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Amusing verses that shine a light on mostly medical and grammatical topics

When proofreading with an eye to perfection, there really is no substitute for good research. While one is always guided by the client's stated preferences regarding style, there is also a baseline understanding that serves as the foundation against which required differences are compared.

I will be offering some home-grown verses here that may be helpful for keeping certain basics in mind while adapting to the guidelines of a specific project, whether under the umbrella of CMOS, AP, APA, MLA, or other guidance.

They are not intended to be comprehensive regarding any particular issue. Rather, the purpose is to draw attention to identifiable aspects that are worth noting and make them memorable.

I think of these verses tongue in cheek as "Grammar Grist." Others that you find here will be more along the lines of "Medical Musings"; some might even qualify as a combination of the two.

It'll be fun. So, let's do it. Share the cheer everywhere.

© 2022 - 2025 Medillumina

LOATH/LOATHE

6/17/2025

(A proofreader's note regarding “loath” and “loathe”)

Though “loath” and “loathe” may sound the same,
When played, their meanings part,
For one will serve as adjective,
The other, verb at heart.

While “loath” describes reluctance mere,
The “e” of “loathe” extends
Its meaning to extremity:
“To feel dislike intense.”

When “loath” and “loathe” for share appear,
Decipher whether verb;
The latter word may then be clear
Or hint at room for curb.

DEPRIVED/DEPRAVED

6/9/2025

(A proofreader's note regarding “deprived” and “depraved”)

“Deprived” implies a serious absence
Of basics deemed essential,
A taking away of something maybe,
With “lack” a factor crucial.

“Depraved” instead must say “corrupted”
In morals and ethical conduct.
The lack we find there illustrated
Is sickly sought—not out-chucked.

“Deprived of any moral compass,
The youth was disadvantaged,
Exemplifying depraved behavior,
His inclinations wretched.”

URGENt/EMERGENt

6/3/2025

(A proofreader's note regarding “emergent” and “urgent”)

Beware the sound of “urgent”
That echoes in “emergent”;
Emergency there hinted
Perverts what was intended.

“Emergent” means beginning,
A coming into being.
In medicine, it's different,
“Emergency” inferring.

These both can be descriptors,
As adjectives like “urgent”:
“Emergency condition,”
“Emergent social segment.”

Single, though, is “urgent”
In meaning and in purpose,
Requiring prompt attention
Its one and only focus.

FORBIDDING/FOREBODING

5/27/2025

(A proofreader's note about “forbidding” and “foreboding”)

“Forbid” and “forebode” with “against” do begin.
Forbid will “command,” while forebode will “foretell.”
Their limiting versions are much more alike;
“Forbidding” “foreboding” together could dwell.

They both share the sense of an unfriendly state,
“Forbidding” like daunting and frightening and more.
Foreboding, however, the future predicts,
A negative omen included at core.

INTO/IN

5/18/2025

(A proofreader's note regarding “into” and “in”)

When deciding on “into” or “in” as the appropriate choice in a sentence, a major consideration is whether the moved item (i.e., transported in space or time) becomes enclosed by something else. However, “into” is generally used for transformations of state as well as in a relatively few phrasal verbs. The latter more commonly involve “in” than “into” and simply need to be recognized as such. Furthermore, “to” is not combined with “in" when it occurs as part of an infinitive verb.

Use “into” when moving in space or time
Unless “in order to”;
For transformations, choose as well
Since “into” there is true.

To keep the two apart at times,
Consider phrasal verbs;
Is “in” within the given phrase?
Infinitive “to” in blurbs?

Some phrasal verbs will sport “into,”
And sometimes it will tell
Of special interests closely held,
Like “into styles that sell.”

DISINTERESTED/UNINTERESTED

3/27/2025

(A proofreader's note regarding “disinterested” and “uninterested”)

Disinterested ones selectively chosen,
Impartial for the job,
May likewise uninterested be,
Incurious as a knob.

"The disinterested little tenor
Left every tune adrift,
The youthful audience, uninterested--
Not even slightly miffed."

FOREGO/FORGO

3/20/2025

(A proofreader's note regarding “forego” and “forgo”)

A thing that precedes may be said to “forego”
As long as the “e” is kept;
Renouncing the “e” means going without,
So sad that “forgo” will have wept.

The clue is the prefix with meaning before,
As “fore” tells the tale of its time.
The clearly “foregone” has already occurred,
No matter the vibe or the clime.

TEEM/TEAM

3/14/2025

(A proofreader's note on “team” and “teem,” including reference to the liquid-related meanings of the latter)

So teemed with honors the stellar team
That tenured teachers cheered,
All eyes agleam with wondrous sheen,
Reflecting prospects shared.

Emotions felt by some were more,
To swollen flow sustain;
They teemed from pools of limpid mood,
Supplying their own champagne.

BREACH/BREECH

3/4/2025

(A proofreader's note regarding “breach” and “breech”)

To every wall a soul would “breach,”
A man must break from rut;
For every birth that dares to “breech,”
A baby lands with butt.

A “breach” relates to breaking through,
A broken rule or hole;
The violation thus involved
Could bear a hefty toll.

Position though defines a “breech,”
Including bottom pants;
The britches at your rearward end
Are breeches placed by hands.

DEPRIVATION/DEPRAVATION

2/21/2025

(A proofreader's note regarding “deprivation” and “depravation”)

The damaging lack in “deprivation”
Has moral corruption none,
But wickedness in “depravation”
Is gradually sown and grown.

“Deprive” implies withhold from having,
Thus cuing thoughts of “lack”;
“Deprave” paves way to corruption certain,
As real as a mortal attack.