We’re back for another round of my Using the Right Word series!
Was there a commercial? That sounded like a game-show host’s line.
This episode, I mean installment, deals with words starting with F, G and H. Ready to find out which words you might have been using the wrong way? Let’s go!
Farther, further
Farther indicates physical distance. Further suggests quantity or degree. It also refers to psychological distance.
Green Bay is farther from Nancy’s house than Minneapolis is.
Bob thought their relationship would be further along by now.
He needed no further input from his friends.
Fewer, less
Use fewer when you can count the items referred to. Use less for general amounts you can’t count.
Nancy had fewer pairs of shoes than she thought.
Bob preferred less sugar in his coffee.
Flaunt, flout
Flaunt means to show off ostentatiously. Flout means to ignore or disregard contemptuously.
Nancy flaunted her zebra-print shoes in front of her best friend.
Bob flouted the rule against wearing t-shirts at work.
Flounder, founder
Both verbs, flounder means to move clumsily or awkwardly, while founder means to encounter trouble, to collapse or to sink below the surface.
Nancy began to flounder as she tried to regain her footing.
Bob’s project foundered after his partner quit helping him.
Good, well
Good is used as an adjective, while well is used as an adverb.
Nancy kept the car in good condition.
Bob performed well on the exam.
Hanged, hung
This one trips up many people. Hanged is the past-tense form of the verb hang, which means to execute. That is the only use of this word.
The prisoner was hanged for his crimes.
For all other uses of the past-tense form of the verb hang, use hung, which means to fasten or suspend.
Nancy hung the piece of art over her sofa.
Historic, historical
I see these words used incorrectly a lot. I’m sure you’ve seen it as well.
Historic refers to a specific, important event in history. Historical refers to something dealing with the subject of history.
The president gave a historic speech last year at the inauguration.
The queens are listed in historical order.
That was short and sweet. Next week, we’ll take a look at I and K words. Apparently all words beginning with J are easy to understand.
Do you have any stories of bad word usage you’ve seen that made you cringe? Tell us about it in the comments.
And be sure to follow the blog!