False Contractions
A previous post covered some common mistakes in the usage of certain words. As the discussion on that post showed, our language changes frequently. Today’s entry is another batch of oft-misused words: this time, they’re all single words that should be two, or vice-versa.
A lot – not ‘alot’, which is not a word. ‘Allot’, however, is a word!
All right – not ‘alright’. This one is so commonly used, both in speech and conversational pieces, that it’s become acceptable in all but the most formal writing. If you’re writing something chatty or informal, the single word is fine. If not, stick to the two-word version.
Copyright – sometimes seen as ‘copy right’ or even ‘copy write’, the single-word form is actually correct.
Everyday – an odd one, since both the single word form and ‘every day’ are correct. However, the two word form is an adverb (i.e. “I went there every day”), whereas the single word form is an adjective meaning ‘common’ (i.e. “An everyday situation”).
Never mind – not ‘nevermind’. The incorrect usage is the name of a Nirvana album, although it does actually exist if you like using archaic terms!
Supersede – a popular business term these days, it’s often incorrectly written as ‘super seeded’ and is sometimes hyphenated (which is also incorrect).
Wake up or wake-up – not ‘wakeup’. The first form is the verb (i.e. “I will wake up”); the second is the adjective (i.e. “a wake-up call”).
Withhold – often mistyped as ‘with hold’ or ‘withold’, since it looks a little strange with the two h’s in the middle. Despite that, it’s correct.
Weatherstorm – an unusual case, as the various different types of weather are all compound words except ice-storm, which is hyphenated or written as two words (both forms correct). Rainstorm, snowstorm, sandstorm, windstorm and hailstorm are all single words!
Anyone have any others to add?
[Originally published on www.wordophilia.com]
