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Using the right word series: Troublesome words become Utterly clear

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Hello all! This installment of the series takes a look at words beginning with T and U. We’ve got some word trios and a couple singles that trip up many writers.

Thank goodness for the find/replace function in Word. Without it, I’d miss all the mixed up “there’s” vs. “their’s” in my own writing. Awareness of your tendencies is key.

Let’s dig in and take a look at another batch of confusing words.

Than, then

Than is a conjunction used to compare things. Then is an adverb indicating time.

Nancy was starting to like Bob more than Joe, but she still wasn’t sure she wanted to date him.

Bob saw Nancy at the restaurant and then turned to leave.

One thing to keep in mind with the word than is to make sure you don’t leave any essential words out. This can cause confusion in the meaning of the sentence overall.

Nancy is closer to Joe than Bob.

Is it Nancy or Bob who is closer to Joe? It isn’t clear. Fix this by adding a word or two.

Nancy is closer to Joe than to Bob.

Nancy is closer to Joe than Bob is. 

Both of these sentences are now clear, but the words I added make them mean two different things. Clarity is important.

That, which

Unless your house style guide indicates something different, use that when introducing an essential clause. Use which when introducing a nonessential clause.

The presentation that Nancy prepared impressed her superiors.

The presentation, which Nancy spent all week perfecting, impressed her superiors.

There, their, they’re

I always search for these three words before hitting publish to make sure I’ve used them right. Sometimes your brain just isn’t all there, ya know?

There specifies place and is also used as an expletive (There are 52 weeks in a year.). Their indicates possession. They’re is a contraction for they are.

Nancy and Bob stopped there on the way to the restaurant.

They ate their steaks while chatting about trivial things.

Now they’re both wondering why the evening seemed so awkward.

To, too, two

Here’s another confusing trio of words. To is a preposition used to indicate movement or direction. Too is an adverb meaning also or very. Two is a number.

Nancy and Bob went to a movie after supper. It was too cold in the theater during the two hours they were there.

Tortuous, torturous

Tortuous means marked by repeated twists, bends or turns. Torturous means very unpleasant or painfully difficult.

Nancy drove the tortuous road as she snaked her way down the mountain.

Bob’s torturous thoughts of driving off the edge of the mountain made him grip the door handle until his knuckles turned bright white. 

Toward, towards

Toward is used in American English. Towards is used in non-American English, so you’ll see it from British, Australian and Canadian writers.

If you look toward the horizon, you’ll see the twisting road they drove to get here.

Try and, try to

Try and is nonstandard usage for try to. It has become an acceptable usage over the years in more casual language. For formal prose, use try to.

Formal prose: Nancy will try to be nicer to Bob.

Casual usage: Bob will try and not embarrass Nancy when in public.

Ultimately, eventually

These words are sometimes used interchangeably; however, they have different meanings. Ultimately means the furthest possible extent or greatest extreme. Eventually means at an unspecified time in the future.

Ultimately, Nancy was afraid of looking foolish for finally going on a date with Bob.

Bob knew Nancy would eventually agree to go on a date, even if she seemed hesitant.

Unique

Unique means to be without a like or equal. Something is either unique or it isn’t. Don’t use modifiers such as most or very with unique.

Bob’s unique (not very unique) sense of humor was irritating to Nancy.

Use to, used to

Do you know which version is the right one? Use to is the incorrect usage. Used to is the standard usage.

Nancy used to think Bob was a goofy nerd. Now she isn’t sure what she thinks of him.

Utilize

If you want your writing to be clear and concise, don’t use the word utilize. The word use is clearer. And let’s face it, utilize sounds like a corporate buzz word and is best avoided.

That wraps up this installment. Next time we’ll finish up the remaining words to round out the series. Don’t miss it!