Showing posts with label misused words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label misused words. Show all posts

20130105

Misused Words

discreet / discrete
Discreet is an adjective that means prudent, circumspect, or modest: “Her discreet handling of the touchy situation put him at ease.” Discrete is an adjective that means separate or individually distinct: “Each company in the conglomerate operates as a discrete entity.”
few / less
Few is an adjective that means small in number. It is used with countable objects: “This department has few employees.”Less is an adjective that means small in amount or degree. It is used with objects of indivisible mass: “Which jar holds less water?”
disinterested / uninterested
Disinterested is an adjective that means unbiased or impartial: “We appealed to the disinterested mediator to facilitate the negotiations.” Uninterested is an adjective that means not interested or indifferent: “They seemed uninterested in our offer

Misused Words

discreet / discrete
Discreet is an adjective that means prudent, circumspect, or modest: “Her discreet handling of the touchy situation put him at ease.” Discrete is an adjective that means separate or individually distinct: “Each company in the conglomerate operates as a discrete entity.”
few / less
Few is an adjective that means small in number. It is used with countable objects: “This department has few employees.”Less is an adjective that means small in amount or degree. It is used with objects of indivisible mass: “Which jar holds less water?”
disinterested / uninterested
Disinterested is an adjective that means unbiased or impartial: “We appealed to the disinterested mediator to facilitate the negotiations.” Uninterested is an adjective that means not interested or indifferent: “They seemed uninterested in our offer