The 15 most misused words in business
(are you making these mistakes?):
(are you making these mistakes?):
Before we begin:
I don’t want to be your English teacher.
I do want you to be successful, however.
And in business writing, the details matter.
They build trust, respect and credibility.
So, let’s fix 15 common errors many people make.
Here we go:
I don’t want to be your English teacher.
I do want you to be successful, however.
And in business writing, the details matter.
They build trust, respect and credibility.
So, let’s fix 15 common errors many people make.
Here we go:
Capital vs. Capitol
Capital refers to money.
It also refers to the city where the capitol building resides.
Example:
• The business needs capital
• Austin is the capital of Texas
• She worked at the Capitol
Note: Only the U.S. Capitol in DC is capitalized.
Capital refers to money.
It also refers to the city where the capitol building resides.
Example:
• The business needs capital
• Austin is the capital of Texas
• She worked at the Capitol
Note: Only the U.S. Capitol in DC is capitalized.
Principal vs. Principle
Principal is the first in rank (it also can refer to money that’s invested or borrowed).
Principle is a guiding rule.
Example:
• Our principal issue is the product
• He paid back the initial principal
• We adhere to our principles
Principal is the first in rank (it also can refer to money that’s invested or borrowed).
Principle is a guiding rule.
Example:
• Our principal issue is the product
• He paid back the initial principal
• We adhere to our principles
Indifferent vs. Disinterested
Indifferent means lacking a preference.
Disinterested means neutral and objective (note: it does NOT mean uninterested).
Example:
• I’m indifferent about dinner
• A lawyer gives disinterested advice
Indifferent means lacking a preference.
Disinterested means neutral and objective (note: it does NOT mean uninterested).
Example:
• I’m indifferent about dinner
• A lawyer gives disinterested advice
Site vs. Cite
Site refers to a place.
Cite is used to reference.
Example:
• You visit a jobsite
• You cite a document
Site refers to a place.
Cite is used to reference.
Example:
• You visit a jobsite
• You cite a document
Definite vs. Definitive
Definite typically means certainty.
Definitive means comprehensive.
Example:
• The outcome is now definite
• She wrote the definitive report on ChatGPT
Definite typically means certainty.
Definitive means comprehensive.
Example:
• The outcome is now definite
• She wrote the definitive report on ChatGPT
Notable vs. Notorious
Notable means worthy of note.
Notorious means famous for a bad reason.
Example:
• The startup’s IPO is notable
• FTX is a notorious company
Notable means worthy of note.
Notorious means famous for a bad reason.
Example:
• The startup’s IPO is notable
• FTX is a notorious company
Affect vs. Effect
Affect means to influence something.
Effect means to result or bring about.
Example:
• The poor product affected sales
• The effect of the program is high
• The law will effect minimal change
Affect means to influence something.
Effect means to result or bring about.
Example:
• The poor product affected sales
• The effect of the program is high
• The law will effect minimal change
i.e. vs. e.g.
i.e. translates to “that is.”
e.g. translates to “for example.”
Example:
• She prefers warm weather - i.e. above 70 degrees
• She prefers warm locations - e.g. Miami
i.e. translates to “that is.”
e.g. translates to “for example.”
Example:
• She prefers warm weather - i.e. above 70 degrees
• She prefers warm locations - e.g. Miami
It’s vs. Its
It’s is the abbreviation of “it is.”
Its is the possessive form of “it.”
Example:
• It’s critical the business keeps growing
• Its business grows every year
It’s is the abbreviation of “it is.”
Its is the possessive form of “it.”
Example:
• It’s critical the business keeps growing
• Its business grows every year
Ensure vs. Insure
Ensure means to “make sure.”
Insure means to provide insurance coverage.
Examples:
• It’s important to ensure we follow policy
• It’s important to insure the company
Ensure means to “make sure.”
Insure means to provide insurance coverage.
Examples:
• It’s important to ensure we follow policy
• It’s important to insure the company
Compliment vs. Complement
Compliment means to praise.
Complement means to enhance.
Example:
• Thank you for the compliment
• The chair complements the desk
Compliment means to praise.
Complement means to enhance.
Example:
• Thank you for the compliment
• The chair complements the desk
Imply vs. Infer
Imply means to suggest indirectly.
Infer means to draw meaning out of something.
Example:
• The memo implies changes are coming
• The staff inferred that changes are coming
Imply means to suggest indirectly.
Infer means to draw meaning out of something.
Example:
• The memo implies changes are coming
• The staff inferred that changes are coming
Alternate vs. Alternative
Alternate means to go back and forth.
Alternative refers to another possibility.
Example:
• The CEO alternated between strategies
• The CEO considered the alternative when choosing a strategy
Alternate means to go back and forth.
Alternative refers to another possibility.
Example:
• The CEO alternated between strategies
• The CEO considered the alternative when choosing a strategy
Foreword vs. Forward
Foreword is something that comes first.
Forward means to move ahead.
Example:
• She wrote the foreword for the prospectus
• Going forward, we will do take this action
Foreword is something that comes first.
Forward means to move ahead.
Example:
• She wrote the foreword for the prospectus
• Going forward, we will do take this action
Counsel vs. Council
Counsel refers to advice or giving advice.
Council is a group of people who meet.
Example:
• The lawyer provided counsel on the deal
• The city council will discuss the issue
Counsel refers to advice or giving advice.
Council is a group of people who meet.
Example:
• The lawyer provided counsel on the deal
• The city council will discuss the issue
Those are 15 of the most misused words in business.
But you don't need to make these mistakes.
What other words would you add?
But you don't need to make these mistakes.
What other words would you add?
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