• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

words most often used incorrectly

It's funny that you started this thread because last week (before seeing this) I had to look up these 4 English words because I didn't not know how to use them properly in sentences.

Affect and Effect

Then and Than

Affect is a verb. Effect is a noun.

"Then" is an adverb and "than" is a conjunction and is mostly used for comparisons.
 
Last edited:
It's funny that you started this thread because last week (before seeing this) I had to look up these 2 English words because I didn't not know how to use them properly in sentences.

Affect and Effect

Then and Than

Affect is a verb. Effect is a noun.

"Then" is an adverb and "than" is a conjunction and is mostly used for comparisons.
Can be difficult to judge the difference if someone has a South African or Australian accent tho....
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassdude51
Graduated is oft used incorrectly. You will hear someone say, "I graduated from State U." Correct usage is, "I was graduated from State U."


Actually, not quite. "I graduated from State U" is perfectly correct. "State U graduated 600 students last fall" is also correct.

The incorrect form would be "I graduated State U."
 
It's funny that you started this thread because last week (before seeing this) I had to look up these 4 English words because I didn't not know how to use them properly in sentences.

Affect and Effect

Then and Than

Affect is a verb. Effect is a noun.

"Then" is an adverb and "than" is a conjunction and is mostly used for comparisons.
I'm always looking up the correct usage of words that sound similar.
Don't always get it right, but at least I try not to look as ignorant as I am. :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassdude51
Affect is a verb. Effect is a noun.
My trick with those is to think Affect = Action (A and A). Effect = rEsult (E and E)
Well... no.

Affect can be a noun with a specific psychology definition. And it is possible for one to effect positive changes in an organization.

I've stopped blaming people for messing up the -ffects.
You probably quoted the wrong post: bassude51, not MordBass, mentioned the verb vs. noun thing, which by the way does kind of work most often than not, since legitimate examples of "affect" as a noun and "effect" as a verb, whilst existing, are somewhat harder to come by than the opposite.

Mord's mnemonic trick is actually clever and should lead to even fewer mis-hits. Not that "to effect a change" (with "effect"-verb used correctly, meaning "bring about") is not an action: it sure is, but the emphasis is indeed firmly on the outcome as opposed to the process ("to affect" as in "influence").
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MordBass
Mistaking wheelbarrel for wheelbarrow.

Maybe they didn't hear correctly the first time, saw the tub, then assumed it must be a wheelbarrel, 'cause there's the barrel right there!?

I've been watching a good deal of DIY vids on YouTube lately. Astounded that some people call that piece of equipment a "wheelborrow"! And it's not accent: these folks speak the Kings English fine otherwise.