44 words we use wrong

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Let this article become a cheat sheet for you and save you from annoying mistakes.

1. Autobiography

“Fill out the application form and write your autobiography” - we often hear such phrases and do not think that there is a mistake from the category of “butter oil”. An autobiography is a description of one's life (autos - "myself", bios - "life" and grapho - "I write"). It is impossible to write someone else's autobiography, so the use of the possessive pronoun is unnecessary in this case.

2. Ambitious

Think before you write ambition in the merit column on your resume. An ambitious and purposeful person are different concepts. Ambition is heightened self-esteem, excessive conceit, as well as various claims and claims. The adjective formed from this word also has a negative emotional connotation.

3. Appeal - Operate

These words are often confused. In fact, they are completely different. To appeal means to turn to someone or something for support: “Appeal to the authorities”. This word is interpreted even more narrowly in legal practice: an appeal is a complaint, an appeal is to protest something. You can operate with some kind of tools or data. "An expert operates with statistics" means that he skillfully demonstrates it. If he calls for a statistical study for help, then he is already appealing to statistics.

4. A priori

This adverb is understood by many as something self-evident, requiring no proof. But in philosophy to think a priori means to have an idea about something, without checking it in practice (from Latin a priori - “from the previous”). The antonym is the word "a posteriori" - a judgment based on experience. So you cannot a priori be sure of the meaning of a word until you look into the dictionary.

5. Test - try

These words are sometimes used synonymously. To avoid such a mistake, remember: to test is to test and approve. As a rule, we are talking about some kind of official procedures: "Scientists have tested a new drug - it will soon go on sale." It is impossible to test semolina, unless, of course, this is some kind of large study, based on the results of which a written opinion will be made.

6. Asexual

Sometimes this is the wrong name for an outwardly unattractive person. The term "asexuality" means a weak sexual instinct. An asexual person can be pretty damn cute but indifferent to sex.

7. Authentic

Buzzword. Every now and then, something becomes authentic - cafes, performances, and even people. But the word "authenticity" is "originality." It means authenticity, compliance with the original. Authentic can be a contract or a product, as well as works of art.

8. Hypothesis - theory

Close, but not identical concepts. A hypothesis is a scientific assumption that is put forward to substantiate some phenomenon and requires testing empirically. A theory (in one of the meanings) is an opinion about something, developed on the basis of observations. In other words, within the framework of a theory, you can put forward a hypothesis in order to prove certain provisions of this theory.

9. Dilemma is a problem

Solving a dilemma and dealing with a problem are not the same thing. A dilemma is a difficult choice between two mutually exclusive options. To be or not to be? The third, as a rule, is not given. A problem is, first of all, an unpleasant situation with many solutions or no solutions.

10. Contract - contract

Very close concepts, however, there are semantic and legal nuances. A contract is an agreement between two or more persons. According to civil law, it can be concluded both in writing and orally. A contract is always a written agreement. Moreover, according to the current legislation, one of its parties, as a rule, is the state.

11. Significant - Significant

There is a lot of confusion with these adjectives too. Significant, that is, having weight or having a special meaning, can be, for example, words. Significant is, first of all, large in size or strength; something that matters a lot. Therefore, the company's profits will always be significant.

12. For - so that

These conjunctions are often misused because they do not know their meaning. Look in the dictionary so as not to be mistaken when attaching the subordinate clause. The union “for” corresponds to the union “because” and “since”, and “in order” corresponds to the union “in order”.

13. Ideology - ideological

These concepts cannot be substituted for each other. Ideology is a belief system that shapes a worldview. Previously, the world was clearly divided into adherents of one or another political and economic ideology. Ideology is loyalty to any point of view, idea.

14. Quintessence

This word comes from the Latin quinta essentia - "the fifth essence." In ancient and medieval philosophy, the essence, the basis of anything, was called the quintessence. Now this term is for some reason used when combining various concepts, for example: "The author noticed that his book is the quintessence of many genres, combining many plots." And this, of course, is not true.

15. Business trip - business traveler

"Places in the hotel are only for business travelers" - many will pass by such an announcement, not suspecting a dirty trick. But a business trip is something inanimate related to a business trip. You can't talk about people like that. A person who went somewhere to carry out an official assignment was sent on a business trip: "For the employees on business, the company rented a hotel and pays them travel allowances."

16. Comil'fo

Hearing the phrase “Call him, otherwise I’m somehow not comme il faut”, we immediately understand that one person is embarrassed to dial another's number. This word is often used to mean "comfortable / uncomfortable" or "comfortable / uncomfortable". Few people know that the dictionary meaning of the word "comme il faut" is refined, refined, corresponding to the rules of good form. "In public he keeps himself comme il faut, but at home …"

17. Competence - competence

Knowledge and experience in a certain area should not be confused with the ability to use them. For example, if a company has a vacancy for a lawyer, then only a person with a higher legal education (competence) will be able to fill it. But the presence of a diploma does not guarantee the competence of applicants.

18. Congenial

Many are convinced that this is an excellent form of the adjective "genius". Like, congenial is like brilliant, only even better. But in fact, the word comes from the Latin con ("together") and genialis ("referring to genius"). At the same time, "genius" in Latin is spirit. Thus, congenial is close in spirit. A congenial person is one who is close in thought and values.

19. Credit - loan

These terms can sometimes be used interchangeably (depending on the context). However, it is important to remember the legal differences between these concepts. A bank or other credit institution issues money on credit, for which interest is charged. The subject of a loan can be not only money, but also things, and not necessarily on a reimbursable basis.

20. Liberalism - Libertarianism

Two ideological trends with similar names, but different content. Liberalism unites supporters of a parliamentary system, broad political freedoms and entrepreneurship. The main feature of libertarianism is the prohibition of "aggressive violence". Supporters of this political trend believe that any manifestation of force and even the threat of its manifestation should be punished by law.

21. Loyal

Many people identify this word with condescension: “The teacher was loyal - he set it up automatically”. Let's look in the dictionary: "Loyal - keeping loyalty to the existing state power, to the existing order." Only in the second meaning - a correct attitude towards someone or something - loyalty is similar to condescension, but an equal sign between these concepts still cannot be put.

22. Marginal

When the press does not want to offend homeless people or beggars, they are "politely" called outcasts. But in sociology, this term is much broader. A marginal is someone who finds himself in a new situation and has not yet adapted to it. For example, a marginal position is occupied by a person who has just moved from a village to a city.

23. Mesalliance - union

Following the logic that "alliance" is the root, some believe that mesalliance represents some kind of alliance of people or states. In fact, a misalliance is nothing more than an unequal marriage (the root is "misalliance"). The phrase "Japan-Korea misalliance" can sound ambiguous and sometimes offensive.

24. Misanthrope

Avoids people, does not seek communication - this characteristic is suitable not only for misanthropes, but also for introverts. Therefore, these concepts are often confused and identified. But a misanthrope (literally a misanthrope) doesn't just keep social contacts to a minimum - people piss him off. He does not believe in anyone, sees only the bad in everything and suspects everyone of something. Misanthropy can be selective and manifest itself in hatred only towards men or, on the contrary, towards women. For the most part, introverts are utter souls.

25. Mental - thinkable

Feel the difference with the following examples: "Is it conceivable to fail the session!" - shouted in rage the mother. "La-li-lai …" - mentally hummed her daughter. The mental is the imaginary, living somewhere in your thoughts. And the thinkable is that which is difficult to imagine (but it is possible).

26. Unpleasant - unpleasant

The first word is often used as a synonym for the second: "What an impartial type!" But to say so is wrong. In fact, impartial - impartial, fair, one who does not seek to please anyone. If someone calls you an impartial person, consider yourself a compliment.

27. Intolerant - Intolerable

Words similar in spelling, but different in meaning. An intolerant is one who is devoid of tolerance, or something that cannot be tolerated. For example, intolerant misanthrope or intolerant rudeness. The intolerable is the intolerable, acting so strong that it cannot be tolerated. Pain or wind is unbearable.

28. Nonsense

This word is often misunderstood: "The new iPhone is just nonsense!" They wanted to emphasize the incredible coolness and sensationalism of the gadget, but said that this is nonsense and absurdity. After all, this is precisely the meaning of the word "nonsense".

29. Odious

Be wary if someone in your environment is called an odious person. It's good if people just don't know that odious is not extravagant and extraordinary, but unpleasant, causing a storm of negative emotions. What if not?

30. Organic - organic

Adjectives in which it is easy to get confused, if you do not once and for all learn that organic is conditioned by the very essence of someone or something (synonym - natural). And organic is related to a living organism. Even more narrowly, it is composed of carbon. Example: "A monument to doctors fighting organic brain lesions fits organically into the city's landscape."

31. Paphos

This word is often understood as pretense. In fact, translated from Greek páthos means "passion". Paphos is an uplift, inspiration. In literary works, this term denotes the highest emotional point reached by the heroes and found a response in the hearts of readers.

32. Teacher - teacher

An equal sign is often put between these words, although these concepts are not at all identical. A teacher is a person who is engaged in teaching or educational activities (synonym - mentor). A teacher is an employee of a secondary or higher educational institution who teaches a subject (teacher of mathematics, teacher of literature). Thus, a teacher is a type of activity, a profession, and a teacher is a specialization.

33. Gift - souvenir

Using these words as synonyms is not always appropriate. A souvenir is a memento associated with a visit to a place. What we buy as a keepsake of a country, city or person. The expressions "memorable souvenir" or "souvenir for memory" have semantic redundancy. If the present is not related to the trip, it is better to write “gift”.

34. Under the auspices

According to ancient Greek mythology, the aegis is a cloak of Zeus with magical properties. To be under the auspices means to be under the protection of some powerful force, to rely on the support of someone or something. It is wrong to use this expression in the meaning "under the pretext". It cannot be said: "Under the auspices of consumer protection, Rospotrebnadzor carried out a raid on the city's retail outlets."

35. Change - change

Words that should not be confused in written literary speech. To change is to give what is yours and receive something else instead, that is, to exchange something. To change is to make different. The expression "He completely changed his life" is erroneous, as well as "She changed her maiden name to her husband's surname."

36. Practically - almost

These adverbs are often confused. You can write “Almost everything remains the same” and “Almost everything remains the same”, but the meaning will be different. The adverb “practically” can be replaced by the expression “in practice” or “in fact”. Then our example will sound like this: “In practice, everything remains the same” or “In fact, everything remains the same”. In other words, things are still there. The adverb "almost" means that something is missing, it can be replaced by the expression "almost". The sentence “Almost everything remains the same” has a different semantic connotation: something has been done, but insignificantly.

37. Painting - signature

Related words, but do not equate them. A signature is an inscription under something (under + write). For example, write your surname under the text of the contract. Painting is decorative painting on walls, ceilings, or objects. From a literary point of view, the request to sign the act is incorrect. It is possible to replace the signature with a signature only in colloquial speech.

38. Today is the present

“Today”, that is, referring to the current day, should not be confused with the word “present”. The latter concept is broader. It covers everything related to the current year (month, summer, season).

39. Sentence

Sentences are usually understood as some kind of statements, remarks or theses. But it is important to remember that, according to the dictionary, these should not be any utterances, but moral utterances.

40. Sociopath - social phobia

The first one suffers from a dissocial personality disorder, and therefore does not take into account social norms and rules, he wanted to spit on morality and constantly challenges others. The second is a person who is afraid of society. He may be afraid to talk to a stranger on the street or be in a crowded place. Sociopathy is a type of mental disorder, social phobia is a type of phobia. It is impossible to equate these concepts.

41. Typical - typical

Consonant, but different in meaning words. Don't be confused: typical - embodying the characteristics of someone or something. Typical is one that corresponds to some sample.

42. Frustration - prostration

These concepts are often confused even by psychologists themselves. Frustration is a feeling of anxiety arising from the inability to achieve what you want. In other words, dissatisfaction. Prostration is a depressed, apathetic state, a breakdown, when you do not want and cannot do anything.

43. Functionality - functionality

Even in serious IT-publications, they make an annoying mistake, calling functionality functionality and vice versa. They are not the same thing. Functionality is a collection of possible uses or possible actions performed by an object: the functionality of a smartphone or laptop. A functional is a numeric function defined on a vector space.

44. Empathy

This psychological term is sometimes confused and equated with sympathy. Empathy is the ability to enter the emotional state of another person, to feel his experiences. We can not always take the place of another person, even if we like him.

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