Commonly Misused Words Every Writer Should Know
- David Gibbs
- Apr 21
- 3 min read
Whenever I think of words being misused, I think of the Princess Bride movie when Vizzini keeps using the word 'inconceivable' every time something doesn't go his way.
As a writer, one of the most important aspects of communication is using words correctly. However, even seasoned writers can sometimes misuse words—leading to confusion, awkward sentences, or misinterpretation. Understanding the nuances of words and their proper usage can make a huge difference in how your writing is received. Here are some of the most commonly misused words and how to use them correctly.
Affect vs. Effect
These two words are often mixed up because they have similar meanings, but they serve different grammatical purposes.
Affect is usually a verb, meaning "to influence" something. Example: The weather can affect your mood.
Effect is a noun, meaning "a result" or "outcome." Example: The effect of the new law was immediately visible.
A simple way to remember this is: Affect is an Action (verb), and Effect is an End result (noun).
Than vs. Then
"Than" and "then" often appear in comparisons, but their meanings are quite different.
Than is used to make comparisons. Example: She is taller than her brother.
Then refers to a time or sequence of events. Example: We went to the store, and then we had lunch.
A quick tip: If you're comparing two things, you need "than." If you're talking about time or sequence, "then" is your word.
Lay vs. Lie
The confusion between "lay" and "lie" is one of the most common grammatical missteps. Here's the difference:
Lay is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It refers to putting something down. Example: She lays the book on the table.
Lie is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. It refers to reclining or being in a resting position. Example: I need to lie down for a while.
The past tense of lay is laid, while the past tense of lie is lay. So, you would say, “I laid the book down,” but “I lay down for a nap.”
Its vs. It’s
These two words are commonly confused because they look and sound the same, but they have different meanings.
Its is a possessive pronoun, indicating something belongs to it. Example: The cat licked its paw.
It’s is a contraction of "it is" or "it has." Example: It’s raining outside.
A good rule of thumb is to replace it’s with "it is" or "it has" in your sentence—if it doesn’t make sense, you probably mean "its."
Who vs. Whom
While this distinction has become less important in informal speech, it’s still useful to know the difference, especially for formal writing.
Who is used as the subject of a sentence. Example: Who is coming to dinner?
Whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition. Example: Whom did you invite to the party?
To remember this, try substituting "who" with "he" or "she" (subject), and "whom" with "him" or "her" (object).
Farther vs. Further
While these two words can sometimes be used interchangeably, they have specific meanings.
Farther refers to physical distance. Example: The store is farther down the street.
Further refers to figurative or abstract distance, such as time, degree, or progress. Example: We need to discuss this further during the meeting.
Fewer vs. Less
Many people misuse "fewer" and "less," but there’s a simple rule:
Fewer is used for countable objects or things you can quantify. Example: There are fewer apples in the basket than I thought.
Less is used for uncountable things or things that can’t be easily counted. Example: I have less time to write today.
Compliment vs. Complement
"Compliment" and "complement" are often confused because they sound similar, but their meanings are distinct.
Compliment refers to a praise or a nice remark. Example: She gave me a compliment about my writing.
Complement refers to something that completes or enhances another thing. Example: The wine is a perfect complement to the cheese.
Principle vs. Principal
These two words are often mistaken for one another, but they mean entirely different things.
Principle refers to a basic truth, law, or rule. Example: Honesty is a principle I live by.
Principal refers to the head of a school, a person in charge, or the main part of something. Example: The principal announced the new policy.
Discreet vs. Discrete
These two words have subtle differences, but they are often mixed up.
Discreet means showing prudence or care in speech and behavior. Example: She was discreet about the surprise party.
Discrete means separate or distinct. Example: The data was organized into discrete categories.
Conclusion
Being aware of these commonly misused words can elevate your writing and prevent misunderstandings. While English can be tricky with its many homophones and subtle distinctions, a little attention to detail can go a long way. So, next time you're writing, remember these distinctions to keep your prose clear, concise, and accurate. Happy writing!
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