if you like it or recommend others to sign up.

Existing readers need not respond unless they want to sign out. Also, they can continue offering corrections and suggestions.
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To the question of this issue: Which is correct - '-ise' or '-ize'?
Answer: Both.

Of course, you will be correct in pointing out that one is American and the other is British, but that is not the complete story.

American:

• Set 1: Capitalize, Localize, Stabilize and of course, Americanize.
• Set 2: Recognize, Cognizant.
• Set 3: Analyze. (Please note that 'analyze' is not an '-iz-' word).

Simply put, Set 1 contains those words that can be suffixed with -ation (after dropping the last 'e') and still make meaningful words.
The rule doesn't apply to Set 2 or Set 3.
Also, 'surprise' is NOT 'surprize' in any English.

British:

• Set 1: Both '-ize' and '-ise' are acceptable and using '-ize' is age-old and not an American influence.
• Set 2: Typically - recognise, cognisant, but 'recognize' and 'cognizant' are also accepted.
• Set 3: Analyse (Always 'analyse', never 'analyze').

To avoid having to remember when '-ize' can be used and when not, most Brits (and users of Commonwealth English users) prefer to use '-ise' on all occasions.
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In the next issue: A few more spelling differences.

ToBE #25 : Did you attend the marriage?

Marriage is the lasting union between two people. It does not signify a point in time or a particular event.

Wedding is the ceremony that joins two people as 'husband and wife' (at least in India, that is the practice!). That is when the two people are acknowledged as married to each other. This is what people attend. It would be correct to ask, "Did you attend the wedding?"

Here are examples of sentences with correct usage:

• The wedding rituals lasted four hours.
• Their marriage lasted four years before they filed for a divorce. => They were 'husband and wife' for four years before they filed for divorce.

ToBE #24 : The un-uniform nature

In the last issue, we had promised to speak about "Maths teachers teaching incorrect English".

Let us start with the multiplication tables. We were taught:
One 1's are "one".
One 2's are "two".

What nonsense is this? Where did our commonsense go? Why do we talk in plural when we have only one 1 or one 2 in hand? Please train your children (or write to their schools) to say:
One 1 is "one".
One 2 is "two".

It may sound crazy, but pause for a moment and think. If you disagree, let me know why.

Un-uniform : This is a common utterance in schools. The day a student chooses to wear 'free form dress', someone asks "Why are you in un-uniform?"
First, the word doesn't exist. "Non-uniform" does exist, but its usage is a matter of debate. Nevertheless, it is a better choice than 'un-uniform'.

ToBE #23 : A lot of people is waiting

"A lot of people is waiting". Sounds strange, doesn't it?

What seems wrong? Do you have the urge to strike off the "is" and write "are", instead?

But, wait. Go through ToBE #22 below and think whether you want to 'correct' the above sentence.

Answer: There is nothing wrong with the sentence "A lot of people is waiting". 'A lot of people' is a single unit like:

• Bring me a pair of socks that is black in colour.
• A team of five people is going to represent our company.

However, quite a few people are uncomfortable with "is" following "people" and prefer using "are". As a result,

• A lot of people are going

is acceptable.

However, if you want to use the correct form without being uncomfortable, you may strike a compromise with:

• Lots of people are going.

In the next issue, we have a related subject: Maths teachers teaching incorrect English.
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A joke (Moral of the joke: Never interrupt sentences)
The English teacher asked a student to frame a sentence starting with 'I'.
The student started: "I is the ..."
Teacher: "Am" always follows "I". Don't say "I is", say "I am".
Student: OK, teacher. I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.

ToBE #22 : Singular or plural?

When it comes to saying "..one of the ...", many people are unsure whether 'of the' should be followed by a singular word or plural.

For example, which of the following is correct?

• One of my friend is in the army.
• One of my friends is in the army.

Answer: The second one is correct. When you choose an item out of , that has to be more than one.

To make it simpler, think of which one looks correct:

• Many people have come from Pune. I am one of him/her.
• Many people have come from Pune. I am one of them.

Obviously, the second one. Use the same logic in all conditions. Do remember that since you have chosen one of the many choices, it has to be followed by a singular verb and not a plural one:

• Correct: One of my friends is in the army
• Incorrect: One of my friends are in the army.

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In the next issue, we will discuss a deviation from the last rule above.

ToBE #21 : Similar words, different meanings - Part 3

Following ToBE #6 and #14, here is another edition of "Similar words, different meanings".
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complement/compliment: Notice the difference of a vowel.

complement: something that completes or something that goes well with.

• Your plain white porcelain cereal bowls complement your ebony dining table.
• The husband and wife complemented each other. (=> They made each other complete.)

compliment: praise, wish, respect.

• The boss complimented the employee on a job done well.
• I would like to pay my compliments to all elders. (pay respect or give good wishes.)

confirm/conform: Again, notice the difference in the vowel. In this case, there is a difference in pronunciation.

confirm: make firm, make sure, verify.

• Ramprasad confirmed that Trader Joe's was closed on Sundays.
• Can you confirm with the PM on plan of action?

conform: comply, agree with, be in accordance to rules.

• All the audited groups conformed to BS7799 standards.
• Once his promotion was confirmed, JC decided to conform to the management policies.

ToBE #20 : How to cope up with an assault

This issue discusses two common mistakes - one in English and the other one, mostly in Tamil.

cope up : There is no such grouping of two words. It is always, 'cope' or 'cope with', never 'cope up'.

• I hope Svami is able to cope with the loss of his dog.
• For someone who landed in the U.S.A. just a week back, Mona is coping well.

assault : This word is used (mostly by native speakers of Tamil) with the meaning of "in a casual manner" or "with extreme ease". Sorry, folks. It does not mean that. 'Assault' means 'attack'. This attack can be verbal/written, physical or sexual. Believe me, none of it is "in a casual manner".

• The minister launched a verbal assault on his opponent.
• The editorial was a scathing assault on the railway budget.
• Maximus was assaulted by muggers when he was returning home late.

ToBE #19 : Between you, me and him

Barring rare exceptions, between stands for among the two.

• Guindy Station is between Saidapet and St. Thomas Mount.
• I am caught between the devil and the deep sea.

The above sentences are examples of 'between' representing an intermediate point.

The following is in the context of 'combined':

• Between them, Gavaskar and Border have 20,000 runs.

The following is in the context of 'as restricted information':

• Between you and me, the new recruit is not doing his work. (here it means - in confidence/secret)

'In between' is used to refer to a gap in terms of space or time or among people, ideas, etc.

• Ravi works in a hotel during day, goes to evening college and learns music in between.
• My father wanted me to be an accountant, my mother wanted me to be a doctor and I was caught in between. (No, never use 'in between them' or 'in between the two').