Newsletter and Grammar Coach

Someone who asserts that you can’t negate something that’s not there, something that doesn’t exist, would seem to be on pretty firm, indisputable ground — that is, unless the topic is the English language.

Some aspects of the English language can be quizzically illogical and ungainly, enough to make any writer disgruntled. That sentence contains two examples of the quirkiness of the English language: “orphaned” words. An orphaned word, also known as an “unpaired word,” consists of a prefix formation connected to a root word that has fallen into disuse — or to a phantom root that never existed in the first place. Researching the etymology of such words is the “Twilight Zone” of lexicology.

Prefixes such as “de-,” “un-,” “non-,” “dis-,” “mis-” and “ex-” and suffixes such as “-ive,” “-ful,” “-er” and “-less” are commonly used to negate or otherwise alter meaning of words, as in deactivate, unhook, noncommittal, disconnect, misplace and harmless.

Something can be ungainly (awkward or clumsy) but you won’t likely hear anything described as “gainly.” The root of “ungainly” is the Middle English word gein, meaning kind or helpful.

Someone who has become disgruntled is dissatisfied or angered. The root word, gruntled, which dated to the 15th century, did not mean pleased. Paradoxically, it referred to uttering small grunts to express displeasure. But that doesn’t matter, because the verb gruntle fell into disuse in the 18th century.

A person may have misgivings (doubt or apprehension) or feel dejected, but we can’t think of anytime a person had “givings” or about something or felt “jected” (from the Latin root jacere, which meant “to throw”).

You can be disconsolate about some circumstances, but even though you could be consolate at one time, you no longer can. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has classified the adjective “consolate” (which meant consoled or comforted) as obsolete.

Someone may be an introvert (withdrawn, quiet, reluctant to interact with other people) or an extrovert (outgoing, sociable, gregarious) but no one ever encounters a “vert,” which in the 16th century meant “to turn” (a derivation of the Latin word vertere) and nowadays is a noun meaning the color green.

Other folks may be hapless (unfortunate), but you’ll not likely encounter anyone who is “hap” — which once was but no longer is a legitimate word, derived from the Old Norse term for “good luck.”

Consider that people with heavy workloads or lengthy “to do” lists can become overwhelmed, skipping right past being simply “whelmed.” The verb “whelm” did exist as a synonym for “cover over” as far back as the 14th century, but became archaic. You may hear it now and then, but only in tongue-in-cheek references — I’m not overwhelmed yet, but I am beginning to feel whelmed.

An architectural style that lacks distinctive qualities may be called nondescript, but even if it were fancier you shouldn’t call it “descript” because that word has become archaic, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Although the noun “ruth” exists in reference to remorse or a feeling of compassion for the distress that someone else is experiencing, it is rarely used, in contrast to the common adjective “ruthless,” describing someone who lacks compassion or pity.

Munitions or chemical reactions can cause a building or other object to explode (violently burst apart outwardly) or implode (collapse inwardly), but apparently nothing would change if an object were to simply “plode” — a derivative of a Latin verb describing a loud, percussive sound.

Uses of the negative and intensive forms of some words have far outstripped some root words. For example, “kempt” remains a legitimate adjective referring to neatness in appearance, but that is hardly used in comparison to its negative form “unkempt.”

We can’t think of the last time we heard someone described as “domitable” (an adjective meaning “able to be tamed”) but persistent, strong-willed people are cheered for their indomitable spirit.

A person who is reckless lacks care or concern about consequences. Its root really is a legitimate verb, “reck” (meaning worry or care), which has become nearly dormant.

You might be bashful but never bashless or just plain “bash.” The adjective “bashful” is derived from an obsolete verb, “bash,” which referred to being embarrassed or ashamed.

Sometimes an apparent root word takes on a meaning far removed from its derivative form. People react with disgust to something they find repulsive or distasteful, but a gust of wind is not a big deal. The dead root word of “disgust,” however, is the Latin word gustus, meaning “taste.”

We don’t know if this commentary debunked any notions, but we’re reasonably confident that we didn’t bunk anything.

A multitude of events could be considered a person’s turning point in life — the beginning of a relationship, marriage, starting a new job, moving to another home or location, divorce, health problems, and other eventualities. While many life events are impermanent, two that are not reversible are the birth of a child — and the death of a child. Parents who experience the tragic death of a child grapple with their emotions in individual, deeply personal ways. The profound pain that the parent of a deceased child experiences can be paralyzing. Clara Murrels found her way out of the abyss of heartbreak over the loss of her two sons by putting her thoughts in writing.

She called on EditPros’ BookPrep service to help publish her book Out of the Shadow and Into the Light: Healing after the death of loved ones, which emerged from the cathartic process of documenting her experiences and feelings. This book is a story about a mother’s love for her children, her grief, and healing after the loss of her eldest son Paul in a car accident, followed 10 years later by the death of her son Frankie from cancer. Clara relies heavily on her faith in God, as well as her supportive husband, three daughters, other family members and friends, all of whom helped her get through her unbearable sorrow. Out of the Shadow and Into the Light contains narrative as well as poetic verse that she wrote, along with some of her favorite Bible passages. Clara, who was 90 years old when she completed this book, presented it to her relatives at a family reunion shortly after it became available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She hopes that as a result of publishing her story, the narrative will help other people find a way to heal after the loss of a loved one.

If you have been writing a book and you’re ready to publish it, as Clara was, EditPros’ BookPrep service can help you achieve your goal. As part of the BookPrep package, EditPros professionally designed and formatted the cover and interior pages of Out of the Shadow and Into the Light, and prepared the contents for print publication. The print edition is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other sellers. Although Clara chose to publish her book only in print form, EditPros also formats and converts manuscript files to conform to e-book specifications for sales through Amazon (Kindle), Apple (iBooks), Barnes & Noble (Nook), and Kobo, by means of submission to IngramSpark’s e-book service.

This is the 62nd book that BookPrep has produced for authors during the past eight years. With BookPrep, authors retain all rights to their books, and collect 100% of sales royalties.

We invite you to LEARN MORE about the EditPros BookPrep service.

Shannon R. wrote:

“For British publications, should the word ‘percent’ be written as one word or two (‘per cent’)? Or is the “%” symbol more widely used and recognized?”

The grammar coach replies:

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