Using language intentionally to avoid sounding ridiculous
The English language is filled with complexities and even those of us who sat through 10 months of ninth grade English have trouble remembering the proper meanings and contexts of certain words and phrases. Do not fear! Our most common grammar and vocabulary mistakes can be easily fixed by being intentional with how we use our words.
“Literally”
When you say literally, you are describing something that actually happened in real life.
Example: “That was hysterical! I’m literally dying that was so funny.”
Translation: The joke was so funny that the person’s body is actually shutting down and they will soon be dead.
“Further” vs. “Farther”
Contrary to popular belief, these two words are not interchangeable. Further refers to time and figurative distances, while farther refers to a real, physical distance.
Example: “The police station is farther down the road.”
Example: “I would like to further my education by going to WSU for a Master’s degree.”
“Emigrate” vs. “Immigrate”
The two words sound almost identical yet have completely opposite meanings. Emigrating is when a person leaves a country and settles down somewhere else and immigrating is when a person enters a new country and lives there. They’re so similar, but yet so opposite.
Example: “My great-grandparents emigrated from Poland in 1895.”
Example: “His parents immigrated to America in 2000 to start a new life.”
“Lie” vs. “Lay”
We may be university students, but these two L-words continue to trick us up. To lie is to rest, or recline on something. To lay is to place something.
Example: “I lie down after math class because I’m exhausted.”
Example: “She laid two Jason Derulo tickets on the table.”
“Anyway” vs. “Anyways”
For starters, there is no ‘s’ on the end of anyway, so kick that habit right now! Completely eliminate it from your vocabulary.
Example: “Julie hates tacos, so we can’t eat at Taco Bell anyway.”
