{"id":439,"date":"2021-05-12T14:34:20","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T09:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/?p=439"},"modified":"2021-05-21T16:44:14","modified_gmt":"2021-05-21T11:14:14","slug":"commonly-misused-words-english-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engmates.com\/blog\/spoken-english\/commonly-misused-words-english-language\/","title":{"rendered":"Check Your Vocabulary: Most Commonly Misused Words in the English Language"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-463\" src=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/BOOK-TEXT-01.jpg\" alt=\"commonly misused words in english language\" width=\"921\" height=\"769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/BOOK-TEXT-01.jpg 921w, https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/BOOK-TEXT-01-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/BOOK-TEXT-01-768x641.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 921px) 100vw, 921px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">English is a language filled with nuances and subtle variations. Even English professors can\u2019t say for sure that they have achieved absolute mastery over the language. One can practice the language for years and become the greatest English speaker and writer in history but there will always be certain things that would remain unlearned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, this is not to discourage you from learning the language. On the contrary, we want you to give your best at learning English but you must keep in mind that you must always look forward to learning more. To give you an example, we are basing this article on certain English words that most of us get wrong. All of us have misused these words at some point and maybe we still are unaware of the real meaning behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Let\u2019s take a look:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-452 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aggravate-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"117\" height=\"117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aggravate-1.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aggravate-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 117px) 100vw, 117px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Aggravate<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aggravate is mostly used to signify frustration and annoyance. However, the correct meaning of the word is \u2018to increase the gravity of\u2019 or \u2018make something worse\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eg: Strict actions would only aggravate the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Literally<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The word literally is used to represent accuracy. When we say something literally happened, it means, it happened just as explained. When something is explained literally, it is not to be taken figuratively or metaphorically. Nevertheless, more often than not we incorrectly use \u2018literally\u2019 to explain almost any instance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eg: I have literally been out of money for the past week.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Individual<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individual should not be used as a synonym for a person as it signifies a single character as opposed to a group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eg: Since we can\u2019t print them at once, the individual pages will have to be printed one by one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Suggested Read:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/spoken-english\/three-secrets-english-fluency-taught-school\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Three Secrets to English Fluency That You Aren\u2019t Taught in School<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-455 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2878833-200.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"149\" height=\"149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2878833-200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2878833-200-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 149px) 100vw, 149px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Mutual<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This word is often misused in the place of \u2018common.\u2019 Mutual signifies an action or relation between two or more people or things.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Nice<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-443 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/nice-emoji-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"140\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the most overused adjectives in the English language. If you want to have better English speaking skill, it is advised to completely drop this word from your vocabulary and look for more suitable adjectives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Preferred\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/engmates.com\/english-speaking-writing-course-delhi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Written English and English Speaking Course in Delhi<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Transpire<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This word is often used as a synonym for \u2018happen\u2019. It actually means \u2018to be revealed\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-444 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/idea-emoji.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"101\" height=\"101\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Idea<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The word \u2018idea\u2019 should not be used as a synonym for \u2018plan\u2019, \u2018principle\u2019, \u2018cause\u2019 or \u2018scheme\u2019 but as a standalone word that means a thought or suggestion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Differ<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Differ is most commonly seen as a replacement for \u2018vary\u2019. This is incorrect. One should not use the word \u2018differ\u2019 and follow it with \u2018according to\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Infer<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infer means \u2018to deduce\u2019 not \u2018imply\u2019. Eg: From the given facts, we can infer that the crime was done out of passion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Suggested Read:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/spoken-english\/writing-tips-7-ways-make-writing-sharper-crisper\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Writing Tips: 7 Ways to Make Your Writing Sharper and Crisper<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-457 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/indulge.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"103\" height=\"110\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Indulge in<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indulge in should be applied in sentences where pleasure and amusement is concerned. For everything else, one should use the word \u2018engage.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Mostly<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mostly is another word that is overused in the English language. Instead of using mostly in every sentence, try going for other adverbs such as generally or usually.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-460 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2958585-200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"91\" height=\"91\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2958585-200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2958585-200-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 91px) 100vw, 91px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Factor<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Factor means elements or influences that contribute to the final result. It should only be used when the notion of contribution to result is present.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-458 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/people-_population-_national-_populace-_mass-_community-512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"104\" height=\"104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/people-_population-_national-_populace-_mass-_community-512.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.engmates.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/people-_population-_national-_populace-_mass-_community-512-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 104px) 100vw, 104px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Populace<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Populace means \u2018common people\u2019 and should not be used for \u2018people\u2019 or \u2018population\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>English is a language filled with nuances and subtle variations. Even English professors can\u2019t say for sure that they have achieved absolute mastery over the language. One can practice the&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[21,8,20],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Check Your Vocabulary: Most Commonly Misused Words in English Language<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"we are basing this article on certain English words that most of us get wrong. 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