Top 10 Commonly Misused Words in Writing (And How to Catch Them)

Quick Tips to Catch Misused Words in Writing

• Create a checklist of commonly misused words you’ve struggled with and review it before finalizing your manuscript.
• Use editing software like Grammarly or ProWritingAid as an additional tool (but don’t rely on it exclusively).
• Ask beta readers to flag anything that seems out of place or confusing.

We’ve all been there. Whether we’re thumb-typing a text (curse you, autocorrect!), drafting a resume, or sending an email to our boss, we’ve hit “send” only to realize we’ve misused a word with a doppelganger that has a completely different meaning. Just as this happens in everyday communication, commonly misused words often litter the pages of manuscripts that hit our desks (or ping our inboxes).

If you want to make your writing shine and avoid these embarrassing errors, this guide will walk you through some of the most common mistakes writers make and how to catch them before publication.

Commonly Misused Words in Writing

While editing manuscripts, I keep a running list of common misused words I see. Here are ten examples I’ve encountered in recent history:

1. Passed vs. Past
   • Example: “She walked passed the park” (incorrect) vs. “She walked past the park” (correct).
   • Tip: Use “passed” as the past tense of “to pass” and “past” when referring to direction or time.
2. Deerly vs. Dearly
   • Example: “I love you deerly” (incorrect) vs. “I love you dearly” (correct).
   • Tip: While the spelling error is amusing, it’s essential to double-check homophones for proper usage.
3. Ease-dropping vs. Eavesdropping
   • Example: “They were ease-dropping on our conversation” (incorrect) vs. “They were eavesdropping on our conversation” (correct).
   • Tip: Remember, “eaves” refers to the edge of a roof—a metaphorical place to overhear conversations.
4. Preverbal vs. Proverbial
   • Example: “She developed her preverbal backbone” (incorrect) vs. “She developed her proverbial backbone” (correct).
   • Tip: “Proverbial” refers to a well-known phrase or saying, while “preverbal” relates to the stage before speech development.
5. Color Pallet vs. Color Palette
   • Example: “The artist chose a vibrant color pallet” (incorrect) vs. “The artist chose a vibrant color palette” (correct).
   • Tip: A “pallet” is a wooden platform; a “palette” is used for mixing colors.
6. Alkaloids vs. Accolades
   • Example: “She received many alkaloids for her performance” (incorrect) vs. “She received many accolades for her performance” (correct).
   • Tip: “Accolades” means praise or recognition, while “alkaloids” are chemical compounds.
7. Complement vs. Compliment
   • Example: “Her shoes complement her outfit” (correct) vs. “She gave me a nice compliment” (correct).
   • Tip: Use “complement” when referring to something that enhances, and “compliment” when offering praise.
8. Stationary vs. Stationery
   • Example: “The bike remained stationary” (correct) vs. “I bought new stationery” (correct).
   • Tip: “Stationary” means unmoving, while “stationery” refers to writing materials.
9. Affect vs. Effect
   • Example: “The weather affects my mood” (correct) vs. “The effect of the weather was surprising” (correct).
   • Tip: “Affect” is usually a verb, while “effect” is typically a noun.
10. Ensure vs. Insure
    • Example: “Please ensure you have your ticket” (correct) vs. “You need to insure your car” (correct).
    • Tip: Use “ensure” to mean guarantee and “insure” when referring to insurance policies.

The Limitations of Spell Check

Even Microsoft Word often cannot be trusted to catch misused words, such as all right vs. alright. Spell checkers are not perceptive enough to discern context or the nuanced differences in meaning. For instance, in a manuscript I recently edited, Word’s spell check suggested changing “Her dear husband” to “Her dead husband.” What a difference that small change would have made!

Other editing tools, like Grammarly and ProWritingAid, can help flag potential issues, but they also rely on artificial intelligence and algorithms, so they may miss errors specific to context. For example, they might overlook “dear” versus “dead” if both are spelled correctly.

This highlights why it’s essential to rely on more than just automated tools to ensure accuracy in your writing.

How to Avoid Misused Words in Your Writing

While misused words can be slippery rascals, there are several strategies you can use to locate and resolve these errors before publication:

1. Read Your Manuscript Aloud

Reading your manuscript aloud forces you to focus on each word individually. You’re more likely to catch grammatical errors and misused words when hearing them rather than skimming silently. This method also helps with spotting awkward phrasing or sentences that don’t flow naturally.

2. Keep a Dictionary Site Open as You Write

Professional editors often keep Merriam-Webster.com open while working. Copy and paste words into the search bar to confirm spelling and usage. If you’re unsure about the meaning or spelling of a word, take time to research it thoroughly. When in doubt, look it up!

For frequently misused terms, consider creating a personal “trouble word” list. Over time, this habit will help you avoid repeating the same mistakes.

3. Use the Chicago Manual of Style’s Glossary

The Chicago Manual of Style includes a helpful section in chapter 5 titled, Good Usage Versus Common Usage. This glossary highlights problematic words and phrases. Reviewing this resource will help you learn to identify and correct improperly used words over time. The CMOS blog also offers several word usage quizzes you can take to better understand commonly misused words and better understand the correct usages.

4. Use Beta Readers

Beta readers are invaluable for providing feedback before publication. Ask them specifically to flag any confusing or awkward phrasing. Often, beta readers will catch errors you’ve overlooked simply because they’re reading with fresh eyes.

5. Hire a Professional Editor

Even with diligent self-editing, errors can slip through. Hiring a professional editor ensures a fresh pair of eyes on your manuscript. Editors are trained to catch misused words and other issues you may overlook, saving you from potential embarrassment.

Misused Words by Genre

Different genres often have their own common misused words. For example:

• Historical Fiction: Writers might confuse archaic terms or use modern phrases that feel out of place for the time period.
• Business Writing: Jargon and buzzwords can lead to errors like “criteria” vs. “criterion” or “affect” vs. “effect.”
• Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Made-up terms and complex names can cause confusion if not consistently used.
• Romance: Missteps often happen with dialogue, where informal phrasing may clash with the intended tone.

Take the time to review your manuscript with your genre in mind to avoid these pitfalls.

TL; DR

Misused words can undermine even the most well-written manuscript. By using the strategies outlined in this article—reading aloud, consulting trusted resources, and seeking professional editing help—you can confidently eliminate these errors and elevate your writing. Remember, attention to detail makes all the difference!