The Wrong Word Dictionary

"Sorry, we accept every card except Visa."

A word in earnest is as good as a speech.

- Charles Dickens

The Wrong Word Dictionary

by Dave Dowling

Marion Street Press, Inc.
240 pages, 5 x 7
Paper, $14.95 (CAN $20.95)
September 2005
ISBN 0-9729937-7-0

Distributed by Independent Publishers Group

Have you ever written “complement” when you meant “compliment”? Do you cringe when someone writes “accept” when they mean “except”? Have you ever wondered whether to write “insure,” “ensure,” or “assure”? Then you’ll love The Wrong Word Dictionary.

Even good writers sometimes find the right word elusive. Or is it illusive? The correct usage for more than 2,000 words that people commonly misuse is provided in this concise and accessible handbook that assures, insures, and ensures that anyone who wants to communicate accurately and effectively chooses the right word every time. Arranged alphabetically in pairs (or threes when appropriate), entries are carefully explained with a sentence that illustrates correct usage and cross-referenced to ensure that readers find, for example, boycott, even when they look up embargo first.

The book is more than a tool for writers — it’s also a fantastic book to browse. Two dozen cartoons by Argentinian illustrator Santiago Cornejo (Corne) humorously clarify confusing distinctions between words and make this a fun reference for all word lovers to enjoy.

Try the Wrong Word Challenge:

Do you know all your words? Here is a short quiz that covers just a few of the common everyday word problems we sometimes encounter. Take this challenge and see how well you do. The answers immediately follow.

The (principal, principle) objective of this course is better writing.
The moderator in a labor dispute should be (disinterested, uninterested).
These (continuous, continual) interruptions may prevent the system from being available.
We found (fewer, less) coding errors this week than last week.
We feel (bad, badly) about their absence at today’s recognition event.
Our (bimonthly, semimonthly) reports are due the 15th and 30th of each month.
Two thousand books (compose, comprise) the college's new computer library.
Their letter (inferred, implied) that there was no charge for the extra hardware.
Many sightings continue to fuel the UFO (phenomena, phenomenon).
The competition intentionally gave them (disinformation, misinformation) about their products.

Answers:

1. principal, 2. disinterested, 3. continual, 4. fewer, 5. bad, 6. semimonthly, 7. compose, 8. implied, 9. phenomenon, 10. disinformation

The Wrong Word Dictionary will be a great gift book for writers and other word lovers. And it’s perfect for writers who appreciate the importance of writing the right word.