sometime/some time SOMETIME/SOME TIME "Let's get together sometime." When you use the one-word form, it suggests some indefinite time in the future. "Some time" is not wrong in this sort of context, but it is required when being more specific: "Choose some time that fits in your schedule." "Some" is an adjective here modifying "time." The same pattern applies to "someday" (vague) and "some day" (specific). List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/sometime.html03/09/2005 15:40:00 somewhat of a SOMEWHAT OF A SOMEWHAT, SOMETHING OF A This error is the result of confusing two perfectly good usages: “She is somewhat awkward,” and “He is something of a klutz.” Use one or the other instead. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/somewhat.html03/09/2005 15:40:00 song/works or composition SONG/WORK OR COMPOSITION When you’re writing that cultural event report based on last night’s symphony concert, don’t call the music performed “songs.” Songs are strictly pieces of music which are sung—by singers. Instrumental numbers may be called “works,” “compositions,” or even “pieces.” Be careful, though: a single piece may have several different movements; and it would be wrong to refer to the Adagio of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata as a “piece.” It’s just a piece of a piece. See also music/singing. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/song.html03/09/2005 15:40:01 sooner SOONER RATHER “I” d sooner starve than eat what they serve in the cafeteria” is less formal than “I” d rather starve." List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/sooner.html03/09/2005 15:40:01 soup du jour of the day SOUP DU JOUR OF THE DAY SOUP OF THE DAY Soupe du jour (note the E on the end of soupe) means “soup of the day.” If you’re going to use French to be pretentious on a menu, it’s important to learn the meaning of the words you’re using. Often what is offered is potage, anyway. Keep it simple, keep it in English, and you can’t go wrong. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/soup.html03/09/2005 15:40:01 sour grapes SOUR GRAPES In a famous fable by Aesop, a fox declared that he didn’t care that he could not reach an attractive bunch of grapes because he imagined they were probably sour anyway. You express sour grapes when you put down something you can’t get: “winning the lottery is just a big headache anyway.” The phrase is misused in all sorts of ways by people who don’t know the original story and imagine it means something more general like "bitterness” or “resentment." List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/sour.html03/09/2005 15:40:01 spaded/spayed SPADED/SPAYED If you’ve had your dog surgically sterilized, you’ve spayed it; save the spading until it dies. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/spaded.html03/09/2005 15:40:02 stalactites/stalagmites STALACTITES/STALAGMITES There” s an old joke that will help you keep these straight. Remember "ants in the pants"; the mites go up and the tights come down. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/stalactites.html03/09/2005 15:40:02 stationary/stationery STATIONARY/STATIONERY When something is standing still, it’s stationary. That piece of paper you write a letter on is stationery. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/stationary.html03/09/2005 15:40:02 stereo/high fidelity STEREO "Stereo” refers properly to a means of reproducing sound in two or more discrete channels to create a solid, apparently three-dimensional sound. Because in the early days only fanciers of high fidelity (or hi-fi) equipment could afford stereophonic sound, “stereo” came to be used as a substitute for “high fidelity,” and even “record player.” Stereo equipment (for instance a cheap portable cassette player) is not necessarily high fidelity equipment. Visual technology creating a sense of depth by using two different lenses can also use the root “stereo” as in “stereoscope." List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/stereo.html03/09/2005 15:40:02 [...]... opponent In more formal contexts “stamp” is preferred But you will probably not be able to stamp out the spread of “stomp." List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/stomp.html03/09 /20 05 15:40: 02 . imagine it means something more general like "bitterness” or “resentment." List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/sour.html03/09 /20 05 15:40:01 spaded/spayed SPADED/SPAYED If. until it dies. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/spaded.html03/09 /20 05 15:40: 02 stalactites/stalagmites STALACTITES/STALAGMITES There” s an old joke that will help you. come down. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/stalactites.html03/09 /20 05 15:40: 02 stationary/stationery STATIONARY/STATIONERY When something is standing still, it’s stationary.