Emeka CANADA

YOU'VE BEEN MISUSING THESE 20 ENGLISH WORDS ALL YOUR LIFE. 1.▫️BOGUS It doesn't mean big. ❌ It means fake, false or fraudulent. ✅ 2.▫️LOUSY It doesn't mean noisy. ❌ It means terrible, unpleasant or low-quality. ✅ 3.▫️TOUT What you probably want to say is LOUT (a rude, uncultured or aggressive person). ✅ 4.▫️PRACTICALIZE This isn't a standard English word. ❌ Say “PRACTISE” or “PUT INTO PRACTICE” instead. ✅ 5.▫️INFAMOUS It doesn't mean not famous. ❌ It means famous for something bad or negative. ✅ 6.▫️DISINTERESTED It doesn't simply mean uninterested. ❌ It traditionally means impartial or unbiased. ✅ 7.▫️IRREGARDLESS This is nonstandard English. ❌ What you intend to say is REGARDLESS. ✅ 8.▫️INVALUABLE It doesn't mean worthless. ❌ It means extremely valuable or priceless. ✅ 9.▫️SADIST It doesn't mean a sad person. ❌ It means someone who enjoys causing pain or suffering to others. ✅ The opposite is MASOCHIST (someone who derives pleasure from experiencing pain themselves). 10.▫️WHINE It doesn't mean to joke or playfully provoke someone. ❌ It means to complain in an annoying or childish way. ✅ Say TEASE if you mean to playfully provoke or make fun of someone. 11.▫️DUPE It doesn't mean a fraudster or scammer. ❌ It means someone who has been tricked, deceived or scammed. ✅ 12.▫️SEVERALLY It doesn't simply mean several times. ❌ It means individually, separately or independently. ✅ 13.▫️BEMUSED It doesn't mean amused. ❌ It means confused or puzzled. ✅ 14.▫️FLAUNT It doesn't mean to disobey a rule. ❌ It means to display something proudly or ostentatiously. ✅ What you want to say is FLOUT (to deliberately disobey or disregard a rule). 15.▫️INSTALLMENTALLY This isn't a standard English word. ❌ Say “IN INSTALLMENTS” instead. ✅ 16.▫️STUBBORN It doesn't mean very playful or energetic. ❌ It means unwilling to change your mind, attitude or behaviour. ✅ If you're describing a noisy, energetic or cheerful person, say BOISTEROUS. 17.▫️PERUSE It doesn't simply mean to glance through something quickly. ❌ It means to read or examine something carefully. ✅ 18.▫️RAMIFICATIONS It doesn't mean all aspects or in all ways. ❌ It means the consequences or effects of an action or decision. ✅ 19.▫️OPPORTUNED This isn't a standard English word. ❌ Don't say, “I was opportuned to meet him.” ❌ Say “I had the opportunity to meet him” or “I was privileged to meet him.” ✅ 20.▫️TRAFFICATOR This isn't the standard modern English term for the device in your car that indicates that you're turning. ❌ Say INDICATOR or TURN SIGNAL instead. ✅ I hope you learnt something. Stay informed. And Stay sharp! 🪒