Grammar Police Monday - Bovines, Bods & Blue Ribbons

Vein vs Vane vs Vain

Vein (n.) is one of many vessels forming the path for blood returning to the heart; tissue forming the framework of a leaf; a clearly defined stratum of ore, etc.

Phlebotomists draw blood by puncturing a vein.

Vane (n.) is a blade, fin, or plate on a fan, turbine, etc., that moves or is moved by water, steam or air.

A weather vane indicates the direction of the wind.

Vain (adj.) excessively proud of one's self; conceited; without real value or importance; worthless; futile.

You're so vain, you probably think this example is about you. 
(Ha! Couldn't resist. :P)

She did everything she could to stop the fire from spreading, but her efforts were in vain.

Fair vs Fare

Fair (adj./adv.) means free from bias or dishonesty; proper according to the rules.

"I don't like him," Billy said. "He doesn't play fair."

Fair can also refer to an assembling of goods, rides, and or livestock.

We went to the county fair.

And while were on the subject, fair also means moderate; average. 

So does the word middling.

Thus the saying fair to middling, which means so-so.

Fare (n.) is the price of passage on some form of conveyance (bus, train, plane, cab...). It can also be used to refer to the person paying.

The man stood in line to pay the bus fare.

The cabby kept glancing at his fare in the rear-view mirror.

Fare (n.) can mean food; diet—and in it's verb form, to eat and drink.

The hungry ranch hands were served hearty fare.

They fared on potatoes, bacon, toast, and eggs.

(Note: This might be a good place to stop and review hearty vs. hardy. 

Those two are easy to mix up.)

Let's pause for a gratuitous handsome hunk image.

I wouldn't mind cooking for him. :)

Ahem. Back to GPM...

Fare (n.) can also refer to non-food items that are consumed.

Horror novels are not my usual literary fare.

Fare (v.) means to experience good or bad fortune (probably the most common verb usage you'll see).

Most of the orphans fared well once they were adopted.

###

That's all for today.

Thanks for visiting. :)