Troublesome Words and Spellings

Especially vs. Specially Especially means particularly, more than others. (Roger is an especially capable negotiator.) Specially means for a specific purpose. (The house was specially planned for an invalid.) Everyone vs. Every one Always use two words (every one) unless “everybody” is meant. Then use everyone. (Since everyone is here, we will catalogue every one of those books.)

Off Don’t use “Off of!” Two prepositions next to each other (off of) seldom make for good English. The “of” is superfluous and should be omitted. (Todd jumped off the roof.) Passed v. Past Try using “passed” as a verb only, the past tense and past participle of the verb “pass.” (Lane passed his driver’s test.) Use “pass” in all other nonverbal functions. (I knew him in the past.)

Acknowledgment vs. Acknowledgement The preferred spelling is “acknowledgment.” Idiosyncrasy The plural form of this word is “idiosyncrasies.” Real vs. Really Real is an adjective Really is an adverb. (She played the piano really well.) Sure vs. Surely Sure is an adjective. Surely is an adverb. (We surely swam fast today.) Words that are often misspelled: gauge and siege

Affect vs. Effect Affect means to influence or to feign, and in general usage is only a verb. Effect is almost always used as a noun meaning result or impression. Effect can be a verb, meaning to complete, to accomplish, or to bring about. But, effect is usually used as a noun. Example: Her new hairstyle had an electric effect on him. The engineer’s illness affected the train’s schedule. Effect as a verb: He effected a change in the scheduling.

Different from or Different than Different from is preferred. (It is different from anything I have ever seen.) Different than can be used in this way: Today’s style of dancing is different than it was in Grandma’s day.

All right or Alright All right is two words. Allright, all-right, and alright are WRONG! All together/Altogether All together means all at once. (We’ll now sing all together.) Altogether means completely. (My supervisor is altogether pleased.) Accept vs. Except Accept: (verb) to take or receive. (We shall accept your offer.) Except: (preposition) leaving out, omit, with the exclusion of. (There is no one here except me.)

Anyone vs. Any one Anyone = Anybody (Anyone could follow those directions.) Any one = Any person of a group (Any one of us could have made the error.) Anyway vs. Any way Anyway: (adverb) in any case. (We can’t spare him now anyway.) Any way: (way is a noun) (If we can help in any way, please call.)

Capital vs. Capitol Capital = sum of money or city which is the seat of the government. Capitol = building Compliment vs. Complement Compliment = expression of praise. (That was a nice compliment you gave her.) Complement = that which completes (Your personality complements his.)

Counsel vs. Council vs. Consul Counsel = (noun) advice, one who gives advice. (What counsel can you give me on this matter? Mr. Smith is my counsel in this case.) Counsel = (verb) to advise. (He counseled me through my divorce.) Council = (noun) a body of people who come together for deliberation. (The city council meets tonight.) Consul = (noun) a person sent by a government to look after its business interests in another country. (This report is from the American consul in Spain.)

Every time is always two words. Mailbox is always one word. Maybe vs. May be Maybe = (adverb) mean perhaps (If we don’t receive a letter, maybe we should write him. May be = (verb) (Mr. Brown may be in his office tomorrow. Mix up vs. Mix-up Mix up = (verb) means confuse Mix-up = (noun) means confusion Past vs. Passed Past = time gone by; gone by. (That is past history. He ran past me.) Passed = moved along, transferred (past tense of pass) (I passed her house.)

Paycheck, payday, payroll, percent, postcard are each always one word. Principal vs. Principle Principal = chief official of a school; main or leading; amount of money. (What is your principal objection to the plan? Don’t draw on the principal that you have saved.) Principal = a general truth; a rule. (Did you follow the principles of good etiquette?) Certain words are notoriously imprecise. Try to qualify what you really mean instead of using these words, if possible: Good Bad Thing Something Interesting