100 Words Almost Everyone Mixes Up or Mangles

by American Heritage

Eliminate mistakes and improve your vocabulary with this engaging guide to the world’s most misused words.   Do you know your delegate from your relegate, your cachet from your cache?   At one time or another we’ve all suffered the embarrassment of having our remarks corrected by a family member, colleague, or stranger. 100 Words Almost Everyone Mixes Up or Mangles presents fifty pairs of words that people have trouble getting right and keeping straight—words that tend to get corrected when we’re least expecting it.   These words include near-synonyms—words with subtle but important distinctions in meaning—like baleful vs. baneful, and effectual vs. efficacious. Other pairings bring together notorious sound-alikes, like faze (bother) vs. phase (stage), pour (put in fluid) vs. pore (read closely), and waive (forgo) vs. wave (say hello). The book also addresses some classic spelling blunders and “nonwords,” like beyond the pail, full reign, injust, and inobstrusive.   Each word has a definition and a pronunciation, and most have etymologies explaining the word’s origin. The mix-ups themselves are described in fun-to-read notes that provide clear solutions to help readers avoid making needless, uncomfortable gaffes.  100 Words Almost Everyone Mixes Up or Mangles gives readers the chance to improve their command of words that are often heard but just as often misused.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Language

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2010

Reviews

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve long suspected that people watch TV shows like Hoarders because it allows them to see others that live in houses that are much messier than their own, making them feel better about themselves in comparison.

I’d hate to admit that a similar psychological motivation might be at work when I choose to read these kinds of grammar books. Surely I don’t derive a secret pleasure by thinking that there are some morons out there that can’t figure out the difference between your and you’re. Surely I bought this because I sincerely strive to learn new things, right? And because it was on sale for 2 bucks?

Ok, so I admit that I finally learned the proper use of repress vs suppress. And restive/restless. And wangle/wrangle.

But at least I can still look down on those chuckleheads that mix up cache and cachet, or pour and pore, or say “tow the line” instead of “toe the line.”

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about words I know that after reading this book. I liked that it was a quick read. Its always night to feel that I am a fast reader. Which I am not. I wish I had a better vocabulary. I think this book is a start to a better vocabulary.

[Suzie Quint · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently, I'm not average. First, I hate the way this is organized. The words chosen were also words I don't mix up. Mostly, half of the pair they thought was confusing for people are words I don't have much call to use. (Really, how often do you you use baneful or militate?)

[Aliyah Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skip to the last page

[Kay Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enough interesting points to be worthwhile.

[Lisa Tabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a good read through

I enjoy and benefit from this book and it’s series. It makes me rethink how I use language and enhances my ability to write imagery as an author.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting assortment of words that are mixed up when used. Happily, I was aware of most words so I was glad that I know something.

[Kerri Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

And I'm so guilty of being one of them. Yep I found this very humorous because I am so guilty of mangling words and sometimes I do it on purpose. This book just gave me more ideas on how to mangle different words that I never thought of. If you're like me or even if your not it is a fun read.

[1Annabelle Welford-small · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's like reading a dictionary.I was bored.