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…
Learn – English editing.
Learn is one of the small group of verbs which have alternative forms for the past tense and past participle. Usage varies according to the variety of English you speak.…
Layman – English editing.
To avoid sounding unintentionally sexist you could consider replacing layman with layperson in the singular and laypeople in the plural: in layperson’s terms; scholars and educated laypeople alike. For Scientific…
Last, Lastly – English editing.
When introducing points or topics in sequence it is good style to be consistent in your choice of words. If you use firstly, secondly and so on, lastly fits better…
Lapp – English editing.
Although the word Lapp is still widely used and is the most familiar term to many people, the indigenous people referred to by this name consider it somewhat offensive: the…