Incorrect or non-standard usage, overuse etc
I scolded my son for fighting
My boss scolded me for being late
Michael's work is very careless. You'd better scold him
The team leader was scolded for disregarding health and safety regulations
The problem
(1) The verb 'scold' is very formal and rather old-fashioned.
(2) It suggests a high degree of authority of one person over the other - especially of an adult over a child. It is not normally suitable to show one adult criticizing another.
In informal spoken English, the phrase have a go at smbdy is common in British English.
He was fighting so I had a go at him
David had a go at me for being late
Remind is also used when you don't want to sound too harsh:
I noticed John was twenty minutes late again this morning and I had to remind him to be punctual.
Very formally, and in serious situations censure can be used:
He was censured for reckless behaviour
Standard English
I had a go at my son for fighting
My boss had a go at me for being late
Michael's work is very careless. Perhaps you could remind him to take more care
The team leader was censured for disregarding health and safety regulations
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See also
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| common errors: blame |
Dictionaries
Online dictionary links are available for the following words:
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