`alongside’ or `alongside of’ ?

`alongside of’ is a wrong usage.

For example, its wrong to use `alongside of’ as in “She’s got a job in a call centre and is working alongside of Arun and Sarah.”

Correct usage is “She works alongside Arun and Sarah”.

Other examples, “the children took great delight in working alongside the clowns.” * “Senior citizens were seen fighting alongside soldiers.” * “We jogged alongside the Olympic champion”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 05, 2007

‘in guarantee’ or ‘under guarantee’ ?

You don’t say that something is `in guarantee’, but `under guarantee’.

Examples: The TV is still under guarantee. I have to remind my father that the air conditioner is still under guarantee.”

The stress in guarantee is on the final syllable. Not on the first.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 05, 2007

`didn’t turn a hair’

When you give someone bad news and he doesn’t show any emotion, you say, `he didn’t turn a hair’.

Example: “When my boss was told that the union members were going on strike, he didn’t turn a hair.”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 05, 2007

“bald as a coot”

When you say that someone is as bald as a coot, what you probably mean is that the person is completely bald.

Examples: My neighbour is as bald as a coot. * My twenty-five year old cousin is as bald as a coot.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 05, 2007

`chatterati’

`Chatterati’ is a combination of `chatter’ and `literati’.
The word `literati’, as you probably know, refers to the educated people who take a great interest in literature. `Chatterati’ is a term used by journalists to refer to people (columnists, talk show hosts, self-proclaimed pundits, etc) who love letting the world know what their opinion on something is — it doesn’t really matter to these people whether or not they know anything about the subject being discussed! Needless to say, the word is used to show disapproval.

*What does the chatterati have to say about the new policy?

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 29, 2007

`noticeable’ and `notable’

When you say that something is `noticeable’, what you mean is that it is apparent. In other words, it is obvious; it can be seen or `noticed’ by others.

Examples: There is a noticeable improvement in the champion’s backhand. *What is noticeable is that the two brothers just can’t stand each other.

Anything or anyone that is important or interesting is `notable’. The word is normally used with people who are well known. It can also be used to refer to their impressive accomplishments.

Example: Winning the Grand Slam twice is one of his notable achievements.

`Notables’ is normally used to refer to important or powerful people.

*Many of the local notables decided to stay away from the event.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 29, 2007

How is the word `succulent’ pronounced?

The `succ’ is pronounced like the word `suck’. The sound that follows is like the `y’ in `yes’ and `yellow’, and the following `u’ is like the `u’ in `pull’, `full’, and `bull’. The `e’ in the third syllable is like the `a’ in `china’, and the main stress is on the first syllable.
The word is normally used in relation to meat, fruit and vegetables. Food that is `succulent’ is very juicy and good to eat.

*Shalini placed the succulent fruit on top of the ice cream and served it to the guest.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 29, 2007