Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 135
568. What is the meaning of `sine qua non'?
First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The `i' in `sine' is like the `i' in `sit', `pit', and `hit', while the following `e' is pronounced like the `ay' in `pay', `bay', and `day'. The `qu' is like the `qu' in `quart', `quiz', and `quick'; the following `a' sounds like the `a' in `ask', `flask', and `task'. The final word, which has the main stress, is pronounced like `known'. If you say that something is `sine qua non' what you mean is that it is absolutely necessary. The expression like most Latin expressions is mainly used in formal contexts.
*Perseverance is the sine qua non for all aspiring actors. *Thick woollen jackets are a sine qua non for the trek.
569. Is it OK to say, `On the lights, please!'
This is an expression which is commonly heard in India. We ask people to `on the lights', `on the TV', `on the tap' and `on the heater'. Native speakers of English will not ask you to `on' any of these things. Instead they will ask you to `switch' or `turn something on'. For example: *Could you turn on the TV, please! *Would you like me to turn on/switch on the fan? By the way, you do not say, `switch on/turn on the tap'. It's always `open/close the tap'.
570. How is the word `beau' pronounced?
It's pronounced like the word `bow' — the weapon you use to shoot arrows with. When a woman refers to a man as her `beau', what she means is that the man is her boyfriend or her lover. The word is considered old fashioned. *The fashion model made a grand entrance hand-in-hand with her latest beau. `Weather forecast for tonight: dark.' — George Cavlin
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