We’ve covered 20 pitfalls of English before, but there are plenty more to look out for. Here are another 20-word usage mistakes that can trip you up.
1. INSURE/ENSURE
These words are easy to confuse not only because they sound alike, but because they both have to do with guarantees. To ensure is to make sure something does or doesn’t happen. To insure is to use a more specific type of guarantee: an insurance policy.
2. DISPERSE/DISBURSE
Disperse is more common and has a wider range of meaning than disburse. To disperse is to scatter, separate, or sprinkle around. To disburse is only to give out money.
3. FLAK/FLACK
Not many words in English end with ak, but flak does because it’s a shortening of a German word: fliegerabwehrkanone (anti-aircraft gun). Flak is artillery fire, and by metaphorical extension, criticism. The less common flack is for a publicist or someone who tries to drum up attention for a person or product.
Physical Gold & Silver in your IRA. Get the Facts.
4. ALL RIGHT/ALRIGHT
Though alright spelled as one word is beginning to be accepted by a few style guides, it is still considered an error by most. Write it as two words.
5. BATED/BAITED
The bated in the expression bated breath is related to abated. The breath is reduced or almost held, in anticipation. It is not baited like a fish hook.
6. ACCEPT/EXCEPT
These words have similar pronunciations, but very different meanings. To accept is to receive and to except is to exclude. A good way to remember the difference is that to accept something is to acquire it and to except is to cross it out with a big X.
7. ILLUSION/ALLUSION
Illusion is the more common word and usually the one you want. An illusion is a false impression, something that seems real, but isn’t. Allusion is mostly used in literary contexts. It is a hint at something else, or a pointer to other work, such as a character name that refers back to a Shakespeare play.
8. FLOUNDER/FOUNDER
To flounder is to flop around clumsily, like a fish on land. It can be used metaphorically for inconsistent or unproductive behavior. That’s why it’s easy to confuse with the founder, which means to sink or fail. If a business is floundering, there’s still a chance to turn things around, but if it’s foundering, it’s best to cut your losses.
9. HEAR, HEAR/HERE, HERE
When you want to give enthusiastic approval, the correct expression is “Hear, hear!” It came from the sense of hear him out! or hear this! and not from a sense having to do with here, the present location. Here, here! is an answer to “Where should I put this cupcake?”
10. TORTUROUS/TORTUOUS
A tortuous route might also be torturous, but the words have different meanings. Something that is torturous causes torture, while something that is tortuous is merely full of twists and turns. If a route is so tortuous that is it gives you hours of carsickness, then, yes, it is also torturous.
