Words Frequently Confused and Misused

Common / Commonplace

Common: shared or used by many; commonplace: ordinary, not unusual.

e.g. English is a common language used in Europe.

e.g. Nowadays, carrying a gun is commonplace.

Overdo / Overdue

Overdo means do too much; overdue means past the deadline date.

e.g. This is good enough; don't overdo it!

e.g. The payment is now overdue. 

Dutiable / Dutiful

Dutiable: subject to imported tax; dutiful: showing respect and obedience.

e.g. Tobacco is often dutiable in most countries.

e.g. He is my dutiful son.

Perspective / Prospective

Perspective is an opinion or point of view; prospective means related to the future.

e.g. From the perspective of a woman, how do you look at this case of domestic violence?

e.g. Any person who walks into this shop is a prospective customer.

Practical / Practicable

Practical means related to practice; practicable means realistic or can be done.

e.g. You must learn all the practical details of the operation of the machine.
e.g. Your plan is not practicable without the funding.

Precede / Proceed

Precede means come or go before in time or place; ; proceed means to go forward.
e.g. Soaking the beans overnight should precede the cooking.
e.g. We decided to proceed with the plan, even without the funding.

Prepossessing / Preposterous

Prepossessing means attractive or impressive; preposterous means absurd or contrary to reason.

e.g. She had put on a prepossessing dress to impress the audience.

e.g. You look preposterous in that ridiculous outfit!

In regard to / As regards

Both mean with reference to.

e.g. As regards your performance, I think you did a good job (no “to”).

e.g. She is very generous in regard to charity donation.

Effective Writing Made Simple

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau