Sunday, August 14, 2022

The English Language part 2 of 2

As pointed out in last week's blog, the English language (or at least the American branch of the language) is often confusing even to those who were born here with this being the only language they speak.

Here is a list of 20 common errors. Some are spelling/using wrong spelling of word with same pronunciation, some are different pronunciations of words spelled the same way, and others relate to literally using the wrong words in popular phrases.

1)  It didn't phase me, should be: It didn't faze me.

2)  For all intensive purposes, should be: For all intents and purposes.

3)  He has another thing coming, should be: He has another think coming.

4)  Escape goat, should be: Scape goat.

5)  One in the same, should be: One and the same.

6)  Given free reign, should be: Given free rein.

7)  Low and behold, should be: Lo and behold.

8)  Case and point, should be: Case in point.

9)  Peak your interest, should be: Pique your interest.

10)  Hunger pains, should be: Hunger pangs.

11)  Suppose to, should be: Supposed to.

12)  Should of, should be: Should have.

13)  Nipped that problem in the butt, should be:  Nipped that problem in the bud.

14)  Mute point, should be: Moot point.

15)  Piece of mind, should be: Peace of mind (unless you are giving someone a piece of your mind as in venting your anger).

16)  Beck on call, should be: Beck and call.

17)  On accident, should be: By accident.

18)  Expresso, should be: Espresso.

and tied for most commonly misused:

19)  I could care less, should be: I couldn't care less.

20)  Irregardless, should be: Regardless.

3 comments:

Hywela Lyn said...

As a British writer, published in the U.S. I found this really interesting, as I so often come across some of these in my own reading. I've recently seen several instances of 'could care less' which logically means one actually cares a great deal when in fact the writer meant the opposite and it should be, as you rightly say, 'couldn't care less'.

'Free rein' is, as you probably know, an equestrian term, meaning to loosen the reins and give a horse the freedom to run and it makes me cringe when it's incorrectly spelt'reign'as in the Queen's reign. One you didn't mention, which seems to be acceptable in the U.S. but not over here, is 'different than' which should correctly be 'different from':)

Thanks so much for such an interesting post.

Samantha Gentry said...

Hywela: I've set a few of my books all or partially in the UK and have tried to add the UK words when that character is speaking to give the 'flavor' of the locale (lift vs. elevator, tube or underground vs. subway, etc.). In one of my books I had an editor (British) and an author (American) discussing the book she's writing for the British publisher. He would say something then pause and teasingly rephrase it "for those who only speak American."

Thanks for your comment.

Anonymous said...



Malaprops can sometimes be intentional. The late actor, Leo Gorcey, used them as part of the typecast character he routinely portrayed.