Forget the coffee, the crossword puzzles and the antioxidants. Follow my suggestions and you might not be any smarter, but you’ll appear that way to others.
Below is a list of words or phrases often misused.
Affect, effect: Although both words can be verbs and nouns, we’ll keep it simple here. Affect is a verb meaning to influence: “Your absences have affected your productivity.” Effect, as a noun, means result: “She was pleased with the effect of her new exercise routine.” “His smile had an encouraging effect on his students.”
Altar, alter: An altar is an elevated platform or structure used in religious services. To alter means to change.
Anecdote, antidote: An anecdote is a short account of an incident. An antidote is used to counter the effects of poison.
Between you and I: Nope. It’s between you and me (object of a preposition).
Complement, compliment: Complement means to supplement or add to. A compliment is something nice said about you. Both words can be used as nouns or verbs.
Could of, could have: It is always could have.
Couple of: Include the “of” after couple in a phrase such as “I ate a couple of tomatoes.” Not a “couple tomatoes.” Couple takes a plural verb in a phrase such as, “A couple of apple pies were eaten.”
Different from, different than: It should be different from.
Farther, further: Farther is used about distance. Hint: She’s far away, up the hill. Further refers to an extension of time or degree: “Let’s discuss this further tomorrow.”
Irregardless: Irregardless is not a standard word. Use regardless or irrespective.
Its, it’s: Its is a possessive pronoun: “The cat sniffed its dinner.” It’s is a contraction for it is.
Lay, lie: Lay is an active (transitive) verb that needs an object: “Please lay the files on my desk, if you can find a bare spot.” Lie is intransitive (no object) verb. It means to recline in a horizontal position on a flat plane: “She wanted to lie on her hammock but pulled weeds instead.” Tricky part? The past tense of lie is lay: “She lay on her hammock for two hours.” Hint: If you’re not sure, use another word: “Please put the files on my desk.” “She snoozed on her hammock.”
Principal, principle: Principal is a noun and an adjective meaning someone or something first in rank, importance or degree: “Our principal objective is to save lives.” Principle is a noun meaning a fundamental truth, or rule: “Their principles were never in question.” Hint: “The school principal is your pal.”
Then, than: Use than when making a comparison: “Their dog is bigger than mine.”
Their, they’re, there: Their is a possessive pronoun: “Their dog barked.” They’re is a contraction for they are. There indicates a direction: “We went there to shop for vegetables.”
Unique: Unique means one of a kind. If you want to look smart, don’t say something is very unique. Hint: uno in Spanish means one.
Please note that almost none of these word misuses would be caught by your computer program’s spelling and grammar checkers.
When in doubt, look it up.
Kathy McIntosh is a Boise author, speaker, freelance editor and owner of A Well-Placed Word. Contact her at kathy@awellplacedword.com.
