Everyday Words. Are you using them correctly?

Imagine that you are having
a lively conversation, when
you notice that your listener
looks a little confused,
and then you realize
that you have used a word
incorrectly.

If the usage of the
word is incorrect, it can make
your conversation or writing
memorable for all the wrong
reasons. Everyone wants to be
perceived as being articulate;
no one wants to be seen as
someone, who because of poor
word choice, walks around with
the word ‘dumb’ tattooed across
his forehead!

For instance, if someone
handed you a gift and you
responded, ‘I except your gift
with gratitude,’ then you would
have used the word except
incorrectly. The word except
means to exclude, so the word
that should have been used in
the sentence is accept which
means ‘to receive’.

What about when you need
to use the words ‘compliment’
and ‘complement’? The word
compliment means ‘to praise
someone’ while complement
means ‘something extra that
adds or improves.’ So I can

compliment someone on their
delicious meal, while a glass
of red wine can complement a
beef stew.

Related: Common miss-pronounced words

The words averse and adverse
are also often confused. The
word adverse means ‘harmful’
or ‘unfavourable’. The correct
use of this word in a sentence is:
‘Adverse conditions prevented
us from attempting to leave
the airport.’ On the other hand,
the word averse refers to
feelings of dislike or opposition:
‘I was averse to paying for an
additional package’.