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

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

It bothers me when people say Anxious when they mean Eager.

I am eager to see your new puppy, not anxious to see your new puppy. I am anxious to see my house after the fire, not eager to.

One thing I constantly say wrong is bring and take. I catch myself saying "What are you bringing to the bake sale?"

I'm not trying to pick apart what you said, but one could have anxiety about seeing a new puppy, so they could be anxious about it.

If you called your friend while you were attending the bake sale, wouldn't it be correct to ask what they were bringing? I'm not an expert, but this appears to be an instance where the proper word is dependent upon the location of the person asking the question. It would depend on whether they were coming or going. If they were not asking while attending the bake sale, then it would be correct to ask "What are you taking to the bake sale?" Am I correct about this?

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by dmarie123

I just wanted to add that according to Grammar Girl :
"...The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style...states that 'all right' as two words and 'alright' as one word have two distinct meanings. It gives the example of the sentence 'The figures are all right.' When you use 'all right' as two words, the sentence means 'the figures are all accurate.' When you write 'the figures are alright,' with 'alright' as one word, this source explains that the sentence means 'the figures are satisfactory.' "

Grammar Girl :: “All Right” Versus “Alright”

I agree.

"All right" means "all correct."

"Alright" often means "satisfactory." In general, I have learned that "alright" means satisfactory, but less than "all right," or less than perfect.

"The dinner was alright, but could have been better."

There is another use of "alright" that I have heard in common usage:

"Alright already! Enough is enough!" In this case it is an exclamation.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by Mainer61

Wait, hereare a couple. He's got it down pact. Or, I made it from scrap (instead of scratch).

I've seen television shows where things were made from scrap. Usually, they are some sort of mechanical contraption built from junkyard parts.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

She also writes that certain things "discust" her.

Perhaps you should tell her about it. Afterward, you can brag about how you discust it with her!

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by kodaka

I've heard a few people say 'libary' instead of 'library'. Drives me crazy.

Masonary instead of masonry in both verbal and written use. There is no such thing as masonary!

Masonary: (n) A person who preaches the virtues of bricklaying.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

When "often" is mispronounced by pronouncing the "t," which should be silent.

100 Most Often Mispronounced Words and Phrases in English

I agree. That would be the equivalent of pronouncing the "T"s in listen, whistle, and soften. When I hear someone pronounce the T in often, I ask them to lisTen to me while I whisTle, or I ask them if they use fabric sofTener.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by Mainer61

Notary Republic instead of Notary Public

Isn't the Notah Republic a nation on the coast of Africa?

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by chielgirl

Well, there are perfect idiots, and perfect strangers.
The reason why they're perfect strangers is that we don't know them yet. Once we do, they won't be perfect any longer.

On top of that, we'll find that they are "stranger" than we ever expected!

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by karuna95

I have a friend who says "viola!"

I have met several musicians who say the same thing! It has something to do with string (or stringed) instruments...

[Le Lune]

Your/You're
Their/There/They're