These words are often confused because of their related meanings but differing spellings.
Affect is a verb meaning “to influence.”
Effect can be both a verb and a noun. (more…)
These words are often confused because of their related meanings but differing spellings.
Affect is a verb meaning “to influence.”
Effect can be both a verb and a noun. (more…)
Bring and take are very easily confused as their meanings are similar. To prevent confusing these two words, remember that bring means to carry something towards yourself, while take means to carry something away from yourself.
Further and farther are often used interchangeably, although they actually have slightly different meanings. Both words refer to distance, but the distinction is in the type of distance. Further refers to mental distance, while farther refers to physical distance. Take a look at the differences as illustrated in the sentences below:
Example 1 (further-correct usage): The student read further in the textbook. (Note that the distance traveled is only mental.)
Example 2 (farther-correct usage): I have to drive farther to work than to school. (In this sentence, we are referring to an actual distance that is measurable in miles, kilometers, etc., so the word farther is used.)
Take a look at the following sentence:
Eating healthy foods that are low in fat reduces the risk of some cancers.
It sounds correct, right? Well, yes and no. It depends on whom you ask.
This is one word that has become almost completely acceptable in its incorrect form, hence its “questionable” status.
Most people use it to mean “it is hoped that,” as in the following sentence:
Example 1: Hopefully, the rain will
stop in time for the outdoor concert.
Hopefully can also be used to describe performing an action “in a hopeful manner,” as the following example demonstrates:
Example 2: We hopefully waited for the winner of the competition to be announced.
Example 2 illustrates what is considered by some to be the only correct usage of hopefully, while Example 1 is considered an outright error.
Regardless of what you may read or hear people say, irregardless is an unnecessary and illogical substitution for regardless. (more…)
This is an error that may get me some nasty letters from my fellow Southerners. It involves the usage of the word mash. Having grown up in the southern United States, I have become accustomed to hearing the word mash used in sentences such as, “Mash the button on the elevator.” However, the best word to use for this sentence would be press. Mash means “to crush,” but press means “to act on with a steady force,” “to bear heavily down on,” or “to squeeze or compress.” Just remember that you mash potatoes, but you press buttons.
Nauseous and nauseated have two different definitions, but recently they have become almost interchangeable. (more…)
If you’ve ever given a speech or lecture, you more than likely have used a stand called a lectern as a place to lay your papers or notes. However, you probably didn’t refer to the stand as a lectern. Like most people, you probably called it a podium. But a podium is actually a raised platform used to stand upon when speaking in front of a group. Remember that you stand behind a lectern, while you stand on a podium. (more…)