# Words one can get confused **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 18, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772 "2022-09-18T20:10:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/41 "2022-09-19T04:10:44Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > How about this formulation of needscoffee’s law: > > > Whomever thinks they are using _whom_ correctly is probably not.  Exactly! ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/42 "2022-09-19T04:15:24Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Led/Lead - surprisingly, misused on this site a lot. There’s a possibly-apocryphal story that the original concept for the band was _Lead Zeppelin_, as in the metal, like a lead balloon. But they realized that people might think the word was lead = foremost. So they changed it to _Led_ to be certain of the pronunciation they wanted, without having to say “Well, actually…” a gazillion times. So, weirdly, that’s a different Led/Lead pair. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/43 "2022-09-19T04:36:50Z")
Decades ago, I recognized that people mix up “exasperate” and “exacerbate,” when the venerable magazine _Scientific American_ did so. A few years later, when I was managing editor of a technical journal, I created a test for applicants to the position of copy editor. It included a sentence that said something like, “the paucity of trained civil engineers in Indonesia simply exasperates the problem of black spots.” Almost no one - even sharp-eyed editors who found nearly all the mistakes, and whom I eventually hired - noticed that error. I remain surprised at this. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/44 "2022-09-19T04:40:26Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > there is used as an adjective, “he is always there for me,” Isn’t _there_ an adverb here? ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/45 "2022-09-19T04:41:33Z")
**Disinterested** - impartial **Uninterested** - bored > [@Riemann](#): > > There’s a possibly-apocryphal story that the original concept for the band was _Lead Zeppelin_, as in the metal, like a lead balloon. But they realized that people might think the word was lead = foremost. So they changed it to _Led_ to be certain of the pronunciation they wanted, without having to say “Well, actually…” a gazillion times. I still don’t know whether the band **Live** rhymes with ‘give’ or ‘jive’. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/46 "2022-09-19T04:45:24Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Isn’t _there_ an adverb here? I’m not a grammarian, so I can’t say for sure. But I vote adjective, on the basis of the results you get if you substitute other words: He is always **ready** for me. (The substitute for “there” is “ready,” an adjective, and it seems grammatically correct.) He is always **readily** for me. (The substitute for “there” is “readily,” an adverb, and it seems grammatically incorrect.) ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/47 "2022-09-19T04:51:19Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > This has changed completely during my lifetime. When I was young, flammable didn’t exist and inflammable meant able to be inflamed. It’s possible that “flammable” wasn’t very common. However– > ## Origin of flammable > > First recorded in 1805–15; from Latin flammā(re) “to set on fire” + [-ble](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/-ble) > **[Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/flammable)** > > The world's leading online dictionary: English definitions, synonyms, word origins, example sentences, word games, and more. A trusted authority for 25+ years! ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/48 "2022-09-19T04:51:50Z")
Well, I’ll be hornswoggled! While it can be used as an adverb, in the sentence to which I referred and the very sentence the good folks at [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/there) provide as an example, it’s used as an adjective according to those same good folks. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/49 "2022-09-19T05:05:15Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > > [@dolphinboy](#): > > > > there is used as an adjective, “he is always there for me,” > > Isn’t _there_ an adverb here? No; it’s an adjective, because it modifies “he.” He is where? He is “there” (even though it’s metaphorical, rather than literal location). “Always” and “for me” are adverbs, because they modify “there.” ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/50 "2022-09-19T05:09:51Z")
Checking the link I provided just above, _He is there_ as an answer to _He is where?_ has _there_ functioning as an adverb, as shown with that very example. The metaphorical bit about “there for me” is what threw me. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/51 "2022-09-19T05:29:24Z")
I’m confused about what link / what examples you’re saying are what. Is this correct? He is there = adjective He stopped there = adverb ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/52 "2022-09-19T05:34:44Z")
He is there = adverb. He stopped there = adverb. Here’s the whole adverb section for that entry on Merriam-Webster: > # there > > 1 of 4 > > ## [adverb](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adverb) > > [ˈt͟her](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/there?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=t&file=there001) > > 1 > > **:** in or at that place > > stand over there > > —often used interjectionally > > 2 > > **:** to or into that place **:** [THITHER](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thither) > > went there after church > > 3 > > **:** at that point or [stage](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stage#h1) > > stop right there before you say something you’ll regret > > 4 > > **:** in that matter, respect, or relation > > there is where I disagree with you > > 5 > > —used interjectionally to express satisfaction, approval, encouragement or sympathy, or defiance > > there, it’s finished ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/53 "2022-09-19T05:40:32Z")
I once had an idiotic discussion with a coworker when he staunchly defended the boss’s use of running the “gauntlet” when he should have said gamut. When I read something with former and latter I always have to remember which is which even though it’s obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/54 "2022-09-19T09:59:25Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > conscious, conscientious, concise People also often confuse conscious with conscience. The latter is a noun referring to one’s internal moral compass: if you hurt someone, you may find that it weighs on your conscience. The former is an adjective referring to a state of awareness of something (or everything): I am conscious. Mucus: a noun referring to a slick/gooey material secreted by various parts of an organism. Mucous: a noun specifying some kind of connection to mucus. Mucous membranes secrete mucus. A **brake** (noun) is a thing that slows or stops a vehicle. To **brake** (verb) is to slow or stop. You can **brake** using a **brake** , but you don’t have to use a **brake** to **brake** ; you can **brake** with pretty much anything. Dinghy coasting toward the dock? You can **brake** with your hand. A **break** (noun) is something you need after a few hours on the job. To **break** (verb) something is to cause it to fracture ( **break** your arm), fail ( **break** your TV), or interrupt (circuit **break** er). If you break your brake, you may not be able to brake when you need to. If an elevator’s cables break, it can still break its fall using a built-in brake. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/55 "2022-09-19T11:03:33Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I’m confused about what link / what examples you’re saying are what. Is this correct? > > He is there = adjective > He stopped there = adverb Whom are we talking about? mmm ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/56 "2022-09-19T11:14:42Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I once had an idiotic discussion with a coworker when he staunchly defended the boss’s use of running the “gauntlet” when he should have said gamut. So the boss meant this: > **[Definition of RUN THE GAMUT](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run%20the%20gamut)** > > to encompass an entire range of something… See the full definition But wrote this? > **[Running the gauntlet](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_the_gauntlet)** > > To run the gauntlet means to take part in a form of corporal punishment in which the party judged guilty is forced to run between two rows of soldiers, who strike out and attack them with sticks or other weapons. > Metaphorically, this expression is also used to convey a public trial that one must overcome. > The word gauntlet originates from Swedish: gatlopp, from gata 'lane' and lopp 'course, running'. It was borrowed into English in the 17th century, probably from English and Swedish soldiers fi... ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/57 "2022-09-19T11:33:53Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I knew what ingenious meant, so when I heard/saw “disingenuous” I assumed it had been coined by simply a adding a prefix onto the other word, hence “disingenious” (sic). That may have been your response to something I posted in a thread. I remember someone taking me to task along the lines of “that doesn’t mean what you think it does”. 😃 My wife mixes up wreak and wreck. She always says that someone is wrecking havoc. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/58 "2022-09-19T11:54:34Z")
feted and fetid. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/59 "2022-09-19T12:03:05Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > My wife mixes up wreak and wreck. She always says that someone is wrecking havoc. Off on a tangent: People sometimes misspell “reckless” by putting a w on the front (i.e. “wreckless”), but reckless does not mean “without wrecking”. It shares the same etymological origin as “reckon”, meaning “to judge/consider”. “Reckless” means “without judgment/consideration”. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/60 "2022-09-19T12:13:54Z")
Good point. So I will amend my comment to this: conscious, conscience, conscientious, and concise [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=4)