The words we choose can have a huge impact on how other people see us, and sometimes misused words can slip into everyday speech without much thought, completely changing the meaning of a sentence. In this post we look at some common words that many people use in the wrong way.
Affect vs. Effect
It’s easy to mix up these two words, but they have different meanings and uses that can significantly impact the clarity of a sentence. ‘Affect’ is typically used as a verb, meaning to influence or produce a change in something. On the other hand, ‘effect’ is usually a noun and refers to the result or outcome of an action.
Compliment vs. Complement
Many people use these words interchangeably, but they have entirely different meanings that can lead to confusion when used incorrectly. A ‘compliment’ is an expression of praise or admiration, such as “She gave me a wonderful compliment about my work.”
In contrast, ‘complement’ refers to something that completes or enhances something else, like “The blue tie complements his suit perfectly.”
Farther vs. Further
The truth is, these words are often misused, even by experienced writers and speakers. ‘Farther’ should be used when referring to physical distance, such as in “We walked farther than expected.” Meanwhile, ‘further’ applies to metaphorical or figurative extensions, like “We need to discuss this idea further.”
Literally vs. Figuratively
Surprisingly, ‘literally’ has become one of the most commonly misused words in everyday conversation. It means that something happened exactly as described, without exaggeration. However, people often use it for emphasis when they actually mean ‘figuratively,’ which describes something metaphorical. Saying “I’m literally starving” when you’re just a little hungry can make your statement sound overly dramatic and incorrect.
Imply vs. Infer
It’s important to recognize the key difference between ‘imply’ and ‘infer,’ as they describe opposite sides of communication. When someone implies something, they are suggesting it without stating it directly, as in “His tone implied he was unhappy.”
‘Infer’ means to draw a conclusion based on what has been said or observed, such as “From his tone, I inferred that he was unhappy.”
Principle vs. Principal
One mistake people make is confusing ‘principle’ with ‘principal,’ as they sound similar but have very different meanings. ‘Principle’ refers to a fundamental belief or rule, such as “Honesty is a core principle of good leadership.” Meanwhile, ‘principal’ can be used to refer to the head of a school or something of primary importance.
Discreet vs. Discrete
Believe it or not, ‘discreet’ and ‘discrete’ are often misused because they sound alike, but they have distinct meanings. ‘Discreet’ means being careful or showing good judgment, often in keeping something confidential, such as “She was very discreet about the sensitive information.”
However, ‘discrete’ means separate or distinct, as in “The company is divided into discrete units.”
Stationary vs. Stationery
Most people will agree that this mixup often goes unnoticed. The word ‘stationary’ refers to something that is not moving or fixed in place, such as “The car remained stationary at the red light.” The other ‘stationery’ refers to writing materials like paper, pens, and envelopes, as in “She bought new stationery for her office.”
Assure vs. Ensure vs. Insure
Have you noticed that many people mistakenly use ‘assure,’ ‘ensure,’ and ‘insure’ interchangeably? ‘Assure’ means to give confidence or remove doubt, as in “I assure you that everything is under control.” The word ‘ensure’ refers to making sure that something happens, such as “We must ensure that all details are correct.” Lastly, ‘insure’ relates to providing financial protection, as in “I need to insure my car before the trip.”
Everyday vs. Every Day
One of the most common mistakes in writing comes from confusing ‘everyday’ with ‘every day.’ The word ‘everyday’ is an adjective used to describe something ordinary or routine, like “Wearing jeans is an everyday occurrence.”
In contrast, ‘every day’ refers to something that happens on a daily basis, such as “I go to the gym every day.”
Lose vs. Loose
Misusing ‘lose’ and ‘loose’ is an easy mistake to make, but it can drastically change the meaning of a sentence. ‘Lose’ is a verb that means to misplace something or to fail, such as “I don’t want to lose my keys.” Meanwhile, ‘loose’ is an adjective meaning not tight or free, as in “The screw is loose.”
Emigrate vs. Immigrate
A mix-up that often confuses people is the distinction between ‘emigrate’ and ‘immigrate.’ The word ‘emigrate’ means to leave one’s country to settle in another, such as “They decided to emigrate from Italy to Canada.” ‘Immigrate’ means to move into a new country to live there permanently, as in “She immigrated to the United States in search of better opportunities.”
Fewer vs. Less
It’s not uncommon to hear ‘fewer’ and ‘less’ used incorrectly in everyday speech. The rule is simple: ‘fewer’ is used when referring to countable items, such as “Fewer people attended the meeting than expected.” ‘Less’ is used for uncountable quantities, like “There is less sugar in this coffee.”
Imply vs. Infer
A frequent source of confusion is the difference between ‘imply’ and ‘infer.’ ‘Imply’ means to suggest something indirectly, such as “Her tone implied she was upset.”
Conversely, ‘infer’ means to deduce or conclude information based on what is said, as in “From his response, I inferred that he was unhappy.”
Ironic vs. Coincidental
The terms ‘ironic’ and ‘coincidental’ are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. ‘Ironic’ refers to a situation where the opposite of what is expected happens, such as “It’s ironic that a firefighter’s house burned down.”
Meanwhile, ‘coincidental’ describes events that happen at the same time by chance, as in, “It was coincidental that we arrived at the same restaurant at the same time.”
Disinterested vs. Uninterested
People often confuse ‘disinterested’ with ‘uninterested,’ but they carry very different meanings. ‘Disinterested’ means being impartial or unbiased, such as “The judge remained disinterested throughout the trial.” Whereas, ‘uninterested’ means having no interest or enthusiasm, as in “He seemed uninterested in the discussion.”
Adverse vs. Averse
A common mix-up occurs between ‘adverse’ and ‘averse.’ ‘Adverse’ refers to something harmful or unfavorable, such as “The weather conditions had an adverse effect on travel plans.”
Meanwhile, ‘averse’ means having a strong dislike or opposition to something, like “She is averse to taking unnecessary risks.” These words may sound similar, but their meanings are quite different.
Irregardless vs. Regardless
The term ‘irregardless’ is often used, but it is not actually a standard word in the English language. The correct word to use is ‘regardless,’ which means ‘without consideration of’ or ‘despite something,’ as in “Regardless of the weather, we will continue with our plans.” Using ‘irregardless’ may make you sound less knowledgeable, as it is considered a nonstandard or incorrect term.
Their vs. There vs. They’re
Confusing ‘their,’ ‘there,’ and ‘they’re’ is a common mistake that can make writing appear careless. ‘Their’ indicates possession, such as “Their house is beautiful.” ‘There’ refers to a place or position, like “The keys are over there.” ‘They’re’ is a contraction of ‘they are,’ as in “They’re going to the concert tonight.”