Quick answer: A regimen is a planned routine, such as a diet, exercise plan or treatment schedule: “a skincare regimen.” A regiment is a military unit, or, as a verb, to organize people in a strict, controlled way: “a cavalry regiment.” The two are not interchangeable, so “exercise regiment” is a common error for exercise … Read more
Quick answer: Yeah is the casual, everyday way to say “yes”: “Yeah, I’ll be there.” Yea is a formal or old-fashioned word for “yes,” used mainly in votes, where it pairs with “nay”: “The yeas have it.” Don’t confuse either with yay, the cheer. Yeah vs Yea Quiz: Test Yourself Five quick questions on yeah … Read more
Quick answer: Surprise is the only correct spelling. Suprise is a common misspelling that leaves out the first “r.” Remember that both halves of the word have an “r”: sur–prise. The same goes for surprised, surprising and surprisingly. Surprise vs Suprise Quiz: Test Yourself Five quick questions on surprise vs suprise. Pick an answer to … Read more
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