this post was submitted on 29 Dec 2023
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English usage and grammar

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What is the name of the phenomenon in which you confuse a noun with one of its verb tenses? (Example below.) (lemmy.world)
submitted 10 months ago by favrion@lemmy.world to c/english@lemmy.ca
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For example, if you say that "feed" isn't a real word because there is a better way to say "issued someone a fee," but the real word is "feed" as in "to provide with nourishment," what would that error in judgment be called?

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[–] CaptObvious@literature.cafe 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

I don’t really understand your question. Feed meaning “to offer sustenance” has a different etymology than the noun fee meaning “amount paid.” While virtually any noun in the language can be made a verb, it seems unnecessary in this case since to charge is available and already expresses this meaning.

[–] BleatingZombie@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

(I can't think of a way to word this to sound playful, so please understand I'm just being silly and have no animosity)

You really don't understand the question if you're bringing up etymology :P

[–] CaptObvious@literature.cafe 2 points 10 months ago

LOL! Touché!

[–] favrion@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It's a matter of context, not etymology.

[–] CaptObvious@literature.cafe 0 points 10 months ago

In this context, only etymology is relevant.