Make Your Point > Archived Issues > SANS

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"SANS" Meaning: "Sans" means "without." You use "sans" instead of "without" to be formal or jokingly formal. Pronunciation: "SANZ" is the naturalized version, which I recommend. Part of speech: Preposition. (Prepositions are words like "above," "between," and "except" that show literal or figurative relationships, like in "he's above average," "it's between the trees," and "we want everything except mushrooms." Likewise, talk about "something sans something else.") Other forms: none How to use it: To be formal in your word choice, whether you're being serious or silly, use the phrase "one thing sans another thing," and even if you would normally use "a," "an," or "the" before that second thing, leave it out. Example: "He showed up again sans uniform." Often we'll use this word repeatedly for dramatic effect: "Somehow they get by sans sports cars, sans swimming pools, sans pensions..." You'll find "sans" in a bunch of established formal phrases, too, which are best used either in a serious formal context or when you're being mock-formal. Here are just a few examples: 1. "Sans phrase" means "without extra, unneeded words." 2. "Sans-pareil" means "unique, unparalleled." 3. "Sans reproche" means "blameless (without reproach.)" Again, those are just a few examples and there are lots of them, so feel free to make up your own fake-serious phrases with "sans" and a hyphen, like "sans-cheese." Netflix spoils us, letting us binge-watch anything sans ads. Sans laugh track, some sitcoms would vastly improve. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "sans" means when you can explain it without saying "except" or "not." Think of something that ought to be simpler (like a food, a type of music, an article of clothing, or anything else,) and fill in the blanks: "I'd like to (see / try / find / taste / hear / wear) _____ sans _____."  Example: "I'd like to find some cute tall boots sans buckles and bells and whistles." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're playing with some fascinating thematic word lists assembled by Stephen Chrisomalis, an English language expert over at The Phrontistery who kindly gave permission for me to use his work. (Check out his site; you will definitely enjoy it!) Try a question each day, and see the right answers here the following day--or if you can't wait, follow the link to Stephen's list to dig out the answers yourself. Have fun! Yesterday's question: As Stephen notes, both ferre and gerere are Latin for “to bear.” Using your knowledge of additional word roots, come up with the correct meaning for each word below.  For example, something ramiferous bears branches. (Compare that to our word “ramify.”)  - Something dentigerous bears _____.  - Something floriferous bears _____.  - Something igniferous bears _____. Answers: - Something dentigerous bears teeth. - Something floriferous bears flowers. - Something igniferous bears fire. Try this one today: As Stephen notes, there’s one common Greek word that means “causation, formation, origination, production, growth, development or generation.” What is it? It’s found in these words, along with many, many others: -Crystallo_______ is the production of crystals. -Neuro_______ is the production or generation of nerves. -Petro_______ is the formation or development of rocks. Can't wait until tomorrow for the right answer? Check out Stephen's full list and discussion at the Phrontistery. A Point Well Made: Shakespeare: "No legacy is so rich as honesty." 1. The opposite of SANS is A. ALONG B. BESIDE C. WITH 2. Sometimes the _____ haven't loaded for a web page yet, and you see the content sans formatting, looking all _____. A. images .. fancy B. scripts .. futuristic C. style commands .. plain and unassuming Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. C Exploring the archives: Grammatically speaking, today's word is really unusual for us to look at. It's a preposition: one of those words like "above," "between," and "except" that shows literal or figurative relationships. We generally stick to adjectives, nouns, and verbs, but we did once wander into a phrase that acts like an adverb. Could you recall it? It's three words, "h_____ and t____," it means "with force and determination," and I'd mentioned that it's a great alternative for "heart and soul," "with zeal," "110%," etc.