Have you ever been frustrated with spell check when it doesn't tell you you're using the wrong word in a sentence? It's not much help, obviously, because you correctly spelled the word.
Marketers often confuse the meaning of certain words that look and/or sound alike. Often a close copy edit fails to reveal the mistake, one that can be embarrassing if your reader notices.
This isn't a problem with our most common English words, but there are some tricky ones that even the best writers goof up on.
So to help you avoid the shame, I've compiled a list of often confused words from the indispensable guide for business writers, The Elements of Grammar by Margaret Shertzer.
Words Often Confused (But Not By You Anymore) Starting in the A's
affect (vb.): to influence, to change
effect: to accomplish (vb.), result (n.)
afterward
afterwards: both forms are correct
all right: correct form
alright: no such spelling but still OK to use
all ready: entirely ready (The work is all ready for you.)
already: action has occurred (I have already finished the work.)
all together: in a body (The family is all together.)
altogether: entirely (You are altogether right.)
allusion: an indirect reference
delusion: an error of judgement
illusion: an error of vision
altar (n.): a sacred place of worship
alter: to change
among: use among when reference is to more than two
between: use between when reference is made to only two persons or things.
amount: bulk, the sum total referring to number
number: refers to something counted
quantity: refers to something measured
anecdote: a narrative of a particular incident
antidote: a remedy to counteract poison
anywhere: this is fine
anywheres: no such word (Note: I have used this in a conversational style piece of writing)
appraise: to value
apprise: to inform, to notify
apprize: to put value on; seldom used but same as appraise
apt: suitable, appropriate, skilled
liable: legally bound; implies undesirable consequences
likely: possible
ascent: act of rising
assent: consent
avocation: a minor occupation pursued especially for enjoyment
vocation: a regular calling or profession
And there you have the A's. I'll continue to take words from The Elements of Grammar and from my own notes that are confusing and easy to get wrong and list them for you here in future posts.
Let's affect your sales writing to effect a better bottom line for your business!
Until next time,
Nick
