Because it gets under my skin: reign vs. rein
April 2, 2008
More and more, I’m seeing the misuse or misspelling of reign versus rein. It’s even appearing at work! I realize it’s nitpicky of me, but it’s the kind of thing that gets to me after a while. So, I present a quick explanation of the correct usage of each word.
reign
1. the period during which a sovereign occupies the throne.
2. royal rule or authority; sovereignty.
3. dominating power or influence: the reign of law.
Appropriate blog usage: Over this blog, and my budget, I reign supreme.
rein
1. Often, reins. a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit.
2. any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein.
3. any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.
4. reins, the controlling or directing power: the reins of government.
—Idioms
10. give rein to, to give complete freedom to; indulge freely: to give rein to one’s imagination. Also, give free rein to, give full rein to.
Appropriate blog usage: You’ve been given $10,000, and free rein to spend it. What do you do?
What if I don’t want to spend it? $10,000 would be a great start for my downpayment fund for that day in the distant future when my life is settled enough to think about buying a house.
Thank you 😉 I’m so guilty of grammatical errors. I know better, but I get really careless.
One thing that bugs me is when people say things like, “that’s more pretty”, when they could say, “that’s prettier”. I’ve noticed that it’s a very common mistake that drives me nuts if I focus on it. But I try to forget about grammar most of the time so I don’t lead a miserable existence. There are sooo many grammatical errors in the world.
It’s like “there”, “they’re” or “their”
ARRRRGH! I get a bit frustrated when people misuse the 3 words.
Hmm.. as for $10k… I don’t wanna spend it either. Can I put it towards debt or a down payment?
If no, then…. I’d probably buy myself some driving lessons to get my license, umm… a nice dinner with bf… Umm… and I’d say clothes/shoes but I’m already purging 50% of my wardrobe.. 😐
Technology? Id get a couple terabytes of hard drives 😛
Oh, and ‘your’ and ‘you’re.’ and ‘orientated.’ WTF? Since when is orientated a word? It just sounds like YOU’RE stupid.
“More pretty?” thank God no one’s made that mistake around me. I’d just start laughing at them. I think alot of people need to go through third grade English all over again.
My boyfriend calls me the grammar nazi and has me proofread all his emails and essays for school and important job interviews, etc.
10K: half would be devoted to my moving to new zealand fund, the other half would go to paying off my mom’s loan to me. BO-RING. A bigger number would yield better answers.
~e.c.~ Good gal! 🙂
~Ms. M&P~ Sadly, this is a habit I can’t shake. I usually gripe about it and let it go, but some things just drive me BONKERS. For example, those Sarah Marshall billboards? Inappropriately punctuated! …. Ok I need to stop.
~FB~ Yep! The worst part is that I see those errors so frequently they start to taint my brain 🙁
You may keep the $10k since it’s for a good cause 🙂
~sense to dollars~ Girl! I swear to rabbits “orientated” just gets on my nerves. I look it up every time, and refuse to believe that it’s a word.
$10k: Boring? Nah. You’re moving to NEW ZEALAND!! And I <3 debt repayment. All good.