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!