Misused and troublesome words and phrases
"Words with subtle shades of meaning are often confused and misused.
Some words are misused because slang has made their meanings muddy; others
because their actual definitions are overshadowed by what the public believes
the words mean; and others because they sound alike and are often mistaken for
one another. For more examples, see the text.
ability, capacity
about, approximately
accept, except
affect, effect
capital, capitol
beside, besides
alternate, alternative
because of, due to
can, may
continual, continuous
data, datum (out of use today)
effective, efficient
ensure, insure, assure
equipment, equipments (not a word)
irregardless (not a word, use regardless)