Commonly Misused English Words

Using the correct word in speaking and writing is Standard English, the language of educated people. To be an effective speaker and writer, be sure to use the correct form of the word. Below is a guide to some commonly misused English words.

A is used before a word that begins with a consonant sound. An is used before a word that begins with a vowel sound.

Accept is a verb which means to receive or to agree to. Except is a preposition which means other than.

Already is used to describe a task that has been completed earlier. All ready means completely prepared.

And is a conjunction meaning also. To is used before a present-tense verb to form an infinitive.

Between is used when speaking of two persons or things. Among is used when speaking of more than two persons or things.

Bring means to carry to. Take means to carry away from.

Farther is an adjective or adverb meaning at a greater measurable distance or length. Further is also used as an adjective or adverb to mean more distant in time or degree; additional.

Fewer is used for things that can be counted. Less is used with things that can be measured.

Use good as an adjective when describing a person or thing and well as an adverb to tell how something is done.

Healthful is used for things that promote good health. Healthy is used to describe a state of being in good health.

I is used in a compound subject when the speaker is a part of the subject. Me is used when the speaker receives the action of the verb.

In refers to something inside; a location. Into refers to a movement from outside to an inside location.

Its is a possessive pronoun. It's is a contraction of it is.

Let means allowing or permitting something. Leave refers to going away from or to somewhere; to allow to remain.

Lie is a verb meaning to rest or recline. The forms of lie are lie, lies, (is) lying, lay, and (have, has or had) lain. Lay is a verb meaning to put or place something. The forms of lay are lay, lays, laying, laid, and (have, has, or had) laid.

Like is a preposition that should never be followed by a verb. As if is a subordinate conjunction used to introduce a clause.

Loose is an adjective meaning something that isn't tight. Lose is a verb meaning not winning.

May is used when asking or giving permission. Can is used when describing being able to do something.

Of means belonging to something, containing something, or about something. Off means away from or not on or touching something. Do not use the off instead of from. Do not use the word of instead of have. Use have with words ought, must, might, and could. Do not use the word off with the word of.

The principal is the leader of a school. Principle means important or first.

Raise is a verb meaning to grow something or move forward. The forms of raise are raise(s), (is) raising, raised, and have raised. Rise is a verb meaning to go up or get up. The forms of rise are rise(s), (is) rising, rose, and have risen.

Use the word say instead of the formal go when writing dialogue or describing what someone said.

Since expresses a period of time. Because expresses a cause or reason.

Sit means resting or staying in one place. Set means putting or placing an object somewhere.

That introduces a clause without a comma. Which introduces a clause following a comma.

Then means at that time. Than introduces the second item in a comparison.

There means in that place, to that place, or at that place. It is sometimes used with words (is, are, was, and were). There is used to show ownership or possession. There is a contraction meaning they are.

Very and so can both be used as adverbs. Do not use so in place of very to show amount or degree.

Whose is a possessive pronoun. Who's is a contraction meaning who is.

Your is a possessive pronoun. You're is contraction meaning you are.