This is my first blog, so it is a test and an experiment at the same time.
I would like to delve into the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of the English language.
Take, for example the verbs to maintain and to explain. Their substantives are
maintenance and explanation. The latter "ai" in maintain has changed to "e", whereas
the "ai" in explain has changed to "a". Why not have "maintanance" or simply leave the
"ai" and have "maintainance"? Why not "explaination"? Keeping "ai" in both nouns
would at least be consistent. The pronunciation would remain the same. By the way,
try to pronounce pronunciation. Could this be another candidate for change (pronounciation)?
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