Commonly misused words

Capital, Capitol

Capital refers to a city, capitol to a building where lawmakers meet. Capital also refers to wealth or resources. The capitol has undergone extensive renovations. The residents of the state capital protested the development plans.

Climactic, climatic

Climactic is derived from climax, the point of greatest intensity in a series or progression of events. Climatic is derived from climate; it refers to meteorological conditions. The climactic period in the dinosaurs' reign was reached just before severe climatic conditions brought on the ice age.

Who, Which, That

Do not use which to refer to persons. Use who instead. That, though generally used to refer to things, may be used to refer to a group or class of people. I just saw a boy who was wearing a yellow banana costume. I have to go to math next, which is my hardest class. Where is the book that I was reading?

Elicit, Illicit

Elicit is a verb meaning to bring out or to evoke. Illicit is an adjective meaning unlawful. The reporter was unable to elicit information from the police about illicit drug traffic.

Emigrate from, Immigrate to

Emigrate means to leave one country or region to settle in another. In 1900, my grandfather emigrated from Russia. Immigrate means to enter another country and reside there. Many Mexicans immigrate to the U.S. to find work. Hints: Emigrate begins with the letter E, as does Exit. When you emigrate, you exit a country. Immigrate begins with the letter I, as does In. When you immigrate, you go into a country

Principle, Principal

Principal is a noun meaning the head of a school or an organization or a sum of money. Principle is a noun meaning a basic truth or law. The principal taught us many important life principles. Hint: To recognize the spelling of Principal first think of yourself as a greedy opportunist. You definitely would want to be a pal of anyone who is in a position of power or anything to do with money. This principal has pal in it.

Lie, Lay

Lie is an intransitive verb meaning to recline or rest on a surface. Its principal parts are lie, lay, lain. Lay is a transitive verb meaning to put or place. Its principal parts are lay, laid. Hint: Chickens lay eggs. I lie down when I am tired.

"He was at my beckon call while I was sick." "He was at my beck and call while I was sick."

"Beck and call" means being made available, ready to obey. "Beckon call" is not correct usage of the English language.

On accident By accident

"By" is grammatically correct

Case and point Case in point

"Case and point" is not a phrase. Instead, use "case in point."

"For all intensive purposes..." "For all intents and purposes..."

"Intensive" means your purpose is intense. "Intents and purposes" means practical.

"The weather will wreck havoc on our picnic." "The weather will wreak havoc on our picnic."

To "wreck havoc" means destroying chaos and adding more chaos — it just doesn't make sense. To "wreak havoc" means to cause chaos.

Towards Toward

Toward never has an "s" at the end. Neither does "anyway." Keep in mind that "towards" is acceptable and correct in countries outside the U.S.

Weather, whether

Weather refers to atmospheric conditions. Example: The weather outside is warm and sunny. Whether is used to introduce alternative possibilities or alternatives, or to mean "either". Example: Find out whether the museum is open. She passed the test, whether by skill or luck.

Who, Whom

Who is used as the subject of a verb; whom is used as the object of a preposition or as a direct object. Example: To whom do we owe our thanks for these pizzas? And who ordered that one with pepperoni and chicken?

Who's, whose

Who's is a contraction for "who is". Example: I met a woman who's going to be the next college president. Whose is used to show possession, ownership. Example: Here comes the poet whose book won a prize.

Affect, Effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence. Effect is usually a noun meaning result. The drug did not affect the disease, and it had several adverse side effects. Effect can also be a verb meaning to bring about. Only the president can effect such a dramatic change.

Allusion, Illusion

An Allusion is an indirect reference. An illusion is a misconception or false impression. Did you catch my allusion to Shakespeare? Mirrors give the room an illusion of depth.

"You have another thing coming!" "You have another think coming!"

It's "think," not "thing." The phrase implies you have another thought (or think) coming. Over time, "think" became "thing," which is simply incorrect. Seems weird though, right?

Its, it's

Its means "belonging to it". Example: My car has a dent on its left front door. It's is a contraction for "it is". Example: It's going to be a hot day.

Hunger pains Hunger pangs

Hunger "pains" do not exist; hunger "pangs" do. This is by far one of the most misused phrases of all.

"Nip the problem in the butt." "Nip the problem in the bud."

If you nip a plant in the "bud," you are preventing it from flowering. You simply can't nip problems in the "butt."