Word Choice

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.

There is an ongoing debate over the usage of healthy versus healthful. Some say healthy should be used to refer only to the wellness of living things (for example, a healthy body), while healthful is the word of choice to refer to anything that promotes good health (like food, exercise, etc.). Others believe that both words are acceptable to use in reference to health-promoting substances or practices (for example, healthy or healthful food). Healthy is used more often than healthful, by far, and it is stated as correct usage by reputable sources. So take your pick.

Most people use hopefully 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, though Example 1 seems to be the more common usage.

So, what is all the fuss about? The argument against using hopefully in the manner of Example 1 is that although hopefully is an adverb, it’s not modifying anything. The rain (in Example 1) is not performing an action in a hopeful manner. Other adverbs, such as thankfully, frankly, and honestly, are used similarly.

Though there is still debate among writers and language purists over the correctness of using adverbs this way, in April 2012, the Associated Press Stylebook editors broke down and approved the usage of hopefully in the “it is hoped that” sense.

To avoid the issue altogether, there is always the option to use I hope or we hope instead of hopefully. Or you can go with the Associated Press and the masses and continue to use hopefully. Hopefully, no one will correct you.

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…)

The mix-up of its and it’s certainly deserves recognition as one of the most common errors in written English.

An apostrophe makes all the difference between a possessive pronoun and a contraction. Most words form possession by tacking on an apostrophe and the letter s (‘s) at the end. But that’s not the case with the possessive form of it.

Its is a possessive pronoun and does not have an apostrophe.

A leopard cannot change its spots.

It’s is a contraction for “it is” and always has the apostrophe.

It’s going to partly cloudy with a chance of showers in the afternoon.

The candidate’s words do not jive with his record.

Have you ever written or said this? You may not have realized that what you should have used is the word jibe. The sentence should be as follows:

The candidate’s words do not jibe with his record.

Jibe means to agree or be in accord. Some people are not aware that jive and jibe have distinct meanings, so it’s not unusual for jive to be used incorrectly in a sentence like the one above.

What, then, is jive? Jive, in the verb form, means to tease (not a common usage, in my opinion) or to dance the jive.

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.

Did the team lose the game or loose the game?

The confusion of these two words is in the spelling.  Yes, it’s tricky, which is why many people misspell lose as loose.

Here is the distinction between the two words:

Loose
Adjective, means the opposite of tight, pronounced “loos.”

Lose
Verb, means the opposite of win, pronounced “looz.”

Remember: A gambler who is loose with his money may lose money.