• Expert Publishing Services
  • 917-922-1339
  • info@eliteauthors.com
eliteauthors-header-logoeliteauthors-header-logoeliteauthors-header-logoeliteauthors-header-logo
  • Publishing Services
    • Ghostwriting Services
    • Book Editing Services
      • Copyediting
      • Line Editing
      • Developmental Editing
      • Book Proofreading
    • Book Cover Design
    • Book Marketing Services
      • Book Reviews Service
      • Book Marketing Plan
      • Back Cover Text
      • Optimized Amazon Book Listing
      • Social Media
    • Book Trailers
    • Book Formatting Services
  • Why Elite
    • Why Elite
    • About Us
    • FAQs
    • Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact
✕
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Book Editing
  • Words That Are Often Used Incorrectly
pen and paper
Copyediting Services
December 30, 0202
person writing in a calendar planner
Book Cover Design Tips for Authors
November 2, 2018

Words That Are Often Used Incorrectly

August 20, 2018
Categories
  • Book Editing
  • Writing
Tags
  • commonly misspelled words
  • commonly misused words
  • editing
  • tips and tricks
  • tools
  • writing

blue typewriter on desk

There’s no two ways about it: English is a complicated language. It’s full of subtleties that even proficient writers sometimes miss. It is ironic, isn’t it, how commonly misused words shape our skills as writers and proofreaders?

Actually…is that ironic? Does anyone really know the definition of ironic, and does it even matter if its misuse is so common that the intended meaning has changed? Should we take it literally (meaning “verbatim”), or literally (meaning “figuratively”)?

Don’t worry; our heads hurt too. Navigating the nuances of the English language can be treacherous without a map. Elite Authors wants every writer to succeed, and we’re here to give you the tools to do so. Below you’ll find a guide to the most commonly misused words, the most commonly used words that aren’t words, and obsolete words that have been revamped or replaced in modern usage.

Words That Are Often Used Incorrectly

Under the umbrella of commonly misused words fall two categories: words that we often confuse for other words that sound (or look) similar and words that simply mean something other than what we commonly use them for.

Commonly Confused Words

Words that fall into this first category, such as entitled vs. titled, are often related. To clear up this confusion, here is a table translating ten words we use into the words we actually mean:

The Word We Use What We Mean to Say
Adverse: unfavorable; hazardous Averse: opposed
Bemused: confused Amused: entertained; pleasantly diverted
Disinterested: impartial; unbiased Uninterested: not interested
I.e.: that is; to elaborate E.g.: for example
Inflammable: burnable Nonflammable: not burnable
Infer: to draw a conclusion Imply: to suggest, indirectly
Literally: actually; word for word Figuratively: metaphorically
Nauseous: causes nausea Nauseated: suffering from nausea
Sympathy: understanding of another’s circumstances Empathy: the ability to imagine oneself in another’s circumstances
Travesty: an inaccurate or distorted imitation Tragedy: a situation, event, or action that causes extreme sadness or pain

Worried about your word usage? Here’s a more extensive list of easily confused words so that you can double-check that dubious word you have in mind.

Commonly Misused Words

Sometimes it isn’t the word itself that is difficult to remember. For many words that are often used incorrectly, it’s the definition that is forgotten or misremembered.

These five words fall into this second category of misuse:

Misused Word Common Usage
Aggressive: ready to attack; pursuing aims by means of force enthusiastic; driven
Compel: to force against one’s will to do something to want to do something, often suddenly
Ironic: opposite of what is expected, appropriate, or fitting funny; coincidental; sarcastic
Peruse: to examine in depth; to read thoroughly and carefully to skim
Redundant: duplicate; surplus to requirements useless; unable to perform its function

Nonstandard and Obsolete Words

Language is a living thing. Words and their definitions have an expiration date determined by popularity and usage. Likewise, we are sometimes unaware of the existence of a word that fits our needs—sometimes because it doesn’t exist. Other times, we change a word because it just doesn’t sound right, even if it is. These changes to and the improper use of words are what force English (like any language) to evolve. They are as essential to the growth and life of a language as a beating heart.

Commonly Used Words That Are Not Words

Sometimes, instead of mistaking one word for another or using it incorrectly, we make up a new word to suit our needs. Shakespeare did it, so why can’t we? But creating new words is tricky—the meaning gets muddled, and sticklers for “proper” English howl at the moon when neologisms and nonstandard words are used to replace an existing word that has worked perfectly well in the past.

Here are five commonly used words that are not words (or at least not standard words) and how to replace them:

Not a Word Use Instead
Ain’t: is not; are not; have not; am not Isn’t; aren’t; haven’t (Use positive contractions instead, such as “I’m not.”)
Alot: many; much; a large quantity A lot; many; much; a large quantity. (“A lot” is a rather informal and nonspecific phrase.)
Firstly: first, especially if a sequence is to follow First; in the first place; primarily; to begin with
Irregardless: without regard to Regardless; without regard to; in spite of; despite
Supposably: a product of supposition Supposedly; allegedly; presumably

Obsolete Words

The improper use of words sounds like a really bad thing, doesn’t it? However, that is exactly how language evolves and grows. Eventually, after decades (and, sometimes, centuries) of a word’s misuse, its definition begins to shift to include or prioritize the incorrect definition. There is no single, all-knowing entity that governs the English language. Literally has a secondary definition in many dictionaries that includes its use as a synonym for figuratively or to add emphasis, and decimate has become an accepted synonym of the more general destroy.

Here are five other examples of words whose meanings have changed or are changing to match their common usage:

Word What It Meant Before What It Means Now
Awful Full of awe; inspiring Terrible; very bad
Enormity Extreme wickedness; a monstrous evil Enormousness
Factoid A half truth; not entirely factual A trivial fact
Fantastic Of fantasy; apart from reality Lovely; very good
Terrific Causing terror Lovely; very good

Sometimes, instead of changing the meaning of the word, we change the word itself. Here are five obsolete words that have been replaced or altered over the years but that sometimes find their way into our writing and speech:

Old Word Meaning What We Say Now
Anyways Besides; regardless Anyway
Conversate To speak about something at length Converse
Crapulous Feeling ill after excessive drinking Hangover
Monsterful Extraordinary and wonderful Awesome
Orientate To align based on direction Orient

As we said in the beginning: English is a complicated language. It’s ever evolving; it’s a living, breathing thing. So if you’ve used any of these commonly misused words incorrectly, don’t despair! In one hundred years, the scholars (and dictionaries) might be on your side, after all. In the meantime, try to err on the side of tradition, but if you must use a nonstandard word or definition, just tell the powers that be that you’re keeping the language alive.

To read more about common writing errors, click here! Need some help editing your work? Contact us today to get a free quote!

Share
236

Related posts

February 14, 2023

How to Write a Book Description That Grips and Sells Readers


Read more
books with a question to the left
February 10, 2023

Elite Answers: What editing services does Elite Authors offer?


Read more
typing on a laptop
February 10, 2023

Elite Answers: Are there different types of editing?


Read more

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

✕

Ready to become an Elite Author?

Let’s make some magic together.

GET STARTED

Recent

  • How to Write a Book Description That Grips and Sells Readers
  • How to Self-Publish a Coloring Book
  • Elite Answers: How do I get started with Elite Authors?

Categories

  • Book Design
  • Book Editing
  • Book Marketing
  • Publishing with Amazon
  • Self-publishing
  • Writing

Contact Us

info@eliteauthors.com

917-922-1339

Alliance of Independent Authors

Elite Authors LLC, Editorial Services, Baltimore, MD

Explore

  • Home
  • Why Elite
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

Our Services

  • Ghostwriting Services
  • Book Editing Services
  • Book Cover Design
  • Book Marketing Services
  • Book Trailers
  • Book Formatting Services

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

loader

Email Address*

© 2022 Elite Authors. All Rights Reserved. EliteEditing | We've recently updated our Privacy Policy.

Need help moving your files from CreateSpace to KDP?

Let us help you move your book for FREE.

 

GET STARTED