In our last blog, we discussed words that are commonly misused in English. In this article, we will add some more words that are commonly misused. Knowing the correct usage will help you to enhance your vocabulary as well as spoken English Skills which will help you to speak effectively. Let us look at the words.





10 words with incorrect usage

1. An effect

An effect means either to influence or to fake whereas to effect means to put into effect.

Examples:

The new rule had an effect on the education system.
He effected an air of elegance to impress her parents.

 
2. Untenable

Untenable means incapable of being defended, as an argument, thesis, etc. and does not mean painful or unbearable.

Examples:

No matter whatever fact he revealed, the theory was untenable.
Her failure brought him unbearable sadness.

 
3. Unexceptionable

Unexceptionable means not worthy of objection and does not mean unexceptional, ordinary.

Examples:

She was an unexceptionable person and hence no one supported to her.
They protested her getting the prize, because she was an unexceptional choice.

 
4. Staunch

Staunch means loyal and committed in attitude and does not mean to stanch a flow.

Examples:

His staunch supporters defended him in the press.
The nurse was able to stanch the bleeding.

 
5. Protagonist

Protagonist means active character and does not mean proponent.

Examples:

Leonardo was the protagonist in 'The Revenant.’
He is a proponent of the environment.

 
6. Proscribe

Proscribe means to condemn, to forbid and does not mean to prescribe, to recommend, to direct.

Examples:

The policy proscribed employees from taking leaves on weekends.
He prescribed me to take eat green vegetables daily.

 
7. Opportunism

Opportunism means seizing or exploiting opportunities and does not mean creating or promoting opportunities.

Examples:

Because of her opportunism, she had to meet the head of the company.
Due to elections, they ran on promoting economic opportunities.

 
8. Nonplussed

Nonplussed means stunned, bewildered and does not mean bored, unimpressed.

Examples:

The demonetization left the economists nonplussed.
Her communication skills left the interviewers unimpressed.

 
9. Noisome

Noisome means smelly and does not mean noisy.

Examples:

I covered my nose when I walked past the noisome garbage dump.
The noisy motorcycle irritated me to the core.

 
10. Meretricious

Meretricious means offensively insincere and does not mean meritorious.

Examples:

We rolled our eyes at the meretricious speech.
The city applauded the meritorious student.

 
Hope the above description helped you to learn its usage. Try to use them in your daily life. It will help to enhance your vocabulary as well as spoken English Skills due to which you will able to speak effectively.

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