Oakdale Editing
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Portfolio

Oakdale
Blog

Yay, Yea, Yeah

9/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

In this world of social media and texting, these three words have started to meld into one. But though they all essentially mean yes, they’re each distinct words with distinct pronunciations and nuances of meaning.

​And while we can get away with carelessness in social media, which is essentially visible speech, in the moment and unedited, we need to be more intentional with our writing.

The goal is, after all, to communicate clearly with readers.
​

Yay

  • ​(yā)
  • Exclamation to express joy or excitement—​Yay! I got a new car for my birthday!
  • To the amount indicated (usually accompanied by hand gestures)—​You should have seen that fish! It was at least yay long! ​​

Yea

  • (yā)
  • Somewhat archaic (But still fun to use!)
  • Yes (used in affirmation or assent) – adv.
  • Indeed--“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” Ps. 23:4 – adv.
  • Not only this but even (emphasis) (“yet the impression, yea the evidence, is inescapable” J.G. Harrison) – adv.
  • An affirmative reply or vote—​Yea or nay? – n.
  • A person who votes in the affirmative – n.

Yeah

  • (y󠄕eə, yaə)
  • Informal/colloquial
  • Yes – adv.
  • Yeah, I could go for Chinese.

​Rebecca Miller is a professional copyeditor and general fan of all things having to do with the written word and the English language.
You can check out her website at Oakdale Editing or connect through Facebook, LinkedIn, or Email.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    Rebecca has a passion for helping you fill the world with great literature and making sure said literature doesn't get passed over for the lack of a little editing.

    Archives

    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020

    Categories

    All
    Admin
    Book Pick
    Business
    Editing
    Language
    Lifestyle
    Publishing
    Punctuation
    Quick Thoughts
    Reading
    Technology
    Writing

    RSS Feed

    Contact Me

Services

Services
Blog
Resources

Company

Home
About

Support

Contact

Picture

Member

© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Portfolio