English Mistakes: The 10 Words Native Speakers Misuse Most

If you’re like most of our TextRanch customers, English isn’t your first language and you probably worry about using words incorrectly. But did you know that even native speakers frequently mess up certain words? Some of these slip-ups are so common that they are practically considered “normal.”

We’re going to look at ten of the most common words that native speakers misuse and how to use them correctly. It’s worth knowing the difference, whether you’ve been speaking English all your life or if you have just started learning the language.

1. Literally

Native English speakers like to throw this word in for emphasis, such as: “Is it time for our lunch break yet? I am literally starving!”

Is this person really suffering from starvation? Probably not. They just feel very hungry. But when you say or write that something is “literally” a certain way, then it should actually be that way. Otherwise, you are not using “literally” correctly.

The right way to use “literally”:

• It was so cold and snowy last night that my car doors were literally frozen shut. I could not open them!

2. Irregardless

This one sneaks into everyday speech, but it’s not a standard English word. Adding “ir-” before “regardless” makes it a double negative, akin to “I don’t know nothing”.

Since “irregardless” cannot be used correctly, use “regardless”.

• Regardless of how many statements we need to process, they all need to be finished before Friday.

3. Peruse

Many think this word means to skim a text quickly. However, it actually means the exact opposite! When you peruse a text, you are reading it carefully, not quickly.

The right way to use “peruse”:

• It will take my lawyer several hours, if not the whole day, to peruse these documents.

4. Ironic

Thanks to a popular Alanis Morissette song from the 1990s, “ironic” is often confused with “unlucky” or “coincidental”. True irony is when there is a contrast between what you expected and what actually happens.

Irony is frequently used in literary works. So if you’re taking university-level English literature courses (or even secondary school courses), you might want to click here for a deeper explanation, plus examples.

The right way to use “ironic”:

• Did you hear that the robber crashed his car into the police station? Isn’t that ironic?

5. Anxious

If you say or write, “I am anxious to meet our new team members”, that doesn’t mean you are eager to meet them. Rather, it means you are nervous about meeting them!

Now, if you are nervous about meeting your new teammates, then “anxious” is the correct word. But if not, then say/write “I am eager to meet our new team members” or “I am looking forward to meeting our new team members.”

The right way to use “anxious”:

• I am anxious about giving this presentation in front of our new team members because I’m not sure if they will understand my English.

 

6. Ultimate

People love using “ultimate” to mean “the best”, as in “the ultimate skin cream” or “the ultimate resource for all your gaming needs.” However, “ultimate” technically means “the last”. It can also refer to the final item in a series.

The right way to use “ultimate”:

• This is the team’s ultimate game of the regular season.

7. Factoid

The word “factoid” is popularly used to refer to a bit of trivial information, as in “Here are some factoids about marine animals”. But strictly speaking, “factoid” was invented by author Norman Mailer to refer to information that is not true, but which many people believe to be true.

The right way to use “factoid” :

• The story about how the Great Wall of China can be seen from space is just a factoid.

8. Revert

In business communications, native English speakers and English language learners alike often use “revert” in place of “reply” or “respond”. But “revert” means to return something to a previous state.

The right way to use “revert”:

• Don quit smoking five years ago, but he still finds it hard not to revert to his old habit.

Note: You might see the phrase “revert back”, but you don’t need to use “back” with “revert”.

9. Momentarily

Americans in particular use “momentarily” when referring to something that will happen soon (e.g., “The train will arrive momentarily.”) But technically, “momentarily” means something that happens for a short time.

The right way to use “momentarily”:

• The bus stopped in front of the house momentarily, but then it continued along its route.

10. Bemused

It does not mean “amused.” Rather, it means “confused” or “bewildered”.

The right way to use “bemused”:

• Eloise had never been married, so Paul was bemused when .

You might be thinking, “But everyone says it that way! How can it be wrong?”

The truth is that language evolves. Some of the above “mistakes” (especially “momentarily” and “factoid”) are now so common they’re practically standard. You might be able to get away with them in many casual contexts.

However, if you need your writing to be sharp and professional–and if you want to avoid smug corrections from strict grammarians–you will have the upper hand if you’re aware of a word’s original meaning. Our TextRanch editors will be happy to help if you aren’t sure about how to use a word.