English Vocabulary is Really Confusing

By Pamela S. Stevens

Learning English is confusing, especially American English. The English language is continually evolving and employs numerous slang uses of common words and new words emerge from technology daily. Some words do not follow the standard rules for spelling, some words cannot be correctly pronounced based on the spelling and some words sound the same but are spelled differently.

If you are trying to learn English it is reasonable to be confused when you listen to others speak, because it is confusing. If you speak English fluently, keep in mind that when you converse with ESL learners that some of the things you say may be confusing to them. This is especially true if you use colloquialisms, propriety terms or slang. People new to American English may not have the same foundation of common experiences to draw from, they may not know that uptown and downtown could mean the same thing or that catching some Z’s means taking a nap. So try to use plain English and explain common terms when you speak to English learners rather than alienating them or putting yourself in a non–communication situation. If you are working on improving your vocabulary and increasing your understanding of others, you may want to spend some study time on commonly misused words and slang.

If you fluently speak English, there is still plenty of room for confusion. Such as these commonly misused words:

• What is the difference between affect and effect?
• Do you go into or in to a room?
• Do you precede or proceed to take a test?
• Do PCs have dual processors or duel processors?
• If you are showing reserve are you being discreet or discrete?
• Is it your conscience or conscious that keeps you from stealing?
• If you decide to not proceed with something, do you forego or forgo it?
• If you are feeling woozy do you feel feint or faint?
• If a topic is not worth discussing is it a mute point or a moot point?
• When you blow your nose are you blowing out mucus or mucous?
• Do you write a summary or a summery for your paper?
• Do children disperse or disburse across the playground?

If you are unfamiliar with English word usage and American slang, the following sentences may be confusing.

• Do you want a sucker? Too bad, I don’t have one, you are such a sucker.
• I was totally blown away by the fact that he blew all his money, I got so mad that I nearly blew him off last night, he really almost blew it with me.
• It is so cool that it is warm outside today.
• Show me the newspaper so I can see what shows are playing.
• The night club is a real hot spot; they even host a hot spot so you can get online while you are in line.
• You can’t sneak it passed him; his is always right on top of it.
• I ordered a Manhattan in Manhattan, which was much better than the screw driver I drank the night before.
• The man left his house totally loaded, unloaded all of his money on drinks at the bar and walked home totally loaded.
• Why don’t we go to the other room and have a chat? Or do you want to just keep chatting in your chat room?
• He ate eight potato chips.
• Call me at last call, or whenever you feel like calling it a night.
• The dog woofed down his dog chow.
• It is so hot in here I can’t breathe, please turn on the air.
• I can’t pin down where I might have left my pen.
• The obtuse leaders formed a roundtable to explore new angles and square things away.
• I need to get out from under this project; can you get on top of it?
• That new guy is so hot and he is totally cool too.
• She is always just hanging out at her house, she should get out more.
• I was feeling down, so I went downtown to the club to get down with my friends.
• I need to cash my check so I can get some cash and cash in on that cash–only deal.
• When I reached the peak, I peeked over the edge and saw a ravine that piqued my curiosity.
• He wanted to sell his sail boat, so he put it up for sale.
• They’re having a great time over there with their friends.
• She complimented her on how well the sweater complemented the color of her earnings.
• I would like to have two scoops of ice cream, if that is not too much to ask.
• I used to be really hung up on that guy, but when we called me last night I hung up on him.
• Live it up at the live concert.

There are numerous American English phrases that are confusing to new learners as well as native speakers. Nowadays, it is often difficult for an eighty–year–old to understand an eighteen–year–old and vice versa, due to the many word usage changes that have occurred in the last fifty years. So, whether you are working on improving your vocabulary or if you are teaching American English it is a good idea to go beyond basic vocabulary and also explore slang and commonly misused words.

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