Idiomatic Errors
WRONG IDIOMATIC USAGE
Idioms are a group of words that have a different meaning than the one indicated by the individual words. The change in the preposition that accompanies a word can change the meaning of the idiom and lead to idiomatic errors.
EXAMPLES:
Account of/Account for
‘Account of’ is used to receive credit or blame.
Example:
My mother knew that my low grades were on account of the lack of proper study facilities.
‘Account for’ is used to explain something.
Example:
You will have to account for the rest of the missing products.
Adapted to/Adapted from/Adapted for
‘Adapted to’ means: naturally suited for.
Example:
The computer is adapted to the latest software.
‘Adapted from’ means: altered or sourced from another.
Example:
The second design was adapted from the original one.
‘Adapted for’ means: made suitable for.
Example:
The equipment is adapted for cottage industries.
Better off/Better than/Better to
‘Better off’ denotes the situation of a person wherein he/she is happy or doing well.
Example:
I am better off living with my aunt.
‘Better than’ indicates a comparison between two objects.
Example:
My dress was better than hers.
‘Better to’ indicates an alternative where one is better than the other.
Example:
It is better to be happy with what is offered than to be offered nothing at all.
Correspond with/Correspond to
‘Correspond with’ means: exchanging letters.
Example:
I corresponded with some officers for a while after I left the air force.
‘Correspond to’ means in accordance with.
Example:
Actually the picture did not correspond to the gems on display.
Done for/Done in/Done with
‘Done for’ means: to be in an awful situation.
Example:
I had not completed my maths homework so I thought I was done for when the teacher asked me to hand it in.
‘Done in’ means: to be very tired.
Example:
The children looked done in after the long hike.
‘Done with’ means: to have ended a job or an activity.
Example:
I am done with the pending assignments.
Feel for/Feel up to/Feel like
‘Feel for’ means: to have sympathy for someone, something.
Example:
I feel for that boy in tattered clothes.
‘Feel up to’ means: to have the strength to do something.
Example:
I feel up to another set of running exercises.
‘Feel like’ means: a desire or keenness to do or be something.
Example:
I feel like sleeping for another hour.
Pick on/Pick out/Pick up/Pick at
‘Pick on’ means: treating someone unfairly by punishing or criticizing.
Example:
As he had to vent his anger, he picked on me.
‘Pick out’ means choosing something.
Example:
I picked out a yellow kerchief from the collection.
‘Pick up’ means: to lift something.
Example:
I picked up the pen that was lying on the floor.
‘Pick at’ means: eating without hunger, eating very slowly.
Example:
She was upset and so picked at her food while her friends ate heartily.
Take on/Take up/Take off
‘Take on’ means: accepting a challenge.
Example:
His friends fled the scene leaving him to take on the bullies singlehanded.
‘Take up’ means: starting, continuing, or occupying.
Example:
The cabinet plans to take up the issue of mergers soon.
‘Take off’ means: removing something.
Example:
Take off that funny mask and show your face.
WRONG WORDS
Similar looking words or similar sounding words can be sometimes mistaken one for the other. Following are some of the words which can lead to errors if used incorrectly.
EXAMPLES:
Abhorrent/Aberrant
‘Abhorrent’ is: a person or thing that provokes distaste.
‘Aberrant’ is: a person, thing that has strayed from the normal way.
Examples:
Incorrect: Some of his ideas were simply aberrant.
Correct: Some of his ideas were simply abhorrent.
Incorrect: His abhorrent behaviour was spurned by everybody.
Correct: His aberrant behaviour was spurned by everybody.
Accept/Except/Expect
‘Accept’ means: to willingly receive something.
‘Except’ means: excluding something.
‘Expect’ means: to anticipate something.
Examples:
Incorrect: I except your gift happily.
Correct: I am happy to accept your gift.
Incorrect: I accept you to forgive him.
Correct: I expect you to forgive him.
Incorrect: I will do everything accept your secretarial work.
Correct: I will do everything except your secretarial work.
Access/Excess
‘Access’ is: to gain permission.
‘Excess’ refers to something that exceeds a particular quantity.
Examples:
Incorrect: Do you have excess to those files on the computer?
Correct: Do you have access to those files on the computer?
Incorrect: The class was in access of five students.
Correct: The class was in excess of forty students.
Adopt/Adapt
‘Adopt’ means: to take up, accept, put into effect.
‘Adapt’ means: to adjust, conform, accommodate or modify oneself or something.
Examples:
Incorrect: The trade policies were adapted by the government.
Correct: The trade policies were adopted by the government.
Incorrect: I cannot adopt to the lifestyle of the Europeans.
Correct: I cannot adapt to the lifestyle of the Europeans.
Advice/Advise
‘Advice’ is a noun. It means ‘recommendation’.
‘Advise’ is a verb. It means to give advice, information.
Examples:
Incorrect: Please give me advise on this matter.
Correct: Please give me advice on this matter.
Incorrect: As your guardian, I advice you to stay away from those boys.
Correct: As your guardian, I advise you to stay away from those boys.
Aide/Aid
‘Aide’ is someone who functions as an assistant.
‘Aid’ means: to provide assistance.
Examples:
Incorrect: Mr. Singh was my aid during the tour.
Correct: Mr. Singh was my aide during the tour.
Incorrect: When I was in the hotel, the staff came to my aide.
Correct: When I was in the hotel, the staff came to my aid.
Amoral/Immoral
‘Amoral’ means: someone who is outside the sphere of moral judgments.
‘Immoral’ means: someone who is not moral.
Examples:
Incorrect: He said it is amoral to ditch your friends.
Correct: He said it is immoral to ditch your friends.
Incorrect: He thinks it is better to be immoral in these times when truth and fiction seem all mixed-up.
Correct: He thinks it is better to be amoral in these times when truth and fiction seem all mixed-up.
Appraise/Apprise
‘Appraise’ means: to evaluate something.
‘Apprise’ means: to inform or tell.
Examples:
Incorrect: After we apprise the jewels, we can let you know its actual value.
Correct: After we appraise the jewels, we can let you know its actual value.
Incorrect: We were not appraised of the facts of the case.
Correct: We were not apprised of the facts of the case.
Assent/Ascent
‘Assent’ means: consent, to agree to something.
‘Ascent’ means: rising, climbing, going upward.
Examples:
Incorrect: We need the ascent of the President in order to proceed further.
Correct: We need the assent of the President in order to proceed further.
Incorrect: The truck began its assent on the raised platform.
Correct: The truck began its ascent on the raised platform.
A lot/Allot
‘A lot’ are two words and mean: plenty.
‘Allot’ is a single word and means: to assign or to distribute.
Examples:
Incorrect: Allot of people had gathered on the street.
Correct: A lot of people had gathered on the street.
Incorrect: Please a lot different machines to each competitor.
Correct: Please allot different machines to each competitor.
All ready/Already
‘All ready’ are two words and means: everything is prepared.
‘Already’ is a single word meaning: earlier.
Examples:
Incorrect: Are you already for the flight?
Correct: Are you all ready for the flight?
Incorrect: Are you all ready in the plane?
Correct: Are you already in the plane?
Allude/Elude
‘Allude’ means: to refer to something indirectly.
‘Elude’ means: to escape or avoid.
Examples:
Incorrect: My mother would often elude to our life in Delhi.
Correct: My mother would often allude to our life in Delhi.
Incorrect: The prisoner had tried his best to allude arrest.
Correct: The prisoner had tried his best to elude arrest.
Illusion/Allusion
‘Illusion’ is an image or something that misleads or deceives.
‘Allusion’ means: referring to something indirectly.
Examples:
Incorrect: He had no allusions about her feelings for him.
Correct: He had no illusions about her feelings for him.
Incorrect: The reporter’s statement was an illusion to the recent drug racket.
Correct: The reporter’s statement was an allusion to the recent drug racket.
Amiable/Amicable
‘Amiable’ means: friendly, pleasing or admirable.
‘Amicable’ means: peaceful.
Examples:
Incorrect: She had an amicable way of speaking.
Correct: She had an amiable way of speaking.
Incorrect: They reached an amiable settlement and ended the issue forever.
Correct: They reached an amicable settlement and ended the issue forever.
Amount/Number
Amount is used for uncountable nouns. Number is used for countable nouns.
Examples:
Incorrect: I need a big number of money for the deal.
Correct: I need a big amount of money for the deal.
Incorrect: The amount of deals that have been closed is not known yet.
Correct: The number of deals that have been closed is not known yet.
Anecdote/Antidote
‘Anecdote’ is a short amusing tale.
‘Antidote’ is a remedy that thwarts the effects of poison.
Examples:
Incorrect: We just heard a funny antidote about his childhood friend.
Correct: We just heard a funny anecdote about his childhood friend.
Incorrect: The anecdote was administered to the boy who was bitten by a snake.
Correct: The antidote was administered to the boy who was bitten by a snake.
Besides/Beside
‘Besides’ is a preposition meaning: other than.
‘Beside’ is a preposition meaning: in position, located next to.
Examples:
Incorrect: Beside my family, there were four of my friends in the house.
Correct: Besides my family, there were four of my friends in the house.
Incorrect: All of us were standing besides a huge statue.
Correct: All of us were standing beside a huge statue.
Backwards/Backward
‘Backward’ is used as an adverb or an adjective.
‘Backwards’ is used only as an adverb.
Examples:
Incorrect: I fell backward as I stepped on the escalator.
Correct: I fell backwards as I stepped on the escalator.
Incorrect: Various countries in Africa are still backwards.
Correct: Various countries in Africa are still backward.
Censure/Censor
‘Censure’ means: to condemn.
‘Censor’ means: to edit or repress.
Examples:
Incorrect: The reporter was censored for providing misleading information about the President.
Correct: The reporter was censured for providing misleading information about the President.
Incorrect: The Board of directors tried to censure the official statements of the company.
Correct: The Board of directors tried to censor the official statements of the company.
Childlike/Childish
‘Childlike’ means: a person/act that resembles a child or characterised by innocence.
‘Childish’ means: characterised by immaturity.
Examples:
Incorrect: Her childish behaviour made her adorable.
Correct: Her childlike behaviour made her adorable.
Incorrect: Her childlike behaviour irritated her husband.
Correct: Her childish behaviour irritated her husband.
Climactic/Climatic
‘Climactic’ is something that constitutes a climax.
‘Climatic’ means: related to the climate.
Examples:
Incorrect: The climatic moment of the play shocked the audience.
Correct: The climactic moment of the play shocked the audience.
Incorrect: The climactic changes on the surface of the earth were not considered by the scientists.
Correct: The climatic changes on the surface of the earth were not considered by the scientists.
Compliment/Complement
‘Compliment’ means: best wishes or admiration.
‘Complement’ means: a thing that adds to, completes something, or makes it perfect.
Examples:
Incorrect: She received many complements on the day of her anniversary.
Correct: She received many compliments on the day of her anniversary.
Incorrect: Her accessories, shoes and hand bag complimented her yellow dress.
Correct: Her accessories, shoes and hand bag complemented her yellow dress.
Discreet/Discrete
‘Discreet’ means: careful, prudent or modest.
‘Discrete’ means: separate.
Examples:
Incorrect: They had been discrete about their love affair.
Correct: They had been discreet about their love affair.
Incorrect: There should have been a reference to the discreet lives led by the tribes.
Correct: There should have been a reference to the discrete lives led by the tribes.
Disinterested/Uninterested
‘Disinterested’ means: impartial.
‘Uninterested’ means: one who is not interested.
Examples:
Incorrect: He seemed to be an uninterested umpire.
Correct: He seemed to be a disinterested umpire.
Incorrect: He seemed to be disinterested in the outcome of the match.
Correct: He seemed to be uninterested in the outcome of the match.
Effect/Affect
‘Effect’ means: to result or to come into existence.
‘Affect’ means: to influence or to produce an effect.
Examples:
Incorrect: What are the affects of the First World War on English literature?
Correct: What are the effects of the First World War on English literature?
Incorrect: How did the war effect the novelists in that period?
Correct: How did the war affect the novelists in that period?
Elicit/Illicit
‘Illicit’ means: illegal or unlawful.
‘Elicit’ means: to bring out or draw forth.
Examples:
Incorrect: Elicit liquor was sold in the shop across the street.
Correct: Illicit liquor was sold in the shop across the street.
Incorrect: We provoked the minister to illicit a response from him.
Correct: We provoked the minister to elicit a response from him.
Eminent/Imminent
‘Eminent’ means: important or distinguished.
‘Imminent’ means: about to happen, looming.
Examples:
Incorrect: Imminent personalities were present at the party when the accident took place.
Correct: Eminent personalities were present at the party when the accident took place.
Incorrect: Rita knew that the danger was eminent.
Correct: Rita knew that the danger was imminent.
Few/Less
‘Few’ is used to indicate a number of items.
‘Less’ is used to indicate quantum.
Examples:
Incorrect: Less people complained about the quality of speakers in the auditorium.
Correct: Few people complained about the quality of speakers in the auditorium.
Incorrect: There was few grain available this season because the farmers did not reap an abundant harvest as expected.
Correct: There was less grain available this season because the farmers did not reap an abundant harvest as expected.
Imply/Infer
‘Imply’ means: to express/indicate indirectly.
‘Infer’ means: to conclude/deduct from the facts.
Examples:
Incorrect: I thought his speech inferred a certain degree of partiality.
Correct: I thought his speech implied a certain degree of partiality.
Incorrect: It can be implied from his speech that he is partial.
Correct: It can be inferred from his speech that he is partial.
Moral/Morale
‘Moral’ means ethical.
‘Morale’ means: confidence or self-esteem.
Examples:
Incorrect: Who will tell me the morale of the story?
Correct: Who will tell me the moral of the story?
Incorrect: The moral of the workers was very low.
Correct: The morale of the workers was very low.
Moribund/Morbid
‘Moribund’ means: dilapidated, dying state.
‘Morbid’ indicates gloomy or melancholic.
Examples:
Incorrect: The company used its surplus funds for the restoration of the morbid heritage building to its pristine state.
Correct: The company used its surplus funds for the restoration of the moribund heritage building to its pristine state.
Incorrect: Her moribund thoughts stemmed from the fact that she was growing old.
Correct: Her morbid thoughts stemmed from the fact that she was growing old.
Peasant/Pheasant
‘Peasant’ is a farmer or also used to indicate an uneducated person.
‘Pheasant’ is a bird.
Examples:
Incorrect: Pheasants from the nearby villages visited the tavern to imbibe alcoholic beverages.
Correct: Peasants from the nearby villages visited the tavern to imbibe alcoholic beverages.
Incorrect: Peasants are game birds raised on my aviculture farm.
Correct: Pheasants are game birds raised on my aviculture farm.
Personnel/Personal
‘Personnel’ means: employees or people working in an organisation.
‘Personal’ means: private or related to an individual.
Examples:
Incorrect: It was decided that the personal will be provided with the necessary uniforms.
Correct: It was decided that the personnel will be provided with the necessary uniforms.
Incorrect: This is my personnel cabin.
Correct: This is my personal cabin.
Proceed/Precede
‘Proceed’ means: to carry on.
‘Precede’ means: to go ahead or to be earlier than something.
Examples:
Incorrect: Can we precede to the auditorium?
Correct: Can we proceed to the auditorium?
Incorrect: In this example, the noun proceeds the verb.
Correct: In this example, the noun precedes the verb.
Resent/Recent
‘Resent’ means: to feel annoyed.
‘Recent’ means: new or fresh.
Examples:
Incorrect: The students seemed to recent the appointment of Raj as the Dean of the college.
Correct: The students seemed to resent the appointment of Raj as the Dean of the college.
Incorrect: This seems to be a resent development.
Correct: This seems to be a recent development.
Stationery/Stationary
‘Stationery’ means: materials like pens, ink, papers, pencils, stencils, etc.
‘Stationary’ means: one that is immobile, or which cannot be changed.
Examples:
Incorrect: I needed to buy some stationary for my project.
Correct: I needed to buy some stationery for my project.
Incorrect: Passengers may board or alight from the bus only when it is stationery.
Correct: Passengers may board or alight from the bus only when it is stationary.
Statue/Statute
‘Statute’ is a law or an edict enacted by the government.
‘Statue’ is a sculpted representation of a thing or a person.
Examples:
Incorrect: The statue of the University states that no student can be banned without justifiable cause.
Correct: The statute of the University states that no student can be banned without justifiable cause.
Incorrect: Where is the statue of Liberty?
Correct: Where is the statue of Liberty?
Unexceptionable/Unexceptional
‘Unexceptionable’ means: something that cannot be objected to or criticized. It has a commendatory connotation.
‘Unexceptional’ means: ordinary and has a negative undertone.
Examples:
Incorrect: Even after rigorous practice under the tutelage of the best coach in the country he still remained an unexceptionable sportsman.
Correct: Even after rigorous practice under the tutelage of the best coach in the country he still remained an unexceptional sportsman.
Incorrect: He was known for his unexceptional behaviour which earned him the employee of the year award.
Correct: He was known for his unexceptionable behaviour which earned him the employee of the year award.
Whether/Weather
‘Whether’ is used as a pronoun or a conjunction.
‘Weather’ means: climate.
Examples:
Incorrect: I don’t know weather he was speaking the truth.
Correct: I don’t know whether he was speaking the truth.
Incorrect: The whether is an important factor in this process.
Correct: The weather is an important factor in this process.
DOUBLE NEGATIVES
Double negatives lead to erroneous sentences.
Examples:
Incorrect: I do not know nothing about the deal that took place yesterday.
Correct: I do not know anything about the deal that took place yesterday.
In the above example, ‘nothing’ follows ‘do not’ which is a double negative and therefore a wrong sentence.
Incorrect: Hardly nothing was offered to the victims of the earthquake.
Correct: Hardly anything was offered to the victims of the earthquake.
In the above example, ‘hardly’ a negative adverb is followed by the negative indefinite pronoun ‘nothing’ thus forming a double negative. Therefore, the sentence is wrong.