Misuse of the language damages your credibility and reduces your ability to communicate. Either people will be distracted by your mistake, or the mistake may actually change the actual meaning of what you’ve said or written.

In a completely informal and non-peer reviewed survey of fellow editors, teachers, writing coaches and writers, we’ve created a list of most commonly misused words and phrases. And, if we learned anything from Saturday morning cartoon interstitials, it was that knowing is half the battle.

Accept/Except- Although these two words sound alike (they’re homophones), they have two completely different meanings. “Accept” means to willingly receive something (accept a present.) “Except” means to exclude something (I’ll take all of the books except the one with the red cover.)

Affect/Effect- The way you “affect” someone can have an “effect” on them. “Affect” is usually a verb and “Effect” is a noun.

Allude/Elude- When someone alludes to something in conversation (indirectly references), if you aren’t paying attention the meaning may elude you (escape you).

Capital/Capitol- “Capitol” generally refers to an official building. “Capital” can mean the city which serves as a seat of government or money or property owned by a company. “Capital” can also mean “punishable by death.”

Climactic, Climatic:  Climactic is derived from climax, the point of greatest intensity in a series or progression of events. Climatic is derived from climate; it refers to meteorological conditions. The climactic period in the dinosaurs’ reign was reached just before severe climatic conditions brought on the ice age.

Complement/Compliment- Complement is a noun which usually means “something that completes or makes perfect”, whereas Compliment is a noun which is used to mean “an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration”.  Example: I should compliment my son for how well his love of cake complements my love for baking.

Comprise/Compose- Comprise is a verb used with an object to contain or include that object. It is synonymous with “include”. In a bit of tricky language fun, Compose, when used as a verb with an object has a similar meaning, but it is mostly commonly used as verb without an object, in which case it means the resulting state or product of a composition.  English can be weird.  Example:  The article I’m composing is comprised of multiple parts.

Could Of- It’s “could have” not “could of.” When you hear people talking, they’re saying “could’ve” as a contraction for could have. As in “I could’ve had the jello, but I chose the cheesecake instead.” Could “of” makes no sense.

Desert/Dessert- A desert is arid land with usually sparse vegetation. Dessert, on the other hand, is a usually sweet course or dish usually served at the end of a meal. One may have dessert in the desert, but one should hope that no desert finds itself into dessert.

Discreet/Discrete- Discreet is an adjective that describes actions which are prudent or circumspect.  Discrete is an adjective that describes something consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts.  Example: We can break people into two discrete (separate) groups, the discreet (secretive) and indiscreet.

Emigrate/Immigrate- If I leave North America to move to Europe, the leaving is emigrating and the arriving is immigrating. You emigrate from, you immigrate to.

Elicit/Illicit- Illicit is an adjective that describes something illegal, immoral or otherwise causes disapproval.  Elicit is a verb used with an object to mean educe or evoke.  Example: Some people post illicit things on message boards to elicit outrageous reactions from others.

Farther/Further- Farther is used for physical distance, whereas further means to a greater degree.

Fewer/Less- Use fewer when referring to something that can be counted one-by-one. Use less when it’s something that doesn’t lend itself to a simple numeric amount.

Flair/Flare- A flair is a talent, while a flare is a burst (of anger, fire, etc.)

i.e/e.g- I.e. is used to say “in other words.” E.g. is used in place of “for example.”

Inflammable- Don’t let the prefix confuse you, if something is inflammable it can catch on fire.

It’s/Its- It’s= it is. Its=a possessive pronoun meaning of it or belonging to. Whatever you do, please don’t use its’.

Imply/Infer- A reader infers what an author implies. In other words, when you imply something, you hint at it. When you infer something, you draw a conclusion based on clues.

Lie, Lay – Lie is an intransitive verb meaning to recline or rest on a surface. Its principal parts are lie, lay, lain. Lay is a transitive verb meaning to put or place. Its principal parts are lay, laid. Chickens lay eggs. I lie down when I am tired.

Literally- If you say “My head literally exploded because I was so mad!” then we know that your brains have been left on a wall somewhere else, and you are now the walking dead. Therefore, we are allowed to unleash the flamethrower on you.

Lose/Loose- If your pants are too loose you may lose them. So pull up your pants, and check your O.

Moral/Morale- Morals are the principles of right and wrong in behavior.  Morale is the mental and emotional condition of an individual or group with regard to the function or tasks at hand.  Betsy’s morale was low after attempting to teach morals to her cat.

Percent/Percentage- The word “percent” should only be used when a specific number is given. “Percentage” is more of a general term.

Set, Sit – Set is a transitive verb meaning to put or to place. Its principal parts are set, set, set. Sit is an intransitive verb meaning to be seated. Its principal parts are sit, sat, sat.  She set the dough in a warm corner of the kitchen. Because the cat had no morals, (see above), the cat sat in the dough.

Stationary/Stationery- You are stationary when you aren’t moving. Stationery is something you write on.

Then/Than- “Then” is another word for “after.” Incidentally, the word “then” makes for boring writing. “Than” is a comparative word (e.g. I am smarter than you).

There/Their/They’re- There is an adverb specifying place; it is also an expletive. Adverb:   Sylvia is lying there unconscious. Expletive: There  are two plums left. Their is a possessive pronoun.   They’re is a contraction of they are.  Fred and Jane finally washed their car.   They’re later than usual today.

Hints:

• If you are using there to tell the reader where, both words have h-e-r-e. Here is also a place.

• If you are using their as a possessive pronoun, you are telling the reader what “they own. Their has h-e-i-r, which also means heir, as in someone who inherits something. Both words have to do with ownership.

• They’re is a contraction of they are. Sound out they are in the sentence and see if it works. If it does not, it must be one of the previous versions.

Unique- Something can’t be “kind of unique” or even “very unique.” It’s either one-of-a-kind or it isn’t. There is no in between when it comes to unique.

Your/You’re- Your is a possessive pronoun;   you’re is a contraction of you are.  You’re going to catch a cold if you don’t wear your coat.

Hints:

• Sound out you are in the sentence. If it works in the sentence it can be written as you’re. If it sounds awkward, it is probably supposed to be  Your. EXAMPLE: You’re shoes are muddy. “You are shoes are muddy” does not work, so it should be written as: Your shoes are muddy.

To/Too/Two- To is a preposition;  too is an adverb;  two is a number.  Those last two jello shots were two too many.

Whose/Who’s- Whose is the possessive form of who. Who’s is a contraction meaning “who is.”

Who, Which, That – Do not use which to refer to persons. Use who instead. That, though generally used to refer to things, may be used to refer to a group or class of people. I just saw a boy who was wearing a Flying Spaghetti Monster costume. I have to go to the DMV, a place which I despise. Where is the book that I was reading?

Other common problem phrases:

• Supposed to: Do not omit the d. Suppose to is incorrect.
• Used to: Same as above. Do not write use to.
• Toward: There is no s at the end of the word.
• Anyway: Also has no ending s. Anyways is nonstandard.
• Couldn’t care less: Be sure to make it negative. (Not I could care less.)

Which misused words drive you crazy? Share them in the replies.