First of all, apologies for the absence of yesterday’s week in review; the two Small Proofreaders are chory znowu and my hands were full dealing with them most of the day. Having said that, let’s dive back into another week of juicy information, beginning with a look at something that, whilst not a common species, is still certainly worthy of attention.
Common Usage
1) The deluxe model offers both horizontal and vertical regulation.
2) Tilt and lean can both be regulated from the main panel.
1) The deluxe model offers both horizontal and vertical regulation.
2) Tilt and lean can both be regulated from the main panel.
Better Usage
1) The deluxe model offers both horizontal and vertical adjustment.
2) Tilt and lean can both be adjusted from the main panel.
1) The deluxe model offers both horizontal and vertical adjustment.
2) Tilt and lean can both be adjusted from the main panel.
OED Definition
1- (v) control or maintain the rate or speed of (a machine or process) (also ¹) so that it operates properly.
2- control (something, especially a business activity) by means of rules and regulations.
2- control (something, especially a business activity) by means of rules and regulations.
regulate is one of many words that is used incorrectly by both native and non-native speakers, perhaps explaining its common misuse in PL>EN translations. Whilst it does have the meaning of ‘adjust’ or ‘control’, this is only in terms of speed, or in the more abstract sense of controlling a society or business, and so on. In nearly all cases, adjust is the correct choice for describing technical actions. Verb use of regulate is not very common in ordinary, everyday English, and is unlikely to be found outside of news reports, legal docs, or engineering/architectural documents.
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