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The 15 most misused words in business
Don't let these cost you a 7-figure deal
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Today, friends, we’re going to do a little English lesson.
No, I’m not trying to be your high school English teacher.
Nor do I want to bore you with grammar.
However, I DO want you to be successful.
And in business writing — whether you’re writing a company-wide memo, slides for a client or something else — the details matter.
On social media, you can get away with poor spelling and grammar to some degree.
Writing on social platforms is more about voice, ideas and passion.
But if you write primarily for a business purpose?
You can’t afford to butcher the language.
You’ll lose trust, respect and credibility.
We don’t want that.
So here’s a quick crash course on 15 of the most misused words in business (and how to use them correctly):
1. capital vs. capitol
Capital refers to money.
It also refers to the city where the capitol building resides.
Example:
The business needs capital
Austin is the capital of Texas
She worked at the Capitol
Note: Only the U.S. Capitol in DC is capitalized. All other cities use a lowercase c.
2. principal vs. principle
Principal is the first in rank (it also can refer to a money that’s invested or borrowed).
Principle is a guiding rule.
Example:
Our principal issue is the product
He paid back the initial principal
We adhere to our principles
3. indifferent vs. disinterested
Indifferent means lacking a preference.
Disinterested means neutral and objective (note: it does NOT mean uninterested).
Example:
I’m indifferent about dinner
A lawyer gives disinterested advice
4. Site vs. Cite
Site refers to a place.
Cite is used to reference.
Example:
You visit a jobsite
You cite a document
5. definite vs. definitive
Definite typically means certainty.
Definitive means comprehensive.
Example:
The outcome is now definite
She wrote the definitive report on AI
6. notable vs. notorious
Notable means worthy of note.
Notorious means famous for a bad reason.
Example:
The startup’s IPO is notable
FTX is a notorious company
7. affect vs. effect
Affect means to influence something.
Effect means to result or bring about.
Example:
The poor product affected sales
The effect of the program is high
The law will effect minimal change
8. i.e. vs. e.g.
i.e. translates to “that is.”
e.g. translates to “for example.”
Example:
She prefers warm weather - i.e. above 70 degrees
She prefers warm locations - e.g. Miami
9. it’s vs. its
It’s is the abbreviation of “it is.”
Its is the possessive form of “it.”
Example:
It’s critical the business keeps growing
Its business grows every year
10. ensure vs. insure
Ensure means to “make sure.”
Insure means to provide insurance coverage.
Examples:
It’s important to ensure we follow policy
It’s important to insure the company
11. compliment vs. complement
Compliment means to praise.
Complement means to enhance.
Example:
Thank you for the compliment
The chair complements the desk
12. imply vs. infer
Imply means to suggest indirectly.
Infer means to draw meaning out of something.
Example:
The memo implies changes are coming
The staff inferred that changes are coming
13. alternate vs. alternative
Alternate means to go back and forth.
Alternative refers to another possibility.
Example:
The CEO alternated between strategies
The CEO considered the alternative when choosing a strategy
14. foreword vs. forward
Foreword is something that comes first.
Forward means to move ahead.
Example:
She wrote the foreword for the prospectus
Going forward, we will do take this action
15. counsel vs. council
Counsel refers to advice or giving advice.
Council is a group of people who meet.
Example:
The lawyer provided counsel on the deal
The city council will discuss the issue
BONUS: apart vs. a part
Apart means to be separated from.
A part means to be included in something.
Example:
They stood 50 feet apart
I’m proud to be a part of this company
Action Item
Review this list and assess if you make any of these mistakes.
Then save this as a reference for the future and fix them.
Your English teachers will be proud.
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