ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: changing their own coloration/colors

Mr Wordy — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:43:27 GMT

Peaceblinkfriend
So you would only really use 'coloration' when you are into the technical aspect of camouflage.

Not really... I might use it in relation to camouflage, but it's not specific to that usage. It just means a pattern of colours, generally.

But you're right that it's a more technical-sounding word.

Re: changing their own coloration/colors

Peaceblinkfriend — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:25:12 GMT

Thanks again, Mr Wordy.

So you would only really use 'coloration' when you are into the technical aspect of camouflage.

PBF

Re: changing their own coloration/colors

Mr Wordy — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:04:28 GMT

Peaceblinkfriend
Mr Wordy, may take this chance and ask you to clarify what 'trotting so easily off the tongue' means please? I am assuming it means something that is not usually said.

Yep, exactly that. "Coloration" is a perfectly good word, but not one that crops up much in everyday conversation (not mine, anyway!).

Re: changing their own coloration/colors

Peaceblinkfriend — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:22:54 GMT

Angliholic. You probably knew this ages ago but anyhow it's called camouflage for what it's worth.

PBF

Re: changing their own coloration/colors

Peaceblinkfriend — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:01:13 GMT

Mr Wordy, may I take this chance and ask you to clarify what 'trotting so easily off the tongue' means please? I am assuming it means something that is not usually said.

Thank you

PBF

[edited] added 'I' between 'may' and 'take'

Re: changing their own coloration/colors

Huevos — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:26:01 GMT

Angliholic
Some animals are capable of changing their own coloration and texture to match their surroundings.

Some animals are capable of changing color and texture to match their surroundings.
Some animals are capable of changing their coloration and texture to match their surroundings.

Re: changing their own coloration/colors

Mr Wordy — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:05:12 GMT

Often, yes. To me, "coloration" has a stronger sense that there is a pattern of colors, so if you want to emphasise that aspect then "coloration" might be the word to use. However, "coloration" is a technical-sounding word that doesn't trot so easily off the tongue, so in everyday conversation "colors" (or just "color") would be the usual choice. (Although singular, "color" would in everyday usage often be understood to include the case where several different colors were present.)

I would tend to omit the word "own". It's not wrong, but seems unnecessary.

changing their own coloration/colors

Angliholic — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:41:53 GMT

Some animals are capable of changing their own coloration and texture to match their surroundings.

Hi,
Is it proper to replace 'coloration" in the above with "colors?" If not, could you dig up a reason? Thanks.