Reading is manually reading the numbers off the card, as for an Internet or phone transaction.
Scanning is passing the card through a magnetic strip scanner to digitally read the card information.
Skimming is illicitly scanning a card for the purpose of fraud or theft.
For what it's worth this was written "tongue-in-cheek."
Incidentally, the terminology does fit.
I too have searched for a definitive answer to this question and not found one. My own way of differentiating grammar from usage errors for my English language learners is as follows:
- If the mistake contravenes a generalizable rule for all members of that word class, then it is a grammar mistake. Otherwise it is a usage mistake.
For example:
He live in Frankfurt contravenes the rule that verbs in the 3rd person singular present simple tense require an -s (with the exception of modals), and is hence a grammar mistake.
My grandfather is a very high man is a usage mistake. We can formulate a rule that high applies to mountains not people. But the rule applies to one member of the word class only and hence the mistake is one of usage.
On this basis, these errors are grammar errors:
- I play tennis yesterday.
- Do you have dog?
- I live in Frankfurt since 10 year. (3 errors)
And these are usage errors:
- I always enjoy to sleep late on Sundays.
- What is the reason of your lateness?
- She replied she didn't know the answer.
The issue is of more than purely theoretical importance because learners need to know whether they should consult a grammar book or a good dictionary/usage manual to find out if what they have written is correct.
It is interesting to note that two excellent resources for English language learners both have the word usage in their titles:
Garner's Modern American Usage and Swan's Practical English Usage.
Garner's book exclusively contains what I personally would define as usage issues, while Swan's includes numerous entries on what I would term grammar; including negation, passive, modals, determiners, etc. So it seems that even the experts can't agree on the meaning of the word.
Best Answer
A quick look at usage shows that the two terms are used pretty much interchangeably.
If there is a difference, it is that proscribe is used in situations where specific actions, substances, persons, or organizations are to be placed outside the protection of the law.
Proscribing actions or substances in effect prohibits them. Proscriptions against people or organizations work a bit different. A person can be prohibited from being lawfully present in a geographic area by a proscription. Organizations can be prohibited from conducting meetings and recruiting members by proscription.