solecism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary/Technical
Quick answer
What does “solecism” mean?
A grammatical mistake or non-standard usage in speech or writing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A grammatical mistake or non-standard usage in speech or writing.
A breach of etiquette, social convention, or good manners; any error, impropriety, or inconsistency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. Slightly more common in British academic/educated prose.
Connotations
Connotes pedantic criticism in both varieties. In extended use, implies a faux pas or lapse in decorum.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday speech in both regions. Used almost exclusively in formal, academic, or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “solecism” in a Sentence
commit/commit a solecismbe guilty of a solecismcontain/include a solecismcorrect a solecismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “solecism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'Solecise' is obsolete and not used.
American English
- 'Solecise' is obsolete and not used.
adverb
British English
- 'Solecistically' is possible but exceedingly rare.
American English
- 'Solecistically' is possible but exceedingly rare.
adjective
British English
- His solecistic use of 'whom' was noted by the pedantic editor.
American English
- The solecistic phrase 'between you and I' is common but criticized.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously or critically in formal reports to denote a protocol breach.
Academic
Common in linguistics, rhetoric, and literary criticism to label grammatical or stylistic errors.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound pretentious in casual conversation.
Technical
Standard term in linguistics and philology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “solecism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “solecism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “solecism”
- Misspelling as 'solocism' or 'solecysm'.
- Using it to mean a serious moral sin (overextension).
- Confusing it with 'solipsism'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It comes from the Greek 'soloikismos', from 'Soloi', an ancient Athenian colony where a dialect regarded as substandard was spoken.
No, while its primary meaning is grammatical, it is commonly extended to mean any breach of social or conventional propriety.
It is a formal, even pedantic word. It is rarely used in everyday conversation and is most at home in academic or literary criticism.
A solecism is a grammatical or conventional error. A malapropism is the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with humorous effect (e.g., 'a nice derangement of epitaphs' for 'arrangement of epithets').
A grammatical mistake or non-standard usage in speech or writing.
Solecism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɒlɪsɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɑːləsɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SOLE' (only one) + 'CISM' (like criticism). A 'sole criticism' is often about a single grammatical error.
Conceptual Metaphor
ERROR IS A STAIN/BRECC (A solecism 'taints' speech or 'breaches' convention).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best illustrates the CORE meaning of 'solecism'?