Writing Tip of the Week
October 13, 2008
Keep Track of TROUBLESOME WORDS
Consult the following list and avoid using these words incorrectly. If you're ever in doubt about the use of a word, check a dictionary. Two good on-line versions are Cambridge's at dictionary.cambridge.org and Merriam-Webster's at merriam-webster.com.
1. Tortious / Tortuous / Torturous
Tortious refers to acts that give rise to civil litigation.
Tortuous means full of twists and turns.
Torturous refers to torture or pain.
2. Since / Because
Since refers to the passage of time.
Because shows causation.
3. Ensure / Insure / Assure
Although these words can be used interchangeably in some instances,
they have slightly different meanings.
Ensure means to make certain to happen and may imply a guarantee.
Insure, in most instances, is to protect against loss.
Assure generally means to remove doubt from someone's mind.
4. Eminent / Imminent
Eminent means distinguished.
Imminent means about to happen.
5. Council / Counsel
A council is a deliberative body.
Counsel, as a verb, means to advise. As a noun, it means advice
or lawyer.
Last Updated On: 10/13/08
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