Preventative
The correct form of the word is preventive, not preventative.
Previous, Previously
The adjective previous is often incorrectly used for the adverb
previously; as, "Previous to his imprisonment he made a confession of
his crime."
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Promise, Assure
"I promise you we had a good time yesterday." Promise relates to the
future, hence "I assure you," etc., would be better.
Propose, Purpose
To propose is to set before the mind for consideration; to purpose is
to intend. "I propose sending my son to college" should be "I
purpose," etc. "I propose that you go to college, my son." "Thank you,
father, I accept the proposal."
Sparrowgrass, Asparagus
The word sparrowgrass, which is a corruption of the word asparagus,
illustrates how readily the uneducated mind associates an unusual term
with another that is familiar, and as the mental impression is
received through the ear, and lacks that definiteness which the
printed form would give, the new idea, when repeated, often assumes a
picturesque, if not a ludicrous, form.
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