Diction

1. Diction A guide to a few words that are commonly misused

2. Accept Except • “Accept” means to agree or to take something that is offered • I will accept his offer • “Except” means everything but • Everyone was here except Fred • As a verb “except” means to leave out • All minors were excepted from jury duty

3. Affect Effect • “Affect” is usually used as a verb • How will the rising dollar affect our business? • “Effect” is usually a noun • Her lottery win had a huge effect on her credit rating • Note: “Effect” also has another, less common meaning. Effect can be used as a verb to mean “bring about” • We will effect numerous changes to the organization

4. Aggravate Irritate Annoy • “Aggravate” means to make worse. Do not use it in place of “irritate” or “annoy” • Falling down the stairs aggravated his knee injury

5. All right Alright • “Alright” is an informal spelling of “all right” • Many guides consider it incorrect

6. Among Between • “Between” is used only for two items • Homer and his wife kept the juicy gossip between them • “Among” is used for lists of three or more • Lenny shared the pictures among the entire staff

7. Amount Number • “Number” is used for quantities that can be counted • A number of people are missing • “Amount” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc • He put a large amount of sugar in his coffee

8. Anxious Eager • Use “anxious” to express nervousness or fear • I was anxious about my final grade after failing the mid-term exam • Use “eager” for a more positive tone • She was eager to begin her summer job

9. Can May • “Can” relates to the ability to do something • I can drive a car • “May” indicates permission • May I borrow yours

10. Complement Compliment • “Complement” means to complete something • That blue tie complements the grey shirt • “Compliment” means to say something nice • Mr. Burns complimented us on our efficient office • “Complimentary” means to do something nice • We received a complimentary appetizer with our meal

11. Could of Should of Would of • These are all variations of the same mistake • It comes from using pronunciation, rather than meaning, as a guide • You should use “could have” or “could’ve” • I could have been a contender

12. Council / Councillor Counsel / Counsellor • A “council” is a group of bureaucrats. A “councillor” is a member of that group • All members of the city council agreed to listen to the councillor’s presentation • “Counsel” is advice or the act of giving advice. A “counsellor” is one who gives that advice • Bart’s counsellor suggested that his best strategy would be to obtain counsel from others like him

13. Eligible Illegible • These words have completely different meanings • “Eligible” means qualified to be chosen • To be an eligible to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen 18 years old or over • “Illegible” means unreadable • After the ballots got wet they were illegible

14. Disinterested Uninterested • “Disinterested” means neutral or objective • “Uninterested” means bored • The union and management brought in a disinterested arbitrator to settle the dispute

15. Emigrate Immigrate • “Emigrate” means to leave a country • “Immigrate” means to come to a country

16. Farther Further • Use “farther” only to discuss distance • Regina is farther from Winnipeg than Brandon • “Further” is used for meanings other than physical distance • Let me explain this further

17. Fewer Less • “Fewer” is used for quantities that can be counted • There are fewer people here today than there were yesterday • “Less” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc • I should probably drink less coffee • Note: For reasons understood only by a few mystical economists, money is considered an uncountable commodity • The amount of money I earn today is less than the amount I earned last year

18. Flaunt Flout • “Flaunt” means to show off • If you’ve got it, flaunt it • “Flout” means to disregard a law with contempt • The mayor flouted the law every time he ran the red light in front of the police station

19. Flammable Inflammable • These words have the same meaning, creating a dangerous ambiguity • “Inflammable” is not used for any purposes anymore • “Flammable” means capable of burning • Use “nonflammable” to indicate that something cannot be burned

20. Forward Foreword • A “foreword” is a preface to a book • “Forward” is the opposite direction to backward

21. Hanged Hung • “Hanged” should only be used when referring to executions • The prisoner was hanged at dawn • “Hung” is the past participle of “hang” in all other situations • He hung his coat on a nail

22. Imply Infer • “Imply” means to make a hint • Pat implied that I might get lucky tonight • “Infer” means to interpret someone else’s words • I inferred from those words that Pat had just bought me a lottery ticket

23. Irregardless • “Irregardless” ain’t a word • Use “regardless” • (Don’t use “ain’t” either) • We will hold classes regardless of the weather

24. Like As if • “Like” is a preposition. Use it to join words or phrases to the rest of a sentence • He is drinking like a fish • “As if” is a conjunction. Use it to join clauses • He is acting as if he is going to be sick

25. Lightning Lightening • “Lightning” comes in electrical storms • “Lightening” means either to reduce something’s weight or to make its colour paler

26. Literally • “Literally” means actually. Don’t use it to emphasize something • The bookcase literally collapsed when I tried to use it as a ladder

27. Moral Morale • Use “moral” when discussing right and wrong • Use “morale” when discussing team spirit

28. Personal Personnel • Use “personal” when discussing something relating to a particular person—someone’s personal property • Use “personnel” to discuss the staff of an organization

29. Principle Principal • “Principle” means a general rule • “Principal” means central ormost important. It can refer to the most important person in a school, or the part of a loan that has interest added to it

30. Stationary Stationery • “Stationary” means motionless • “Stationery” means office supplies

31. Unusual Unique • “Unique” means one of a kind • Something can’t be “quite unique” any more than it can be “very dead” or “a bit pregnant” • Do not use “unique” when you mean “unusual” • Janet Jackson wore a very unique outfit to the Superbowl • Janet Jackson wore a unique outfit to the Superbowl • Janet Jackson wore a very unusual outfit to the Superbowl