It’s very common to find ourselves in a situation where we have used the wrong word, whether by accident or because we genuinely weren’t aware of the appropriate term. This happens to everyone on occasion, however, what is it that you’re supposed to call the use of the wrong word?
What Is It Called When You Use The Wrong Word?
There is a particular variety of terms and phrases that can describe the moment or incident when we use the wrong word. For the purposes of this article, we will be taking an in-depth look at the following ten terms in particular:
- Malapropism
- Catachresis
- Miswording
- Typo
- Eggcorn
- Solecism
- Misuse
- Infelicity
- Slip Of The Tongue
- Error
The preferred version that we are going to highlight is “malapropism”. This is because the term “malapropism” is the best and most accurate way of describing the incident when we use the wrong word – whether in speech or written context.
Malapropism
“Malapropism” is both a formal and professional term that we can utilize. Cambridge Dictionary defines “malapropism” as the wrong use of one word instead of another word because they sound similar to each other, with results that are unintentionally funny.
Therefore, a “malapropism” may be an instance of incorrect use of a word, but it’s done so in an innocently amusing way.
Here are a few examples that showcase the use of this term in a sentence:
- I had the funniest malapropism occur today when I was speaking to my dance instructor. I said I wanted to dance the flamingo, as opposed to the flamenco.
- An excellent example of malapropism is; Jesus cured the leopards, instead of saying, Jesus cured the lepers.
- It’s okay if you slip up and have a malapropism moment – you just need to learn from the situation for future use.
Catachresis
Another phenomenally formal and professional alternate term that we can choose to use is “catachresis”. The term “catachresis” is defined as the use of a word in a way that is not at all correct or proper. This makes it an incredibly applicable synonym for “using the wrong word”.
An example of “catachresis” would be to use the word mitigate in place of mediate or meditate.
For additional information on the use of this word, we can go over the following examples:
- The earliest uses of catachresis can be dated back to the mid 16th century, proving that it is a common error.
- Catachresis can be the complete misuse or the strained use of unsuitable words.
- Catachresis is actually classified as being a rhetorical term for the inappropriate use of any word.
Miswording
We can choose to use the term “miswording” as another alternative or synonym. The term “miswording” is defined as being the incorrect use of a word or to word or phrase something incorrectly, in a way that comes off as a lack of understanding or utterly nonsensical.
We can also consider “miswording” as the incorrect expression or pronunciation of the correct word. Despite attempting to use the correct word, this is still considered wrong, as it could confuse or mislead someone.
We will now go over these various examples that include this particular term:
- Her miswording throughout the essay made it so I could barely comprehend what she was meaning to say.
- Miswording to this extent is not an acceptable error in university – I suggest you consider a tutor.
- My boyfriend was miswording and rambling all at the same time, which caused me to believe that he was delirious.
Typo
While using the wrong word often occurs through speech, it can also occur in text as well. Cambridge Dictionary defines a “typo” as a small mistake in a text made when it was typed or printed. Therefore, when a “typo” occurs, it’s often a misspelled or misused word.
A “typo” is a typographical error and because of this, it will generally be autocorrected by a phone or computer, however, this is not always the case. Occasionally, the mistake is left behind or autocorrect to the wrong term, which can cause greater confusion.
The following examples highlight the use of this particular term:
- I had the most embarrassing typo in a text conversation with my father today – I was mortified.
- I hate when autocorrect believes my favourite swear word is a typo and corrects it to “duck”.
- My sister had the funniest typo in our group conversation with our parents – we all had such a laugh over it.
Eggcorn
A very uncommon, but an applicable term that we can use as an alternative is “eggcorn”. Cambridge Dictionary defines the term “eggcorn” is a word or phrase that a person wrongly thinks is another word or phrase that sounds similar. An example of this is using acorn in place of “eggcorn”.
Often, an “eggcorn” occurs because we have misheard or misinterpreted a term previously, which was never corrected. This can occur in both speech and text.
Here are some examples that we can go over for this term:
- An example of an eggcorn is writing tow the line, instead of toe the line.
- My teacher called me out in front of the rest of the class because she said I consistently use eggcorns, but what do nuts have to do with this?
- I didn’t know what an eggcorn was until my professor explained it to me.
Solecism
We can choose to use the term “solecism” very similarly to our other alternate terms that we have gone over. Cambridge Dictionary defines a “solecism” as a grammatical mistake, as well as behaviour that is a social mistake or is not polite.
A “solecism” can occur in person, speech or in writing.
For additional clarity on the use of this term, we can go over these examples:
- I made far too many grammatical solecisms throughout my essay, so my teacher returned my paper to me to redo it.
- Burping in public without immediately saying excuse me is an example of social solecism.
- It’s important to have a vast understanding of a language, as well as a good comprehension of spelling, in order to cut down on the number of solecisms you make.
Misuse
Although the term “misuse” can apply to many situations, it’s certainly applicable for the use of the wrong word or phrase. Cambridge Dictionary defines the term “misuse” as to use something in an unsuitable way or in a way that was not intended.
Because of this, we can consider speaking, writing or typing the incorrect word to be “misuse”.
We can now take a closer look at some examples that use this particular term:
- My teacher is unimpressed with my consistent misuse of the term potency, as opposed to the proper term, which is apparently potential.
- She has a blatant misuse of swear words, in place of the adequate or correct term.
- If you misuse the incorrect term more than five times on our online test, you are automatically given a failing grade.
Infelicity
We can consider “infelicity” to be the inappropriate use of a work, remark or suggestion. This is because Cambridge Dictionary defines “infelicity” as the fact that something is not suitable or correct in a situation. Because of this “infelicities” can often come across as entirely rude or unpleasant.
It’s important to note that an “infelicity” can happen during a conversation either in person, over the phone, through text or even email.
Some examples that we can take a look at, that include this term are:
- There is both an abundance of infelicities and inconsistencies in this book, which leads me to believe that it was plagiarized.
- Rewatching herself on video, she winced as she heard her repeated infelicity and the way she had botched the script.
- A had an infelicity during my presentation in front of my class, which was incredibly embarrassing.
Slip Of The Tongue
Another great alternative that we can use, as well as our only phrase synonym, is a “slip of the tongue”. Cambridge Dictionary defines a “slip of the tongue” as something that you say by accident when you intended to say something else.
Because of this, we can consider a “slip of the tongue” the blurting out of a private secret, this misuse of a phrase and the use of the incorrect word.
Here are various examples that include the use of this specific phrase:
- I had a slip of the tongue in front of my best friend’s parents and accidentally told them that she tried marijuana at a party.
- I called my mother’s new boyfriend by her previous boyfriend’s name and neither was impressed with that slip of the tongue.
- I apologize wholeheartedly for that honest slip of the tongue moment.
Error
The last alternative that we will be going over is “error”. Although the term “error” is another generic term, it is applicable to a situation where we say the wrong word. Often, we consider this to be an “error” in speech, but it can be applied for writing or text as well.
Cambridge Dictionary defines the term “error” as something done or written by accident that is not correct, not accurate, or does not give the right result. We can also consider an “error” to be a generalized mistake.
We will now look over our last few examples for this article, all of which include this term:
- He made an error in his speech but immediately corrected himself in a way that the audience appreciated.
- I’ve made a very crucial error in communication and sent the delivery driver to my old address – I am so sorry!
- She made an error in judgement and assumably called me by my younger sister’s name.
You may also like: 16 Best Replies When Someone Corrects Your Grammar
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
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January 28, 2022
Are You Saying These 12 Words Wrong, Like Most People?
“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
—Inigo Montoya, “The Princess Bride”
Many words have clear meanings which are difficult to confuse.
You’ll never use the word “cat” to refer to a “dog,” for example.
But there are other words which are not as simple to use.
As an English learner, you’ve probably come across a few words that you mix up again and again.
Well, we have a secret for you: Even native speakers confuse words!
Just as there are common phrases which people say wrong, there are also some English words which people use incorrectly. We’re going to take a close look at 12 of those words today.
You might be wondering how it’s even possible that native speakers would say these words wrong. So let’s begin by looking at why this is.
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English Words Are Constantly Changing
The way we pronounce, spell and use words is constantly changing.
Take the word “awful,” for example. “Awful” is the combination of the words “awe” (a feeling of inspiration or wonder) and the word “full” (as in, the opposite of “empty”). Something awful used to be something that fills you with awe or wonder. It could also mean something that fills you with fear. Over the years, though, that second definition became the one that stuck. So now the dictionary definition is “very bad or unpleasant.”
Thanks to the internet, the English language is changing even faster than ever. People use words incorrectly all the time, but now they often see others online using the same word in the same (incorrect) way.
Because of that, some of these words will either be used correctly over time, or their misuse will turn into the new definition. It’s already happening to some words on our list, like the word “literally.” Some dictionaries are starting to include the “wrong” usage of the word as one possible correct way to use it!
Until all these words change meaning, though, it’s important to understand their current correct meanings.
1. Literally
Wrong meaning: Figuratively, very. The word is often used for emphasis and as an exaggeration, as in “I’m literally dying of laughter.”
Right meaning: Actually, exactly, without exaggeration.
“Literally” is a weird word because somehow, in recent years, it has been used for literally the opposite of its definition. The word actually means something exact or precise. For example:
There are literally millions of stars in the sky.
( = There are millions of stars in the sky.)
There is literally a snake in my bathroom. Please help!
( = There is a real snake in the bathroom.)
You are not “literally dying of laughter” unless you are actually dying. In extreme situations, you might be so hungry you could literally eat a horse. (But for the sake of any horses around you, we hope not!)
2. Factoid
Wrong meaning: A small fact.
Right meaning: A false fact.
The word “factoid” was first used by journalist, author and activist Norman Mailer in 1973 to talk about a fact that is not true. He wrote that factoids were “facts which have no existence before appearing in a magazine or newspaper”—that is, stuff that the media just makes up.
Today the word is used to refer to a “bite-sized” fact, a small quick fact or something that is repeated by so many people that it’s eventually assumed to be true. The -oid in factoid is a suffix (word ending) that means “resembling” or “like,” so factoid really means “fact-like.”
3. Irregardless
Wrong meaning: Regardless, without consideration of (or despite) the circumstances.
Right meaning: Even though this word is included in some dictionaries, it’s very nonstandard and we really recommend you don’t use it.
The phrase “regardless of” is used the same way as you would say “even though” or “in spite of.” For example:
Regardless of the definition being very clear, he still didn’t understand the word.
“Irregardless” is normally used to mean the same.
It was first used way back in the 1700s, possibly instead of the word “irrespective” (which does mean the same as “regardless,” but people rarely use it), or as a fusion of the words “irrespective” + “regardless.”
The “word” is used in speech to this day, even though it should mean the opposite (since the prefix ir- and the suffix -less are both negative). That makes it a double negative, just like “I won’t not eat the last cupcake” means you totally will.
We think it’s confusing too, and that’s why it’s best to avoid this “word”!
4. Entitled
Wrong meaning: The title of a book, TV show, etc.
Right meaning: Having, or believing that you have, the right to something.
When you buy a house, you’re entitled to it—you legally have the right to own the house. You can also be entitled to your opinion, since you have the right to speak your mind. Sometimes people can act entitled, if they act like they deserve special treatment.
A book, on the other hand, is never entitled, it’s just titled! People often misuse this word by saying, “The best movie in the world is entitled ‘Troll 2.’” This is not only untrue, it’s the incorrect usage of the word. Books, movies, TV shows and anything else that has a title are “titled.”
5. Poisonous
Wrong meaning: Something that will make you poisoned if you eat it, or if it bites you.
Right meaning: Something that will poison you, but only if you eat it.
People often think the words “poisonous” and “venomous” mean the same thing. And they do both deal with poison, a substance that will make you sick or even kill you. The difference is in the way the poison is administered (given):
- Poisonous is used for anything that will poison you when you ingest (eat) it
- Venomous is used for anything that will poison you if it bites you.
This is why murderers on TV shows use poison to kill their victims, they don’t use venom. Another example is the pufferfish, the Japanese delicacy, which is a poisonous fish—it can kill you if you eat it (and yet many people do still eat it!). A snake that can poison you, on the other hand, is venomous. Unless you bite it first, we guess.
6. Runners-up, Passers-by
Wrong meaning: The meaning is usually correct here, it’s the word itself that’s wrong—people often incorrectly say “runner-ups” and passer-bys.”
Right meaning: The correct plural form of the words “runner-up” and “passer-by” are “runners-up” and “passers-by.” (Note: “passerby” and “passersby,” without the hyphen, are also correct spellings.)
Runners-up are people who did not win in a contest, but did well enough to deserve a mention. Passersby (or passers-by) are people who happened to be walking by some place.
Often, the words are misspelled by people writing “passer-bys” and “runner-ups.” The hyphen ( – ) is actually not necessary, which looks even weirder: “passersby” is the plural of “passerby.” This is because the people are plural, not the second word (which just helps describe the people).
7. Ironic
Wrong meaning: Something unfortunate.
Right meaning: Something that’s funny, interesting or strange because it happens in a way that is opposite to what you’d expect.
“Ironic” is one word that no one seems to get right, even native speakers!
There are a few different kinds of irony, but the kind people usually mean when they use the word ironic is “situational irony.”
This is when something happens which is the opposite of what you’d expect, making the whole situation look comical or unusual. For example, you go on a diet and gain 20 pounds, or the fire station burns down. Irony can be funny, in a sad kind of way.
The infamous song “Isn’t It Ironic” by Alanis Morissette has some great examples of things that are unfortunate, but not actually ironic. For instance, rain on your wedding day is only ironic if you specifically chose that day because the forecast said it would be sunny.
Then again, maybe the joke is on us… it’s pretty ironic that a song about irony doesn’t actually have any.
8. Infamous
Wrong meaning: Very famous.
Right meaning: Famous for a negative reason.
Speaking of infamous people and things, this word does not mean “very famous.” It actually refers to something or someone who is famous for all the wrong reasons.
Heroes are famous for their great deeds. Bank robbers, on the other hand, are infamous for their criminal deeds. Celebrities can be either, depending on how well they behave themselves (or don’t).
9. Inflammable
Wrong meaning: Not flammable.
Right meaning: Flammable.
This mistake is very common for a very good reason: It just makes sense! As we mentioned before, the prefix in- means “not,” so it would make sense for the word “inflammable” to mean “not flammable.” The problem, though, is that “inflammable” actually comes from the word “enflame.”
So what’s the difference between “flammable” and “inflammable”? Absolutely nothing. You can use either word to mean the exact same thing. As if that weren’t enough, you can also use “non-flammable.” English can be weird sometimes! As comedian George Carlin put it, “Flammable… inflammable… non-inflammable. Why are there three of them? Either it flams or it doesn’t!”
10. Bemused
Wrong meaning: Amused, in a detached kind of way.
Right meaning: Confused or bewildered.
“Amused” and “bemused” look very similar, so it makes sense that people have started using the word “bemused” to mean amused in a calm way. What the word really means, though, is confused, puzzled or bewildered. It can sometimes also mean to be lost in thought.
So if you enjoy the silliness of the clown at your party, you are amused by him. If you didn’t invite any clowns to your party, you are more likely bemused.
11. Infer, Imply
Wrong meaning: People sometimes think both words mean the same thing, to suggest something.
Right meaning: “Imply” does mean to suggest something, but “infer” means to figure something out that isn’t stated outright.
“Infer” and “imply” are connected in meaning, but they are not the same thing. If you tell someone, “Wow this bag is really heavy for me to carry all alone,” you are implying that you want help. You’re not directly asking for help, but you’re hinting at it.
Whoever you’re talking to can infer from your statement that you want help carrying that heavy bag. Or they can respond that it doesn’t look that heavy, implying that you’re stuck carrying that bag by yourself.
12. Good, Well
Wrong meaning: “Well” and “good” mean the same thing, something that is positive.
Right meaning: The two words do have similar meanings, but “well” can be an adverb, an adjective, a verb, a noun or an interjection (Oh, well!), while “good” is just an adjective.
Many times, the words “well” and “good” are mixed up.
They can indeed have the same meaning sometimes: Something that is right or satisfactory, but they are used in different ways:
- When the word “well” is an adverb, it describes how you do something.
For example, “I play basketball well” or “Taylor Swift sings really well.” It describes how I play or how Taylor sings, and “play” and “sing” are both verbs.
- When the word “well” is an adjective, it simply describes a noun.
For example, in the sentence “Mary feels well,” our word refers back to Mary. Mary is described as feeling healthy, so well is an adjective.
- The word “good” can only be an adjective, which means its function is to describe a person, place or thing.
For example, “This is a good TV show,” “London is a good city,” or “He’s a good boy.” Saying “I feel good” would mean that you are feeling like a good person, which is possible, but probably not what you’re trying to say.
Learn the correct usage of all these English words, and you will feel more confident in your English skills. And remember that even native speakers get many of these words wrong!
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Used for saying that something seems correct or sensible but is probably wrong. Not everyday but once every 2-3 days.
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Worried about stroke as I already had a.
. Here the words bitter sad are negative words that describe ones feelings. Wrong words come out when speaking. But that doesnt mean we cant find humor in other peep holes mistakes.
Informal used when you realize that you have been silly or have made a stupid mistake. Firstly tribe is a racially sensitive word. In the study of psychological.
I decided it was a part of the condition because it started not long after all of the joint problems and fatigue. You could also just say poorly written or badly written if you want to make it absolutely clear you are referring to the writing quality rather than the story content. I was given a non-Alzheimers diagnosis and over a decade later its clear that my doctors were correct and it is not Alzheimers.
I have been choosing wrong words since I was 35. It is tempting to do something. You can use the word wrong to describe something that deviates from your moral principles.
Meet the Entrepreneur Who Left Silicon Valley to Create a Makeshift Supply Chain in Ukraine. Past tense for to fail or not succeed. People often confuse these termsor at least use them interchangeablythanks to the designation obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD.
These type of adjectives are used to describe peoples emotions and feelings. I mean the knife. The two Bludgers are round jet black balls made of iron Harry Potter JK.
Bad thing to do. Too often for my likings. I got to go into the bathroom and turn on the lamp instead of the fan.
Past tense for to make a mistake. Im hoping it will improve as my treatment. The adjective wrong can also describe something that is inappropriate for a certain purpose.
Synonyms for something wrong. Said the dryer leaked water instead of the washer. Adjectives Describing Shape Example.
I tail off sentences with I dont know where Im going with this or Ive forgotten what I was saying and I put the wrong words in what Im trying to say more often than I can count. Rough would be a better word in this context or perhaps shoddy or inferior. Need synonyms for went wrong.
Afterall no ones prefect. To not be dealt with correctly because so many other things are being done at the same time. I know what I want to say I know I want a knife but theres something happening that I use the wrong word anyway.
Language can be confusing and were all guilty of occasionally misusing a word or phrase or using the wrong words to describe something. The word tribe has been a popular choice amongst online marketers to describe their business communities and audiences for ages but especially since marketing guru Seth Godins book Tribes came out in 2014. Past tense for to.
For the last 6 weeks the wrong words have been coming out of my mouth about 5 or 6 times a day. Of a device Past tense for to malfunction or stop working effectively. Heres a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead.
Its frustrating to get all the way home from the store before you realize you grabbed the wrong kind of milk. I think the red flag here is that you need to see your doctor and get evaluated. You might believe that the death penalty is just wrong but not everyone agrees with you.
For all intensive purposes were just doing our best. This is the only way to find out what is causing your symptoms. Past tense for to worsen or degenerate in condition or quality.
Andrey Liscovich knew he had to return to his native Ukraine to. Called the plotter at work a scanner. Also as your sentence begins The first chapter is great.
Enough for me to wonder if Im not losing my marbles. On the other hand hopeful is a feeling that describes optimism. Now I have a bit of a problem with this for two reasons.
Office Skills Words To Describe People Words To Describe Someone Writing Words
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Are you using some common words wrongly? All sorts of weird uses are making their appearance on the language stage. Here are twenty of the most common ones but maybe soon, they will no longer be a problem, as language evolves. Ask me again, ten years from now.
1. Acute vs. Chronic
These words are normally used to describe pain. An acute pain means one that is sharp and sudden while a chronic one has been affecting you for a very long time. ‘Acute’ has other meanings which usually refer to a penetrating insight or a crucial situation.
Correct: ‘ I felt an acute pain in my shoulder which did not last long, fortunately.’
Incorrect: ‘He has suffered from acute pain in the hip for almost ten years’. ‘Chronic’ should be used here.
2. Affect vs. Effect
We talk about side effects when referring to illness or medication. ‘Effect’ is used as a noun which simply means ‘the result of’. The problem arises when people confuse this with the verb ‘affect’ which means to influence in a negative way.
Correct : ‘One of the effects of the recession was an increase in unemployment.’
Incorrect:- ‘Her serious illness effected him greatly.’ ‘Affected’ should be used here
3. Because vs. Since
Look at this sentence: ‘Since you know Jack, there was no need to introduce you’. ‘Since’ is used when the reason is actually known by everybody. We use ‘because’ when the reason is not clear or obvious. ‘I was late because of the awful traffic’ is fine here. Imagine if we used ‘since’ in this sentence. It would sound very strange!
4. Bring vs. Take
If you are coming to my house for dinner, I can ask you to bring a bottle of wine. When leaving, I can remind you, ‘Don’t forget to take your smartphone’. It all depends on the direction. Usually, ‘bring’ denotes that someone is coming towards you. If you are headed in another direction, ‘take’ is the right one to use.
5. Cache vs. Cachet
You often come across the word ‘cache’ when you are told that there is a problem with your browser and that the cache should be emptied. It just means a memory storage unit for URLs has become rather crowded. ‘Cache’ can also be used for storing weapons and treasure.
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‘Cachet’ can mean a mark of excellence or prestige, as in ‘The name Churchill has a certain cachet’. It can also mean an official seal on a document or letter.
6. Deserts vs Deserts vs Desserts
Brown Betty, Funnel cake and Red velvet cake are all American desserts. That is easy (and delicious). Note the double ’s’ in the spelling. But how do you pronounce it? Click here to hear it.
Now, what about the other two? The first one is desert (stress on first syllable) which is the word we use when talking about the Sahara and sandy places. It can be singular or plural.
The other ‘deserts’ (more often plural than not; second syllable is stressed) can mean deserving punishment or the reward for something nasty. It comes from the old French word ‘deservir’ which means ‘deserve’. So, when you are satisfied that someone has been fairly punished for some nasty crime, then you can safely use it. It usually goes well with the word ‘just’ to emphasis that justice has been done.
Correct: ‘Finally the murderous Archdeacon gets his just deserts and is killed by Quasimodo’
Here is one ridiculous example I have invented which illustrates the use of all three in one sentence: – ‘As I sat in my desert tent, enjoying my pecan pie dessert, I could not help feeling delighted that Bernie Madoff had got his just deserts for stealing money from his investors.’
7. Discreet vs Discrete
How discreet are you? If you are an expert in avoiding asking people embarrassing questions or you are careful to keep confidential information to yourself, then you are discreet. Congrats!
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‘Discrete’ means something entirely different. It means separate or distinct parts or units. We can correctly write:
‘We examined discrete market segments before deciding on pricing’
8. Elicit vs. Illicit
The word ‘elicit’ comes from the Latin ‘elicere’ or ‘licere’ which means to entice or coax, especially in the context of getting the truth or getting a response. A correct use would be: ‘Our survey did not elicit many responses’ It is typically used in situations where you are seeking a comment, a testimony or information of some kind.
The word ‘illicit’ describes something illegal or which does not conform to common standards.
Incorrect: ‘He carried on an elicit affair with John’s wife.’ The correct word should be ‘illicit’
9. Emigrate vs. Immigrate
Think of ‘emigrate’ as a means of exit. Both words begin with ‘e’ and means that emigrants get out when they want to leave their country of origin. We usually talk about our family in this way. ‘My great grandfather emigrated from Ireland when famine stalked the land’ is correct.
‘Immigrate’ describes the process of entering the country. We talk about ‘immigration policies’ and ‘illegal immigration’.
10. Expresso vs. Espresso
I cannot understand why people incorrectly label espresso coffee as ‘expresso’. Does it mean that it has an extra shot of caffeine or am I missing something? It is a complete mystery to me. I have heard a rumour that some baristas at Starbucks are incorrectly using the term ’expresso’.
11. I could care less vs. I couldn’t care less
Another mystery! People are actually saying ‘I could care less’ which means that they basically care but they want to do it less. What they really mean is that they do not give a damn. The correct way of saying that is ‘I couldn’t care less’.
12. I.e. vs. E.g.
If you want to give an example of something and do not want to give the whole list, just use ‘e.g.’ The original Latin meaning is ‘for example’. A correct sentence would be ‘Some staff (e.g. Mary and Lou) are on a training course.’
If you want to explain something, use ‘ i.e.’ from the Latin id est which basically means you need to give an explanation, reiterate or simply say it in other words. Spot the incorrect sentence here:
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1. It happened in July, i.e. three months ago.
2. It happened in July, e.g. three months ago.
Number 2 is incorrect because it is not an example, it is a specific event.
13. Incredible vs. Incredulous
‘Unbelievable’ is the idea you want to get across when you use ‘incredible’. It has a very positive meaning in that it is unbelievably good.
‘Incredulous’ has the meaning of a person being slightly sceptical or unwilling to believe, so it does have a negative connotation.
‘She looked at them with an incredulous stare’ is correct.
14. Ironic
This word is often misused. It simply means there is some incongruity in a situation or comment. When I told my sister that a cardiologist friend of mine had died of a heart attack, she remarked that it was rather ironic. This was a correct usage of the word. You could be ironic if you say you feel great when you are clearly suffering from a terrible cough. But annoying events such as bad weather on your holiday are not ‘ironic’. They are just an unhappy coincidence or bad luck.
15. It’s vs. its
Look, it is just an apostrophe (‘), so what on earth is all the fuss? Well, the problem is that people are using ‘it’s, (the contraction of ‘it is’ or ‘it has’) instead of ‘its’ (the possessive pronoun). Spot the incorrect sentence here:
1. It’s been a long time
2. Australia has a booming economy; it’s mining industry has helped enormously
3. The fox did not venture far from its den
Number 2 is incorrect as the possessive pronoun (its) is needed. If you are ever in doubt, just try substituting the ‘it’s’ with ‘it is’, the full form, and you quickly see the problem. If we do that with sentence number 2, we get
‘Australia has a booming economy – it is mining industry has helped enormously’. It does not make sense.
16. For all intents and purposes vs. For all intensive purposes
People have started misusing ‘for all intents and purposes’ which simple means ‘the most usual or practical situations or purposes’. If you use ‘for all intensive purposes’ in describing a job, the person may think that there are emergency or life saving scenarios involved.
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17. Lose vs. loose
If you are wearing a loose fitting dress, it just means the opposite of tight. It has nothing to do with ‘lose’ which is a verb for not winning a match, or missing an opportunity.
18. Me-me Vs. Meme
The word ’meme’ rhymes with ‘cream’ so dead easy to say. As we all know, it is just a viral image or piece of funny text which gets spread round the Internet. The only problem is that if you say this word incorrectly and use ‘me-me’, people may think you are being more than a little selfish!
19. Principle vs. Principal
“My guiding principles in life are to be honest, genuine, thoughtful and caring.”- Prince William Prince William is talking about his values, ethics and beliefs. But when we use the word ’principal’ it can have different meanings such as:
- The head of a school.
- The primary or main element.
- A sum of money lent.
- First in order of importance, e.g. ‘The country’s principal cities’.
- The leading performer in opera or concerts.
20. Than vs. Then
These get easily confused because they have almost the same pronunciation, as many of the examples above. When you make comparisons, you have to use ‘than’, e.g. ‘John is a better performer than Robin’
As for ‘then’, this is used to describe various time events. It can mean afterwards, a consequence or at a time in the past.
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Look at these examples using ‘then’ correctly:
- Turn right at the traffic lights, then continue along Highway 23
- If you had listened to her, then you would not be in trouble now.
- I was much slimmer back then.
This list is by no means exhaustive and I have only covered the principal meanings and usage. Let us know in the comments which ones you have trouble in remembering and using.
Featured photo credit: Dictionary/Kenneth Movie via flickr.com
Vocabulary is often overlooked by those who don’t write. As well as improving your quality of written work, whether that is school and college essays or novels and poems, extending your vocabulary will also improve your confidence with spoken language and day-to-day conversations.
No matter your age or occupation, you should always seek ways to extend your back-catalogue of words.
What is a vocabulary?
Your vocabulary (or wordstock) is a set of words that you are familiar with. A vocabulary may also be specific to a particular field of knowledge. For example, a scientist will have a set of words they use every day that the general public won’t necessarily be familiar with; most adults have a vocabulary range of 20,000 to 35,000 words that they can actively use, read and understand[i].
Vocabulary can be split into three tiers[ii]:
Tier 1: Basic, everyday words most children will understand and use before reaching school age. These are words like ‘girl’, ‘swim’ and ‘cold’.
Tier 2: Words that aren’t used often and are usually only learned when there is a specific need to know them, e.g., if taking a science lesson, a child will learn the word ‘photosynthesis.’
Tier 3: Some words are used more often in written text than conversation but can be applied to many different settings. These are words like ‘auspicious,’ ‘articulate,’ and ‘summarise.’
Although the tiers are useful when it comes to understanding the development of one’s vocabulary and how advanced it is, educators tend to split the language into four groups:
- Listening vocabulary – words you know that help you understand what you hear
- Speaking vocabulary – words you’re able to say within the context of a sentence
- Reading vocabulary – terms you need to know to understand what you read; generally, you need to understand 95% of words in a text to read it effectively
- Writing vocabulary – this includes the words we use within our writing
Why your vocabulary is important
Throughout your life, your vocabulary is one of the essential tools in your communication toolbox. Without knowing it, you unconsciously use it for all aspects of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These are the core reasons for its importance[iii]:
- helps you to communicate your thoughts and ideas in a way that people understand.
- It improves your reading comprehension or your level of understanding of what you are reading.
- A broad vocabulary increases your chance of success within your working life.
- You can better express yourself through writing when you have a substantial vocabulary.
How does the vocabulary develop?
Vocabulary generally grows as you age. As a child, the extent of your vocabulary will depend on many factors such as how you are socialised, the people you grow up around, the level of education you receive, and what you read and watch on TV.
Children will begin to form proper words around 12 months into their lives, and from there, they will always be trying and learning new words. Depending on the circumstances in which they grow up, children can learn anything from 750 to a massive 3000 words per year[iv].
By the time a child is 6, they will be able to use 2,600 words in speech and understand 20,000 to 24,000 words. This can grow to about 50,000 words by the time they are 12[v].
How to tell if you have a weak vocabulary
A ‘weak’ vocabulary is where someone doesn’t understand or use as many words as most people within their age group. A delay in vocabulary growth can happen for many reasons, and it’s easier to spot in others than it would be to spot within yourself.
If someone has a weak vocabulary, they may experience the following.
- Feeling confused after reading a book or piece of text – they often do not understand what they’ve just read.
- Misinterpreting messages from friends or important letters.
- Misusing common words or using the wrong word to describe something.
- Frustration when having a conversation because the other person doesn’t quite get the point they’re trying to make.
- A lack of confidence with conversation, letter writing and public speaking.
- Feeling unable to get involved in politics or to express their opinion on a political matter openly. Although they know what they think or feel, they worry people could perceive their inability to get their point across effectively as ‘stupidity’.
Improving your vocabulary
Adults will learn one new word a day until they reach middle age, where natural vocabulary growth tends to stop [vi]. However, no matter what age you are, you can improve and grow your vocabulary if you take active steps. We’ve compiled a list of techniques that will help you to strengthen your vocabulary to improve your writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills across the board.
Play word games
This is an easy and fun way to absorb new words. You could play traditional word games like Scrabble, take time to complete the crossword in the daily newspaper, or download a few apps on your phone that you can play when you have a spare 5 minutes. This will get the cogs in your brain turning.
Learn a new word every day
Make it a challenge to learn a new word every day and try to use it at least five times within conversation. Repetition is one of the best ways to add a word to your vocabulary as it helps your brain recall it in the future. There are dozens of resources to help you pick a new word, but here are a couple of our favourites:
- Merriam-Webster – Word of the Day
- Oxford Dictionary – Word of the Day Email Service (This one you have to sign up to, but all links work)
- com – Word of the Day
Alternatively, pick up a dictionary or thesaurus, flip it to a random page and pick your word. The more difficult it is, the better!
Read more
This may seem simple enough, but reading daily can be difficult if you haven’t read regularly since your school days. Reading will help you to not only pick up new words but to understand how they’re used in context.
You don’t have to start off reading long, compilated novels. Take it step by step, start reading magazines, newspapers, and progress to books you think you’ll enjoy (this could be on a topic you like or even a celebrity’s autobiography).
Refer to the dictionary or thesaurus
If you find yourself struggling to understand words often, keep a dictionary on hand. Although it may be easier to Google it, leafing through the pages of a dictionary to find the meaning of a word will help you commit it to your memory.
Do the same if you’ve noticed you use a word or a set of words too often in emails or messages; could you use more exciting language instead?
Take an online course
School may seem like it was a lifetime ago, but if you re-visit English in a learning capacity, it will accelerate your vocabulary growth. There are hundreds of English courses online if you don’t want to go to a college or learning centre, from subject-specific lessons to English GCSE courses.
Use new words in writing
While completing the activities above, start a list of new words you have learned. At the end of the day or week, sit down and write something that includes all of these words. This is another excellent technique that will help your memory recall of the word, and who knows – it might spark a passion for writing.
It’s never too late to grow your vocabulary
Whichever way you decide to get started, make sure you take it a step at a time. In a few months, you’re sure to notice a difference in your confidence with conversation and the variety of words you use daily.
References
Beck, I. L., McKeown, M. G. & Kucan, L., n.d. BRINGING WORDS TO LIFE. [Online] Available at: https://bep.education/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Bringing-Words-to-Life-Booklet.pdf [Accessed February 2021].
Huld, L., n.d. How Many Words Does the Average Person Know?. [Online] Available at: https://wordcounter.io/blog/how-many-words-does-the-average-person-know/ [Accessed February 2021].
Loraine, S., 2008. Vocabulary Development. [Online] Available at: https://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/149_VocabularyDevelopment.pdf [Accessed 2021].
Merriam-Webster, n.d. vocabulary. [Online] Available at: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocabulary [Accessed February 2021].
R.L.G, 2013. Lexical facts. [Online] Available at: https://www.economist.com/johnson/2013/05/29/lexical-facts [Accessed February 2021].
Seifert, D., 2016. Top 5 Reasons Why Vocabulary Matters. [Online] Available at: https://infercabulary.com/top-5-reasons-why-vocabulary-matters/ [Accessed February 2021].
Sprenger, M., 2013. Teaching the Critical Vocabulary of the Common Core. [Online] Available at: http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/113040/chapters/What-Does-the-Research-Say-About-Vocabulary%C2%A2.aspx [Accessed February 2021].
Sources
[i] https://wordcounter.io/blog/how-many-words-does-the-average-person-know/
[ii] https://bep.education/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Bringing-Words-to-Life-Booklet.pdf
[iii] https://infercabulary.com/top-5-reasons-why-vocabulary-matters/
[iv] http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/113040/chapters/What-Does-the-Research-Say-About-Vocabulary%C2%A2.aspx
[v] https://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/149_VocabularyDevelopment.pdf
[vi] https://www.economist.com/johnson/2013/05/29/lexical-facts