Words have the tendency to make or break the sentence. When a word is used correctly, it makes a wonderful meaningful sentence. In the same way when the word is wrongly used it creates a wrong sentence. Generally, it happens with non-native English speakers. However, practising these words and knowing their appropriate meaning will help with its correct usage. So, in this article, we are bringing words that are confused and misused.





9 words with incorrect usage

1. Adverse, averse

Adverse means detrimental and does not mean averse or disinclined.

Examples:
You don’t understand the adverse effects of smoking.
You can do whatever you want to. I am not averse of it.


2. Appraise, apprise

Appraise means to assess the value or quality of and does not mean to apprise or to inform.

Examples:
I need to appraise the existing techniques.
I think we must apprise Naina of what happened yesterday.


3. Bemused, amused

Bemused means bewildered and does not mean amused.

Examples:
Her answers bemused me.
The silly jokes amused me.


4. Dichotomy, difference

Dichotomy means a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed and does not mean difference or discrepancy.

Examples:
There is a dichotomy between even and odd numbers.
There is a discrepancy between what we see and what is really there.


5. Enormity, enormousness

Enormity refers to extreme evil and does not mean enormousness.

Examples:
The enormity of the terrorist attack brought everyone to tears.
The enormousness of the tasks required several hours of work.


6. Fortuitous, fortunate

Fortuitous means happening by chance and does not mean fortunate.

Examples:
Meeting my childhood friend at a conference meeting was fortuitous.
Fortunately, the woman did not break her leg after a severe accident.


7. Hung

Hung means suspended and does not mean suspended from the neck until dead.

Examples:
Such a lovely picture it is. I will have it hung in my cubicle.
The prisoner was hanged till death.


8. Literally

Literally means in actual fact and does not mean figuratively.

Examples:
The driver took it literally and went straight.
I would rather die than falling for him — figuratively speaking, of course!


9. Verbal

Verbal means linguistic form and does not mean oral, spoken.

Example:
Verbal memories last longer than oral ones.


These are few words that are commonly misused while conversing. Hope the above description helped you to learn its usage. We will list down few more words in our next blog. 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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