Author: Kirk

“Ourself”

Common English Blunders, Pronouns

I heard this on National Public Radio.

Problem:
The pronoun “ourself” is nonstandard.

Explanation:
The pronoun “ourself” has only a couple of entries in most dictionaries. The first entry typically says used as a reflexive pronoun in royal proclamations. The second entry typically says that “ourself” is nonstandard.

In other words, “ourself” in most situations is an incorrect replacement for the reflexive pronoun “ourselves”. The word “ourself” is incorrect because “our” is plural and takes the plural “selves” (instead of the singular “self”).

I suspect that the increasing use of “ourself” outside of royal proclamations is due to increasing misuse of the reflexive pronouns “himself”, “herself” and “yourself” in non-reflexive situations. For example, many people have become accustomed to saying “yourself” when the correct pronoun is “you” instead.

Solution:
“Ourselves”

Give. Help. Get.

General

Merry Christmas, 2007.

On this day of giving and receiving, please remember those who can give and receive less.

In particular, please think of the children who now face a future with lowest literacy proficiency. These children need our help, and I again want to remind you about my article about what you can do.

If you had never learned to read or write, what would your world be like today? Can you imagine being surrounded by people who cannot read or write, or read or write well?

“Our Future Depends on Our Literacy” challenges you to get involved with an organization that knows that our future depends on our literacy.

Please read the article and then take action in whatever way works for you.

Thank you. By giving a little, you can help others and get a tax deduction before the year ends.

“Healthy” vs. “Healthful”

Adjectives, Common English Blunders, Devolution toward Simpler, Versus

I often hear “healthy” — as in “healthy food” — when people mean “healthful”.

Problem:
The adjective “healthy” should not be used when one specifically is referring to something that brings about good health.

Explanation:
The primary definition of the adjective “healthy” is having or enjoying good health. The primary definition of the adjective “healthful” is conducive to good health. The secondary or tertiary definition of “healthy” has become conducive to good health, which is unfortunate and should be avoided.

I believe that the use of “healthy” in place of “healthful” supports my “Devolution toward Simpler” hypothesis. It’s simpler to say “healthy” than to say “healthful”, so many will call something “healthy” when what they really mean is “healthful”.

Still, it is worthwhile to use the appropriate word. Otherwise, you risk confusing the reader or listener.

For example, a healthy steer is different than a healthful steer. The first steer has good health; the second steer — presumably because of the eating of the beef produced from it — contributes to good health. Some vegetarians can reasonably argue that steers can be “healthy” but not “healthful”.

Solution:
Use “healthy” when you’re referring to possessing good health or characteristic of good health; use “healthful” when you’re referring to contributing to good health.