You may recall my recent blogpost “I versus Me – When Do You Use Which?” In this post, I introduced you to one of my favorite high school teachers, Sister Florentia, who drilled into me the proper usage of these pronouns, and instilled the feeling of frustration when I notice these used incorrectly! She was also a stickler on homophones and other confusing words that are often misused or mispronounced.
As public speakers, as opposed to writers, we are fortunate to not have to worry about homophones: words that sound alike but are spelled differently. If you use the wrong word in your writing, you better bet your audience will notice.
But, when you speak, you don’t have to worry about whether you are saying two, to, or too, because they sound the same. You can say there or their, bear or bare, write or right, and even here or hear and your audience won’t know how your spelled them!
In addition to homophones, there are several sets of words in the English language that are often used incorrectly in both written and verbal situations. If you are giving a speech and use a word incorrectly, or do not enunciate and pronounce it properly, your credibility may be affected, no matter how innocuous you think the gaff may be.
Let’s go over a few sets of words and discuss the usage of each. But first, let me assure you that you will almost always find an exception to the rule. I accept that. To ensure you are doing the best you can when finding the right word and using it correctly, read on.
Assure/Insure/Ensure
All three of these words have something to do with “making sure.” To assure means to make a promise, or to get rid any doubts or concerns. It means to make someone feel that all is OK.
To insure means to financially protect something or someone with an insurance policy.
To ensure means to guarantee, or make certain, that something will, or won’t, happen.
Insure and ensure could be considered homophones but in actuality, can be pronounced somewhat differently:
In-sure /inˈSHo͝or/
En-sure /inˈSHo͝or/ or /enˈSHo͝or/
Examples:
Let me assure you that you will need to insure your rental car before your vacation.
You should insure your rental car to ensure you that you won’t be charged more for an accident.
Neither/Either
Neither is a contraction of “not” and “either,” and means that none of the options are acceptable. When using neither, pair it with nor rather than or.
Either means that there is a choice between the two options. When using either, pair it with or rather than nor.
Examples:
Either restaurant has delicious food, and neither of them are expensive.
Either you and your sister finish the dishes or neither of you can go to the movies.
Neither John nor Mary remembered to pick up milk at the store.
Either Bill or Barb filled up the gas tank.
Less/Fewer
Less and fewer are both nouns and opposites of “more.” Less refers to singular nouns that are uncountable, like rain, sand, or music. It means “not as much.”
Fewer refers to plural nouns that are countable, like stars, chairs, or lights. It means “not as many.” You can change an uncountable noun to a countable noun by adding a descriptor to group them, such as raindrops, grains of sand, sheets of music.
Examples:
We had less snow than last year so the schools had fewer snow days.
Since we had fewer trees in our yard, we had less foliage to shade the patio.
There will be fewer children at the birthday party, so we need less cake and milk.
Moot/Mute
The meanings of these two words are very different, so I doubt if you will use them incorrectly. However, I do want you to make sure you pronounce them properly!
Moot means that something is not important, not worth talking about, or even hypothetical. It rhymes with flute.
Mute means silent or unable to speak, and rhymes with cute.
Examples:
“I want to tell her that I love her but the point is probably moot.” Rick Springfield, “Jessie’s Girl”
If you are vegetarian, then the question of chicken or steak is moot.
The contestant went mute when she realized she had won the car.
Mute the microphone on your computer if you are not talking during a Zoom meeting.
Affect/Effect
Affect is a verb that means to move, disturb, or have an impact on.
Effect is a noun that is the consequence, cause, or result of something.
Examples:
The effect is the outcome when one thing affects another.
The snow storm affected the driver’s visibility.
The car accident was one of the effects of the snow storm.
If playing video games affect your ability to do your homework, the effect will be a poor grade.
Further/Farther
Further and farther are similar in that they both refer to more, or length. Further refers to more of something abstract, or uncountable, whereas farther refers to more physical distance that can actually be measured.
Examples:
We need to discuss this further in order to come to a decision.
How much farther do we have to go before we get to Grandma’s house?
We must study the map further before we decide to drive any farther and get lost.
Flout/Flaunt
To flout something meets to ignore, disobey, or scoff at the rules. It means to show disregard or contempt for something or someone.
To flaunt means to show off, boast, or brag.
Examples:
Many rebels like to flaunt their flouting of the law.
The teenagers flouted the school rules when they played hooky.
The young bride-to-be flaunted her new diamond engagement ring to her friends.
Disinterested/Uninterested
If you are disinterested in a subject, you are impartial and don’t take sides.
If you are uninterested, then you don’t care and are not interested at all in the topic.
Examples:
The judge must remain disinterested until all the evidence is presented.
It is difficult to be disinterested when your children argue and you know one of them probably started it!
I tried to watch the documentary, but fell asleep because I was uninterested.
Many of my friends enjoy golf, but I am uninterested and prefer tennis.
Accept/Except
Accept is a verb that means that you agree with something or someone, or that you taking something offered to you.
Except is a preposition that means but, with the exception of, or the exclusion of something.
Examples:
I accept that beets are good for you, except I just don’t like the taste.
My brother was honored to accept the sales award.
The movie was entertaining, except for the gratuitous violence.
Everyone is going to the game, except for Mary, who has to work.
These are but a few of the confusing words that can stump us when we are speaking. I invite you to share other confusing words that you have encountered and mastered. Take the time to know the difference in pronunciation, meaning and usage to keep Sister Florentia happy and to ensure your credibility remains intact!
