Bryan A. Garner is the award-winning author or editor of more than 20 books. Garner’s Modern American Usage has established itself as the preeminent contemporary guide to the effective use of the English language. The 3rd edition, which was just published, has been thoroughly updated with new material on nearly every page. Below we have posted one of his daily usage tips about the word “partake”. To subscribe to his daily tips click here.
partake.
“Partake” is construed with either “in” or “of” in the sense “to take part or share in some action or condition; to participate.”
“In” is the more common preposition in this sense — e.g.: “From 5 to 5:30 p.m., members will meet and partake in a wine and cheese reception.” Joan Szeglowski, “Town ‘N’ Country,” Tampa Trib., 10 Sept. 1997, at 4.
“Of” is common when the sense is “to receive, get, or have a share or portion of” — e.g.: “So should one partake of Chinese cuisine, British history and Clint Eastwood?” T. Collins, “Carryout, Videos Make Dating Like Staying Home,” Courier-J. (Louisville), 12 Sept. 1997, at W27.
The Olympics can bring out the Jingoist (or is it Jingo) in just about anyone. All that competition, all that pride bubbling to the surface. To learn how to properly use these words keep reading. If you liked this usage tip check out Garner’s Modern American Usage. To subscribe to his daily tips click here.
jingoist; jingo.
The former has come to displace the latter as the agent noun corresponding to “jingoism.” A “jingoist” is a belligerent patriot and nationalist who favors an aggressive foreign policy. The word almost always carries pejorative connotations — e.g.:
- “You want every loser white supremacist, every mean-spirited neo-Nazi, every jerk jingoist out there?” James Coates, “Bait-and-Switch Works on the Web,” Sun-Sentinel (Ft. Lauderdale), 8 Sept. 1996, at G4.
- “The Duma’s jingoists seem to care little that the obligations of START-2 are finely balanced.” “Russia’s Surly Answer to NATO,” Economist (U.S. ed.), 1 Feb. 1997, at 47.
- “Many Serbs . . . escaped the war of the jingoists by fleeing or deserting.” Peter Schneider, “The Writer Takes a Hike,” New Republic, 3 Mar. 1997, at 34.
“Jingo” has pretty much been driven out, unless a pun is needed — e.g.: “Jingo bells, jingo bells, jingoism all the way on MTV this season.” “The Best of Cable & Satellite,” Independent, 21 Dec. 1996, at 57. Otherwise, it appears mostly in the phrase “by jingo,” a mild oath expressing affirmation or surprise {I’ll do it, by jingo!}.
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