Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
The wonders of the 'a-' prefix in English. 'Personal' versus 'personnel.'
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Quick takeaways
- The A prefix in English has multiple origins, including Latin and Greek, and its meaning can be difficult to pin down in certain cases, showcasing the complexity of language evolution.
- The distinction between 'personal' and 'personnel' lies in their spellings and meanings, with 'personal' referring to an individual's body and 'personnel' indicating a group of people, often employees, with more 'n's to distinguish.
Deep dives
The Origins and Variations of the A Prefix
The podcast episode explores the origins and variations of the A prefix and its usage in words like a sleep and a wake. The A prefix has multiple sources, including Old English, Latin, and Greek. Over time, language erosion and the acceptance of homophones led to different forms of the A prefix coming together with similar spellings but sometimes differing pronunciations and meanings. One version of the A prefix came directly from Latin, carrying meanings like change, respond with, and motion towards. Another version came from the Greek language, meaning not and flipping the word's meaning on its head. The A prefix also has roots in Old English prepositions like on and of, which have eroded into the modern A prefix seen in words like a wake and a fresh. This diverse background makes the A prefix's meaning difficult to pin down in certain cases, showcasing the complexity of language evolution.
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