Common Errors in English

[.Yaprak 15748]

appendix

This word has two plurals, each used in a
different sense.
Use APPENDIXES in an anatomical sense.
Use APPENDICES when referring to
supplementary sections in books or formal
documents.
See also FOREIGN PLURALS.

[.Yaprak 15748]

arbiter or arbitrator?

An ARBITER is a judge or someone with
decisive influence (an arbiter of fashion).
In addition, an ARBITER may intervene
to settle a dispute (-er).
An ARBITRATOR is someone who is
officially appointed to judge the rights and
wrongs of a dispute (-or).

[.Yaprak 15748]

arbitrator or mediator?

An ARBITRATOR reaches a judgement
but is not necessarily obeyed.
A MEDIATOR attempts to bring two
opposing sides together and to settle a
dispute.

[.Yaprak 15748]

assume or presume?

To ASSUME something to be the case is
to take it for granted without any proof.
To PRESUME something to be the case is
to base it on the evidence available.