Light – English editing.
This is one of a small group of verbs which have alternative forms for the past tense and past participle. Both lighted and lit can be used in all varieties…
Licence, License – English editing.
It is easy to get confused about when to write licence and when license. Which spelling you choose depends on whether you are using the word as a noun or…
Libel – English editing.
Libel refers to a written untrue statement that is damaging to someone’s reputation, while slander refers to the spoken expression of similar sentiments. Though the two are often used interchangeably…
Lest – English editing.
Lest remains one of the very few words in English with which (in good style) the subjunctive is used, as in she was worrying lest he be attacked (not lest…
Less – English editing.
In Standard English, less should only be used with uncountable things (less money, less time). With countable things it is incorrect to use less: strictly speaking, correct use is fewer…
Lend – English editing.
Lend is not a noun in Standard English, where loan is the correct word to use. Though used informally in a number of dialects and varieties, as in can I…
(-Less) – English editing.
When you are adding the ending -less to a word that already ends in a letter -l there is a simple rule to follow. If the first word ends in…
Learning difficulties – English editing.
The phrase learning difficulties covers a range of conditions, including Down’s syndrome as well as cognitive or neurological conditions such as dyslexia. In emphasizing the difficulty experienced rather than any…