It’s 4th of July time, and I’ve just heard several instances of words misused and it bothered me. I know this is not an exciting blog, but nonetheless, I think it should be said. Actually, it should be repeated. This is not something new, but it is something in need of reinforcement.
Twice today, on national television no less, I heard one of my pet peeves. That is the misuse of badly. Badly is an adverb. Bad is an adjective. So, if you are modifying a noun or a pronoun, please use bad and not badly. Here are some examples. “He was feeling badly today.” This implies that his tactile sense was not working well. If we mean that he was a little under the weather, or not quite up to his usual state of health, then we need to say, “He was feeling bad today.”
Watch for sentences in which you really want the adjective “bad” to modify a noun or pronoun. Carefully avoid using the adverb “badly” which needs to modify a verb. “The pilot was in a bad mood, so he was handling the boat badly.” “Bad” modifies a noun, his “mood,” so we need an adjective. “Badly” modifies a verb, “was handling,” so we need an adverb.
Effect and affect are words where mistaken identity crops up frequently. (I often have trouble with those.) Effect means to bring about something. “You can effect good grammar by study.” Or, “Grammatical mistakes in your novel have a bad effect on the buyer.” Affect means to influence, or pretend. “Grammatical mistakes affect the buyer.” (It’s easy to see why these two give some of us a lot of trouble.) “You can affect your students.” Or, “He affected surprise, but I knew he had expected it.”
Of course, we all know the difference between “your” and “you’re.” Still, it is amazing how many times you see those words used incorrectly in a book. Carelessness? Poor proof reading?
Similarly, “their” and “they’re” and even “there” are often misused. No need to explain those here. Again, mistakes involving these words are usually just a result of haste or carelessness.
Easier to understand, but just as incorrect, it the misuse of “its” and “it’s.” Just remember that “it’s” is an abbreviation for “it is.” Remember, the ‘ takes the place of the “i” in the “is.” Try reading “it’s” as “it is.” If that doesn’t make sense, it’s the wrong word. (“It’s cover was torn,” doesn’t make sense if you were to read it as, “It is cover was torn. Correct: “Its cover was torn.”)
“Lose” and “loose” often get mixed up. Lose is the opposite of win. Loose is the opposite of tight.
“Alot” is not a legitimate word. “A lot” is correct.
And lastly, “farther” and “further.” Both can be adjectives or adverbs. But “farther” means at a greater distance. His house is farther from the fire station than my house. He ran farther than I did. “Further” means to a greater extent. Further study is required. I will investigate the matter further. His demeanor made us believe there would be further repercussions.
This distinction is easy to remember. FARther refers to distance.
I apologize for my ramblings on such matters. These words pop up often in our writing, and we should be careful they are not used incorrectly. “But their misuse of the word “badly” always effects me badly (or has a bad effect on me) and it’s obvious the book needs its editors to do further work or they’re going to lose a lot of readers farther down the road.”
I know I’ve made some mistakes in this post. Tell me about them. And I won’t say bad things about you, nor will I speak badly about you. (Okay, I know that was bad, or written badly.)
Leave a comment and tell me where I made my mistakes.
http://www.jamesrcallan.com
Nice post. I discover something a lot more difficult on several blogs everyday. It’ll consistently be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice just a little something from their store. I’d prefer to make use of some using the content on my weblog no matter if you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide you with a link on your internet weblog. Thanks for sharing.
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this prior to. So nice to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this web site is something that is necessary on the web, a person having a little originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the net!
I’d have to check with you here. Which just isn’t something I commonly do! I appreciate reading a post which will make men and women feel. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
NFL Throwback Jerseys
Cheap NFL Jerseys
Right after study a number of of the blog posts on your internet site now, and I really like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and are going to be checking back soon. Pls have a look at my internet webpage at the same time and let me know what you think.
http://jerseys2013.2kool4u.net/
Chicago Bears Jerseys
And how about flier and flyer. I often print fliers for handouts and have people write and thank me for my flyers. It took me years to get this one straight.
Another is flair and flare. It’s the 4th of July and may you enjoy the flare of firecrackers (if they set them off in PV on this American holiday). Dress in red, white and blue; you know, with flair.
Thanks for the additiona. Seems like there are lots of words we get mixed-up.
We have entered an era of nonstandard word usage, which is something that has existed before. In Thomas Hobbes’ _Leviathan_ he sometimes says “we” and at other times “wee.” That’s the way things were done back then. And that kind of thing is coming back now. I don’t believe that we can stop it. The important thing is that people understand each other and communication be effective. Sometimes that is an issue, and when it is, there should be clarification. Otherwise, getting hung up on “correct” English is counterproductive.
Great blog post. I always have trouble with affect and effect so I shouldn’t get annoyed when I see they’re, their, and there misused, but I do. To be safe with “ly” endings, just avoid using adverbs. That’s one of the first things I learned in a writing workshop; come up with a better sentence structure to get the same point across.
Jim what a great blog. I hope you consider continuing to share these tidbits. It’s stimulating, or should that be its–oh well, I’ll have to read your blog again…
Another common confusion is the difference between “disperse” and “disburse.” I see this mostly in print journalism. And I do wish the TV anchors and anchorettes would learn to pronounce “formidable” correctly (accent on the first syllable).
Couldn’t agree more on the problem with TV anchors mispronouncing words. I have an interesting story along those lines, but I won’t go into it here.
My grammar pet peeve is using “entitled” instead of “titled.” Entitled means the right to have something–she is entitled to her wages. Title is used to name an object–the book is titled ‘The World’s Greatest Mystery.’ I cringe every time I see a book “entitled.” “Its” and “it’s” also make me want to throw something out the window.
Sally Carpenter
One unexpected mix-up I see all the time on student essays is dominate/dominant. I teach primatology and read statements like “The dominate male displays behavior aggressive behavior.” I thought it was a fluke at first, but it happens all the time.
Thanks, William, for yet another set of words that people con mix up.
Another reason to suspect English is an imperfect, often confusing language. But, you’re right–most of the errors are the result of our own carelessness or disregard of the rules. Reminders like these are always warranted.
I’m told that English has three times as many words as the next closest language. So, I guess there is a greater change for mixing things up. Still … Some of these are pretty simple.
Excellent reminders!
Another I’d like to include is the use of the words do and due. When I worked as an administrative assistant, we had a District AA who consistently misused those words in her daily correspondences. I didn’t want to come right out and tell her (she wasn’t the type of person who took criticism well) so I would reply to her emails, making sure to use the words correctly.
What would you like me to do? When is the report due?
I did this several times over the years but I finally gave up. She wouldn’t take the hint!
Do and Due? Wow. I never thought about mixing those up. Just goes to show you. Thanks for pointing out another problem area.
Great column, Jim. As you said, needs to be repeated ’cause these pop up incorrect so often.May I mention one that has caused discussion in our critique group? The correct spelling of the work okay – so often seen written O.K.
Oh, and then there’s alright…or is it all right?
Thanks for including okay. And I guess it’s all right to use alright. But technically, I think, all right is an adjective and alright is an adverb. Anybody have any comments on all right and alright?
My unabridged Random House Dictionary of the English Language lists “alright” as not acceptable in standard English.
You sent me to MY dictionary, Donn. I’m in Puerto Vallarta right now and all I hve is a Webster’s Newworld Dictionary – but it’s not new. It says, ”
You sent me to my dictionary, Donn. I’m in Puerto Vallarta right now and have only a Webster’s Newworld
Dictionary – which is not new. I may have to give in to you on this. It says alright is a disputed
var. sp. of all right. I guess I should have looked that up before I posted. It’s there, but disputed. Thanks for the catch.
Hi Jim,
Wonderful information. I sometimes use the wrong word, not so much because I don’t know which is correct, but through carelessness. I’m always surprised when I read over my work and find them. Much of it comes from too many words floating around in our noggin’ or maybe our brain gets ahead of our fingers!
Anyhoo, great information. I especially liked the part about farther and further. I struggle with those.
Have a wonderful Forth…I mean Fourth!!
~Ann