copy editing

Words to Watch (Part Two)

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More tricky words to look for in your writing.

Today, I’m going to review some of the words that are frequently misused and can yank your reader right out of the message you have for them. I wasn’t going to address them in this series, but because I almost used the wrong word just the other day, (I’ve learned to proofread even my Facebook posts!) I thought I should include them. It is imperative to take extra care when using these words because an error will certainly be noticed at the most inopportune time.

It’s vs Its

It’s is the contraction of “it is.” Its is the possessive form of it.

It’s a shame that the dog lost its favorite toy.

Lay, Lie, Lie

This one deserves special attention and is a major problem for many. If you struggle with remembering which word to use–or if you’ve never considered that there might be a problem–please look these up every time, get a sticky note, or bookmark this post. 🙂 The problem occurs not only in definition but in the tenses.

Lay means “to put or place.” Lie means “to recline” or “to tell a falsehood.”

I cannot lie. I want to lie down and take a nap. Please lay my phone on the kitchen counter so I won’t hear it.

Ok, not so bad, right? But here comes the tricky part. I am lying on the couch to watch TV. Yesterday I lay (not laid) on the couch all afternoon. I have often lain (not laid) on the couch to watch a movie. 

But wait! There’s more! Your keys are laying on the counter. He laid your keys on the counter. You have laid (not lain) your keys on the counter every afternoon. 

And if that’s not enough—there’s one more, but it’s easy. They are lying about where they were last night. The judge determined that she lied to him. He has lied before.

I know. My copy of “The Blue Book of Grammar” is dog-eared and highlighted on this page because I refer to it often. If you would like some practice with these words, their website has a quiz to help. Go to https://www.grammarbook.com/grammar_quiz/lie_vs_lay_1.asp and give it a go. It will be worth the effort if it causes you to pause and take notice when writing that you are using the words correctly.

Lay vs. Lie

  Present Past
To recline lie; is/are lying lay; has/have/had lain
To put or place lay; is/are laying laid; has/have/had laid
To tell a falsehood lie; is/are lying lied; has/have/had lied

Lose vs. Loose

Loose is the opposite of tight, while lose means to “misplace” or “to be defeated.”

Because her shoelaces are too loose, the judges expect that she will lose the competition.

Passed vs. Past

Passed means “gone ahead of” or “approved,” while past means “a former time” or “beyond.”

The young rookie passed the veteran in the race, which would not have happened in the past.

Than vs. Then

I see this one misused often. Than is used to compare. Then means “after that” or “next.”

Then I read “Pride and Prejudice,” which was better than the movie.

They’re, Their, There

Yes, this is the one I almost misused. My mind wandered, and I typed the wrong word. I saw it before I sent the post, but it would have been easy for me to miss it because I don’t usually mix them up, and if I hadn’t checked—well, my credibility as a proofreader could have suffered.

They’re is a contraction for “they are,” there indicates “that place,” and their is possessive.

They’re always looking for a reason to go there for dinner because it is their favorite restaurant.

Two, Too, To

Two is the word form of the number after one. Too means “excessive” or “also.” To is a preposition meaning “in the direction of; toward.”

Two of the politicians took their platforms too far to the right.

Who’s vs. Whose

Who’s is a contraction for “who is.” Whose is the possessive of who.

Who’s the author whose book went on to sell one million copies?

Hint: Many of the words above are contractions that can be confused with their homophones. When reviewing your writing, revert your contraction to the two words that form it to make sure that the sentence still makes sense. If it doesn’t, then you’ve chosen the wrong word. Conversely, if the word you chose can be said in two words, then the contraction is needed.

As wordsmiths, you love to create using the English language, and your audience loves it when you do. Take the time to be sure that you are creating with the precise words necessary. And if you need help, let me know!

Words to Watch (Part One)

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As a writer, words are your medium, and paper (or perhaps the screen) is your canvas.

When an artist is working on a masterpiece, he chooses carefully the color, hue, and direction of every stroke. And as writers, our words must be just as carefully chosen for the picture that we want to paint. Of course, many choices are correct and within our pallet, but we can err and use a word that is incorrect and will distract, confuse, or even lose, a reader. Here is Part One of a series that will profile words that we should be aware of and use correctly. (Don’t assume that your grammar/spelling check will catch these, either!)

Assure, Ensure, Insure

To assure is promising or saying with confidence. To ensure requires personal effort to gain success, and to insure is entrusting to a business (insurance company) for coverage against catastrophe.

I can assure you that when you use the correct word in your copy, you will ensure an accurate ad that will not require you to insure it against false advertising.

Blatant, Flagrant

A blatant act is both bad and plain for all to see. An act that is flagrant is done brazenly as well as openly and suggests shocking illegality or immorality.

Most NBA fouls are blatant; however, the flagrant fouls can cause a player to be ejected from the game.

Confidant, Confidante, Confident

A confidant is someone whom you confide in and can be either male or female. A confidante reflects French gender spelling and refers only to a female confidant. To be confident means that you are sure something will happen in the way that you want or expect or that you are sure that something is true.

I am confident that telling his confidante is a horrible idea because she is a gossip. Choosing a trustworthy confidant is very important.

Criteria

This is the plural form of criterion (a standard for judging). It is incorrect to say “criterias”.

There are several criteria for a good textbook, but the most important criterion is knowledge of the subject.

Comprise, Compose

To comprise is to consist of or to include (the whole comprises the parts). To compose is to make up or to form the substance of something (the parts compose the whole).

The play comprises of three acts. The actors compose a talented, travelling troupe.

Note: The phrase “is comprised of” is still considered nonstandard. Try instead is composed of or consists of.

Discreet, Discrete

To be discreet means that you are careful to not divulge secrets or that you have modest taste and are not ostentatious. Discrete means that something is separate, distinct, or unconnected.

Several discrete characters are described in the first chapter of her memoir, but she was very discreet about their personal lives.

Dual, Duel

If something has two parts, or there are two of something, then use dual. A duel is a fight between two people–traditionally, a formal “to the death” combat using swords or pistols.

The villain has a dual personality; he will be your best friend one minute and challenge you to a duel the next, threatening your very life!

I will address more problem words in future posts. And remember, when in doubt, double-check using references like The Chicago Manual of Style (where I found these examples, by the way) or a dictionary.

As a proofreader and copy editor, I am trained to look for these words. If you don’t have time or are not inclined to take your style guide to the beach with you for some light reading, contact me for proofreading copyediting. Not taking the extra step could call your authority into question or cause you to appear amateur. Happy painting!