May 30, 2011 - Word of the Day: count

In addition to its function as a verb to describe basic principles applied to math, the word "count" has an important use when describing something that is important or something that really matters.

• His opinion doesn't count. (It's not important in this situation. / It doesn't matter.)
• The decisions she makes really count. Everyone is in the company is affected by them.
• Elections count. Go vote!

If you add the preposition "on" to "count," you get "count on" which means depend on or rely on:

• You can't count on him to come to class on time. He's always late.
• Can I count on you to help me this weekend?
• He counts on his wife for her support.

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