The English language can be incredibly tricky and these are some common errors we make.
- Literally. People use this word in the wrong way all the time. People will say: I’ll literally die if I don’t get my coffee right now. Or there were literally a million emails in my inbox. I’m pretty sure you are not going to die if you don’t get your coffee. Literally means that something is actually literal.
- Infamous. What people think it means: A synonym for ‘famous.’ What it really means: Well-known for a bad quality or deed. I recently saw a club advertise it’s infamous chill out sessions. I know they were probably meaning that it’s their famous or popular chill out sessions, but infamous means a bad thing… like they’re really bad chill out sessions – with a bad reputation.
- For all intents and purposes. Incorrect: For all intensive purposes. Correct: For all intents and purposes — meaning “in effect.” Example: For all intents and purposes, the beaches are open today.
- Dilemma. What people think it means: A problem. What it really means: A choice between two equally undesirable options.Example: I had to choose between eating asparagus and broccoli — it was a dilemma.
- Without further ado. Incorrect: Without further adieu — which means goodbye in French. Correct: Without further ado — meaning without further delay. Example: Without further ado, here are my favorite products of the year.
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