fbpx

11 Phrases you’re not using correctly

[additional-authors]
June 23, 2016

After writing and editing for my profession the last 10-or-so years, you’ve got to imagine I’ve become a sort of wordsmith. That’s not to say I’m perfect by any means—I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I’d like to believe I’ve (slowly) learned from them.

Regardless, one thing's for sure–the average person butchers English on a regular basis. And while I’ve discussed commonly misused words in the past, the language lends itself to even more problems with the use of idioms and other phrases.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top 15 phrases you’re probably using incorrectly. But don’t worry… you’re not alone. 

1. I could care less. Oh really? If you could care less, then you still must really care! I think what you meant to say was that you couldn’t care less, as this implies that the topic really doesn’t matter to you one bit.

2. Centered around. Think about it. The word center implies that something is in the middle, which would be the exact opposite of being around something. You must center on something.

3. Deep seeded. As the Grammarist points out, this mess-up almost makes sense. However, the correct usage would be deep-seated. Here seated means “set firmly inside.” So a deep-seated emotion would be something you feel deep down that isn’t going away easily.

4. One in the same. If two things are one in the same, well… actually, that doesn’t make any sense. The idea here is that two things are the exact same, or one and the same. So for example, the sum of 2+2 and 1+3 are both 4. They’re one and the same.

5. For all intensive purposes. The actual phrase is for all intents and purposes, meaning for every possible motive or circumstance, well, you’ve got it covered. Otherwise, you’re just covering the purposes that are really intense, but not the lackluster ones.

6. Escape goat. This one always cracks me up. In fact, I was watching an interview with a prominent pro wrestler and UFC competitor (who will remain nameless so he doesn’t pile drive me) and he used it incorrectly. A scapegoat is someone who blame is placed upon. I’m guessing an escape goat would be what you’d ride after robbing a bank or something. Which by the way, seems like a terrible choice.

7. Suppose to. If you suppose too, then you’re also supposing. But supposed to implies that there’s a task you are required to undertake.

8. Another thing coming. Sure it makes sense, but the origination of this phrase uses think instead of thing. So you’d say something like, “if you think you’re not paying for that broken vase, well, you’ve got another think coming.” In other words, think again, bucko!

9. Statue of limitations. I’d sure love to see the this statue. Is it made of marble? That would be very nice, I’d imagine. Jerry Seinfeld would tell you that rather than a sculpture of limitations, you should say statute of limitations.

10. Hone in. If you hone something, you sharpen it. But what you’re trying to say with this phrase is that you’re focusing intently on something. To do that, you’ll need to home in. You know, like a homing device.

11. Mute point. The word mute implies no noise. Silence. But a point that is moot is irrelevant—it simply has no meaning in the current discussion.

There you have it. Which have you been using incorrectly? Can you think of something I left off the list? Tell me about it in the comments section below. And don’t forget to share this with your friends to see what they have to add!

Eric Brantner is a serial blogpreneur who has started and written for multiple blogs that have reached millions of readers. He now seeks to help others learn from his experience on Scribblrs.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Eric_Scribblrs.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.