The verb “comprise” means “to be made up of, consist of, or include.” We can say that the nation of Canada comprises ten provinces and three territories. Or we can say that…
Wordsmyth
Grammar and Usage: “attain” vs. “obtain”
“Obtain” and “attain” have similar pronunciations and meanings, but they do not generally overlap in usage. “Attain” has more the idea of achieving a goal or reaching a level or degree. “Obtain”…
Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs
The terms “transitive” and “intransitive” refer to how verbs operate in a sentence. When we call a verb’s particular meaning “transitive,” we mean that the verb is always followed by a specifically…
About This Word: “public”
Wordsmyth would like to announce About This Word. This new column is part of our ongoing interest in language and semantic change. Today’s word: “public.” This guest post was contributed by Dr. Bruce…