Common Usage Common Usage ErrorsErrors

21-4021-40

21. CONSCIENCE, 21. CONSCIENCE, CONSCIOUS, CONSCIOUS, CONSCIOUSNESS CONSCIOUSNESS Your conscience makes you feel Your conscience makes you feel

guilty when you do bad things, but guilty when you do bad things, but your consciousness is your your consciousness is your awareness. If you are awake, you are awareness. If you are awake, you are conscious. Although it is possible to conscious. Although it is possible to speak of your “conscious mind,” you speak of your “conscious mind,” you can’t use “conscious” all by itself to can’t use “conscious” all by itself to mean “consciousness.” mean “consciousness.”

22. CRITIQUE/CRITICIZE22. CRITIQUE/CRITICIZE

A critique is a detailed evaluation of A critique is a detailed evaluation of something. The formal way to request something. The formal way to request one is “give me your critique,” one is “give me your critique,” though people often say informally though people often say informally “critique this"—meaning “evaluate it “critique this"—meaning “evaluate it thoroughly.” But "critique” as a verb thoroughly.” But "critique” as a verb is not synonymous with “criticize” is not synonymous with “criticize” and should not be routinely and should not be routinely substituted for it. substituted for it.

23. DISCREET/DISCRETE23. DISCREET/DISCRETE

The more common word is “discreet,” The more common word is “discreet,” meaning “prudent, circumspect”: meaning “prudent, circumspect”: “When arranging the party for Agnes, “When arranging the party for Agnes, be sure to be discreet; we want her to be sure to be discreet; we want her to be surprised.” “Discrete” means be surprised.” “Discrete” means “separate, distinct”: “He arranged the “separate, distinct”: “He arranged the guest list into two discrete groups: guest list into two discrete groups: meat-eaters and vegetarians.” Note meat-eaters and vegetarians.” Note how the how the TT separates the two separates the two EsEs in in “discrete.” “discrete.”

24. 24. DISBURSE/DISPERSEDISBURSE/DISPERSE You disburse money by taking it out You disburse money by taking it out

of your purse (French “bourse”) and of your purse (French “bourse”) and distributing it. If you refuse to hand distributing it. If you refuse to hand out any money, the eager mob of out any money, the eager mob of beggars before you may disperse beggars before you may disperse (scatter). (scatter).

25. DRANK/DRUNK25. DRANK/DRUNK

Many common verbs in English Many common verbs in English change form when their past tense is change form when their past tense is preceded by an auxiliary (“helping”) preceded by an auxiliary (“helping”) verb: “I ran, I have run.” The same is verb: “I ran, I have run.” The same is true of “drink.” Don’t say “I’ve drank true of “drink.” Don’t say “I’ve drank the - ” unless you want people to think the - ” unless you want people to think you are drunk. An even more common you are drunk. An even more common error is “I drunk all the milk.” It’s “I’ve error is “I drunk all the milk.” It’s “I’ve drunk the -” and “I drank all the milk.” drunk the -” and “I drank all the milk.”

26. 26. EMIGRATE/IMMIGRATEEMIGRATE/IMMIGRATE To “emigrate” is to To “emigrate” is to leaveleave a country. a country.

The The EE at the beginning of the word is at the beginning of the word is related to the related to the EE in other words in other words having to do with going out, such as having to do with going out, such as “exit.” “Immigrate,” in contrast, “exit.” “Immigrate,” in contrast, looks as if it might have something looks as if it might have something to do with going to do with going in,in, and indeed it and indeed it does: it means to move into a new does: it means to move into a new country. country.

27. ENVELOP/ENVELOPE27. ENVELOP/ENVELOPE

To wrap something up in a covering To wrap something up in a covering is to envelop it (pronounced is to envelop it (pronounced “enVELLup” ). The specific wrapping “enVELLup” ). The specific wrapping you put around a letter is an you put around a letter is an envelope (pronounced variously, but envelope (pronounced variously, but with the accent on the first syllable).with the accent on the first syllable).

28. FARTHER/FURTHER28. FARTHER/FURTHER

Some authorities (like the Associated Some authorities (like the Associated Press) insist on “farther” to refer to Press) insist on “farther” to refer to physical distance and on “further” to physical distance and on “further” to refer to an extent of time or degree, but refer to an extent of time or degree, but others treat the two words as others treat the two words as interchangeable except for insisting on interchangeable except for insisting on “further” for “in addition,” and “further” for “in addition,” and “moreover.” You’ll always be safe in “moreover.” You’ll always be safe in making the distinction; some people get making the distinction; some people get really testy about this. really testy about this.

29.FORCEFUL/FORCIBLE/29.FORCEFUL/FORCIBLE/FORCEDFORCED These words sometimes overlap, but generally These words sometimes overlap, but generally

“forceful” means “powerful” (“He imposed his “forceful” means “powerful” (“He imposed his forceful personality on the lions.” ) while forceful personality on the lions.” ) while “forcible” must be used instead to describe the “forcible” must be used instead to describe the use of force (“The burglar made a forcible entry use of force (“The burglar made a forcible entry into the apartment.”). “Forced” is often used into the apartment.”). “Forced” is often used for the latter purpose, but some prefer to for the latter purpose, but some prefer to reserve this word to describe something that is reserve this word to describe something that is done or decided upon as a result of outside done or decided upon as a result of outside causes without necessarily being violent: “a causes without necessarily being violent: “a forced landing,” “a forced smile,” “forced forced landing,” “a forced smile,” “forced labor.” labor.”

30. GOOD/WELL30. GOOD/WELL

““Good” is the adjective; “well” is the Good” is the adjective; “well” is the adverb. You do something well, but adverb. You do something well, but you give someone something good. you give someone something good.

31. HEAR/HERE31. HEAR/HERE

If you find yourself writing sentences If you find yourself writing sentences like “I know I left my wallet hear!” like “I know I left my wallet hear!” you should note that “hear” has the you should note that “hear” has the word “ear” buried in it and let that word “ear” buried in it and let that remind you that it refers only to remind you that it refers only to hearing and is always a verb (except hearing and is always a verb (except when you are giving the British cheer when you are giving the British cheer “Hear! Hear!” ). “I left my wallet “Hear! Hear!” ). “I left my wallet here” is the correct expression. here” is the correct expression.

32. HOLE/WHOLE32. HOLE/WHOLE

““Hole” and “whole” have almost Hole” and “whole” have almost opposite meanings. A hole is a lack of opposite meanings. A hole is a lack of something, like the hole in a doughnut something, like the hole in a doughnut (despite the confusing fact that the little (despite the confusing fact that the little nubbins of fried dough are called nubbins of fried dough are called “doughnut holes”). “Whole” means “doughnut holes”). “Whole” means things like entire, complete, and healthy things like entire, complete, and healthy and is used in expressions like “the and is used in expressions like “the whole thing,” “whole milk,” “whole whole thing,” “whole milk,” “whole wheat,” and “with a whole heart.” wheat,” and “with a whole heart.”

33. IMPLY/INFER33. IMPLY/INFER

These two words, which originally had quite These two words, which originally had quite distinct meanings, have become so blended distinct meanings, have become so blended together that most people no longer distinguish together that most people no longer distinguish between them. If you want to avoid irritating between them. If you want to avoid irritating the rest of us, use “imply” when something is the rest of us, use “imply” when something is being suggested without being explicitly stated being suggested without being explicitly stated and “infer” when someone is trying to arrive at and “infer” when someone is trying to arrive at a conclusion based on evidence. “Imply” is a conclusion based on evidence. “Imply” is more assertive, active: I more assertive, active: I imply imply that you need to that you need to revise your paper; and, based on my hints, you revise your paper; and, based on my hints, you infer infer that I didn’t think highly of your first that I didn’t think highly of your first draft.draft.

34. 34. INFAMOUS/NOTORIOUSINFAMOUS/NOTORIOUS ““Infamous” means famous in a bad way. Infamous” means famous in a bad way.

It is related to the word “infamy.” It is related to the word “infamy.” Humorists have for a couple of centuries Humorists have for a couple of centuries jokingly used the word in a positive jokingly used the word in a positive sense, but the effectiveness of the joke sense, but the effectiveness of the joke depends on the listener knowing that depends on the listener knowing that this is a misuse of the term. Because this this is a misuse of the term. Because this is a very old joke indeed you should stick is a very old joke indeed you should stick to using “infamous” only of people like to using “infamous” only of people like Hitler and Billy the Kid. Hitler and Billy the Kid.

35. ITCH/SCRATCH35. ITCH/SCRATCH

Strictly speaking, you scratch an Strictly speaking, you scratch an itch. If you’re trying to get rid of a itch. If you’re trying to get rid of a tingly feeling on your back scratch tingly feeling on your back scratch it, don’t itch it. it, don’t itch it.

36. LATER/LATTER36. LATER/LATTER

Except in the expression “latter-day” Except in the expression “latter-day” (modern), the word “latter” usually (modern), the word “latter” usually refers back to the last-mentioned of refers back to the last-mentioned of a set of alternatives. “We gave the a set of alternatives. “We gave the kids a choice of a vacation in Paris, kids a choice of a vacation in Paris, Rome, or Disney World. Of course Rome, or Disney World. Of course the latter was their choice.” In other the latter was their choice.” In other contexts not referring back to such a contexts not referring back to such a list, the word you want is “later.” list, the word you want is “later.”

37. AMOUNT/NUMBER37. AMOUNT/NUMBER This is a vast subject. I will try to limit the This is a vast subject. I will try to limit the

numbernumber of words I expend on it so as not to of words I expend on it so as not to use up too great an use up too great an amountamount of space. The of space. The confusion between the two categories of confusion between the two categories of words relating to amount and number is so words relating to amount and number is so pervasive that those of us who still pervasive that those of us who still distinguish between them constitute an distinguish between them constitute an endangered species; but if you want to endangered species; but if you want to avoid a mistake, learn the difference. avoid a mistake, learn the difference. AmountAmount words relate to quantities of things words relate to quantities of things that are measured in bulk; that are measured in bulk; numbernumber to to things that can be counted. things that can be counted.

38. LOSE/LOOSE38. LOSE/LOOSE

This confusion can easily be avoided This confusion can easily be avoided if you pronounce the word intended if you pronounce the word intended aloud. If it has a voiced aloud. If it has a voiced ZZ sound, sound, then it’s “lose.” If it has a hissy then it’s “lose.” If it has a hissy SS sound, then it’s “loose.” Here are sound, then it’s “loose.” Here are examples of correct usage: “He tends examples of correct usage: “He tends to lose his keys.” “She lets her dog to lose his keys.” “She lets her dog run loose.” Note that when “lose” run loose.” Note that when “lose” turns into “losing” it loses its “E.” turns into “losing” it loses its “E.”

39. LEGEND/MYTH39. LEGEND/MYTH

Myths are generally considered to Myths are generally considered to be traditional stories whose be traditional stories whose importance lies in their significance, importance lies in their significance, like the myth of the Fall in Eden; like the myth of the Fall in Eden; whereas legends can be merely whereas legends can be merely famous deeds, like the legend of famous deeds, like the legend of Davy Crockett. Davy Crockett.

40. MAYBE/MAY BE40. MAYBE/MAY BE ““Maybe” is an adverb meaning “perhaps,” Maybe” is an adverb meaning “perhaps,”

so if you are uncertain whether to use this so if you are uncertain whether to use this word or the phrase “may be,” try word or the phrase “may be,” try substituting “perhaps”: “Maybe she forgot substituting “perhaps”: “Maybe she forgot I said I’d meet her at six o’clock” becomes I said I’d meet her at six o’clock” becomes “Perhaps she forgot. . . .” When the “Perhaps she forgot. . . .” When the substitution makes sense, go with one substitution makes sense, go with one word: “maybe.” When you are wondering word: “maybe.” When you are wondering whether you may be waiting in the wrong whether you may be waiting in the wrong cafe, you’re dealing with a verb and its cafe, you’re dealing with a verb and its auxiliary: “may be.” Two words. auxiliary: “may be.” Two words.