10 Words You’re Probably Using Incorrectly
Language is beautiful but it can be tricky. Sometimes, we use the wrong word to describe what we mean and end up causing confusion or misunderstanding. Here are ten words that you might be using incorrectly:
1. Literally
This word is often used to add emphasis to what we’re saying, but its proper meaning is “exactly” or “without exaggeration.” So if you say, “I literally died laughing,” you actually mean that you died – which we can assume is not the case.
2. Irregardless
This is a double negative, and not a real word. The correct word is “regardless.”
3. Nauseous
If you’re feeling queasy, you might say that you’re “nauseous.” However, this word actually means “causing nausea.” The word you’re looking for is “nauseated.”
4. Supposably
This is not a word. The correct word is “supposedly.”
5. Enormity
This word is often used to describe something that is large or vast, but its proper definition is “extreme evil.” So, using the word “enormity” to describe a large building or project is incorrect.
6. Effect vs. Affect
These two words are often confused. “Affect” is a verb that means to influence, while “effect” is a noun that means consequence. So, you might affect change in the world, but the effect of your actions will be felt for years to come.
7. Compliment vs. Complement
“Compliment” means to praise or express admiration, while “complement” means to complete or match well with something. So if a wine goes well with a dish, it complements it, not compliments it.
8. Ironic
Irony is often misunderstood. It refers to a situation in which the opposite of what is expected happens. So, if a traffic cop gets a speeding ticket, that’s ironic. But if a traffic cop gets a ticket for parking in a no-parking zone, that’s not ironic – it’s just unfortunate.
9. Decimate
This word means to destroy or wipe out completely. So if you say that a town was decimated by a hurricane, you mean that the town was totally destroyed. It does not mean “to cause great damage” or “to reduce by a significant amount.”
10. Imply vs. Infer
These two words are often confused. “Imply” means to suggest something without saying it outright, while “infer” means to draw a conclusion based on evidence. So, if someone says “I’m not hungry,” they imply that they don’t want to eat. If you infer from their statement that they don’t want to eat, you’re drawing a conclusion.
So there you have it – ten words that are often used incorrectly. Learning to use these words correctly will improve your communication skills and help you avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
(Note: Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)
Speech tips:
Please note that any statements involving politics will not be approved.