It's that time of year again! The time of year when I dredge my memory and cull information from the internet to demonstrate the continuing abuse of the English language. So, for this week's Thursday Thirteen, permit me to share
13 (More) Frequently Misused/Confused Words
1) "Then" and "Than" - I covered this before, didn't I? No? Okay. "Then" denotes the placement of events in time (First this happened, then that did).
"Than" denotes preference of one thing over another (I'd rather drink a strawberry milkshake than a banana one).
Why is this important? See illustration below:
"Than" denotes preference of one thing over another (I'd rather drink a strawberry milkshake than a banana one).
Why is this important? See illustration below:
Not exactly ye olde "laff riot", eh?
2) Humorous and humerus - "Humorous" (or "Humourous") means something is funny. "Humerus" is the upper bone in your arm.
(Yes, I've seen this mistake a few times. Disturbing, isn't it?)
(Yes, I've seen this mistake a few times. Disturbing, isn't it?)
3) "A lot" and "Alot" - "A lot" means frequently or often.
"This has been happening a lot, lately, hasn't it?"
"Alot" does not exist.
(Although Hyperbole and a Half had a fantastic post on the subject.)
"This has been happening a lot, lately, hasn't it?"
"Alot" does not exist.
(Although Hyperbole and a Half had a fantastic post on the subject.)
4) "Should have" and "Should of" - This is actually pretty simple to remember:
It's never "of".
You should have, would have, could have, and so on. Some folks think this confusion came from the sound of the spoken contraction: People saying "Should've", "Could've" and "Would've" sound like they are saying "of", but they're not. I beg you - stop doing this!
It's never "of".
You should have, would have, could have, and so on. Some folks think this confusion came from the sound of the spoken contraction: People saying "Should've", "Could've" and "Would've" sound like they are saying "of", but they're not. I beg you - stop doing this!
5) "Where" and "were" -
"Where" is a direction.
"Were" is the past-tense of "to be".
"Where" is a direction.
"Were" is the past-tense of "to be".
Shut the shutters, Ma! Storm's a comin'!
6) "Shutter" and "Shudder" -
A "shutter" is what you put over a window to protect it or to close it.
A "shudder" is like a shiver, an involuntary shaking of the body, usually happening when one is exposed to something unpleasant.
A "shutter" is what you put over a window to protect it or to close it.
A "shudder" is like a shiver, an involuntary shaking of the body, usually happening when one is exposed to something unpleasant.
7) "Lose" and "Loose" -
If you "lose" something, you can't find it (so it's lost).
If it's "loose" you need to tighten it - or you will lose it.
If you "lose" something, you can't find it (so it's lost).
If it's "loose" you need to tighten it - or you will lose it.
8) "Pray" and "Prey" - To "pray" is to converse with your religious higher power, whatever it might be. Also, in older English, to "pray" is to ask something of someone else, often someone in a position of power, ex: "Pray, tell me what you know of my father's fate."
"Prey", however, is something which is being hunted, or the act of being hunted. "The mouse was the cat's prey."
"Prey", however, is something which is being hunted, or the act of being hunted. "The mouse was the cat's prey."
9) "Advise" and "Advice" - As it happens, there's a reason those people who advise you on what courses to take are called 'Advisors' and not 'Advicers'.
"Advice" is what you give someone when you "Advise" them in regards to something.
"Advice" is what you give someone when you "Advise" them in regards to something.
10) "Stationary" and "Stationery" - "Stationary" is related to movement.
"He remained stationary while everything else bobbed and weaved chaotically around him."
"Stationery" relates to writing materials - paper, pens, envelopes and so on.
"He remained stationary while everything else bobbed and weaved chaotically around him."
"Stationery" relates to writing materials - paper, pens, envelopes and so on.
11) "Compliment" and "Complement" -
If someone says something nice to you, they've given you a "Compliment".
If something completes something else or enhances it to some degree, it is a "complement" to it.
If someone says something nice to you, they've given you a "Compliment".
If something completes something else or enhances it to some degree, it is a "complement" to it.
12) "Affect" and "Effect" - To "Affect" refers to making a change in or influencing something else "I didn't want to affect the outcome of the competition, so I withdrew my entry from the judging".
An "Effect" is the resulting change in something which has been altered or acted upon. "The scent of ginger has an invigorating effect on many people."
An "Effect" is the resulting change in something which has been altered or acted upon. "The scent of ginger has an invigorating effect on many people."
A pallet.
13) "Palate", "palette" and "pallet" - The "palate" is the "roof" of your mouth, and is also a term related to flavors and how they are perceived.
The "palette" refers to either the board an artist mixes colors on or to a range of colors.
A "pallet" is a low bed or the wooden platforms items are transported on (also called "skids").
The "palette" refers to either the board an artist mixes colors on or to a range of colors.
A "pallet" is a low bed or the wooden platforms items are transported on (also called "skids").
Okay, then. I sincerely hope this helps some of you today.
And no, I'm not saying I'm perfect. I make mistakes too.
I'm just doing my part to make the world a little more grammatically correct.
Now I'm going to kick back and do some editing, some writing, and then I'm going to relax.
In fact...
And no, I'm not saying I'm perfect. I make mistakes too.
I'm just doing my part to make the world a little more grammatically correct.
Now I'm going to kick back and do some editing, some writing, and then I'm going to relax.
In fact...
I just might see what's in the fridge.
Ciao for now!
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