Editor's Roundup: November 2022

3 minute read

As seen on TikTok

​What’s discussed in this post

• Farther vs. further
• Unphased vs. unfazed
• Breech vs. breach
• Self-editing tips
• ​Further reading

Farther vs. further

Of the three listed, further and farther is the most common correction I make. While they have similar definitions, The Chicago Manual of Style indicates that further and farther should be used in distinct ways.

Further is for metaphorical distance.
That couldn’t be further from my mind.

Farther is for literal or physical distance.
She ran farther than me.

Unphased vs. unfazed

I usually see this when an author is trying to describe a character being unaffected:
She was unphased by his comment.

However, to phase means to schedule or perform a plan or task in stages, and to faze means to disturb or disconcert. 

Therefore, the correct word to describe a character being “unaffected,” is unfazed.
She was unfazed by his comment.

​Breech vs. breach

Typically, an author mixes up these verbs when they’re describing breaking through a perimeter:
They breeched the border.

However, breech doesn’t have a verb form according to Merriam-Webster. It is a noun meaning the buttocks.

At thirty-seven weeks, the baby was in a breech position.

The verb form of breach means to break open or break through. Therefore, breach is the correct homophone to use.

They breached the border. ​

Self-editing tips

When dealing with homophones and near-homophones, we need to look at both the words’ meanings and the context to determine which word to use.

One way to do this is to highlight the word, right-click, and look up synonyms. If none of the synonyms match the meaning of the word, you're probably using the wrong homophone. However, in the case of further and farther, this way would not be reliable because the first definition of further is farther (English is so fun).
 
So if you have MS Word, a second way to do this is to add the MerriamFetch macro. This is my favorite way to verify spelling and word choice because you can set it up with a keyboard shortcut so that Merriam-Webster is a keystroke away at all times.
Here is where you can find the MerriamFetch macro by Paul Beverley.

Lastly, if you know what homophones you confuse, make a reference chart!

Further reading

Instagram, @itssarahhawkinsedits, “Is it I have further to go or I have farther to go?” 
The Chicago Manual of Style, “5.250 Good Usage versus common usage.”
Editing Macros by Paul Beverley