DictionDiction

A guide to a few words that are commonly misused

A guide to a few words that are commonly misused

Accept ExceptAccept Except

“Accept” means to agree or to take something that is offered

I will accept his offer

“Except” means everything butEveryone was here except Fred

As a verb “except” means to leave out

All minors were excepted from jury duty

“Accept” means to agree or to take something that is offered

I will accept his offer

“Except” means everything butEveryone was here except Fred

As a verb “except” means to leave out

All minors were excepted from jury duty

Affect EffectAffect Effect

“Affect” is usually used as a verbHow will the rising dollar affect our business?

“Effect” is usually a nounHer lottery win had a huge effect on her credit rating

Note: “Effect” also has another, less common meaning. Effect can be used as a verb to mean “bring about”

We will effect numerous changes to the organization

“Affect” is usually used as a verbHow will the rising dollar affect our business?

“Effect” is usually a nounHer lottery win had a huge effect on her credit rating

Note: “Effect” also has another, less common meaning. Effect can be used as a verb to mean “bring about”

We will effect numerous changes to the organization

Aggravate Irritate Annoy Aggravate Irritate Annoy

“Aggravate” means to make worse. Do not use it in place of “irritate” or “annoy”

Falling down the stairs aggravated his knee injury

“Aggravate” means to make worse. Do not use it in place of “irritate” or “annoy”

Falling down the stairs aggravated his knee injury

All right AlrightAll right Alright

“Alright” is an informal spelling of “all right” Many guides consider it incorrect

“Alright” is an informal spelling of “all right” Many guides consider it incorrect

Among BetweenAmong Between

“Between” is used only for two itemsHomer and his wife kept the juicy gossip between them

“Among” is used for lists of three or more

Lenny shared the pictures among the entire staff

“Between” is used only for two itemsHomer and his wife kept the juicy gossip between them

“Among” is used for lists of three or more

Lenny shared the pictures among the entire staff

Amount Number Amount Number

“Number” is used for quantities that can be counted

A number of people are missing

“Amount” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc

He put a large amount of sugar in his coffee

“Number” is used for quantities that can be counted

A number of people are missing

“Amount” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc

He put a large amount of sugar in his coffee

Anxious EagerAnxious Eager

Use “anxious” to express nervousness or fear

I was anxious about my final grade after failing the mid-term exam

Use “eager” for a more positive toneShe was eager to begin her summer job

Use “anxious” to express nervousness or fear

I was anxious about my final grade after failing the mid-term exam

Use “eager” for a more positive toneShe was eager to begin her summer job

Can MayCan May

“Can” relates to the ability to do something

I can drive a car

“May” indicates permissionMay I borrow yours

“Can” relates to the ability to do something

I can drive a car

“May” indicates permissionMay I borrow yours

Complement ComplimentComplement Compliment

“Complement” means to complete something

That blue tie complements the grey shirt

“Compliment” means to say something nice

Mr. Burns complimented us on our efficient office

“Complimentary” means to do something nice

We received a complimentary appetizer with our meal

“Complement” means to complete something

That blue tie complements the grey shirt

“Compliment” means to say something nice

Mr. Burns complimented us on our efficient office

“Complimentary” means to do something nice

We received a complimentary appetizer with our meal

Could of Should of Would ofCould of Should of Would of

These are all variations of the same mistake

It comes from using pronunciation, rather than meaning, as a guideYou should use “could have” or “could’ve”

I could have been a contender

These are all variations of the same mistake

It comes from using pronunciation, rather than meaning, as a guideYou should use “could have” or “could’ve”

I could have been a contender

Council / Councillor Counsel / Counsellor Council / Councillor Counsel / Counsellor

A “council” is a group of bureaucrats. A “councillor” is a member of that group

All members of the city council agreed to listen to the councillor’s presentation

“Counsel” is advice or the act of giving advice. A “counsellor” is one who gives that advice

Bart’s counsellor suggested that his best strategy would be to obtain counsel from others like him

A “council” is a group of bureaucrats. A “councillor” is a member of that group

All members of the city council agreed to listen to the councillor’s presentation

“Counsel” is advice or the act of giving advice. A “counsellor” is one who gives that advice

Bart’s counsellor suggested that his best strategy would be to obtain counsel from others like him

Eligible IllegibleEligible Illegible

These words have completely different meanings“Eligible” means qualified to be chosen

To be an eligible to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen 18 years old or over

“Illegible” means unreadableAfter the ballots got wet they were illegible

These words have completely different meanings“Eligible” means qualified to be chosen

To be an eligible to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen 18 years old or over

“Illegible” means unreadableAfter the ballots got wet they were illegible

Disinterested UninterestedDisinterested Uninterested

“Disinterested” means neutral or objective “Uninterested” means bored

The union and management brought in a disinterested arbitrator to settle the dispute

“Disinterested” means neutral or objective “Uninterested” means bored

The union and management brought in a disinterested arbitrator to settle the dispute

Emigrate Immigrate Emigrate Immigrate

“Emigrate” means to leave a country“Immigrate” means to come to a country

“Emigrate” means to leave a country“Immigrate” means to come to a country

Farther FurtherFarther Further

Use “farther” only to discuss distanceRegina is farther from Winnipeg than Brandon

“Further” is used for meanings other than physical distance

Let me explain this further

Use “farther” only to discuss distanceRegina is farther from Winnipeg than Brandon

“Further” is used for meanings other than physical distance

Let me explain this further

Fewer LessFewer Less

“Fewer” is used for quantities that can be counted

There are fewer people here today than there were yesterday

“Less” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc

I should probably drink less coffeeNote: For reasons understood only by a few mystical economists, money is considered an uncountable commodityThe amount of money I earn today is less than the amount I earned last year

“Fewer” is used for quantities that can be counted

There are fewer people here today than there were yesterday

“Less” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc

I should probably drink less coffeeNote: For reasons understood only by a few mystical economists, money is considered an uncountable commodityThe amount of money I earn today is less than the amount I earned last year

Flaunt FloutFlaunt Flout

“Flaunt” means to show offIf you’ve got it, flaunt it

“Flout” means to disregard a law with contempt

The mayor flouted the law every time he ran the red light in front of the police station

“Flaunt” means to show offIf you’ve got it, flaunt it

“Flout” means to disregard a law with contempt

The mayor flouted the law every time he ran the red light in front of the police station

Flammable InflammableFlammable Inflammable

These words have the same meaning, creating a dangerous ambiguity

“Inflammable” is not used for any purposes anymore “Flammable” means capable of burningUse “nonflammable” to indicate that something cannot be burned

These words have the same meaning, creating a dangerous ambiguity

“Inflammable” is not used for any purposes anymore “Flammable” means capable of burningUse “nonflammable” to indicate that something cannot be burned

Forward ForewordForward Foreword

A “foreword” is a preface to a book“Forward” is the opposite direction to backward

A “foreword” is a preface to a book“Forward” is the opposite direction to backward

Hanged HungHanged Hung

“Hanged” should only be used when referring to executions

The prisoner was hanged at dawn

“Hung” is the past participle of “hang” in all other situations

He hung his coat on a nail

“Hanged” should only be used when referring to executions

The prisoner was hanged at dawn

“Hung” is the past participle of “hang” in all other situations

He hung his coat on a nail

Imply InferImply Infer

“Imply” means to make a hintPat implied that I might get lucky tonight

“Infer” means to interpret someone else’s words

I inferred from those words that Pat had just bought me a lottery ticket

“Imply” means to make a hintPat implied that I might get lucky tonight

“Infer” means to interpret someone else’s words

I inferred from those words that Pat had just bought me a lottery ticket

IrregardlessIrregardless

“Irregardless” ain’t a wordUse “regardless”(Don’t use “ain’t” either)

We will hold classes regardless of the weather

“Irregardless” ain’t a wordUse “regardless”(Don’t use “ain’t” either)

We will hold classes regardless of the weather

Like As ifLike As if

“Like” is a preposition. Use it to join words or phrases to the rest of a sentence

He is drinking like a fish

“As if” is a conjunction. Use it to join clauses

He is acting as if he is going to be sick

“Like” is a preposition. Use it to join words or phrases to the rest of a sentence

He is drinking like a fish

“As if” is a conjunction. Use it to join clauses

He is acting as if he is going to be sick

Lightning LighteningLightning Lightening

“Lightning” comes in electrical storms“Lightening” means either to reduce something’s weight or to make its colour paler

“Lightning” comes in electrical storms“Lightening” means either to reduce something’s weight or to make its colour paler

LiterallyLiterally

“Literally” means actually. Don’t use it to emphasize something

The bookcase literally collapsed when I tried to use it as a ladder

“Literally” means actually. Don’t use it to emphasize something

The bookcase literally collapsed when I tried to use it as a ladder

Moral MoraleMoral Morale

Use “moral” when discussing right and wrongUse “morale” when discussing team spirit

Use “moral” when discussing right and wrongUse “morale” when discussing team spirit

Personal PersonnelPersonal Personnel

Use “personal” when discussing something relating to a particular person—someone’s personal propertyUse “personnel” to discuss the staff of an organization

Use “personal” when discussing something relating to a particular person—someone’s personal propertyUse “personnel” to discuss the staff of an organization

Principle Principal Principle Principal

“Principle” means a general rule“Principal” means central or most important. It can refer to the most important person in a school, or the part of a loan that has interest added to it

“Principle” means a general rule“Principal” means central or most important. It can refer to the most important person in a school, or the part of a loan that has interest added to it

Stationary StationeryStationary Stationery

“Stationary” means motionless“Stationery” means office supplies

“Stationary” means motionless“Stationery” means office supplies

Unusual UniqueUnusual Unique

“Unique” means one of a kindSomething can’t be “quite unique” any more than it can be “very dead” or “a bit pregnant”Do not use “unique” when you mean “unusual”X Janet Jackson wore a very unique

outfit to the Superbowl Janet Jackson wore a unique outfit to

the Superbowl Janet Jackson wore a very unusual

outfit to the Superbowl

“Unique” means one of a kindSomething can’t be “quite unique” any more than it can be “very dead” or “a bit pregnant”Do not use “unique” when you mean “unusual”X Janet Jackson wore a very unique

outfit to the Superbowl Janet Jackson wore a unique outfit to

the Superbowl Janet Jackson wore a very unusual

outfit to the Superbowl