Here’s a list of words that are often misused or confused. If you find any errors, or would like to see something added, please let us know.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
and/or: Do not use. In most cases, one or the other will do. (For example, “No food or drink allowed” does not mean that both are allowed.) If precision is critical, say instead or both or but not both.
as/because: Avoid using as to mean because. Use as instead to illustrate relationships that change over time.
Unclear: We updated the directive as the legislation was changed.
Preferred: We updated the directive because the legislation was changed.
Correct use of as: The price increased as supply decreased.
Bi/semi: Bi is every two—biweekly is every two weeks. Semi means twice per—semiweekly is twice a week. Biannual, however, is twice a year, and biennial is every two years. To avoid this confusion, be explicit; e.g., say twice a year, or every two weeks.
compose/comprise/constitute: Compose means to assemble or constitute. Comprise means to encompass (specifically that which is already assembled): “The formation is composed of sandstone and shale,” or “It comprises sandstone and shale.” “It is comprised of shale” is incorrect. The parts do not comprise the whole, they constitute the whole: “Sandstone and shale constitute the formation.”
counsel/council: Counsel as a verb means to give advice. As a noun it may be the advice itself or a lawyer. A council is a group of people or organizations forming a body for a designated purpose.
data: Treat as plural: “The data support the hypothesis.” When part of a compound, like big data, it is usually singular: “Big data is helping us make better decisions.”
dispose: To dispose is to arrange, incline, or make ready. To dispose of is a prepositional phrase meaning to get rid of something: “The company is disposed to clean up the site”; “The company will dispose of the material”; not, “The company will dispose the material.”
e.g./i.e.: The abbreviation e.g. is for the Latin exempli gratia, “for example,” and what follows it is not an exhaustive list. On the other hand, i.e., Latin id est, means “that is.” What follows it should be an exhaustive list. They’re not interchangeable. Both abbreviations should be followed by a comma.
etc. / et al.: Use etc. for things; et al. is for people. (Note the period after al.)
impact/affect: Impact should remain a noun. A spill can have an impact, but cannot impact anything; use affect or affected instead. That said, it is still preferable to talk about effects as opposed to impacts, especially when referring to people.
impacts on / impacts to: Use impacts on. (See appendix 5.)
locate, located: This word is often unnecessary. Instead of saying “The facility is located near Fort McKay,” just say “The facility is near Fort McKay.”
not: Avoid not to express a negative when there’s a reasonable alternative. Some examples:
doesn’t → fails to
doesn’t go unless → only goes when
shouldn’t include → should omit
not advisable → inadvisable
does not relate → is unrelated
shall/must: Use must.
utilize/use: Never use utilize. The only exception is if your language community uses that word in a special way and you are only communicating within that language community. In all other cases, use the shorter and simpler use.
which/that: That introduces an essential clause that defines the noun it is attached to and cannot be omitted: “The lawn mower that is broken is in the garage.” (Tells which one; there are multiple lawn mowers.) Which introduces a nonessential clause with information that could be omitted without making the sentence unclear: “The lawn mower, which is broken, is in the garage.” (Adds a fact about the only lawn mower around.)