Proper knowledge of English usage is a great requirement for all those who are desirous to be successful in life. Besides, for all those people who are in need of work or assignments in companies, agencies or other places, this knowledge is of utmost importance. English is mostly considered as an important medium of communication. It is, therefore, imperative to learn its correct usage.
It has been observed that students often get confused while writing or speaking certain words of English that have either almost identical spellings or pronunciation. For example, words like 'all ready' and 'already', which have almost quite identical spellings and also pronunciation, are often misused. It is, therefore, necessary to learn the correct usage of language to avoid any confusion. Correct usage simply means to be precise and accurate in your expression without creating confusion in the listeners' minds.
This book will guide and enrich the students at senior secondary, under-graduate and graduate levels, as well as help all other readers in many ways to improve their language, if they go through it seriously.
A.P.Sharma was born on 25th December, 1932, at Dholpur, in Rajasthan. After he graduated from Agra College, Agra, he shifted to Maharaja’s College, Jaipur, to complete his first Masters degree in English Literature. During 1972 he was offered a senior teaching position in Nigeria. He served there for more than twelve years as an Associate Reader of Education at the University of Sokoto.
Preface 7
Widespread Errors in Handling English Language 11
A 11
B 29
C 39
D 53
E 61
F 67
G 75
H 79
I 84
J 90
K 91
L 93
M 100
N 105
O 107
P 111
Q 126
R 127
S 140
T 155
U 160
V 162
W 166
X 172
Y 173
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<b><big>M</big></b>
<b>make</b>
`Make` means `construct` or `produce` or `frame`. Please make a cup of tea for me. The school has made certain rules to protect its children.
<b>make it from/make-believe/make out/make sense/makeshift/make after</b>
`Make it from` means `producing by combining materials`. Wine is made from grapes. ` Make-believe` means `to pretend` or `pretence`. Let us make-believe that we are rich instead of poor. `Make out` implies `deducing`. I cannot make out anything from your comments. `Make sense` implies to provide meaning. Her promise does not make any sense for she has been telling lies even before this. `Makeshift` means for time being until better arrangement is made. Please use this small bed as a makeshift arrangement until a better bed is provided. `Make after` means to pursue or to chase. She made after the thief as if she were a policewoman.
<b>mantle/mante</b>
`Mantle` means a layer or a blanket or a covering or a cloak. She often wears a mantle whenever she visits a holy place. A shelf above a fireplace is known as `mantel`.
<b>many/much</b>
`Many` implies with numerous or loads of or several, and `much` indicates quantity or amount or a great deal. There are many brave people who have made history of this country. There is nothing much to look at this picture. We cannot do much for him now.
<b>marital/martial</b>
`Marital` refers to marriage and `martial` relates to war. What is your marital status? Are you yet married or unmarried? The Chinese are good at martial art.
<b>marshall/marshal</b>
`Marshal` is the correct term. A very senior and experienced person is appointed as the Field Marshal in a war. Often people get confused with marshal and use marshall instead.
<b>mass/massive</b>
`Mass` and `massive` are often confused by people for they look having identical meanings. But their meanings as well as their applications are different. Massive means bulky and heavy. It`s a massive structure of a building. Mass means a body of coherent matter usually of indefinite shape or bulk in size and number. When we refer to masses, we mean a great number of assembled people. A great mass of people assembled at the funeral of the Senator.
<b>masseuse/masseur</b>
`Masseur` is a person who practises massage. `Masseuse` is the term used for a female who practises massage.
<b>mathmatics/mathematics</b>
`Mathematics` is the right word, not mathmatics.
<b>may/might</b>
Both these terms are used interchangeably, but `might` possesses somewhat lower likelihood than the term `may` which suggests more possibility. For example, She might come tonight, and she may come tonight, can clarify the difference.
<b>mean time/meantime</b>
`Mean time` is the correct use of the term not `meantime`. Such subtle differences must be kept in mind to avoid mistakes.
<b>medal/meddle</b>
The term `medal` is self-explanatory, while `meddle` means to interfere or to intrude. You don`t need to meddle in other`s affairs.`
<b>mettle/metal</b>
`Mettle` means courage or bravery or spirit. Some people have extraordinary courage and can display their mettle at any time. `Metal` is a kind of solid substance usually hard and shiny.
<b>media/medium</b>
Television is a visual and audio `medium`. The term medium implies means or vehicle or middle or average, etc. Newspapers are both, a broadcast medium as well as a media.
<b>mediocre</b>
The simple meaning of the term is average or medium but it is often used to denote a more negative sense. He is just a mediocre student.
<b>memento/momento</b>
A `memento` is a souvenir or a token or a keepsake. The guests were presented mementos at the end of the party. The word `momento` is incorrect to use for it.
<b>memorium/memoriam</b>
`Memoriam` is related to be retained in one`s memory and therefore, memorium is a wrong use for it.
<b>metaphor</b>
`Metaphor` is a symbol used in written English to highlight some image or to indicate an allegory.
<b>minature/miniature</b>
`Miniature` (not minature) is the correct word, which means small or tiny or minute. This map is the miniature of the bigger one hanging on the wall.
<b>mischievious/mischievous</b>
`Mischievous` is the correct term which means naughty or playful or roguish. Your little son is quite mischievous. The word mischievious is an incorrect word used sometimes by mistake for mischievous.
<b>moral/morale</b>
`Moral` refers to ethics or ethical or good or decency. Precepts are mostly based on morals. `Morale` refers to self-esteem or spirits or confidence. A military personnel has to keep his morale always high to fight against the enemy.
<b>moreso/more so</b>
Like the term `mean time`, more so should be spelled as two clear words and not compressed in one as moreso.
<b>Ms</b>
‘Ms’ indicates a gender and is used instead of ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’. When S is used in capital after M as ‘MS’, it refers to ‘manuscript’ or ‘an academic degree’ also.
<b>much differently/very differently</b>
We all behave ‘very differently’ in different circumstances.
We ‘much differ’ in our opinions sometimes.
<b>murmer/murmur</b>
‘Murmur’ means ‘speak softly’. ‘The noise coming out of this brooklet is just like a sweet murmur.’ ‘Murmer’ is an incorrect spelling of ‘murmur’.
<b>mute point/moot point</b>
A ‘moot point’ may be a point worth discussing at a meeting. ‘Mute point’ is a misuse of the term ‘moot point’.
<b>myriad of/myriad</b>
‘Myriad’ implies ‘a lot of’. I have a lot of work to do. ‘I have ‘myriad’ duties to discharge tonight.’ To suffix ‘of’ after it is redundant.
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