Verbs

“It is to provide more than 58,000 jobs.”

Common English Blunders, Verbs

I heard this during an NPR news story about a theme park in South Korea.

Problem:
The verb phrase “is to provide” is awkward (at least).

Explanation:
The reporter was discussing the theme park’s projected effect on employment in South Korea. Either she meant to say “will provide” or she left out “projected” (as in “is projected to provide”). If she intentionally left out “projected” so as to sound more sophisticated, she did not achieve her goal (at least not with me).

Solutions:
“It will provide more than 58,000 jobs.”
“It is projected to provide more than 58,000 jobs.”

“As the Earth rotated around the Sun …”

Common English Blunders, Verbs, Versus

I saw this in the splash animation at www.take.tv.

Problem:
The verb “rotated” is incorrect here.

Explanation:
The verb “rotate” means to turn around on, or as if on, an axis. The verb “revolve” means to follow a circular or elliptical course around another body. The verbs “rotate” and “revolve” are not synonyms. The Earth rotates (on its axis) and revolves (around the Sun) at the same time. The Earth rotates once every twenty-four hours; the Earth revolves around the Sun once per year. Rotation gives us day and night; revolving gives us the four seasons.

Solution:
“As the Earth revolved around the Sun …”

“Lift to assure disposal.”

Common English Blunders, Verbs

I saw this on a needle-disposal box in a medical clinic.

Problem:
The verb “assure” is incorrect for this sentence.

Explanation:
The verb “assure” essentially means to set the mind at rest. Use “assure” when you want to say that you are setting someone’s mind at rest. The verb “insure” essentially means to guarantee against risk. Use “insure” when you want to say that you are protecting people or property against risk. The verb “ensure” essentially means to make sure. Use “ensure” when you want to say that you are making certain that something will happen or that something is true.

Solution:
“Lift to ensure disposal.”