Do you cringe every time someone types something erroneous, whether it’s on Facebook, a blog, or even an e-mail?  I know I do.  Even when it’s something so simple, you’d think they’d know the difference! Do I have an example? Yes.  How about this?  I got an e-mail from a friend the other day, who wrote:

“I’m going too the movies with (so-and-so) on Friday night [...] I heard your going, to.”

I am such a snob about English (though I admit, I am guilty of some goofs now and then), that when I get messages like the one above, I have to stifle the urge to write back with a sharp tongue. Though it would be very satisfying to reply, “I’m not going anywhere with a dolt like you! Don’t you know how to use English correctly?”, I could bet they would reconsider our friendship!

But it’s not just taking place in words we write or type.  It’s also rampant in our conversations with one another on the phone, and in person.

Now, we’re not all perfect when it comes to grammar.   However, I think things have gotten ridiculously out of hand when it comes to folks uttering even the most simple sentences.  I have formed a strong opinion that modern Standard English has been beaten nearly to death these past few decades!

With the Internet being more readily available to us at home, at work and in our place of business, coupled with the millions of choices we have in other media such as television and radio, the widespread misuse of English has lead us to see and hear others writing and speaking incorrectly all too frequently, and it becomes very easy to simply parrot and repeat commonly misused words and phrases.

I have this odd fantasy, where generations of long-dead English teachers, professors, writers and linguists are spinning in their graves every time someone says they are “heading towards” something, or when someone asks a telemarketer on the phone what their call is “in regards to”! This has got to stop!

The good news is, there are some easy rules in place about certain words and phrases in Standard English, and if you remember and practice them when writing and speaking, you can become a stronger communicator no matter the situation, whether it’s in business communications (i.e., e-mails, phone calls, meetings), or simply while taking part in casual, everyday conversation.

Let’s make it so that 21st century is remembered as one full of correct and graceful speakers and writers!

Farther vs. further
Farther is talking about physical distance.  Further is talking about an extension of time or degree.

Wrong: “Let’s take this conversation farther, in my office.”
Right: “Let’s take this conversation further, in my office”

Wrong: “How much further are we going to travel?”
Right: “How much farther are we going to travel?”

Lose vs. loose
Lose is when you lose something or someone.  Loose, is the opposite of tight,  when something has gotten away, or is unattached.

Wrong: John will loose his coverage if he doesn’t pay his insurance bill.
Right: John will lose his coverage if he doesn’t pay his insurance bill.

Wrong: I need to tighten this belt, it’s too lose.
Right: I need to tighten this belt, it’s too loose.

Averse vs. adverse
Adverse is not favorable, averse is reluctance (when you don’t want to do something).

Wrong: Stacy is not adverse to socializing while at work
Right: Stacy is not averse to socializing while at work.

Wrong: My stomach had an averse reaction to eating eggs.
Right: My stomach had an adverse reaction to eating eggs.

Peak/peek/pique
Peak is a mountain top, or the top of the height of something.  Peek is to take a glance or quick look.  Pique is when something might grab attention.

Wrong: My interest was peaked after I took a pique at the brochure showcasing Pike’s Peek.
Right: My interest was piqued after I took a peek at the brochure showcasing Pike’s Peak.

Complement vs. compliment
Complement is when one thing makes another thing appear/taste good, or be better than it already is.  Compliment is a pleasant remark to give to someone about something they did, something about them, or on what they’re wearing, bought, etc.

Wrong: Bill complemented Ann on her new dress.  It complimented her eyes.
Right: Bill complimented Ann on her new dress.  It complemented her eyes.

Wrong: The waiter served a complementary Pinot Noir to compliment our meal.
Right: The waiter served a complimentary Pinot Noir to complement our meal.

Fewer vs. less
Fewer is used in reference to something that can be counted.  Use less when you can’t count it.

Wrong: There are less clouds in the sky, now that the rain has gone.
Right: There are fewer clouds in the sky, now that the rain has gone.

There are plenty more of these to come, in the next post for this series!

Copyright © Bobbi Jo Woods - published October 20, 2009 at http://www.webprospeak.com

About the author:
Bobbi Jo is the owner of B. Woods Design, a St. Paul Web Design company - http://bwoodsdesign.com