Re: Our language

Subject: Re: Our language
From: John Fulton <jfulton -at- LSI-DSP -dot- CO -dot- UK>
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 10:44:30 +0000

sfarmh1 -at- SCFN -dot- THPL -dot- LIB -dot- FL -dot- US wrote:

>In a recent post, it was written that something was
>''invaluable.''
>While the poster's English is correct (no flame, this), the
>ENGLISH rings false - INvaluable? Why not ''valuable?''

[snip]

>INvaluable --in this scrivener's opinion-- ought'a
>be relegated to the same scrap heap as inflammable -- along
>with some other words I'm certain can be added by other
>techwr-l subscribers.

"Valuable" and "invaluable" have subtly different meanings.

"Valuable" means "having intrinsic value".

"Invaluable" means "valuable to a high degree" - like "priceless", it has
the sense that it is of so much worth you can't put a value on it.

Both are good words. Both have their place in our language. Leave 'em
alone, you big bully :-)

Regards,

John

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