Some languages, like French, have an official body that decides how words can and cannot be used.<\/p>\n
English, as a flexible, global language, has no such designated referee.<\/p>\n
Therefore, there is no definitive answer to whether you’re using a word “correctly.”<\/p>\n
It’s all a matter of taste and context. But there are opinions. And some count more than others.<\/p>\n
Steven Pinker is probably as good an expert to ask as anyone. Helpfully, the renowned Harvard linguist and best-selling author recently wrote a book, titled “The Sense of Style,” that aims to help readers improve their use of the English language.<\/p>\n
If you’re in the market for an update to, old Strunk and White, it’s probably a good buy. But if you just want to spot-check that you’ve not been making embarrassing language mistakes for years, a monster list of 58 commonly misused phrases covered in the book that recently appeared in the UK’s Independent newspaper is probably a good place to start.<\/p>\n
Here are some highlights:<\/p>\n
It should be noted that while it’s always good to polish up your writing, one of the joys of language is that it isn’t fixed in time. It evolves. Nor is there a single “correct” style (in English, at least).<\/p>\n
You’d neither connect nor impress if you chose your words like an Oxford don at a rap battle (though, actually, someone please make that YouTube video), and you’d be unlikely to get a job at an investment bank today speaking like Shakespeare. Why is this important? It’s easy to get too caught up in being perfectly “correct” and become a tedious language snob. Remember you probably want to come across as intelligent and thoughtful, not uptight and pedantic. So don’t get so worked up over the little things that you miss the larger point of good writing \u2014 to communicate clearly and engagingly with your chosen audience.<\/p>\n