Most Misused Words in the English Language

[loulizlee]

1.  LESS and FEWER

Although you may not realize it, grocery stores have been using the wrong word at the checkout for many years.  When you see a sign saying 20 or 10 Items Or Less, that is incorrect.

"Less is used when comparing quantities that can’t be counted; for example, “I’d like less milk.” If you’re comparing quantities (like bagels, for example) then “fewer” should be used."

To be continued.......

[freshtees]

There, their, they're...
Than, Then...

I see these CONSTANTLY used incorrectly and it bothers me lol. I am a grammar junkie I guess.

[jcribb16]

This is true.  I've not really thought about it before with less and fewer, but you are right.

[hollyromey]

I think the only reason they use less is because it rolls off the tongue.

Effect and Affect are often misused because they are close in spelling and definition. Affect causes or influences a change with emotion (I.E. Her tears affected me deeply). Effect is a result of something. (The lights gave the effect an stars in the night sky.)

[Clandestine1]

You're and Your. It really bugs me when someone says Your instead if You're or vice versa. Another good one is to, too and two. It's like some people are not ever aware of the word too, they just write to all the time. 

[caleshire]

English Language is too complicated period no wonder they call it the hardest language in the world especially the words is the same sounds and different meaning,Its just really hard for someone that its not  a native tongue.

[kaitsilva]

You see a lot of errors with "Rise, rose, risen..." and "Lay, Laid, Lie..." as well. The rules behind which word gets used can be tricky!

[raven1114]

Honestly I'm not that much of a grammar *bleep* that it bothers me.

[dreamyxo]

Affect and effect.

[BaudLight]

A lot of people don't seem to grasp the word "literally,"  but insist on trying to use it anyways.  Some seem to confuse it with the meaning of "figuretively."

[jkhanson]

Another grammar misuse is when people talk about themselves and someone else.  It is common to hear people say:


"Me and my mom are going shopping." 

It should be:

"My Mom and I are going shopping."

[loulizlee]

These are all good ones.  I'm a grammar and spelling junkie, too.  I am puzzled by hearing people say it doesn't matter.  Recently I read that a company had several hundred jobs openings and did not find a single application that did not contain spelling and grammar errors.  My pet peeve is your and you're.  It is unbelievable how many high school and college graduates use those two words wrong.

To be continued......

[loulizlee]

Desert and dessert - Desert is a hot, sandy place and dessert is a food item usually eaten at the end of a meal.

[demaina]

It's not the most common, but it really bugs me on the Geico commercial when he says that his coffee cup is computer animated.  It may be animated by computers, but things that are made in a computer and animated are referred to as computer generated, not animated.  Really bugs me when I hear that.

[wildequusheart]

I think my pet peeve with spelling and grammar is when I'm reading a written statement (post, memo, etc.) by someone who is in a relatively high position of power or who is trying to "show off" their intelligence then makes an utterly ridiculous mistake that can't just be chalked up a typo. Apparently I'm not the only one either. Some of my managers and supervisors have notoriously poor spelling and grammar skills. Two of them started asking me to proofread their memos before they posted them because they grew tired of people crossing out and correcting mistakes.