MisusedWords and Expressions

(Usually) Misused ~ Vague

“Misused” typically does not mean that a word or expression makes no sense, but rather that the writer has been careless.

Implications Write with precision. Replace vague generalities by definite statements.

Note: “The shape of our language is not rigid; in questions of usage we have no lawgiver whose word is final.”

“Which Hunting” “That” explains; “which” merely adds additional

information. Restrictive vs. non-restrictive clauses

The algorithm that computes reachability. (not: “which computes reachability”)

Warshall’s algorithm, which is O(n3), computes reachability. (not: “that is O(n3)”)

“Careful writers go which-hunting, remove defining whiches, and by so doing improve their work.”

Little Words – Big Problems

A/an It’s not the letter but the sound An honor; a uniform An FD; a UML class an SQL (S-Q-L) statement; a SQL (SEQuel) statement

A/the “An” indefinite; “the” definite Introduce “a” topic and discuss “the” topic.

Allowing Who/What?

Allow is a transitive verbrequires a direct object Too often used as an intransitive verb

No: “The system allows to …” Yes: “The system allows users to …” No: “The algorithm allows to reduce the time …” Yes: “The algorithm allows us to reduce the time …”

So often misused in CS literature that it is becoming accepted.

“Works” as a Noun

ClassicalYesThe works of Shakespeare“ … that he may see your good works …”

(Biblical)

But in CS literature?No: “Their works show that …”Yes: “Their research shows that …”

– my pet peeve

Words Commonly Misused Among/between

“Between” two things “Among” several things

And/or Damages sentences, often ambiguous “A and/or B” = “A and maybe B”?, = “A or B or both”? = “either A or B”? “or” can be ambiguous: logical or? logical exclusive-or?

Comprise/constitute “Comprise” = “includes” (A zoo is comprised of animals.) “Constitute” = “together make up a” (Animals constitute a zoo.)

Data Technically plural Accepted (preferred?) as singular Data vs. Data

Words Commonly Misused

Different than/from One thing differs “from” another; hence “different from”. Or “other than”

Due to = “because of” Overused: use sparingly, or avoid altogether

Effect As a noun, = “result;” as a verb, = “to bring about” Don’t confuse the noun “effect” with the verb “affect” = “to influence”

Etc. Not to be used if the reader would be left in doubt about any important particulars Overused: avoid

Words Commonly Misused Farther/Further—there is a distinction

Use “farther” for distance Use “further” for everything else—e.g. time, quantity.

Finalize Ambiguous Just clearly say what you mean: e.g. “conclude,” “terminate,” “end,”

Fortuitous Limited to what happens by chance Not to be used for “fortunate” or “lucky”

Get—colloquial: don’t use in formal writing

However “However” usually serves better when it is not first. Instead of “However, since …, we …” write “Since …, however, we …” However, many disagree.

Words Commonly Misused Imply/infer—not interchangeable

“Imply” = “suggest” or “indicate”—these facts imply … “Infer” = “deduce”—we infer from these facts …

Importantly—avoid by rephrasing

Irregardless Should be “regardless” The “less” is already negative; “ir” makes a double negative

Lay Do not misuse for “lie”: “lay” is transitive; “lie” is intransitive “lay something down”; “lie down to rest” Past tense of “lie” is “lay”; and of “lay” is “laid”

[Present] I lay a book on the desk and it lies there. [Past] I laid a book on the desk and it lay there.

Me Not “between you and I”—“between you and me” Not “They came to meet my spouse and I.”—“They came to meet my spouse and

me.”

Words Commonly Misused None

Singular—“None of them is larger than …” Also singular: “each,” “everybody,” “nobody”

Respective, Respectively Sometimes required: x and y match with a and b, respectively Omit unless required to avoid ambiguity

Split infinitive (commentary on split infinitives) Prefer “to run quickly” over “to quickly run” so long as the meaning is clear. The split infinitive emphasizes the adverb—sometimes in exactly the right way.

Than/Then Than: comparison (taller than Kay) and choice (rather walk than drive) Then: consequence (if A then B), answers to when (prices were lower then), and

ordering (this then that)

Words Commonly Misused They

Not correct when the antecedent is singular Not “everyone knows they are smart”—not “everyone knows he is smart” either

(sexist)—instead rewrite: “people know they are smart”

Unique Unique = “without like or equal” Thus, degrees of uniqueness make no sense—don’t write “most unique,”

“undoubtedly unique,” …

Utilize—prefer “use”

Very Omit or use sparingly (easy to fall into this trap) Not a precise word for scientific writing