Nude: Without clothing, in a situation where the absence of clothing is natural and expected. “Carmella posed for a nude portrait.” Naked: Without clothing, in a situation where the absence of clothing is unexpected. “That family lets their kids run around naked in the front yard!”
Present: A gift that is given in person. “I’m giving Mikey a present at his birthday party.” Gift: Given either in person OR not in person. “I’m giving Mikey a gift at his birthday party.” OR “I’m out of town for Mikey’s birthday party, but I’ll send his gift in the mail.”
Disneyland: A resort outside of Los Angeles, California. “I just booked my flight to L.A. - I’m going to Disneyland!” Disneyworld: A resort outside of Orlando, Florida. “I just booked my flight to Orlando - I’m going to Disneyworld!”
HINT: Here’s a little mnemonic to help you: The word “World” has an O, an R, an L and a D, just like “Florida.” The word “Land” has an L, an A, and an N, just like “California.”
Eh? Sez you? I get that that’s the origin of the word “present”, but that’s not how it’s used and it’s not even what dictionaries say. Saying you’re sending a present is perfectly fine. “Gift” is a word some people think can be used as a verb.
I’ll add my own so I actually contribute to the thread:
Then: about time; could be “at that time” or “after that”.
Than: used for comparing and contrasting, eg “bigger than”.
Dutch people get this wrong partially because they don’t have as much difference between the sound and partially because they both translate as “dan”. But I think it’s also a problem for some Americans who, I think, don’t distinguish between the sounds?
Torturous: in the manner of torture. Tortuous: twisting and winding.
Enormous: very large. Enormity: a terrible thing.
Casualness: being informal. Casualty: death from a military campaign, or by extension, losses connected to any project that is supposed to provide a net gain.
Raising the question: mentioning or suggesting an obvious, or the next logical question in an exchange. Begging the question: predicating your premise upon your conclusion, or two assumptions upon one another.
Suffering: undergoing physical pain or emotional anguish. Suffrage: the right to vote in a democracy.
Use: the art or practice of employing something.
Utilize: turn to practical use or account.
In general, use “utilize” to indicate you’re using something for other than it’s normal use. You’d use a knife to cut your steak. You’d utilize a fork to cut it.
In cases when a statement or claim is outrageous, so that it almost demands a question, or when something is so unclear that a question would be very helpful, I’ve come to using the phrase, “This invites the question.”
In ordinary language, without the specific meaning of the term, it would “beg the question,” much the way a nasty insult begs a fat lip, but since the term has a specific and technical meaning, then (“than” ha!) we shouldn’t use it loosely.
Wish - I wish I had a car. Expressing a want, without expectation that it is already true
Hope - I hope that my car is washed and filled with gas after my son borrowed it. And expectation that may or may not be true.
Lie: an intransitive verb to describe assuming a supine (or prone) position. Lay: a transitive verb to describe placing something on a surface.
One can reflexively place oneself on a surface large enough to assume a supine position, and therefore, “Lay oneself down,” rather than “lie down,” but it is a stylistic choice.
“Lie” is conjugated lie; lay; lain. “Lay” is conjugated lay; laid; laid. “I lay down” can therefore be correct, but only in the past tense. You shouldn’t say “I’m going to lay down.” It should be “I’m going to lie down,” unless you are feeling reflexive, and want to say “I’m going to lay myself down,” but that sounds funny.
“Lay” has the colloquial meaning of having sex, so using it incorrectly can lead to an unintended double entendre.
“Lie” meaning “tell a falsehood” is lie; lied; lied.
Realtor: someone who sells real estate. Relitor: doesn’t exist.
Nuclear: having to do with elemental matter, or the nuclei of cells. Nucular: doesn’t exist.
February: the second month. Febewary: doesn’t exist.
Pretty much, if the word “use” sounds right, that’s the word you want. Save “utilize” for times when no other word will work.
I had a high school teacher who said “utilize” for “use” every bloody time until I wanted to scream. No, you don’t “utilize” your eraser to erase something.
