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by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., and Katharine Hansen, Ph.D.

Incorrect Word Usage.

You may remember all those confusing pairs: affect and effect, less and fewer, among and between, farther and further, lay and lie, who and whom, that and which, principle and princpal… the list goes on and on. And did you know that presently doesn't mean the same as currently and utilize is just a stilted way to say use? Our advice on this troublesome writing flaw is simple: obtain a copy of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.

Be aware too, that the word usage flaws that essentially drive professors off the deep end are the most simple ones that everyone should know to avoid: to, too, and two; their, there, and they're; and it's and its. If you learn no other correct word usage, at least learn these easy ones.

Other sets to be wary of in your writing:

• Assure, ensure, insure
• Awhile, while
• Captial, capitol
• Complement, compliment
• Compose, comprise
• counsel, council
• Continual, continuous
• Flammable, inflammable
• Imply, infer
• Respective, respectively
• Stationary, stationery
• Underway, under way

Go to the next common college student writing flaw: Little Evidence of Research.

Back to the main page of The Top 15 Writing Flaws That Can Lead to Lower Grades

Looking for more writing assistance? Go to our sister site, EnhanceMyWriting.com: Indispensable Writing Resources.

Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key academic terms by going to our College Success Glossary.

Dr. Randall S. Hansen, CEO of EmpoweringSites.com, has been empowering people his entire adult life -- to help them better their lives. In fact, empowerment is part of his professional philosophy statement. He is also founder of Quintessential Careers, one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well as founder of MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of Quintessential Careers Press as well as a published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Hansen is also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years.

Dr. Katharine Hansen, Creative Director of EmpoweringSites.com, is a former speechwriter and college instructor who provides content for several of our sites, including Quintessential Careers, MyCollegeSuccessStory.com, and EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. She also edits QuintZine, an electronic newsletter for job-seekers, career counselors, and students. She is author of Dynamic Cover Letter for New Graduates; A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way into the Hidden Job Market; and, with Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., Dynamic Cover Letters and Write Your Way to a Higher GPA, all published by Ten Speed Press. She can be reached by e-mail at kathy@quintcareers.com.

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