Archives: January 2020

Prof. Kev Nair's Tips on English Usage

COMPREHENSIVE FLUENT-ENGLISH USAGE™


January 3, 2020

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“a travel” OR “a journey”?: What’s the correct usage?

Copyright © Kev Nair 2019. All rights reserved.

We saw one thing in the usage note posted on December 18, 2019: When we talk about the journeys, trips, tours and voyages that somebody makes to different places far away from where they live, we use the word ‘travel’ in its plural form by adding an ‘s’ to it and say “travels”.

But now, here’s a word of warning: Never use “travel” in the singular form as “a travel”. In its basic form, ‘travel’ is an uncount noun. So you should never say “a travel”.

For example, if you make a journey from one place to another, don’t describe it as “a travel”. Say “a journey”.

It’s about a day’s journey / travel by train from here to Bangalore.

Did you have a good journey / travel?

We know it was a dangerous journey / travel. Could you tell us why you had to go on such a journey / travel?

He’s planning to go on a cross-country journey / travel on foot.

Yes, on the whole, it was a worthwhile journey / travel.

How long does the journey / travel from here to your office take?

The return journey / travel was quite tedious.

As mentioned above, in its basic form, ‘travel’ is an uncount noun. And as an uncount noun, what ‘travel’ refers to is the act or activity of travelling.

Here are some examples:

Why do you avoid air travel?

Many people find bus/ car/ rail travel quite relaxing.

His new job seems to involve frequent/ extensive travel.

She doesn’t like jobs that require a lot of travel.

His doctor has advised him to cut down travel as much as possible.

He runs a travel agency/ business.

They’ll be reimbursing your travel expenses.

Copyright © Kev Nair 2019. All rights reserved.


January 10, 2020

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“a trip” OR “travel”?: What’s the correct usage?

Copyright © Kev Nair 2020. All rights reserved.

The word “travel” is an uncount noun, and it refers to the act or activity of going from one place to another – or to several places. Generally, “travel” refers to journeys to places that are far away.

But the word “trip” is a count noun, and it refers to a journey made to visit a place and to come back again. Often, “trip” refers to a short journey or a journey that takes a short time or short duration. And it’s a journey that is made for pleasure or a particular purpose – like business, camping, fishing, shopping, sightseeing, study, etc.

Therefore, don’t confuse “trip” with “travel”. That is, don’t use “travel” where what you want to refer to is “a trip”.

When are you planning to go on the boat/bike trip/ travel?

Their children are away on a school trip/ travel.

Can you arrange/ organize a boat trip/ travel for the guests?

For some reason, they had to cut short their camping trip/ travel and get back.

They’ll be taking a study trip/ travel to the mountains next week.

Enjoy your trip/ travel.

Did you have a good/ great/ nice trip/ travel?

Last year, he had to make four or five trips/ travels to Delhi.

Was it a long trip/ travel or a short one?

How long did the airport trip/ travel take?

We’re planning an overnight/ weekend trip/ travel to Chennai.

They’re thinking of doing a sightseeing trip/ travel while they’re there.

He has just returned from a foreign/ overseas trip/ travel.

You’ll be able to complete the trip/ travel in three days, perhaps.

This is the first time I’ve made a business trip/ travel this year.

Copyright © Kev Nair 2020. All rights reserved.


January 22, 2020

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“historic” OR “historical”?: What’s the difference in usage?

Copyright © Kev Nair 2020. All rights reserved.

Don’t confuse the word “historic” with the word “historical”.

If something is old and considered important in history, you can use the word “historic” to describe it.

There are several historic places in our town.

That castle is an ancient historic building.

There must be an all-out effort to protect these historic monuments/ landmarks/ temples/ churches/ mosques.

Those are historic sites. Many ancient battles have taken place there.

North Paravur in Kerala is a historic city/ town.

These customs and values are part of our historic heritage.

That’s a new book on our historic freedom struggle.

That was a historic uprising/ battle against the British rule.

Some of those buildings are of great historic interest.

You can also use this word (“historic”) to describe something that’s not old, but which, you think, might be considered important at some time in the future – or is likely to be remembered because of its importance.

What happened at the UN General Assembly last week is a truly historic event.

This year’s summit of the two Government heads will be remembered as a historic occasion/ meeting;

Many consider the Senate resolution as a historic decision/ move.

Here are some more word-combinations containing the word “historic":

historic changes; a historic day; a historic moment; a historic visit; a historic election victory.

Let’s now take up the other word “historical”. What does the word “historical” mean? Of course, “historic” and “historical” are somewhat related. But they don’t mean the same thing.

As we’ve now seen, “historic” usually means something old that is considered important in history – or even something new or not very old that is likely to be considered important at some time in the future. But you see, the other word “historical” usually refers only to something that existed or happened in the past or is connected with the past (and not to something new or not very old that is likely to be considered important at some time in the future).

You can also use this word (“historical”) to describe something that has to do with the study of history.

Keep this in mind: Unlike something “historic”, what is “historical” doesn’t have to be something that is considered important, though often it is.

Here are some examples showing the use of “historical”:

He described the event in its historical context.

Some of those events are of historical importance.

They gave a historical account of how the First World War began.

a historical book/ film/ movie/ novel/ play; historical documents/ records; historical awareness; historical facts; historical factor; historical research; historical evidence; historical impact; historical perspective; historical tradition; historical mistake.

Copyright © Kev Nair 2020. All rights reserved.


January 29, 2020

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“historic” OR “historical”? (Continued): What’s the correct usage?

Copyright © Kev Nair 2020. All rights reserved.

We’ve already seen one thing in the posting dated 22-01-2020:

We saw there that if something is old and is considered important in history (or not old, but might be considered important at some time in the future), you can refer to it with the word “historic”.

And we saw that the other word “historical” refers, on the other hand, to something that actually existed or happened in the past. (Therefore, something historical is usually something thought to be part of history – though not necessarily considered important).

Now here is an important point:

Just as something (= a thing or situation) can be said to be “historical”, someone (= a person) can also be said to be “historical”. That is, if someone actually existed in the past, that person is a historical person.

But mind you, you must not say that someone (= a person) is a historic person. You mustn’t. Don’t use “historic” to describe a person. Use “historical” instead.

Here are some examples:

Is his new novel about historical/ historic figures or about contemporary people?

Most of the characters in that movie are historical/ historic people.

Is King Vikramaditya a historical/ historic personage?

Sherlock Holmes was not a historical/ historic detective; he was a fictional detective.

Do you think Robin Hood is a historical/ historic person?

Are they historical/ historic kings/ queens/ revolutionaries? Or are they characters in old legends?