"Insure" and "Ensure"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: Every once in a while I see the word "ensure" instead of "insure." Is there a difference?

Answer: Even I wasn't "sure" (pun) of this one. Took the explanation right from the NYT Manual of Style and Usage. "Insure" means to buy insurance. "Ensure" means to make certain. "His positive efforts ensured his success."

Rating of Distractibility: (*). The trouble is not many people know the difference and will use "insure" for everything, buying insurance and making certain. The word "ensure" does not appear in print very often. I have a feeling that only the New York Times's editors know the distinction. I'll have to check the Times some time to see if that august newspaper uses the word "ensure" at all.

"Incredible" and "Incredulous"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: I know that "incredible" means "unbelievable." What does "incredulous" mean?

Answer: In meaning, the two words are pretty close, causing the confusion that people sometimes have in using them. "Incredible" means literally, "not able to be believed," or "hard to believe." "His speed around the track was incredible" means that his record speed was hard for anyone to believe.

"Incredulous" means literally "full of not believing," or "I don't believe it." While you will hear or read "incredible" frequently, you will hear or read "incredulous" infrequently. "She was incredulous at his behavior" means she could not believe the way he behaved. "When he testified before the jury, she was incredulous at his distortions of the truth" means that she could not believe he would lie the way he did.

The distinction between the two? "Incredible" = Anyone would find it hard to believe. "Incredulous" means "I" or "she" or "we" or "they" personally cannot believe it.

Rating of Distractibility: (***). Educated people know the difference between these two words. To substitute one for the other will raise eyebrows. RayS.

"Incident"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question. "So and so was murdered at 5th and Elm. The incident was witnessed by...." Why does the New York Times Manual of Style and Usage disagree with the use of "incident" in this news story?

Answer: Don't describe an event with serious consequences as an "incident." The term trivializes. Make the description fit the magnitude of the event: "Murder" is murder; a "fatal accident" is a deadly event. "Incident" is often used in newspapers to refer to murders and deadly accidents.

Rating of Distractibility: (**). We're so used to the term "incident" in newspapers and on TV newscasts to describe an event regardless of the gravity of its consequences that most of us probably won't notice it. Careful uses of language will.

"Imply" and "Infer"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: What's the difference between "Imply" and "Infer"?

Answer: "I 'imply' that you are guilty" means I have not said so directly but that is my meaning. You "infer" from my remarks that you think I am guilty. You have not said so directly, but I think that is what you are suggesting. Both words mean "suggest indirectly." The speaker "implies." The listener "infers." The writer "implies." The reader "infers."

Some pretty well educated people confuse these two words.

Rating of Distractibility: (***). The confusion between these two words is another of the "scratching-nails-on-the-blackboard" mistakes. If you don't get these two words right, many an amateur language critic will be on your case.

By the way, I saw "can't help but" in a column by a respected columnist in the West Chester, PA., Daily Local News for Monday, June 23, 2008, p. A3. Tsk! RayS.

"Implement"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: I'm always being told to "implement" the curriculum. What exactly does "implement" mean?

Answer: First, as a noun, an implement is a tool. "When you are about to plant your vegetables, gather all of your gardening implements into one place." Nothing wrong with the word in that context.

As a verb, "implement" means to carry out some goal or task. The problem is that people have become tired of hearing it ad nauseam. It's a word that people use without thinking. It also makes the writer or speaker sound important. "I need to help people implement the curriculum." Whenever possible, use some simpler, alternative term for this overused, pompous piece of jargon: "fulfill," "accomplish," or "do," etc. "Will you please use the techniques suggested in the ninth-grade curriculum on grammar with your students?"

Rating of Distractibility: (*). By now most people are so accustomed to the monotonous repetition of the word "implement" as a verb that not many will notice it. However, if you use some simpler word, your directions are likely to be clearer, more definite and have greater effect on the people you are appealing to. Your listeners or readers are more likely to take notice of what you have said. If they hear the word "implement," they will fall instantly to sleep. "Implement" is a three-syllable soporific.

By the way, as a curriculum coordinator, I used the word many a time. I'm guilty in the first degree.

"Impact"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: What's so wrong about "His hitting has impacted the outcome of the game"?

Answer: We can thank TV sports commentators and, especially, local news anchors and reporters, for using "impact" as a synonym for "affect" and "effect." "Impact" is a heavy blow: "The impact of the tornado on the building was like being hit by a freight train at full speed." For most influences, "affect" or "effect" is sufficient to convey your meaning: "His hitting has had an effect on the outcome of the game."

And don't use "impacted" unless you are referring to the pain in your wisdom tooth. It's an ugly word.

Rating of Distraction: **. The use of "impact" for "affect" or "effect" is another example of how Americans love to inflate or exaggerate their use of language. People are so familiar with hearing "impact" and "impacted" in situations that are not powerful influences that few people will notice. People who use words with precision will notice.

"Hopefully"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: What's all the brouhaha about using "hopefully"?

Answer: As a practical matter, take my word for it: Do not use "hopefully" in writing. 95% of the time you will be wrong. If you must use it, test it by substituting "I hope." If "I hope" does not fit, don't use "hopefully."

Trust me on this usage: Understanding when to use "hopefully" correctly is more trouble than it is worth. Usually, the word is not necessary anyway. Use "I hope" instead.

Rating of Distractibility: (**) in writing. In writing, people have grown so used to "hopefully" that most won't notice that it is used incorrectly. (*) in speaking. In speaking, listeners will be unable to figure out that quickly whether "hopefully" is used correctly or not.

"Can't help but...."

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: What's wrong with "I can't help but wonder."

Answer: Double negative, "can't" and "but." You should say, "I can't help wondering."

Rating of Distractibility: ***. Not only is "can't help but" a double negative, a grammatical "mistake," but "can't help wondering" flows. What's wrong with double negatives? They often confuse meaning. If you find a sentence with a double negative, you will almost certainly have to re-read it to make sure of the meaning. And having to re-read the sentence interrupts the flow of thought. RayS.

"Hanged" and "Hung"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: Is it OK to say, "He was hung"?

Answer: People are "hanged." Pictures are "hung." Why? I don't know, but that's the distinction.

Rating of Distractibility: ***. Another example of usage that eventually will go to one or the other. I'm guessing that the winner will eventually be "hung."

"Graduate from...." "Be graduated from...."

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: Is "He graduated high school acceptable?"

Answer: No. This usage is unacceptable and it grates on my ear. This expression is one of my pet hates. You GRADUATE FROM Harvard University. You will BE GRADUATED FROM Harvard University. But you DO NOT "...graduate Harvard University." That expression sounds as if you are giving the degree to Harvard University and sending Harvard University out into the world to make a living.

Rating of Distractibility: ***. UGH!

"Farther" and "Further"

Levels of Distractibility: Who Cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: I always get "further" and "farther" mixed up. I know that one means distance and the other means additional, but which is which?

Answer: When I'm talking I mix them up also. They sound too much alike. You're right: "farther" means distance: "He walked farther down the hall." "Further" means "additional," as in "I have nothing further to say." Keeping them straight in writing shouldn't be a problem. You can always look them up again. But speaking.... Think of the FAR in "farther."

Rating of Distractibility: In writing, (***). In speaking, (**).

"Fulsome"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: I've heard the word "fulsome." Does it mean "full of"?

Answer: In general, yes, but overdone and effusive as in "fulsome praise." It's not a compliment. The word "fulsome" can also mean offensive as in "Max Goldman in the movie Grumpy Old Men encounters a fulsome odor thanks to the fish deposited in his car by his neighbor John Gustafson." However, that meaning is no longer common; it's out of date. You'll still see it or hear it in that sense, though. Generally, the word "fulsome" means "overdone," "too much."

Rating of Distractibility: **. People who still cling to the early meaning of "fulsome" as "offensive" will think you are wrong when you use it to mean overdone. Best to avoid the word unless it is the absolute perfect word for your meaning. I would write around it. "Fulsome praise" becomes, "flattery."

"Foreword" and "Forward"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: I've heard of the word "forward," i.e., "Move forward, not backward." What is a "foreword"?

Answer: You don't read many books. Most nonfiction books come with a "Foreword," a brief introduction that usually summarizes the main ideas of the book in very clear, concise language. Will give you a pretty good understanding of the ideas you will find in the book. Note the "Fore," "before," and "word" in "Fore"-"word."


Rating of Distractibility: ***. People usually misspell "Foreword," "Forward." That's a blatant mistake. I'm always amazed to find publishers who misspell "Foreword" in the published book. Incredible.

"Flaunt" and "Flout"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: I never get it right. When I mean "flout," I say "flaunt." When I mean "flaunt," I say "flout." How do I get them straight?

Answer: The confusion between these two words is probably one of the most frequent usage problems. "Flaunt" means to show off: "He flaunted his skill at catching passes by staging a pantomime in the end zone." Meaning, like T.O., he humiliated the opponents by dancing in the end zone after scoring a touchdown on a ten-yard pass.

"Flout" means to defy: "He flouted the rule not to tailgate the car in front of him." Meaning, he kept on tailgating even though he had received at least three tickets from the State Police for doing so.

Rating of Distractibility: ***. This is a "biggie." Make a mistake with these two words, and you will "pay the price" in sneers. Some people would say that anyone who uses either of these two words is probably a snob. Still, these words accurately describe familiar actions.