Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 140
583. What is the difference between `learned' and `learnt'?
There are many verbs like this: dreamed, dreamt; spoiled, spoilt; kneeled, knelt, etc. When used as a verb, both `learnt' and `learned' have the same meaning. You can say: * I have learned/learnt a lot from Ganesh this semester. * Our new bowler has learned/learnt to bowl the `doosra'. According to some scholars, `learned' is more common in American English, while `learnt' is used frequently in British English. When `learned' is used as a verb, it is monosyllabic. In fact, some people pronounce it like the word `learnt'. Others pronounce the final `ed' like the `d' in `dip', `deep', and `do'. When the word `learned' is used as an adjective to mean `scholarly', it is pronounced as a word with two syllables. The final `ed' is pronounced like the `ed' in `wanted', `grounded', and `hated'. * As expected, the learned professor bored the poor students to death.
584. Which is correct `Petrol station' or `petrol bunk'?
The term `petrol bunk' is mostly used by Indians. Native speakers of English do not use it. An Englishman would take his car to the `petrol pump' or the `petrol station' to get it filled. An American, on the other hand, would take his vehicle to the `gas station' in order to `fill her up'.
585. What is the meaning of `inter alia'?
First, let's deal with the pronunciation of `alia'. The `a' in the first syllable is like the `ay' in `pay', `say', and `day'. The `ia' is like the `ea' in `dear', `fear' and `near'; the stress is on the first `a'. `Inter alia' is a Latin expression which is mostly used in formal contexts to mean `among other things'. Like most Latin expressions, it is considered pedantic, and therefore is best avoided. * Raju is a collector who has, inter alia, 2000 rare stamps, 500 cricket cards and 5000 rare coins. It is advisable not to use this expression when you are talking about people. For example, do not say, `At the party, there were, inter alia, Shalini, Geetha, and Sampath.' In such a sentence, use `among other people' instead.
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
Post a Comment