In an ad in [Xpress’] “Roommates” section, “Seeking mature conscious female to share” etc.: I would hope so. No one wants an unconscious roommate. The correct word is conscientious.
I would not be so picky, but the above substitution of words has occurred several times in this paper.
— Pat Jenkins
Fairview
Editor’s note: While we would agree that an unconscious roommate might be cause for alarm, we hasten to add that one synonym for the term “conscious” is the word “aware”—perhaps a preferable state for living with another person. We thank the reader, however, for her conscientiousness and her awareness.
