Introduction
As aspiring journalists, it’s crucial to have a strong command of language. In this lesson, we’ll explore the top 10 commonly confused words in journalism. Let’s dive in!
1. Affect vs. Effect
The difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’ can be tricky. ‘Affect’ is usually a verb, meaning to influence or produce a change. On the other hand, ‘effect’ is typically a noun, representing the result or consequence of something. For example, ‘The new policy will affect the economy’ and ‘The effect of the policy was immediate.’
2. Their vs. They’re vs. There
These three words sound the same but have different meanings. ‘Their’ is a possessive pronoun, indicating ownership. ‘They’re’ is a contraction of ‘they are,’ while ‘there’ refers to a place or location. To use them correctly, remember that ‘their’ shows possession, ‘they’re’ is a short form of ‘they are,’ and ‘there’ points to a place.
3. Complement vs. Compliment
Although they sound similar, ‘complement’ and ‘compliment’ have distinct meanings. ‘Complement’ refers to something that completes or enhances, while ‘compliment’ is an expression of praise or admiration. For instance, ‘The wine perfectly complements the meal’ and ‘She received many compliments on her presentation.’
4. Its vs. It’s
The difference between ‘its’ and ‘it’s’ lies in the usage of apostrophes. ‘Its’ is the possessive form of ‘it,’ indicating ownership. On the other hand, ‘it’s’ is a contraction of ‘it is’ or ‘it has.’ To determine which one to use, ask yourself if you can expand it to ‘it is’ or ‘it has.’ If not, ‘its’ is the correct choice.
5. Principle vs. Principal
While ‘principle’ refers to a fundamental truth or belief, ‘principal’ has multiple meanings. It can denote the head of a school or an organization, or it can be an adjective meaning ‘main’ or ‘most important.’ For example, ‘He adheres to a strict set of principles’ and ‘The principal of the school announced the new policy.’
6. Stationary vs. Stationery
The difference between ‘stationary’ and ‘stationery’ lies in the placement of the ‘a’ and ‘e.’ ‘Stationary’ with an ‘a’ means not moving or still, while ‘stationery’ with an ‘e’ refers to writing materials. To remember, think of the ‘a’ in ‘stationary’ as standing for ‘at rest.’
7. Capital vs. Capitol
These two words are often confused, especially in the context of government. ‘Capital’ refers to a city where a country’s government is located or the financial resources of a company. On the other hand, ‘capitol’ with an ‘o’ specifically refers to a building where a legislative body meets. For example, ‘Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States,’ and ‘The protesters gathered outside the capitol building.’
8. Farther vs. Further
The difference between ‘farther’ and ‘further’ is related to distance. ‘Farther’ is used when referring to physical distance, while ‘further’ is more often used in a figurative or metaphorical sense. For instance, ‘She can throw the ball farther than him’ and ‘Let’s discuss this further in the meeting.’
9. Comprise vs. Compose
These two words are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. ‘Comprise’ means to consist of or be made up of, while ‘compose’ means to create or make up. For example, ‘The committee comprises representatives from various departments’ and ‘The United States is composed of fifty states.’
10. Who vs. Whom
The usage of ‘who’ and ‘whom’ is often confusing. ‘Who’ is used as the subject of a sentence or clause, while ‘whom’ is used as the object. To determine which one to use, try replacing it with ‘he’ or ‘him.’ If ‘he’ fits, use ‘who,’ and if ‘him’ fits, use ‘whom.’ For instance, ‘Who is going to the party?’ and ‘To whom did you give the book?’
