Adjectives

“Androgenous” vs. “Androgynous”

Adjectives, Versus

I have seen “androgenous” tagged by text-related software as spelled incorrectly.

Problem:
“Androgenous” is a real word but is not a synonym of “androgynous” even though they often sound alike.

Explanation:
Firefox and OpenOffice.org Writer are examples of a software application that puts a red underline beneath the adjective “androgenous” when one uses the default dictionary that accompanies the application.

“Androgenous” is a real adjective. It means tending to produce male offspring. It comprises the parts “andro” (male) and “genous” (producing).

“Androgynous” is the adjective with which more people seem to be familiar. It means having male and female characteristics. It comprise the parts “andro” (male) and “gyn” (female) and “ous” (possessing).

So a person can be androgenous (with an “e”), androgynous (with a “y”), androgenous (with an “e”) and androgynous (with a “y”), or none of these.

Solution:
Use “androgenous” with an “e” when you want to indicate that an animal tends to produce male offspring. Use “androgynous” with a “y” when you want to describe someone who has both male and female characteristics.

“CLINTON LOOSES SUPPORT”

Adjectives, Common English Blunders, Verbs

I saw this on Fox News Channel this morning.

Problem:
One cannot “loose” support.

Explanation:
The headline writer wanted to say Hillary Clinton stops having support for her presidential campaign. with just three words.

It’s true that “loose” can be used as a verb as well as an adjective.

“Loose screws” is a common expression containing “loose” as an adjective.

According to Dictionary.com, “loose” was first recorded as a verb around 1225.

When used as a verb, however, “loose” does not mean “stops having”; this definition belongs to the verb “lose” instead, which gives us the solution.

Solution:
“CLINTON LOSES SUPPORT”

“Backward” vs. “Backwards”

Adjectives, Adverbs, Common English Blunders, Versus

I often see or hear “backwards” where “backward” is required.

Problem:
These two words are not always interchangeable.

Explanation:
The word “backward” may be used as an adjective or as an adverb.

The word “backwards” may be used only as an adverb in standard English.

These rules give us these examples of valid and invalid usage:

  • “He took a backward approach.” — valid as adjective
  • “He drove ten feet backward.” — valid as adverb
  • “He took a backwards approach.” — invalid as adjective!
  • “He drove ten feet backwards.” — valid as adverb

Solution:
Use “backward” for everything. This obviates the need to remember that “backwards” may be used only as an adverb.