Nothing beats a good phrase or an idiom used in a timely fashion. They are easy to memorize and even easier to say. They allow us to communicate a clear message in a matter of a few words. In layman's terms, phrases and idioms keep the conversation going. However, there are some phrases people say wrong and don’t even know it. Common phrases people say wrong can soon turn friendly banter into an argument. A simple spelling mistake or a replacement of a word can quickly change the meaning of many common sayings.
Nobody likes to make a fool of themselves, especially when it comes to using phrases and idioms. To the rescue come grammar checkers, and commonly misspoken phrases are their bread and butter. They are always ready with a comeback to your mistake and will correct the saying people get wrong. However, the system is not ideal. Autocorrect has its flaws, too, and may not always work in your favor. While autocorrect might save the text you write online, only general knowledge will prevent you from saying a phrase in the wrong way in person.
Thus, if you ever have doubts, there is nothing wrong with looking up a common phrase or two and seeing how they are actually spelled. Finding out how commonly misused phrases are actually used and spelled can prevent awkward situations. Take a look at the list below for some of the phrases that are often used but rarely correctly. Comment down below if you ever had an argument that arose from a mistakenly used phrase!
#1
"I could care less" vs. "I couldn’t care less."
It is implied that you care about a subject when you say that “I could care less." "I couldn't care less" usually means that you have no interest in the subject at all.
Correct phrase: "I couldn’t care less."
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57points
#2
"On accident" vs. "By accident."
Something can be done on purpose but not on accident. Thus, that means “by accident” is not only correct, but also means you did it accidentally.
Correct phrase: "By accident."
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56points
#3
"Could of, should of" vs. "Could have, should have."
All three of these modal verbs — could have, would have, and should have — are frequently uttered aloud as contractions. When spoken aloud, the word "could've" may be misheard as "could of."
Correct phrase: "Could have, should have."
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49points
#4
"Statue of limitations" vs. "Statute of limitations."
If you can't tell the difference between these two terms, you can always watch a Seinfeld episode to learn the correct form of the phrase. It’s not a “statue of limitations”; there isn’t a statue standing somewhere in the world of “limitation." It’s “Statute of limitations,” a time limit before the crime is no longer judged.
Correct phrase: "Statute of limitations."
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44points
#5
"Expresso" vs. "Espresso."
Those of you who work in coffee shops have no doubt encountered customers who request an expresso. There is no such beverage. An espresso is the beverage you're attempting to order.
Correct phrase: "Espresso."
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44points
#6
"Supposably" vs. "Supposedly."
The word supposably, which means "as may be thought or imagined," has its own distinct history despite the common misconception that it is just an incorrect version of the word supposedly. Supposedly means "according to what is generally assumed or believed," and people occasionally confuse the two phrases because of their closeness.
Correct phrase: "Supposedly."
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43points
#7
"Paper view" vs. "Pay-per-view."
“Paper view” is just plain malarky, a spelling mistake of “pay-per-view.” “Pay-per-view” describes a television service that a person can pay for and provides access to more TV content.
Correct phrase: "Pay-per-view."
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37points
#8
“Peaked my interest” vs. "Piqued my interest."
If there is a point that got your attention, the more correct term would be “piqued my interests” because it just caused you to develop interest. If you were to use “peaked my interest,” it means that you have reached the highest point of interest there is to reach while talking about this point and are ready to move on. They sound the same but have totally different meanings when you look at the whole context of these words.
Correct phrase: "Piqued my interest."
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36points
#9
"Momento" vs. "Memento."
Momento is a misspelling. A memento, on the other hand, is something that we hold close to ourselves, like a keepsake.
Correct phrase: "Memento."
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35points
#10
"Irregardless" vs. "Regardless."
A double negative doesn’t make a word. Regardless is already a form of negativity. By adding the additional “ir” to the word, you make a double negative, which removes the impact of the word. The next time you hear a person using this phrase, make sure to double-check what they meant.
Correct phrase: "Regardless."
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34points
#11
"Conversating" vs. "Conversing."
You can create a new verb by eliminating the "ion" and adding a "ng," correct? False. The correct term is conversing, however, many people instead use the informal term conversating.
Correct phrase: "Conversing."
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34points
#12
"Extract revenge" vs. "Exact revenge."
Something is taken out of another thing when it is extracted. You are dishing it out when you exact anything onto something. Therefore, getting even with someone would mean getting that person's retribution. Retaliating against them entails exacting your vengeance on them.
Correct phrase: "Exact revenge."
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33points
#13
"Taken for granite" vs. "Taken for granted."
It's difficult to comprehend how the phrase "taken for granite" came to be used, but it did. There may have been a preconceived belief that anything inscribed in stone is unquestionably true. It is "taken for granted" though, unless you are a statue of a US president.
Correct phrase: “Taken for granted.”
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32points
#14
"One in the same" vs. "One and the same."
When you sit down and give it some serious thought, the phrase "one in the same" has no true meaning. "One and the same" refers to two items that are identical.
Correct phrase: "One and the same."
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31points
#15
“Beckon call” vs. "Beck and call."
Another victim of mispronouncing. To be labeled as “beck and call” means that a person can call you and, without a beat passing, get your answer and actions. This phrase is often used by entitled people who see others as lesser.
Correct phrase: "Beck and call."
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30points
#16
"For all intensive purposes" vs. "For all intents and purposes."
Your passion for your goal may be very strong, but that doesn't make the phrase accurate. The terms "for" and "with" are frequently switched, which is another improper usage of the expression. The appropriate expression conveys that you are considering all scenarios and potential outcomes.
Correct phrase: "For all intents and purposes."
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29points
#17
"Aks" vs. "Ask."
For things, you don't aks or axe. You ask for them. It's not crystal clear when the letters ‘s' and ‘k’ switched places, but it's not uncommon for people to misplace them.
Correct phrase: "Ask."
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28points
#18
"Nip it in the bu*t" vs. "Nip it in the bud."
Nipping anything in the bud refers to ending it before it has a chance to develop or begin. Biting something's backside is referred to as "nipping it in the bu*t."
Correct phrase: “Nip it in the bud.”
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26points
#19
"Waiting on" vs. "Waiting for."
When you are waiting for someone, that means you are waiting for that person. It doesn’t mean you are waiting on them by sitting on that person, but you are waiting for a person to meet up with you or send you a message. In a restaurant, you wait for a table to become available, and are not (hopefully) waiting on the table.
Correct phrase: "Waiting for."
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26points
#20
"Mute point" vs. "Moot point."
These are two words that are so overused, it’s hard to tell the difference between them, so you might have also made this mistake once or twice. A mute point is probably a point that is, well, quiet. A moot point is the more correct term to use. It defines a contentious question as one that is subject to debate. It also describes an irrelevant question as one that is not relevant.
Correct phrase: "Moot point."
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26points