"Un" and "dis" are both negative prefixes, so should it matter which one you use when you want to communicate that one of your characters isn't interested in a person or a subject? Yes! It absolutely matters.
Uninterested means that a person is bored or indifferent.
· I'm uninterested in your opinions on the theory of evolution.
· I'm uninterested in your speech about the five hundred different kinds of milk.
Disinterested means that a person is impartial.
· A mother should be disinterested when she is trying to figure out which child broke her favorite vase.
· The disinterested judge oversaw the case with fairness and integrity.
Disinterested is used less often than uninterested, so if there ever a question, lean toward uninterested.
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Things Every Writer Should Know (but Most Don't)
Non-FictionYou have a wonderful idea for a story, and that is fantastic! But how can you make sure that poor mechanics don't distract your writers from your message? I address some of the most common errors in writing and tell you how to fix them.
