Quick answer: In the red means losing money, in debt, or overdrawn: “The shop has been in the red since spring.” In the black means profitable or having a positive balance: “The startup is finally in the black.” Both phrases come from bookkeeping, where losses were traditionally written in red ink and profits in black. … Read more
Quick answer: Use incidents for individual events: “Two incidents were reported.” Use incidence (usually singular) for how often something occurs: “the incidence of flu.” Incidences is a valid but rare plural, used when comparing separate rates. In most cases where people write “incidences,” they actually mean incidents. Incidences vs Incidents Quiz: Test Yourself Five quick … Read more
Quick answer: Racket and racquet are both accepted spellings of the strung-frame tool used in tennis, badminton and squash. “Racket” is the more common spelling, and “racquet” is an accepted variant. Only racket also means a loud noise or a dishonest scheme. The sport racquetball keeps the “q.” Racket vs Racquet Quiz: Test Yourself Five … Read more
Quick answer: A disco ball and a mirror ball are the same object: a sphere covered in small mirrored tiles that scatters beams of light around a room. “Disco ball” is the popular name tied to dance-floor culture, while “mirror ball” describes what the object is made of and is common in lighting and event … Read more
Quick answer: A wedding ring is any ring worn as a symbol of marriage. A wedding band is usually a simpler ring, often a plain or lightly decorated circle of metal. So a wedding band is a type of wedding ring, but a wedding ring is not always a plain band. In everyday speech, many … Read more
Quick answer: Use comprise when the whole includes its parts: “The committee comprises five members.” Use compose when the parts make up the whole: “Five members compose the committee.” Both can also be written with “is composed of” (consists of). “Is comprised of” is very common, but many editors still advise against it. Comprise vs … Read more
Quick answer: Excel is a real verb meaning to be exceptionally good at something: “She excels at math.” Accel is not a standard word. It is a short form of accelerando in music (gradually speed up) or a casual clipping of acceleration. With capital letters, Excel is Microsoft’s spreadsheet program and Accel is a venture … Read more
Quick answer: Cannot (one word) is the standard spelling in almost every sentence: “You cannot park here.” Use can not (two words) only when “not” belongs to another phrase, such as “not only,” or when you want to stress a choice: “You can not only save time but also money.” Can Not or Cannot Quiz: … Read more
Quick answer: Use too fast when something is moving faster than is safe, wanted or possible: “You’re driving too fast.” Use to fast only when “to” belongs to the verb fast, meaning to go without food: “I plan to fast on Sunday.” If you mean “excessively,” you want too. To Fast or Too Fast Quiz: … Read more