We all strive to come across as knowledgeable and articulate, especially in conversations that matter, but some words and phrases can unintentionally make us sound less informed. We’ve collected 21 of the most common wording or phrasing errors that you should avoid if you don’t want to sound ignorant.
“Literally” (When You Mean Figuratively)
According to the BBC, “nowadays the idea of an album “literally flying off the shelves” and recipes “literally taking no time at all” barely raises an eyebrow” because many people misuse the word “literally” to emphasise their points. This often leads to confusion because “literally” means that something happened exactly as described, without exaggeration or metaphor.
“Irregardless”
The term “irregardless” is often used by people who intend to say “regardless.” However, “irregardless” is not considered a proper word in the English language because it combines two negatives, “ir-” and “less,” making it redundant. When you use “regardless,” you’re communicating that something is happening without considering a particular factor.
“I Could Care Less”
“I could care less” is frequently used incorrectly to express indifference, but the problem is that it implies you do care to some degree. The correct phrase is “I couldn’t care less,” which means you have no care left to give.
“Expresso”
When referring to this particular variety of strong coffee, the correct term is “espresso,” not “expresso.” Mispronouncing this popular drink can make you sound unfamiliar with it, so if you’re a coffee enthusiast or just enjoy a good cup now and then, it’s worth getting the terminology right.
“Supposably”
The word you should use is “supposedly,” which means “as assumed or believed”, and not “supposably”, which is not standard English. Using it can make you sound uneducated. By using “supposedly,” you ensure your speech or writing is correct and clear.
“For All Intensive Purposes”
Meaning “practically speaking” or “in every practical sense”, the correct phrase “for all intents and purposes” is what you should say instead of “for all intensive purposes.” Saying it the incorrect way sounds like you’re referring to purposes that are intense, which is not the intended meaning.
“Nip It in the Butt”
The proper phrase is “nip it in the bud,” which means to stop something before it has a chance to grow or become a bigger problem. Therefore saying “nip it in the butt” is not only incorrect but can also lead to confusion—or even amusement.
“Begs the Question”
Many people use “begs the question” incorrectly to mean “raises the question.” However, “begging the question” is a logical fallacy where an argument’s premise assumes the truth of the conclusion, so if you mean to say that something prompts a question, use “raises the question” instead.
“Could of” or “Should of”
“Could of” or “should of” are incorrect forms of “could have” and “should have.” The contractions “could’ve” and “should’ve” sound like “could of” and “should of,” but writing them that way is incorrect and can make you appear ignorant of proper grammar.
“Mute Point”
The correct term is “moot point.” A “moot point” refers to an issue that is no longer relevant or worth discussing, so saying “mute point” can make you sound uninformed, as “mute” means silent. Ensuring you use “moot point” correctly will convey that you are knowledgeable about the term and understand its meaning.
“On Accident”
“On accident” is a common mistake but not standard English. The proper phrase is “by accident.” Saying “by accident” will make your speech sound more polished and correct. For example, if you say, “I broke the vase on accident,” it sounds awkward and incorrect.
“Escape Goat”
The term you’re looking for is “scapegoat,” which means someone who is unfairly blamed for something, which is why “escape goat” is incorrect and can make you sound misinformed. The word “scapegoat” originates from a biblical ritual where a goat was symbolically burdened with the sins of the people and then sent into the wilderness.
“Alot”
Although it’s an easy mistake to make, “alot” is not a word, as the correct form is “a lot,” meaning “many” or “much.” Writing “alot” can make you seem careless about your spelling and grammar. It’s acceptable in a quick message to friends, but always use “a lot” in professional settings.
“Each One Worse Than the Next”
The correct phrase is “each one worse than the last” and not “each one worse than the next”. Saying the latter doesn’t make logical sense since the “next” hasn’t happened yet, so use “each one worse than the last” to convey that each successive thing is worse than the previous one.
“Piece of Mind”
You can give someone a piece of your mind, but in this context, the correct term is “peace of mind,” which means a sense of calm and security. Saying “piece of mind” out loud will sound the same, but if you’re writing it down, be sure it’s spelt correctly.
“One in the Same”
The right phrase is “one and the same,” meaning two things that are identical and not “one in the same.” This is incorrect and can make you seem ignorant of the proper expression. Using “one and the same” ensures your language is correct, and your meaning is clear.
“First Come, First Serve”
Indicating that the first people to arrive are the first to be served, “first come, first served” is the correct version. Many people get it wrogn saying, “first come, first serve.” Saying “first come, first serve” can make it sound like those arriving first will be doing the serving, which is not the intended meaning.
“Hone In”
While it can be tricky because of how it sounds when spoken, “home in” is the correct phrase, and not “hone in”, meaning to target or focus on something. “Hone” means to sharpen, so saying “hone in” is incorrect. For example, you can say “I need to hone my skills” or “I need to home in on my skills”.
“For All the Wrong Reasons”
This phrase often becomes “for all the wrong reasons” when people mean the opposite, so be clear about your intentions to avoid misunderstanding. Saying “he did it for all the right reasons” means his motives were good, whereas “he did it for all the wrong reasons” means his motives were bad, so choose which one is applicable.
“Deep-Seeded”
People sometimes mistakenly say “deep-seeded,” when they actually mean the correct term “deep-seated.” This means firmly established. Using “deep-seated” shows you know the right expression, while saying “she has deep-seeded fears” is incorrect. “She has deep-seated fears” accurately describes fears that are firmly rooted.
“Most Uniquely”
One last ignorant phrase you’ll want to avoid is “most uniquely.” “Unique” means one of a kind, so something can’t be “most uniquely,” as this phrase is redundant and incorrect. Simply saying “unique” is sufficient and correct for any situation.
