The Uses and Misuses of English Words

Good usage in English is based on a mastery of the meanings, pronunciations, and spellings of words and phrases.

The field of English grammar is essential to the proper use of words and is very helpful in avoiding the abuse of English usage.

Good speaking and good writing depend upon a knowledge of the meanings of words and the ways in which words are used. Good usage is not absolutely standardized; but sometimes there are guides for rules that are based on the practices of those who are considered the "best writers and best speakers". It is believed that such "best" guides are dwindling more and more as many writers and, especially speakers, appear to be ignoring the rules of grammar. For example, too many well "educated" speakers have been heard to say something like, "Everyone should do their best to improve themselves." If you do not see anything wrong with this statement, then you are very likely an active participant in the world of malapropisms.

Right after the previous paragraph was written, a radio psychologist was heard to say, "If everybody does their job, they will be happier." Why can’t people realize that "everybody" is singular and so should take a singular pronoun reference (his/her) instead of "their"? The same is true for "everyone"! Why not say, "If people do their jobs, they will be happier"?

There is a great deal of confusion with words that are similar in some aspects but which are different in other characteristics.

Among the most common pitfalls in English are the many groups of words that are more or less alike in form, sound, or meaning; but which have distinct differences in one or the other of these elements:

1. Words that are pronounced the same, but are different in spelling and meaning; such as, complement and compliment, coarse and course, lead (metal) and led, pane and pain, pore and pour, stationary and stationery, as well as principal and principle. These kinds of words are known as homonyms and/or homophones.
2. Words that are spelled the same but are different in both sound (pronunciation) and meaning. These are usually one syllable words and are known as heteronyms.
3. Words that have similar pronunciations, but are different in meanings and spellings; including, accept and except, allusion and illusion, council, counsel, and consul, ingenious and ingenuous, perspicuous and perspicacious, potion and portion, prescribe and proscribe.
4. Words that come from the same root and have related meanings, but are used in different senses and connections; such as, credible and credulous, continual and continuous, disinterested and uninterested, percent and percentage, observance and observation, specie, and species.
5. Synonyms, or words having similar meanings; such as, complete and finished, custom and habit, exceed and excel, impetuous and vehement, requirement and requisition.
6. Words not directly related but confused through associations with each other; such as, complex and compound, imply and infer, infectious and contagious, immunity and impunity, propose and purpose.

Some people may have a good grasp of grammar, be expert at spelling and syntax, and still occasionally find themselves in a quandary about which words to use properly. These days appear to be difficult for those who want to be precise because it is more and more difficult with so many things working against us.

One of the problems is the constant bombardment of sloppy English that we are subjected to from what we hear and read; and not just what is overheard on public transportation or the graffiti that we are exposed to where ever we go. The conver- sations on the radio and television also contribute to our confusion; as well as, what is printed in every kind of publication. Public media are strong influences and if we hear and see a word misused often enough, it takes on a certain "correctness". There are many influences working against the improvement of what is considered preferred-English usage and those same influences are receiving credit for increasing the use of malapropisms and miscommunications.