Commonly Misused Words and Expressions

Lesson from "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

The proper correction of misused words is likely to be not the replacement of one word by another but the replacement of vague generality by definite statement.

Allude:

Do not confuse with elude.

You allude to a book; you elude a pursuer.

Note, too, that allude is not synonymous with refer. An allusion is an indirect mention, a reference is a specific one.

Anybody:

In the sense of “any person,” not to be written as two words.

Any body means “any corpse” or “any group.”

The rules holds equally for everybody, nobody, and somebody.

Anyone:

In the sense of “anybody,” written as one word.

Any one means “any single person” or “any single thing.”

But:

Unnecessary after doubt and help.

I have no doubt but that

I have no doubt that

He could not help but see that

He could not help seeing that

A loose sentence formed with but can usually be converted into a periodic sentences formed with although.

Care less:

The dismissive “I couldn’t care less” is often used with the shortened “not” mistakenly omitted: “I could care less.”

The error destroys the meaning of the sentence.

Case:

Often unnecessary.

In many cases, the rooms lacked air conditioning.

Many of the rooms lacked air conditioning.

It has rarely been the case that any mistake has been made.

Few mistakes have been made.

Disinterested:

Means “impartial.”

Do not confuse it with uninterested, which means “not interested in.”

Let a disinterested person judge our dispute. (an impartial person)

This man is obviously uninterested in our dispute. (couldn’t care less)

Effect:

As a noun, means “result.”

As a verb, means “to bring about,” “to accomplish.”

(Not to be confused with affect, which means “to influence”)

Farther // Further:

Farther serves best as a distance word.

Further serves best as a time or quantity word.

You chase a ball farther than the other fellow; you purse a subject further.

However:

Avoid starting a sentence with however when the meaning is nevertheless.

The word usually serves better when not in first position.

The roads were almost impassable. However, we at last succeeded in reaching camp.

The roads were impassable. At last, however, we succeeded in reaching camp.

When however comes first, it means “in whatever way” or “to whatever extent.”

However you advise him, he will probably do as he thinks best.

However discouraging the prospect, they never lose heart.

Imply // Infer:

Not interchangeable.

Something implied is something suggested or indicated, though not expressed.

Something inferred is something deduced from evidence at hand.

In terms of:

A piece of padding usually best omitted.

The job was unattractive in terms of salary.

The salary made the job unattractive.

Less // Fewer:

Less refers to quantity.

Fewer refers to number.

They had less workers than in the previous campaign.

They had fewer workers than in the previous campaign.

Like // As:

Like governs nouns and pronouns.

Before phrases and clauses, the equivalent word is as.

We spent the evening like in the old days.

We spent the evening as in the old days.

Chloë smells good, like a baby should.

Chloë smells good, as a baby should.

Personally:

Often unnecessary.

Personally, I thought it was a good book.

I though it was a good book.

Respective // Respectively:

These words may usually be omitted with advantage.

Works of fiction are listed under the names of their respective authors.

Works of fiction are listed under the names of their authors.

The mile run and the two-mile run were won by Jones and Cummings respectively.

The mile run was won by Jones, the two-mile run by Cummings.

Split Infinitive:

There is precedent from the fourteenth century down for interposing an adverb between to and the infinitive it governs, but the construction should be avoided unless the writer wishes to place unusual stress on the adverb.

to diligently inquire

to inquire diligently

Student body:

Nine times out of ten a needless and awkward expression, meaning no more than the simple word students.

a member of the student body

a student

popular with the student body

like by the students

That // Which:

That is the defining, or restrictive pronoun.

Which the nondefining, or nonrestrictive.

The lawn mower that is broken is in the garage. (Tells which one)

The lawn mower, which is broker, is in the garage. (Adds a fact about the only mower in question)

The Truth Is… // The Fact Is…:

A bad beginning for a sentence. If you feel you are possessed of the truth, or of the fact, simply state it. Do not give it advanced billing.

They // He or She:

Do not use they when the antecedent is a distributive expression such as each one, everybody, every one, many a man. Use the singular pronoun.

Every one of us knows they are fallible.

Every one of use knows he is fallible.

Everyone in the community, whether they are a member of the Association or not, is invited to attend.

Everyone in the community, whether he is a member of the Association of not, is invited to attend.

The use of he as a pronoun for nouns embracing both genders is a simple, practical convention rooted in the beginnings of the English language.

Consider these strategies to avoid an awkward overuse of he or she or an unintentional emphasis on the masculine:

1. Use the plural rather than the singular

The writer must address his readers’ concerns.

Writers must address their readers’ concerns.

2. Eliminate the pronoun altogether

The writer must address his readers’ concerns.

The writer must address readers’ concerns.

3. Substitute the second person for the third person

The writer must address his readers’ concerns.

As a writer, you must address your readers’ concerns.

Unique:

Means “without like or equal.”

Hence, there can be no degrees of uniqueness.

It was the most unique coffee maker on the market.

It was a unique coffee maker.

The balancing act was very unique.

The balancing act was unique.

Of all the spiders, the one that lives in a bubble under water is the most unique.

Among spiders, the one that lives in a bubble under water is unique.

Very:

Use this word sparingly.

Where emphasis is necessary, use words strong in themselves.

While:

Avoid the indiscriminate use of this word for and, but, and although.

It is often best replaced by a semicolon:

The office and salesrooms are on the ground floor, while the rest of the building is used for manufacturing.

The office and salesrooms are on the ground floor; the rest of the building is used for manufacturing.

In general, the writer will do well to use while only with strict literalness, in the sense of “during the time that.”

Would:

When the idea of habit or repetition is expressed (in such phrases as once a year, everyday, each Sunday), the past tense, without would, is usually sufficient.

Once a year he would visit the old mansion.

Once a year he visited the old mansion.

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This was a lesson from The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

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Or explore the C.S.M. Fiction archive.

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