Root Or Route – Grammar Tip
I was creating some prep work for one of my client’s private VIP days and needed to use the word root. I actually paused for a second, because I had to review in my “mental dictionary” whether or not I had used the word correctly. So anytime I second guess myself about the use of a word, even for a split second, I like to add it here on my site — because I figure there could be a few other people who need a little clarity around the terms as well.
So here we go…root vs route.
In the U.S., we sometimes get confused with the usage of root and route because we are pronouncing route with the oo sound instead of the ow sound. The two words have totally different meanings. You just have to remember which is which.
ROOT
I typically think of root as the lower part of a plant which is underground. The roots of a tree. Or a carrot is a root vegetable. Yet root has several other definitions and usages:
To dig with your nose or snout – “The pig was rooting for food in the garden.”
To rummage through something – “The dog was rooting through the garbage.”
To cheer or give verbal encouragement for something – “I’m rooting for my alma mater during the game.”
ROUTE
I pretty much think of a map or directions when I hear the term route and that’s because that pretty much is the only definition for the word:
A route indicates a road, course, or way from one place to another, a customary line of travel, a means of reaching a goal, a fixed course for a salesperson or delivery person, or to send on a route.
In Vs. Into: Lisa’s Grammar Tip Of The Week
I’ve got a real thing for supernatural fiction and science fiction, so I read quite my share of books on my Kindle. Yet in many of these fun novels, I’ve seen a lot of writers use the prepositions In or Into interchangeably when writing. That’s actually a big boo-boo. So here I am again, to put the issue at rest for my favorite writers and for you too:)
In Vs. Into Definitions…
IN is a preposition used to denote the place where a person or thing, whether at rest or in motion, is present. It expresses a final position.
INTO is a preposition used to denote entrance. It expresses movement.
Examples of In or Into Usage…
Incorrect: I want to go in the kitchen for a minute to use the sink.
Correct: I want to go into the kitchen for a minute to use the sink.
Any questions? Have any more examples. Leave ‘em in the comment section below.
Lisa’s Latest Grammar Tip…
List of Top 70 Prepositions In The English Language
- aboard
- about
- above
- across
- after
- against
- along
- amid
- among
- anti
- around
- as
- at
- before
- behind
- below
- beneath
- beside
- besides
- between
- beyond
- but
- by
- concerning
- considering
- despite
- down
- during
- except
- excepting
- excluding
- following
- for
- from
- in
- inside
- into
- like
- minus
- near
- of
- off
- on
- onto
- opposite
- outside
- over
- past
- per
- plus
- regarding
- round
- save
- since
- than
- through
- to
- toward
- towards
- under
- underneath
- unlike
- until
- up
- upon
- versus
- via
- with
- within
- without
Lisa’s Grammar Tip For The Day…
Bring Vs. Take Which one is correct usage?
I have to bring my music to the party. OR I have to take my music to the party?
Here’s a quick explanation so that you get it right every time you sit down to write all your fantastic articles.
BRING
Bring is a verb used to show a motion towards you. What this means is that you use bring when something is coming your way.
Example: Please bring my music to me here at the club.
I am at the club already, so the person doing the action is bringing the music to me. That is a motion towards me.
TAKE
Take is a verb used to show motion away from you. What this means is that you use take when your are moving something away from you.
Example: Please take my music to Betsy at the club.
I am not at the club. I have the music but need it taken somewhere else. This is a motion made away from me.
Now if the content has nothing to do with you – that’s when things get a little tricky. You can choose to use either bring or take and still be grammatically correct.
Example: The waiter will bring menus to the couple.
Example: The waiter will take menus to the couple.
