Words Frequently Confused and Misused

Here are some of the frequently misused words:

Observable / Observant

Observable: can be seen or noticed; observant: quick to pay attention.

e.g. The solution to the problem is observable to many scientists.

e.g. To be a good scientist, you must be observant of all the relevant details and data.

Pretense / Pretension

Pretense is to make believe; pretension is a claim

e.g. She makes no pretense to like her mother-in-law. (She does not pretend that she likes her mother-in-law)

e.g. He made no pretension to that award. (He never claimed that he received that award)

Ingenious / Ingenuous

Ingenious is clever; ingenuous is natural, free from deceit.

e.g. I must say that was an ingenious way to fund the project.

e.g. The Mayor's response to the questions from the reporter was sincere and ingenuous.

Noteworthy / Noticeable

Noteworthy means deserving attention; noticeable means easily seen.

e.g. The candidate's accomplishments are noteworthy.

e.g. The flaws in the Governor's character are easily noticeable to the public.

Providing that / Provided that

Providing that is incorrect.

e.g. You can go out to play provided (that) you have finished your homework. (meaning: on condition that)

e.g. You can keep the book for another week providing that no one has reserved it (incorrect: provided that should be used instead)

e.g. The millionaire has helped the poor, providing many of them with food and shelter. (correct; meaning: giving or offering)

Indoor / Indoors

Indoor is an adjective; indoors is an adverb.

e.g. Bowling is an indoor game.

e.g. It's going to rain; let's go indoors.

Welcome / Welcomed

Welcome is an adjective or a verb; welcomed is a participle.

e.g. You are most welcome.

e.g. This is a welcome party for all newcomers.

e.g. I like to welcome all of you.

e.g. The guests were welcomed by all of us in front of the house.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau

Colloquial Expressions

Colloquial expressions are often acceptable in informal writing. The more you learn, the more you will know when to use them or not to use them in your writing or speaking. 

Piece of cake: something easy to do.

e.g. Moving this piece of furniture is just a piece of cake.

Streets ahead of: far superior to.

e.g. As far as computer technology is concerned, he is streets ahead of me.

Good for you: well done!

e.g. "I aced my test." "Good for you!"

Hard stuff: whisky or any liquor.

"Would you like a Coke?" "I'd prefer some hard stuff."

Make one's pile: make one's fortune.

e.g. Real estate is where he makes his pile.

Go under: fail.
e.g. I am sorry to say that all your proposals have gone under.

Hook on to: attach oneself to.

e.g. Don't hook on to your computer all day.

Fork out: pay.
e.g. Everyone has to fork out $30 for the picnic.

Back to square one: back to where one started.

e.g. We're back to square one: no deal.

Hook it: depart immediately.

e.g. Come on, hook it; our parents will be back soon.

Long in the tooth: very old.
e.g. "How old is your grandfather?" Long in the tooth, I guess."

Gift of the gab: ability to give effective speeches.

e.g. The new Mayor has the gift of the gab: people like listening to him.

Not worth powder and shot: not worth the effort.

e.g. If I were you, I would just give it up; it's not worth powder and shot.

Be a devil: take a risk.

e.g. Come on, be a devil; you've nothing to lose.

Stephen Lau