32 Most Commonly Misused Words And Phrases (meaning, sentence, grammar, library)

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

I think it is incorrect.

from the Harper Dictionary of Contemporary Usage (1985) by William and Mary Morris:

" 'Preventative' is not a correct word. The form does exist as a mistaken variant of 'preventive.' It is what linguists call 'an irregularly formed doublet' and should be avoided. It is listed in the 'Oxford English Dictionary' and some American dictionaries but 'preventive' is always given as the preferred form. The great English word expert H.W. Fowler remarked that "'preventative' is a needless lengthening of an established word, due to oversight or caprice." Perhaps Americans have fallen into the habit of using 'preventative' because of its similarity to 'representative,' but it represents a serious trend in American speech. The use of 'preventative' for 'preventive,' of 'filtrate' for 'filter,' of 'experimentalize' for 'experiment,' and of 'finalize' for 'end' seems to be a part of a trend toward the elimination of simple, precise words in favor of flowery, pretentious gobbledegook."

I just love this last sentence. I think "utilize" for "use" falls into that category.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by Moonlady

I work with a large corporate group that has a terrible propensity to turn nouns into verbs. The two that make me cringe the most are "We need to solution that" and "Wait until I receipt it in the computer before you take it". You cannot convince them these two words are not verbs.

Oh my lord. May I come to your workplace and slap your coworkers?

[Mightyqueen801]

I just saw this under the Great Debates forum and couldn't resist:

"they think the world is at their becking call..."

[1greatcity]

Most of us have heard a voice mail greeting similar to "Please leave your name and number and I will return your call at my earliest opportunity."
Lately, I've been hearing the word "convenience" used in place of "opportunity". In this context, I don't care for the tone of the word "convenience"; it comes across as pompous to me.
There's also this phrase commonly used in television advertising: "absolutely free!" First, it's redundant because "free" is already an absolute. Something is either free or it's not; there aren't varying degrees of "free". Second, advertisers like to shout "buy one and get the second one absolutely free!" I maintain that if you have to buy the first one to get the second one, then the second one isn't really free. Perhaps I should call one of these companies and order just the second one!

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by Moonlady

I work with a large corporate group that has a terrible propensity to turn nouns into verbs. The two that make me cringe the most are "We need to solution that" and "Wait until I receipt it in the computer before you take it". You cannot convince them these two words are not verbs.

Those "verbs" are new to me. I've never heard either of them used in that way, and if I did, I would most likely correct the party that used them in that manner. I'm in complete agreement with you on that!

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

I just saw this under the Great Debates forum and couldn't resist:

"they think the world is at their becking call..."

Oops!

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by 1greatcity

Most of us have heard a voice mail greeting similar to "Please leave your name and number and I will return your call at my earliest opportunity."
Lately, I've been hearing the word "convenience" used in place of "opportunity". In this context, I don't care for the tone of the word "convenience"; it comes across as pompous to me.

How about the voicemail messages that go something like this:

"You have reached Mr. Soandso of the XYZ company. I can't take your call, but please leave a message."

If I actually reached Mr. Soandso, why did I get his voicemail?

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by younglisa7

7. Could Of- Of the 32 mistakes on this list, this is the one that bothers me most. It’s “could have” not “could of.” When you hear people talking, they’re saying “could’ve.” Got it?
Which misused words drive you crazy?

I am in complete agreement with you about this. I cringe every time I hear someone say that. Some of the other things that drive me crazy are:

Try and... You don't try and do something, you try to do something. By saying "try and" implies that you will both try and succeed in doing so, which is contradictory. If you know you will succeed, then there is no "trying" about it. If you don't know you will succeed, then the "and" should not be there.

...to be... For some reason, people seem to think that the phrase "to be" can be left out of their sentences. Here is an example: "The light bulb needs replaced." What? It doesn't even make any sense, but I've heard it many times. What they should have said was "The light bulb needs to be replaced."

The unnecessary use of prepositions This is a common error that is made, and one that I have made at times, too. Examples: "Where are you going to?" or "Where are you at?" In both cases, the preposition at the end of the sentence is implied, and is not necessary.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by studedude

In regards to #28 which form would you use to tell someone there three ways of spelling 2?

I would use the oral form of communication to inform them of this tidbit of information!

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by DarlaLogan

PIN number.

Originally Posted by Dark of the Moon

Would that be related to your vehicle's VIN number ???

Don't forget about the ATM machine!

edit: Don't mind me... someone else said this already (or is it all ready?)!