Results: Most Common Words Many Of Us Use Incorrectly

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 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.

I never mix up these words

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). If you drive up to the mountains to ski, and there was more snow back at your house, that's ironic. 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.

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.

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.

I never misuse any of these

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."

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.

Bemused vs amused -- Bemused means "bewildered." It does not mean "amused." It is correct to say "The unnecessarily complex plot left me bemused." and "The silly comedy amused me."

Allusion vs illusion -- Allusion is a noun that means an indirect reference: "The speech made allusions to the final report." Illusion is a noun that means a misconception: "The policy is designed to give an illusion of reform."

I never misuse any of these

Figuratively vs literally -- Figuratively is an adverb that means metaphorically or symbolically: "Happening upon the shadowy figure, they figuratively jumped out of their shoes." Literally is an adverb that means actually: "I'm not exaggerating when I say I literally fell off my chair." It also means according to the exact meaning of the words: "I translated the Latin passage literally."

Hanged vs hung -- Hanged is the past tense and past participle of hang when the meaning is to execute by suspending by the neck: "They hanged the prisoner for treason." "The convicted killer was hanged at dawn." Hung is the past tense and participle of hang when the meaning is to suspend from above with no support from below: "I hung the painting on the wall." "The painting was hung at a crooked angle."

Principal vs principle -- Principal is a noun that means a person who holds a high position or plays an important role: "The school principal has 20 years of teaching experience." I remember learning this in school to remember the right word -- "The principal of my school is my PAL". Principal is also an adjective that means chief or leading: "The necessity of moving to another city was the principal reason I turned down the job offer." Principle is a noun that means a rule or standard: "They refused to compromise their principles."

Stationary vs stationery -- Stationary is an adjective that means fixed or unmoving: "They maneuvered around the stationary barrier in the road." Stationery is a noun that means writing materials: "We printed the letters on company stationery."

I never misuse any of these

Your vs you're -- Your is the possessive form of you; you're is the contraction of "you are". "If you're planning on swimming, then be sure to bring your life vest and flippers."

Who's vs whose -- Who's is the contraction of who is. Whose is the possessive form of who. "Who's going to figure out whose job it is to clean the stables?"

There vs their vs they're -- Their is the possessive form of they; there refers to place; and they're is the contraction of they are. "They're going there because their mother insisted they become proficient in Serbo-Croatian."

They all do

None of them do