ice-cap
(use hyphen)
ice-cream (hyphen), similarly ice-lolly
i.e. See also e.g.
ill-health (hyphen)
Similarly ill-feeling, ill-intentioned, etc.
impacted on, avoid this Americanism
imply see infer
impostor (not imposter)
impresario
Impressionist, Post-Impressionist
in addition to, prefer as well as or besides
inadmissible (not -able)
include
Do not confuse with comprise; “breakfast includes toast and coffee”,
but “breakfast comprises cereals, toast, butter, marmalade and coffee”
(i.e., where the full list of elements is given).
incommunicado
indestructible (not -able)
index plural is indices, but indexes for books
indispensable
(not -ible)
Indo-China
Industrial Revolution, the (capitals)
inevitable
Do not use as a synonym of customary, usual or
predictable.
in fact can almost invariably be omitted
infer do not confuse with imply
To infer is to draw a conclusion from a suggestion, to imply is to make
the suggestion.
A quick mnemonic; we imply things when we speak, we infer
things when we listen.
infighting (one word), but in-house
(hyphen)
infra-red
initials
Where totally familiar, no need to spell out at first mention (e.g., BBC,
TUC, Nato etc.).
Otherwise, usually give name in full followed by initials in parentheses,
and the abbreviated form thereafter (though sometimes a word such as
“the organisation” or “the group” will be preferable to avoid a
mass of initials in the same text).
Also, with a body as well known as the UN, it would be absurd to write the
United Nations (UN), so use discretion.
Where the initials can be spoken as a word, we normally write them as
upper and lower case, e.g., Nato, Gatt, Unesco, Efta.
injure, injury
Implies something more serious than hurt. Do not normally say someone
received an injury - prefer to say they suffered or sustained an injury,
or (simply) were injured.
innocent
Take great care with this word, and avoid phrases such as “the innocent
victim of the attack” and clichés such as “innocent children”. Best
to stick to its literal sense of not guilty.
innocuous
inoculate
inpatients, outpatients (no hyphen)
inquire, inquiry NOT enquire, enquiry.
But note the exception, Directory Enquiries
insignia, plural; see honours
in so far as use the four words in this expression;
insofar is the American version
install, but instalment
instil
insure you insure against risk
you assure your life
ensure means to make certain
intensive
Do not confuse with intense or extreme. It means concentrated, as in
intensive care.
interdependence
interesting
Avoid as an adjective in text; let the reader decide.
International Olympic Committee (not Olympics), IOC as
abbreviation.
Internet, the (capital) and the Net
(capital) for short.
interpretative (not interpretive)
interred = buried
interned = imprisoned
intifada (religious struggle or uprising)
inverted
commas
Should be used as sparingly as possible in text: e.g., unnecessary in
constructions such as he described the book as “turgid”.
Iran,
formerly Persia
The language is not Iranian or Persian; it is Farsi.
irascible (not irrascible)
Ireland the two parts should be called the Republic of
Ireland or the Irish Republic (be careful to use Eire correctly in the
historical context), and Northern Ireland or Ulster.
Other points:
loyalist
with a lower case l to balance republican and nationalist;
Unionist, Unionism (capitals);
the North, the South (caps in this specific Irish context);
the Republic (likewise), the Province;
the Troubles;
the Garda (the police force; but garda/gardai for policeman/policemen) -
the phrase Irish police is acceptable;
Londonderry, but Derry City Council; and Derry when in direct quotes or in
a specifically republican context (this latter rarely);
Belfast:
capitalise North Belfast and South Belfast as well as East and West
Belfast; and note Shankill Road (not Shankhill);
Downing
Street declaration;
Anglo-Irish agreement;
the Taoiseach is an acceptable alternative for Irish Prime Minister;
Orange Order, Orangemen (caps)
iridescent
(not irr-)
Iron Curtain
ironic
Beware of misuse. It means using or displaying irony, or in the nature of
irony; it does not mean strange or paradoxical.
irreconcilable
irredeemable
Means not able to be redeemed, saved or reformed.
Do not confuse with irremediable, which means not able to
be remedied, incurable, or irreparable.
irresistible
(not -able)
-ise, -isation
Avoid the z construction in almost all cases, e.g., apologise, organise,
emphasise, televise.
Islam
Is the religion of the Muslims.
Islamic is interchangeable with Muslim as the adjective, though normally
use Islamic with religion and fundamentalism, Muslim with architecture,
politics, etc.
Israeli is a native of Israel
Israelite refers to Ancient Israel
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Jacuzzi
Is a trade name, so capital; use whirlpool bath if in doubt.
jail, jailer (not gaol, gaoler)
jargon
Like slang is to be strictly avoided; specialised areas always need
explanations.
Jedda
Jehovah's Witness(es)
Jekyll and Hyde (The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr
Hyde, by R. L. Stevenson)
Jerusalem
lower case for east/west Jerusalem
jet
lag
(two words)
jetliner avoid; say airliner or simply jet
jeweller, jewellery
jibe avoid this spelling; see gibe
jihad, holy war
jubilee
Strictly a fiftieth anniversary, though Queen Victoria had a golden and a
diamond one; so the word can be used as a periodic celebration, especially
of royalty.
Judaea (not Judea)
judging by
One of the most frequently misused unrelated (or disconnected) participle
constructions.
Remember, the phrase must have a related subject to follow (I, we, she,
etc.). A convenient alternative is “to judge from ...” (e.g.,
“Judging by this film, the country is in a mess” is wrong; “To judge
from this film, the country is in a mess” is correct; so is “Judging
by this film, we conclude that the country is in a mess”).
judgment (not judgement)
jukebox
(no hyphen)
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