Nittygritty/in a nutshell

Dear Dr English,

Are ÒnittygrittyÓ and Òin a nutshellÓ synonymous?

Wallapa Klongpanich

Nittygritty implies the basic and practical facts of a subject or activity.
Before worrying about how we are going to sell the products, weÕd better get down to the nittygritty and work out the production plan first.

Ò(To put it) in a nutshellÓ is used when you are stating the main facts about something in a clear, concise way.
To put it in a nutshell, this programme does not encourage learners to practise critical learning at all.

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Continued, continuing or continual

Dear Dr English,

IÕd like your advice regarding the use of ÒcontinueÓ. IÕm not sure what criteria are
applied for each particular adjective. IÕm not sure if the sentences, below, are correct and IÕd appreciate some examples, too.
ÒThank you for your continued hard work and commitment.Ó
ÒThank you for your continuing support.Ó
ÒContinual rain.Ó
I understand that ÒcontinualÓ, when talking about rain, describes an annoying situation.
Thank you for your clarification.

Sudarat Karachalkul

The adjective form of the verb to continue can be either ÒcontinuingÓ
or ÒcontinuedÓ. Both adjectives mean that something is still happening, existing or done.
For example: ÒContinued labour disputes have caused the country her economic stability.Ó
ÒContinuing support from our alliances has proved success to our business.Ó
So the two complete sentences are correct.

Continual means that something continues to happen or exists without stopping.
Your example, continual rain, describes a situation when the rain persists without stopping.
For example: ÒContinual rainfalls have inundated many areas in the northern provinces.Ó

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Who is a 'repo man'?

Dear Dr English,

I came across the phrase Òrepo manÓ in a magazine and would like to know its meaning. Do you have any idea who this man is?

Kaewkarn Pansathan

A repo man is a person employed by a financial institution to ÒrepossessÓ or take away cars their owners have failed to pay for.
Jack started working as a repo man for a bank.

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