Tricky Rules

Jealous means “apprehensive or vengeful out of fear of being replaced by someone else.” It can also mean “watchful,” “anxiously suspicious,” “zealous,” or “expecting complete devotion.” The last is normally applied to God. The noun form is jealousy; the adverb form, jealously. Envy means “to bear a grudge toward someone due to coveting what that

Disinterested means “impartial” or “not taking sides.” (In other words, not having a personal interest at stake.) Uninterested means “not interested.” (In other words, not showing any interest.) Correct: A good referee should be disinterested. (He does not take sides.) Incorrect: He was disinterested in Jill’s hobby. Correct: He was uninterested in Jill’s hobby. (He

Tactics is the science and art of handling troops and military units in the presence of the enemy. By extension, it can mean any maneuvering or adroit device to accomplish a goal. The adjective form is tactical. As an illustration, the military term tactical unit refers to the largest group of troops or troops and

Unique means “one of a kind.” Therefore, comparatives, superlatives, and words like very, so, or extremely should not be used to modify it. If it is one of a kind, it cannot be compared! Incorrect: He is a very unique personality. Correct: He is a unique personality. This same logic applies to other words which

Bring means “to carry to a nearer place from a more distant one.” Take means the opposite: “To carry to a more distant place from a nearer one.” Examples: Bring that file over here. Take this package to the post office. The past and the past participle of bring is brought. Brang and brung are