Skip to main content

Improve Your Grammar, Impress Your Friends





English grammar can be tricky, and, a lot of times, the words that sound right are actually wrong.
While I certainly am not a master of the English Language, I find myself cringing often at the way certain words are misused, specifically in emails and written documents. To me, it is a distraction that causes the person to whom I am conversing to appear in a negative light.
Often, it's the words that we think we’re using correctly that can cause the biggest stumbles . Today I've picked out three pairs of words that cause many people trouble in their usage to look at with you.
So, before you send your next email, or attach your resume to a document, please take a moment to consider these common issues many of us have with wording, and make some changes as needed:
Thank you to Google for giving critical feedback on the correct usage in some cases, as I wanted to be clear on them myself!
Accept vs. Except
These two words sound similar but have very different meanings. Accept, by definition, means to receive something willingly: “His teacher accepted his explanation for being tardy”
Except signifies exclusion: “I can attend every home game in my ticket package except the one next Tuesday.”
I found this tip helpful for remembering which to use: both except and exclusion begin with ex.


Ironic vs. Coincidental

I hear people misuse "ironic" all the time. If your dog trips you and you break your arm the day before going mountain climbing, that’s not ironic—it’s coincidental (bad Fido!).
Ironic has several meanings, but they all involve a type of reversal of what was expected. Verbal irony is when a person says one thing but clearly means another. Situational irony is when a result is the opposite of what was expected.
In “The Gift of the Magi,” by O. Henry, Jim sells his watch to buy combs for his wife’s hair, and she sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch. Each character sold something precious to buy a gift for the other, but those gifts were intended for what the other person sold. That is irony.


Nauseous vs. Nauseated
Nauseous has been misused so often that the incorrect usage is accepted in many cases. Still, there is a difference. 
Nauseous means causing nausea; nauseated means experiencing nausea. 
So, if you say "I feel nauseous" what you're actually telling everyone is that you make them sick!
Now what you know the differences in these words, use them correctly when you are speaking, and especially when you are writing. It will show that you have a much firmer grip on the English language than many people around you...

Which should not make you nauseated at all!


DK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Fights Couples Have When Buying a House

When my wife and I bought our home in the Northern Kentucky area, it was quite an experience. We had a great Realtor® with whom I am now privileged to work. I can only imagine the things he must have thought about us, showing up to look at houses with our two young boys, talking about if a room was big enough...what was that smell...why would they put the switch over here...

Ah, those were the days!

Thankfully, we didn't actually fight (that I remember) about anything considering a house. We both had a concept together of what we wanted, and a price range. And outside of those things, I didn't care as long as she was happy. No really, I didn't! As long as I could have air conditioning and hot water, I was good!

However, that is not the experience everyone has.

Today, I am actually going to share a link that will take you to Realtor.com. The article was written earlier this year by Stephanie Barth, a writer, and contributor to several publications. She took this concept of…
Post a Comment
Read more

When The Neighbors Don't Care

A home that isn't being maintained like others in the neighborhood can negatively affect your visual sense of appeal and in some extreme cases, even affect property values. It might be an overgrown yard, a fence in need of repair, excessive noise, unruly pets, paint peeling on the home or even a car or boat parked in front of the home that hasn't moved in weeks.

Most people want to be good neighbors and may be willing to correct an issue once it is brought to their attention. A practical, but possibly confrontational, solution is to contact the responsible person and describe your perception of the issue. However, they may not always agree with the same urgency and it might be necessary to seek other remedies.


An owner-occupant may be more sympathetic to the neighbors and willing to correct the issue. If you think the home might be a rental property, check with the county tax records to identify the owner. They may be unaware of the situation and welcome the…
Post a Comment
Read more

Don't Let A Killer In

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer you don't want in your home but because it is colorless and odorless; you may not even be aware the deadly condition exists. The Center for Disease Control says more than 400 people in the U.S. die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning and over 10,000 require medical treatment each year.


Unmaintained furnaces, water heaters and appliances can produce the deadly gas. In addition, other sources could be leaking chimneys, unvented kerosene or gas space heaters or exhaust from cars or trucks operating in an attached garage.
The Environmental Protection Agency suggests the following to reduce exposure in the home:
Keep gas appliances properly adjustedInstall and use an exhaust fan vented to the outdoors over gas stovesOpen flues when fireplaces are in useDo not idle car inside garageHave a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up central heating systems annually Headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and feelings of weakness or fat…
Post a Comment
Read more