Category: Word Tip of the Day

Use “begin” or “start”.

The spelling “concensus” is wrong. A “consensus” is the result of common consent; it has nothing to do with censuses. This is an overused fashionable word for the moderate undisputed middle ground in politics. It can sometimes be replaced by the simpler “agreement”.

Traditionally things centre ON, UPON or IN other things, though an institution may be centred at a place. Many people still dislike the combinations “centre around” and “centre about”, as in “many legends centre around this holy shrine”.

Replace this vogue word by “draw upon” or “profit by” if you can, as in “to capitalise on her legal experience”.

It means “sincerity”, good standing. If you use this Latin expression, use it with a singular verb, as in “his bona fides was questioned”. “Bona fide”, which looks like the singular form, is an adjective not a noun, as in “a bona fide query”.

Prefer “useful” or “helpful”, where possible.

Use “find out”.

To “appraise” is to form a judgement about the value of something. You can appraise a candidate for a job by interviewing him or her, or a race-horse from his appearance in the paddock. It is sometimes confused with “apprise”, which means inform, and is better replaced by “inform” in any case.

It is still somewhat of an Americanism to use “around” for “about” or “roughly”, as in “around 60°”. Avoid the practice.

These are lawyers’ words. In ordinary writing, “the aforesaid notice” can usually become “the notice” or “this notice” or “it”.