Todays #WordUsage pet peeve:
People don't seem to know that "relatively" means "in relation to". But the word seems to have gone the way of "literally".
"Is it cold outside?"
"Relatively."
"Relative to WHAT? Yesterday? Two hours ago? Last year? The temperature in Fargo?"

Shined/Shone - Both are the past tense of shine. Shined is usually used with a direct object, and shone is not. "He shined his shoes before his interview." "The sun shone all day." #grammar #grammardiva #language #wordusage

Set/Sit - To set is to place something or put something and takes a direct object. You must put something. Sit has no direct object. "Set the book on the table." The book is sitting on the table." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language, #Englishclass

Regretful/Regrettable - Regretful is full of regret and applies to people. Regrettable applies to circumstances. "I am regretful I didn't have a better relationship with my brother." "It is regrettable that my brother and I were not close." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language

Regimen/Regiment - A regimen is a prescribed course someone follows. A regiment is a group of ground forces in the military. "I follow a strict diet and exercise regimen." "The leader of the regiment was well-liked because he was knowledgeable and empathetic." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage

The reason is because/The reason is that - Use "the reason is that," not "the reason is because." The reason I am late is that there was an accident on the freeway, NOT The reason I am late is because there was an accident on the freeway. #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language

Real/Really - Real is an adjective meaning true. It describes things. Really is an adverb meaning to a great extent. "My ring is a real diamond." "They are a really attractive couple." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language

Prostate/Prostate - Aw, don't confuse these two! Prostate with just one r is a gland in the male body. Prostrate with two r's means lying flat. "He had his prostate examined." "Police found the man prostrate on the ground in a pool of blood. #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language

Pray/Prey - Pray is a verb and has a faith connotation. Prey can be a verb or a noun and is something hunted by someone or to hunt something. "I try to pray to God every morning." "Some people are easy prey for scammers." "Some scammers prey upon senior citizens." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage

Perspective/Prospective - Perspective is the way someone sees things; viewpoint. Prospective means in the future, likely. "From my perspective, it seems like a great idea." "I hope my prospective salary as a manager will be enough for me to live on." #grammar #grammardiva #words #wordusage

Pedal/Peddle - Bicycles and cars have pedals. Peddle is a verb that means to go from place to place selling things.
"Put your foot on the gas pedal to go." "He went from town to town peddling his art." #words #wordusage #grammar #grammardiva

Peak/Peek/Pique - Peak is the top. Peek is to take a little look. Pique is to irritate or excite. "We climbed to the peak of the mountain." "I took a peek at the wedding cake." "Seeing my sister as a bride piqued my attention." #grammardiva #grammar #words #wordusage

Passed/Past - Passed is the past tense of the verb "to pass." Past is a preposition that tells where. "I passed your house on my way downtown." "I live just past the high school." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage

Overdo/Overdue - Overdo is to do too much. Overdue is past due. "When I overdo it at the gym, I am very sore." "I am overdue for a vacation, so I took two weeks off from work." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage

On/Onto - On is to be suspended from or supported by. Onto is to a place or position. "Put your book on the table." "Climb onto the horse." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage

Moot/Mute - Often confused, pronounced differently. Moot rhymes with flute. Mute rhymes with cute. Moot means not worth discussing. Mute is silent or unable to speak. "This is a moot point." "She remained mute during the trial." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage

Meat/Meet/Mete - Three spellings, three meanings, one pronunciation. Meat is what some of us eat. Meet is to come together. Mete is to distribute. "The sauce has meat in it." "I will meet you at the theater." "She meted out the cake in equal parts." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage

May be/Maybe - May be is a verb and an auxiliary verb (may), like might be. "My sister may be coming to visit." Maybe is an adverb meaning possibly. "Maybe you can have ice cream if you finish your dinner." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words

Many/Much - These two words are similar to "fewer" and "less." Many is used with plurals and things that can be counted. Much is used for singulars and things that cannot be counted. "I have too many pencils." (not "much") "There is too much salt in this pasta." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage

Mantel/Mantle - A mantel is the frame around a fireplace. A mantle is a loose cloak or cape; something that covers or envelopes. "We hung the stockings on the mantel." "Her mantle covered her entire body and face." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words

Loose/Lose - I see this one misspelled all the time. Lose is a verb meaning to misplace. Loose is an adjective, the opposite of tight. "Don't lose your purse again." I lost weight, and my pants are too loose." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #usage #word

Lightening/Lightning - Lightening means making lighter in color or weight. Lightning comes before the thunder in a storm. "He has been lightening his hair for years." "I am afraid of getting struck by lightning!" #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words #usage

Lessen/Lesson - To lessen is to make less. A lesson is what you have at school, what you are taught. "This medication should lessen your pain." I have a piano lesson this afternoon." #word #usage #wordusage #writing #grammar #grammardiva

Leave/Let - To leave is to go away from someone or something. "Leave me alone." (not "let me alone") Let is to allow. "Don't let the dog into the living room." #wordusage #word #usage, #grammar #grammardiva

Lead/Led - Lead (verb) is the present tense of the verb. Led is the past tense. "That school band leads the parade each year." "They led the parade last year." The lead (noun) that is pronounced as "led" is the material in your pencil. #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words #usage

I think we need one more for lay/lie: Lay has an object. Lie does not. I lie on the sofa. Yesterday I lay on the sofa. All week I have lain on the sofa. I lay my purse on the table. Yesterday I laid my purse on the table. I have always laid my purse on that table. #grammardiva #grammar #wordusage

Lay/Lie - In the present tense, lay needs an object. Lie has no object: "I am laying my purse on the table." "I am lying on the sofa." Objects can lie also: The rocks are lying on the road. The past tense of lie is lay: "Yesterday I lay on the sofa." #words #usage #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage

Last/Latest - Last is the final one. Latest is the most recent one.
"This is the last album they made before they split up." "Their latest album is their most popular by far." #words #usage #wordusage #grammartip #grammar #grammardiva

Kind of/Sort of - These two phrases mean the same thing and are often unnecessary in a sentence. "He is kind of tall." (He is tall is enough). I am sort of shy. (I am shy). Avoid using "kind of" and "sort of" to mean "a little" or rather." #wordusage #words #usage #grammar #grammardiva

Is when/Is where - Avoid using these two phrases. Rewrite. "The best part of vacation is where you relax in the sun," can be rewritten in many ways. "The best part of vacation is being able to relax in the sun." #word #wordusage #usage #grammar #grammardiva