A moment with the English language

We are not native speakers of the language, and so are prone to make errors. But if we make an extra effort many of the errors which slip into our speech and writing everyday would be avoided.

By Douglas Achingale

This week’s focus is on DRESS

Owing to ignorance, many speakers of English give more meaning to the noun DRESS than they should. A DRESS is A PIECE OF CLOTHING FOR WOMEN OR GIRLS WHICH COVERS THE TOP HALF OF THE BODY AND HANGS DOWN OVER THE LEGS. This means that a DRESS does not include men’s or boys’ clothing. Yet it is very common to hear men call their clothing DRESSES, as in sentences such as:

1. John is taking his DRESSES to the dry cleaner’s.
2. At 21, Junior is unable to wash his DRESSES.

If you do not want to say the particular type of clothing (such as shirt or trousers), then you should simply say:

1. John is taking his CLOTHES to the dry cleaner’s.
2. At 21, Junior is unable to wash his CLOTHES.

The above definition of DRESS indicates that not all the clothes women or girls wear are DRESSES. For example, a blouse or skirt cannot be referred to as a DRESS.

A major reason for this wrong appellation of men’s and other types of women’s clothing is because the verb form of the noun DRESS applies to both men and women. To DRESS means TO PUT CLOTHES ON YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE or simply TO WEAR A PARTICULAR TYPE OF CLOTHES (be you or the other person of the male or female sex).

Take note that it is not in all contexts that the verb DRESS is followed by the adverb UP. UP in the following sentences, for example, must be taken away for the sentences to be correct:

1. Please DRESS UP quickly let’s go, we’re late.
2. DRESS the child UP and take it to the hospital.

When taken away, the sentences would read:

1. Please DRESS quickly let’s go, we’re late.
2. DRESS the child and take it to the hospital.

DRESS UP has two meanings. The first is, TO PUT ON FORMAL CLOTHES FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION. Example: You don’t need to DRESS UP to go to the pub – jeans and a T-shirt will do. The second is, TO PUT ON SPECIAL CLOTHES IN ORDER TO CHANGE YOUR APPEARANCE. Example: He DRESSED UP like a cowboy for the party.

Meanwhile you can DRESS something UP. If you do, YOU ADD SOMETHING TO IT IN ORDER TO MAKE IT SEEM MORE INTERESTING OR PLEASING THAN IT REALLY IS. Example: Politicians tried to DRESS UP the bill as a bold new strategy for combatting poverty.  

DRESS DOWN also exists. If you DRESS DOWN for an occasion, YOU INTENTIONALLY WEAR INFORMAL CLOTHES OF THE TYPE THAT WILL NOT ATTRACT ATTENTION. Example: She always made a point of DRESSING DOWN on her first date with a man.