By Dr. Travis Bradberry
We're all tempted to use words that we're not too familiar with.
If
this were the only problem, I wouldn't have much to write about. That's
because we're cautious with words we're unsure of and, thus, they don't
create much of an issue for us.
It's the words that we think we're using correctly that wreak the most havoc.
We
throw them around in meetings, e-mails and important documents (such as
resumes and client reports), and they land, like fingernails across a
chalkboard, on everyone who has to hear or read them.
We're all guilty of this from time to time, myself included.
When
I write, I hire an editor who is an expert in grammar to review my
articles before I post them online. It's bad enough to have a roomful of
people witness your blunder and something else entirely to stumble in
front of 100,000!
Point is, we can all benefit from opportunities to sharpen the saw and minimize our mistakes.
Often,
it's the words we perceive as being more "correct" or sophisticated
that don't really mean what we think they do. There are 20 such words
that have a tendency to make even really smart people stumble.
Have a look to see which of these commonly confused words throw you off.
Accept vs. Except
These two words sound similar but have very different meanings.
Accept means to receive something willingly: "His mom
accepted his explanation" or "She
accepted the gift graciously."
Except signifies exclusion: "I can attend every meeting
except the one next week."
To help you remember, note that both
except and
exclusion begin with
ex.
Affect vs. Effect
To make these words even more confusing than they already are, both can be used as either a noun or a verb.
Let's start with the verbs.
Affect means to influence something or someone;
effect means to accomplish something. "Your job was
affected by the organizational restructuring" but "These changes will be
effected on Monday."
As a noun, an
effect is the result of something: "The sunny weather had a huge
effect on sales." It's almost always the right choice because the noun
affect refers to an emotional state and is rarely used outside of psychological circles: "The patient's
affect was flat."
Lie vs. Lay
We're all pretty clear on the
lie that means an untruth. It's the other usage that trips us up.
Lie also means to recline: "Why don't you
lie down and rest?"
Lay requires an object: "
Lay the book on the table."
Lie is something you can do by yourself, but you need an object to
lay.
It's more confusing in the past tense. The past tense of
lie is--you guessed it--
lay: "I
lay down for an hour last night." And the past tense of
lay is laid: "I
laid the book on the table."
Bring vs. Take
Bring and
take
both describe transporting something or someone from one place to
another, but the correct usage depends on the speaker's point of view.
Somebody
brings something to you, but you
take it to somewhere else: "
Bring me the mail, then
take your shoes to your room."
Just remember, if the movement is toward you, use
bring; if the movement is away from you, use
take.
Ironic vs. Coincidental
A lot of people get this wrong. If you break your leg the day before a ski trip, that's not
ironic--it's
coincidental (and bad luck).
Ironic
has several meanings, all of which include some type of reversal of
what was expected. Verbal irony is when a person says one thing but
clearly means another. Situational irony is when a result is the
opposite of what was expected. O. Henry was a master of situational
irony. In "The Gift of the Magi," Jim sells his watch to buy combs for
his wife's hair, and she sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim's watch.
Each character sold something precious to buy a gift for the other, but
those gifts were intended for what the other person sold. That is true
irony.
If you break your leg the day before a ski trip, that's
coincidental. If you drive up to the mountains to ski, and there was more snow back at your house, that's
ironic.
Imply vs. Infer
To
imply means to suggest something without saying it outright. To
infer means to draw a conclusion from what someone else implies. As a general rule, the speaker/writer
implies, and the listener/reader
infers.
Nauseous vs. Nauseated
Nauseous has been misused so often that the incorrect usage is accepted in some circles. Still, it's important to note the difference.
Nauseous means causing nausea;
nauseated means experiencing nausea.
So, if your circle includes ultra-particular grammar sticklers, never say "I'm
nauseous" unless you want them to be snickering behind your back.
Comprise vs. Compose
These are two of the most commonly misused words in the English language.
Comprise means to include;
compose means to make up.
It all comes down to parts versus the whole. When you use
comprise, you put the whole first: "A soccer game
comprises (includes) two halves." When you use
compose, you put the pieces first: "Fifty states
compose (make up) the United States of America."
Farther vs. Further
Farther refers to physical distance, while
further describes the degree or extent of an
action or situation. "I can't run any
farther," but "I have nothing
further to say."
If you can substitute "more" or "additional," use
further.
Fewer vs. Less
Use
fewer when you're referring to separate items that can be counted; use
less when referring to a whole: "You have
fewer dollars, but
less money."
Bringing It All Together
English grammar can be tricky, and, a lot of times, the words that sound right are actually wrong.
With
words such as those listed above, you just have to memorize the rules
so that when you are about to use them, you'll catch yourself in the act
and know for certain that you've written or said the right one.
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