Confusing Words

Is it champing at the bit or chomping at the bit? While chomping is widely used and accepted in casual speech today, the original and technically correct phrase is champing at the bit. Both champ and chomp mean to chew or bite noisily. But champing is the traditional term used in equestrian circles for a…

I’m really very sorry to tell you this, but some of the writing advice you may read about really and very is not always valid. Yes, they are weak adverbs, and it’s true that, in many instances, it’s better to find alternatives. However, there are circumstances where it is impractical, or you risk using overly…

Is it mistook or mistaken? The quickest way to choose is to check if you are describing an action or a state of being. Use mistook as a past tense verb for an action you performed (I mistook him for a friend). Use mistaken as an adjective to describe a person or a noun (a…

Yes, irregardless is a real word, but it’s the only real word that will make your spellchecker and your boss equally angry. Most dictionaries list irregardless as a word, but almost all entries label it as a non-standard adverb. Because English is a reported language, dictionaries include new words once they reach a regular usage…

Is it procrastinate or prevaricate? While both involve a delay, the difference is in the action. Use procrastinate when you are putting off a task or “leaving it until tomorrow.” Use prevaricate when you are being evasive, beating around the bush, or avoiding the truth to stall for time. Using procrastinate and prevaricate in writing…

Is it fish or fishes? Both are correct, but they mean different things. Use fish when you are talking about multiple individuals of the same species. Use fishes when you are referring to multiple different species of fish. The uncountable noun Most uncountable nouns have no plural form. Nouns like advice, information, water, and furniture never…

The adverbs, usually and normally, have similar meanings and are often interchangeable. They both indicate a degree of frequency. But these two words have a subtle difference that can influence their use in different contexts. TL;DR: Normally refers to an action that is standard or normal or conforms to a set of rules. However, the adverb…

Is it card sharp or card shark? Both are now accepted, but they carry slightly different flavors. A card sharp is the original term for someone who uses “sharp” skills to cheat at cards. A card shark is a more modern variation that implies a predatory, aggressive, and highly skilled player (who may or may…

Is it biweekly or bimonthly? These words are notoriously confusing because they both have two meanings. Biweekly can mean twice a week or every two weeks. Bimonthly can mean twice a month or every two months. Because of this confusion, the best advice for writers isn’t to choose one—it’s to avoid them entirely to ensure…

What’s the difference between a morning suit and mourning suit? A morning suit is formal attire worn for daytime events like weddings or horse races. A mourning suit (with a “u” for unhappy) is black clothing worn to show grief at a funeral. While they sound exactly the same, they serve completely different purposes. Origins…