As most of you know, I cherish verbal bloopers — the sillier the better. But whenever someone sends me a mistake that appeared in an obituary, I don't use it in my column.

The notion of ridiculing a verbal error in such a context seems heartless, especially when such tributes are often composed in haste by grieving people. And, besides, I believe in ghosts.

But, because many of us will be called upon to write an obituary or tribute for a relative or friend at some point, it's worth noting the banana peels lying in the obituary writer's path. It's better to consider these linguistic issues in dispassionate objectivity now than when your sobbing cousin hands you a pad and pencil and asks, "Will you write Dad's tribute?"

Interred/interned — You'd be amazed how many obits read, "he will be interned" or "internment will take place" at this or that cemetery (sometimes misspelled "cemetary"). "Inter" means to bury or entomb a body. "Intern" means to work as a student in a professional field to gain supervised practical experience.

Formerly — Often an obit will read, "He was formerly a trustee" at a college, for example, or "he was the former husband" of someone. But, if the person was still active as a trustee or still married to the person at the time of death, "formerly" and "former" aren't needed. And it's "formerly," not "formally." It's common to see phrases such as "John Smith, formally of Hartford."

Widow/late — Sometimes tributes redundantly describe someone as the "widow of the late John Jones." It's either "wife of the late John Jones" or "widow of John Jones."

Beside/besides — Many obituaries mistakenly read, "Beside her husband, she leaves . . ." She may have stood beside (next to) her husband till the end, but it's "besides" (in addition to).

Misspellings and usage errors — Here's a sampling of other common mistakes found in obituaries: "golf was his favorite pass time" (pastime); "he was borne and raised in Connecticut" (born); "his recently diseased wife" (deceased); "she is survived by her two son in laws" (sons in law); "she graduated Smith College" (from Smith College); "he received many metals" (medals); "he died of a congenial heart condition (congenital); "he past away last Saturday" (passed away); "for the repose of his sole" (soul).

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to Wordguy@aol.com or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Rob Kyff and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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