Author: Kirk

“Each person was prettier than the next.”

Common English Blunders, Self-negation

I often hear this.

Problem:
“Each person was prettier than the next.” is the opposite of what is meant.

Explanation:
“Each person was prettier than the next.” means that the next person is not as pretty as the current person. This means that the persons are becoming uglier as one steps through the sequence. When people say, “Each person was prettier than the next,” what they want to say is that the persons are becoming prettier as one steps through the sequence.

Solution:
“Each person was prettier than the previous.”

“We’ll see who outdoes each other.”

Adjectives, Common English Blunders

I heard this from an HGTV host discussing two teams.

Problem:
The adjective “each” is incorrect for this sentence.

Explanation:
The adjective “each” essentially means every one of two or more considered one by one. “Each other” is inappropriate in this sentence. The speaker was referring to two teams of interior designers in an HGTV television program, and “who outdoes” refers to whichever team will outdo the other team.

Solution:
“We’ll see who outdoes the other.”

“Iniquity” vs. “Inequity”

Common English Blunders, Nouns, Versus

Misuse of these two words is rare, but they’re worth a second look.

Problem:
The nouns “iniquity” and “inequity” are not synonyms.

Explanation:
The primary definition of the noun “iniquity” is gross immorality or wickedness. For example, identified iniquities of the sinners would be appropriate. The primary definition of the noun “inequity ” is lack of equity or fairness. For example, identified inequities in the public-education system would be appropriate.

Solution:
Use “iniquity” when you want to refer to sin, depravity, or evildoing; use “inequity” when you want to refer to unfairness.