Month: February 2009

“Baluster” vs. “Balustrade” vs. “Banister”

Nouns, Versus

I sometimes hear these nouns used interchangeably.

Problem:
These nouns are not all synonyms.

Explanation:
A “baluster” is a moulded shaft that most often supports the handrail of a staircase but also can be used to support the coping of a parapet, which is a wall-like barrier often at the edge of a roof.

The noun “baluster” comes from the Italian word — balaustra — for a pomegranate flower because the traditional shape of a baluster resembles the half-open pomegranate flower.

Balusters often are made of stone or wood and are sometimes made of metal.

A “balustrade” is a sequence of balusters that support a handrail.

A “banister” — also spelled with two “n”s — is another name for a staircase baluster, but many architects and interior designers prefer to reserve the word “banister” for a narrower, more-modern support.

Now here is where it becomes more confusing.

Many Americans — I cannot speak for other countries — also use the word “banister” to refer to the handrail of a staircase.

Solution:

  • Use “baluster” to refer to a pomegranate-flower-shaped support of a staircase handrail.
  • Use “balustrade” to refer to a sequence of balusters.
  • Use “banister” to refer to a non-pomegranate-flower support of a staircase handrail.
  • Be aware that some use “banister” also to refer to the staircase handrail itself.

“Sank” vs. “Sunk” vs. “Sunken”

Verbs, Versus

My wife made me think this morning about the verb “sink”.

Problem:
Some pairs of these verb forms are synonyms, which causes confusion.

Explanation:
My wife used the word “sunken” this morning.

This made me wonder about the difference between “sunk” and “sunken”.

And this led me to a dictionary.

The verb “sink” has these basic forms:

  • Sink — present simple, as in “I sink when I do not dog-paddle.”
  • Sank — preterite, as in “He sank my battleship!”
  • Sunk — past participle, as in “She has sunk the deal.”
  • Sinking — present continuous, as in “Hey, your boat is sinking!”

But here are the catches that lead to confusion:

  • “Sunk” is often used as a synonym for “sank”.
  • “Sunken” is definitely a synonym for “sunk”.

Putting the above two lists together, we see that the verb “sink” actually has these basic forms:

  • Sink — present simple
  • Sank or often Sunk — preterite
  • Sunk or Sunken — past participle
  • Sinking — present continuous

Solution:
I recommend avoiding “sunk” as a preterite and instead always using “sank” as the preterite. And I recommend using “sunk” in your writing and speech as the past participle but recognizing that “sunken” is a standard alternative as a past participle, especially in literary references such as “The pirates were looking for sunken treasure.”

Miss your Valentine? Read this.

General

Valentine’s Day can be painful when you are missing your ex — your ex-boyfriend, your ex-girlfriend, your ex-husband, or your ex-wife.

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