A recent Bryan Garner "Daily Tip" explained that "masterful" should always mean "domineering." That the correct word for expertly accomplished is "masterly." Merriam-Webster disagrees and says this is what H.W. Fowler wanted to prescribe, but that, essentially, "masterful" has always also had a meaning of expertly accomplished.
Anyone have any thoughts? "Masterly" does not sound commonly used to me, and might even seem pedantic. I was unaware of any controversy over using "masterful" to mean expertly accomplished, but I guess I am forewarned now to be careful in using it to avoid ambiguity and/or looking like I do not know English well!
Anyone have any thoughts? "Masterly" does not sound commonly used to me, and might even seem pedantic. I was unaware of any controversy over using "masterful" to mean expertly accomplished, but I guess I am forewarned now to be careful in using it to avoid ambiguity and/or looking like I do not know English well!