Proper CollegiateDefinitions of

Commonly Misused Words

Words and definitions from “writing today” by Donald Pharr and Santi V. Buscemi

from pg 782

Presented by Verneen Johnson and Patti Johnson

Assureto “affirm” or “pledge”

“I ‘assure’ my allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…”

Ensureto “make sure” or “make certain”

The Bill of Rights was written to ensure our freedom!

Insure

Insure your assets today to protect yourself from financial loss tomorrow.

“to guarantee against destruction, loss, or harm”

Awful means “awe-inspiring.”Awfully does not mean “very.”

The sunset is awful!

AVOIDThe sunset is

awfully colorful.The sunset is beautiful, and very colorful.

“Awhile” is an adverb.“A while” functions as a noun and is often used

as the object of a preposition.

They walkedawhile

barefootas

they spoke for a while about their

future.

Bad is an adjective.(Describes a person, place, or thing.)

Badly is an adverb.(Describes an action.)

You are a bad person if you say “I played bad” when you should say “I played badly.”

(Saying “I played badly” would make you a good person!)

*“…Basically…” *

Needless to say, you have the first and foremost number one golden opportunity to impress your instructor utilizing the safe and sound collegiate approach to expressive writing by not using “basically” among the filler words you use to attempt to all in all thoroughly impress Dr. Baird with your amazingly proficient literary command of the English language.

Refrain from the use of

“filler words and phrases.”

being as, being thatDo not use to mean “because.”

Being as smart as a fox is clever, And being that much smarter is wise,

Because, using “being as,” and “being that” instead of “because”

Will never win you a prize.

Besides is an adverbthat means

“in addition to” or “except for.”

BESIDE

Beside is a preposition that means adjacent to.

Besides enjoying time with my best friends,

swimming is fun!

BothAvoid redundant expressions!

They both agreed to get a new kitten and

to take care of it both together.

BREATH

This man has bad breath!

The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.

If you breathe deeply you will exercise your lungs.

BREATHETo inhale and exhale.

CAPITOLThe Senators

gathered at the capitol building.

The building where lawmakers and other government officials meet.

CAPITALWashington D.C is the capital of

the United States.

A city that is the government center of a state.

L

To condemn, admonish or strongly criticize.

To censure some people’s rights is wrong.

CENSORTo remove if

considered offensive.

To censor music, books, and other forms of

personal expression is wrong.

BROKEThis word is informal for

“insolvent”, or without money

Since I was broke I could not pay the bill.

I broke my toe because I could not pay the bill.

BUT…

I can hardly find my dog.

CAN’T HARDLYAn incorrect term for can hardly.

BUTNot to be joined with other negative conjunctions

I wanted to go shopping but the car was broke down.

CANNOTThe word can plus not is usually spelled as one word.

I cannot think of the answer.

Can’t help but

I can’t help loving you. .

An informal construction of words

MAYRefers to permission

“May I go to the bathroom?”

CANThe ability or possibility.You can do whatever you want.

In conclusion…

When talkin’ to yer friends go ‘head say

“get down” and “Yo!”

But, in college speak carefullyto get a 4.0