Word Choice

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.

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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.

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There is a subtle but distinct difference between immigrate and emigrate. Immigrate is to move to one country from another. Emigrate is to leave one country to live in another. (more…)

Regardless of what you may read or hear people say, irregardless is an unnecessary and illogical substitution for regardless. (more…)

Have you ever heard someone say something like the following?

I was so scared that I literally jumped out of my skin.

I was so cold after two hours in the snow that I literally froze to death.

Upon hearing a statement like one of these, I think, “Really? You literally jumped out of your skin?” Or, “You actually froze to death, but you’re still alive to talk about it?”

It’s common to hear figures of speech (like idioms or hyperboles) used for emphasis, just as “jumped out of my skin” is used to express extreme fright. Such expressions are not intended to be interpreted as is, which is why they are considered figurative. In contrast, when something is literal, it is real or actual. Obviously, it is impossible to jump out of one’s skin, so this expression is figurative, not literal.  The use of literally in such an expression is incorrect or, at best, unnecessary.

It could be argued that literally is used with figures of speech for the purpose of exaggeration or emphasis; that is, the person including literally is doing so purposefully to extend the hyperbole. But it is generally understood that figures of speech (as used in the examples above) are for emphasis, often involve some exaggeration, and not intended to be taken seriously. To include the word literally for further exaggeration or emphasis is, in my opinion, verbal overkill.

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.

Momentarily can have two meanings: (1) in a moment, or (2) for a moment.

Examples:

1. The food will be served momentarily.
2. The meeting will adjourn momentarily.

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Nauseous and nauseated have two different definitions, but recently they have become almost interchangeable. (more…)

The peak of something is the highest point or level:

The hikers reached the mountain’s peak in four hours.

Home values in my neighborhood reached their peak five years ago.

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