Some commonly confused or
misused words
A, an
Use “an” before words that begin with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u). Use “a” before words that begin with a consonant or consonant sound.
Affect, effect
If you affect (a verb) something, you influence it. An effect (a noun) is the result of something: The Hawthorne Effect affected the workers.
Aggravate
If you aggravate something, you make worse something that is already bad. You aggravate a wound but annoy a person who is not, after all, necessarily made worse by your annoying him.
All ready, already
We are all ready for the line-up; the prisoner arrived already.
All together, altogether
The team is all together. There are altogether too many mistakes in your report. The former means “in concert”; the latter means “wholly” or “entirely.”
Allude, elude
“Allude” is not a synonym for refer. When you allude to something, you talk about it indirectly and generally. When you refer to something, you talk about it directly and specifically. “Elude” means to evade capture.
All ways, always
We tried all ways possible to solve the case. The responsible person always eluded us. The former means “every possible method or means”; the latter means “at all times.”
Among, between
The general rule is to use “among” if you are writing about three or more things or persons; use “between” if you are writing about two things or persons. For example, “The four people divided the food among them. They chose between pizza and sandwiches.”
Appears, seems
“Appears” primarily means “comes into sight.” “Seems” means that evidence provides a basis for a conclusion: “The dog appeared from the behind the tree; it seemed to have been hiding there.”
Appraise, apprise
The jewelry is appraised at two million dollars. We will apprise the owner of the value.
Beside, besides
Besides means “in addition to,” whereas beside means “at the side of.”
Compliment, complement
The former is praise; the latter means to add to something to make it complete.
Continual, continuous
“Continual” refers only to time; something that is never ending, but could be recurring at short intervals. “Continuous” refers to time and space—no break from start to finish.
Convince, persuade
You persuade someone to do something, but you convince him or her of something; the difference is that “persuade” implies a change of behavior, but “convince” is merely a change of opinion.
Corespondent, correspondent
The former is involved in a divorce; the latter is a writer.
Counsel, council
“Counsel” is another word for “to advise” or “one who advises”; a “council” is a deliberating body.
Decent, descent
“Decent” is something that your mother always told you to be. “Descent” is going down.
Dilemma, problem
“Dilemma” is a forced choice between two undesirable alternatives. “Dilemma” is not a synonym for “problem.” Example: “Jane has a dilemma. If she gets the promotion, she must agree to working the night shift or to conducting security investigations.”
Discreet, discrete
“Discrete” means that something can exist or can be measured in definite numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) or that something is separate; “discreet” means “tactful, does not gossip.”
Disinterested, uninterested
Disinterested means “unbiased,” “impartial.” Uninterested means “without any interest in,” or “lacking in interest.” Although we were uninterested in her general topic, we had to admire her disinterested treatment of its controversial aspects.
Due to, because
Usually “because” is the better word. Careful writers use “due to” only after a verb: “The accident was due to carelessness.” Do not use “due to” unless it modifies a noun. Do not begin a sentence with “Due to.” This rule will help you avoid misusing it.
Each other, one another
When two individuals are involved in a reciprocal relationship, “each other” is used. When more than two individuals are mutually related, “one another” is appropriate. The sheep rubbed up against “one another” in the chill. My sister and I respected “each other.”
Either, neither
As subjects both either and neither are singular. When referring to more than two, use “none” rather than “neither.” “Either” red or pink is appropriate, I asked Leahy, Mahoney, and another Irishman, but “none” of them was willing.
Enormity, enormousness
“Enormity” means “wickedness”; “enormousness” means “great size.”
Farther, further
“Farther” is the word to use if you are referring to physical distance. Use “further” when you are referring to time, amount, or degree.
Fazed, phased
“Faze” means “to upset, embarrass”; “phase” is part of a sequence, an aspect.
Fewer than, less than
Use “fewer than” to refer to number; use “less than” for quantity or degree.
Firstly, secondly
First, second, third, and so on, is the acceptable form. Adding “ly” to these words sounds stuffy and old fashioned.
Infer, imply, deduce, conclude
You infer from what someone else has implied. Only people, not words, infer. “Imply” means to suggest, hint, express indirectly. “Infer” means using reasoning to reach a conclusion from evidence, facts, hints. “Deduce” is to derive a conclusion from a principle. “Conclude” is to bring reasoning or an argument to an end as the result of interpretation and evidence.
In lieu of, instead of
Use “instead of” rather than “in lieu of.” Please note that “in lieu of” does not mean “in light of.” It is just an archaic term meaning “in place of” or “instead of.”
Irregardless
This isn’t a word! Regardless is a negative form to begin with and should be used.
Its, it’s
“Its” is the possessive form of the word “it.” "It’s" is the contraction of the words “it is.” It’s too late for its color to change. Remember the apostrophe replaces a character that is missing.
Myself
Correctly used as a reflexive: I cut myself, sang to myself, give myself credit. It is colloquial when used as an evasive substitute for I or me, so shouldn’t be used in business or formal writing.
Nauseous, nauseated
That which makes you sick is nauseous; you are nauseated.
Past, passed
“Passed” is the past tense of the verb “to pass.” Do not confuse it with “past” which may be an adjective, an adverb, a noun, or a preposition. For example: This person has a shady past (noun); the past year (adjective); she drove past the yellow car (adverb); it is past the time for lunch (preposition).
Principal, principle
As a noun, a “principal” is the head or leading figure in an institution, an event or a play. The principals in the negotiations were Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho, who later shared the Nobel Peace Prize. Used as an adjective, principal refers to a leading feature or element in a group. The principal types of telescopes are the refracting and the reflecting, or Newtonian, telescope. Remember there’s a “pal” in “principal.”
A “principle” is a rule. The main principle in skiing is to keep on one’s feet.
Stationery, stationary
“Stationery” pertains to writing supplies; something which is in a fixed place is “stationary.” Use stationEry to write a lEtter.
That, which
“That” is largely used to introduce restrictive clauses, which limit or define the antecedent’s meaning and are not set off by commas. The law that gave women the right to vote was passed in 1920.
Which is used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses, which do not limit or define the meaning of the antecedent. Commas always set off nonrestrictive clauses. The 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, was passed in 1920. The amendment is already identified by number, the clause, “which gave women the right to vote” merely gives additional information.
Often the antecedent will be identified in a preceding sentence, in which case the clause is still nonrestrictive. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. This amendment, which was passed in 1920, marked the entry of women into party politics.
Through, thorough
“Through” is a preposition: “He passed the ball through the fence.” “Thorough” is an adjective: “She is the most thorough editor in our Department.”
Transpire, occur
One is not a synonym for the other; “occur” means “to happen”; “transpire” means “to become known”: “It transpired that Joe suffered a relapse.” It is colloquial in the sense of “happen,” or “come to pass.”
Utilize, use
The word “use” comes from the same origins as “utilize” and is more modest about it. Don’t use the word utilize—it sounds stuffy and uses more syllables than is necessary to get the job done.
Your, you’re
“Your” is the possessive form of the word “you.” “You’re” is the contraction for the words “you are.” Your smile makes my day. You’re the one that I want.