30 Phrases Many People Don’t Know They’re Using Incorrectly
No one was born perfect when it comes to language. We say one thing when we mean entirely another. We mix up words, add endings, and pretend it’s all fine. Well, not quite.
You see, even though some phrases roll off the tip of the tongue as if they were almost identical, it doesn’t mean they are. From hunger pains to hunger pangs and sleight of hand to slight of hand, there are too many common phrases that are way more confusing than they really should be.
So this time, we’re gonna look at the most common mistakes we make when using these phrases, and hopefully, learn something that would have made our English teachers proud.
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We all have that one phrase or two (or too many) that pop into the conversations we have with people. These go-to expressions surely add some style to whatever we’re saying unless they’re used the wrong way.
But the more we use them, the more unaware we become of these repetitive language slip-ups. And honestly, our interlocutors are often unaware of the fact as well. Think of how many times you've heard someone say “I could care less.” In fact, this means the exact opposite as meant by the right usage “I couldn’t care less.”
Other common phrases people confuse very often are “tongue and cheek” (should be tongue in cheek), “for all intensive purposes” (should be “for all intents and purposes”), “another thing coming” (the right way is “another think coming.”)
The word "buck" refers to a male native american indian. The phrase "buck naked" comes from the fact that back in the early days (pre 1900) male indians would be seen riding their horses to a river or stream to bathe or do what ever, and would be totally naked on the horse. White people would see them and thus the phrase "Buck naked" was born.
Finally. Thank you. AMEN. English isn't my family's first language on one side, and I've spent a lifetime explaining these things. I feel so happy I'm not alone....
Even though the misused phrases may be annoying to some sharp-eared listeners, they are never harmful or intentional.
But there are some common phrases that can never work in any conversation and they can definitely turn your encounter sour. For example, saying “you look good for your age,” “this might sound stupid, but…” or “you’re so…” this and that, can be interpreted in a bad way.
So in the end, it’s never really about language and grammar, but rather the content and the way you say it that really matters in a fruitful and pleasant conversation.
Ever see my mom after an espresso? EXpresso ain't a bad description...
The term has nothing to do with the Scotts. It comes from old Scandinavian 'skatt fri', which means 'tax free'.
This one is misleading though because they are pronounced the same way. If you're saying them at least.
Gets confusing when you get possessive. My brother-in-law's car is the car belonging to my brother-in-law, but what would you say for all the cars belonging to multiple brothers-in-law? My brothers-in-law's cars?
A lot of people online seem to be unable to correctly use superlatives.
Pangs is archaic, but yes, that's the conventional usage. Frankly, I've been hungry enough to hurt. It is not a pang. It was pain.
In Greece we say "one is worse than the other" when everything is bad and you can't tell which is worse
Note: this post originally had 46 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
One that drives me bananas is when people say empathetic instead of empathic
It being used instead of sympathy when people don't understand but are sorry for the person's plight.
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Remi Flynne good
and when people confuse sympathy and empathy...
Yep, that is the point being made by Remi Flying as well. I am glad to see people pointing this out. Sadly, it has become the norm to say empathy even though most people really mean sympathy.
From Grammarly and other sites: The words empathetic and empathic mean the same thing. Empathic is the older word, but not by much—it was first used in 1909, while the first recorded of use of empathetic is from 1932. Both words are derived from empathy, and you can use them interchangeably. In scientific writing, empathic is more common.
Empathetic is correct in British English.
As is empathic - that's the older form. I wonder if the newer use of empathetic came about because people expected it to rhyme with sympathetic.
Erin easy
The words empathetic and empathic mean the same thing. Empathic is the older word, but not by much—it was first used in 1909, while the first recorded of use of empathetic is from 1932. Both words are derived from empathy, and you can use them interchangeably. In scientific writing, empathic is more common.
Erin haha
Erin what
Erin haha
Erin no
'Fine-toothed comb' is often used incorrectly as a 'fine tooth comb' or even as 'tooth comb'
Oh, yes. That one is irritating. I see it in published novels and wonder who the hell was editing. Grrrr 🤬
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Liam Walsh lol
This is the only one I have ever been guilty of. Thank you for pointing it out so that I can correct myself now, it's good to know!
Iced tea as well. I often see "ice tea".
Terry Farnell like
Terry Farnell good
Terry Farnell no
Terry Farnell Good response!
Terry Farnell ?
Terry Farnell Good response!
I love good grammar. Can’t help but cringe when words are used incorrectly.
I completely agree. https://photos.app.goo.gl/brzaVqwtnhEohecb6
Lynn Plouff love
Lynn Plouff ?
One that drives me bananas is when people say empathetic instead of empathic
It being used instead of sympathy when people don't understand but are sorry for the person's plight.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Remi Flynne good
and when people confuse sympathy and empathy...
Yep, that is the point being made by Remi Flying as well. I am glad to see people pointing this out. Sadly, it has become the norm to say empathy even though most people really mean sympathy.
From Grammarly and other sites: The words empathetic and empathic mean the same thing. Empathic is the older word, but not by much—it was first used in 1909, while the first recorded of use of empathetic is from 1932. Both words are derived from empathy, and you can use them interchangeably. In scientific writing, empathic is more common.
Empathetic is correct in British English.
As is empathic - that's the older form. I wonder if the newer use of empathetic came about because people expected it to rhyme with sympathetic.
Erin easy
The words empathetic and empathic mean the same thing. Empathic is the older word, but not by much—it was first used in 1909, while the first recorded of use of empathetic is from 1932. Both words are derived from empathy, and you can use them interchangeably. In scientific writing, empathic is more common.
Erin haha
Erin what
Erin haha
Erin no
'Fine-toothed comb' is often used incorrectly as a 'fine tooth comb' or even as 'tooth comb'
Oh, yes. That one is irritating. I see it in published novels and wonder who the hell was editing. Grrrr 🤬
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Liam Walsh lol
This is the only one I have ever been guilty of. Thank you for pointing it out so that I can correct myself now, it's good to know!
Iced tea as well. I often see "ice tea".
Terry Farnell like
Terry Farnell good
Terry Farnell no
Terry Farnell Good response!
Terry Farnell ?
Terry Farnell Good response!
I love good grammar. Can’t help but cringe when words are used incorrectly.
I completely agree. https://photos.app.goo.gl/brzaVqwtnhEohecb6
Lynn Plouff love
Lynn Plouff ?