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Frequently Misused Words 

The meaning and spelling of the following word pairs are commonly confused:

 

Affect / Effect

 

Affect – To influence, to change

            An organization’s profitability can affect whether employees receive raises.

 

Effect – (noun) impression, results; (verb) to cause

            Global warming is having an increasingly strong effect on our everyday lives.

            It has effected a change in the way we view our future.

 

Among / Between

 

Among – used for more than two

            He divided the money among his three sons.

           

Between – used in connection with two persons or things

            He divided the money between his two sons.

 

Continual / Continuous

           

Continual – action that occurs with pauses and intermissions

            The computer continually breaks down.

           

Continuous – action that occurs without pauses

            The roar of the waterfall was continuous.

 

Disinterested / Uninterested

           

Disinterested – impartial, showing no preferences or prejudice

            To serve on a jury, you must be a disinterested party.

 

Uninterested – bored or lacking interest

            He was uninterested and took no part in the meeting.

 

Eager / Anxious

 

Eager – fervent, enthusiastic

            I am eager for news about my job possibility.

 

Anxious – full of anxiety or worry caused by apprehension

            Her co-workers were anxious about her poor health.

 

Farther / Further

 

Farther – refers to physical distance

            We will drive no farther tonight.

 

Further – refers to degree or extent

            Let’s pursue this argument no further.

 

Imply / Infer

 

Imply – to throw out a hint or suggestion

            She implied by her manner that she was unhappy with her supervisor.

 

Infer – to take in a hint or suggestion

            I inferred from her manner that she was unhappy with me.

 

Lay / Lie

 

Lay – to put or place something

Please lay your report on the desk.

 

Lie – to rest or recline

            We asked the sick employee to lie down.

 

Less / Fewer

 

Less – used for quantities

            The amount of money in my savings account is less than it was last month.

 

Fewer – used for individual units, numbers

            You will need to make fewer mistakes in your report.

 

Stationary / Stationery

 

Stationary – still, fixed

            The computer terminal is stationary.

           

Stationery – letter paper

            Please order more stationery for the office.