Inventing Reality: A Guide to Writing Science Fiction
Correct usage
Some words are frequently used incorrectly - that is, the wrong definition is assigned to the word. Misuse of such words can wreck a reader’s suspension of disbelief by jarring them out of the story. It also can wreck an editor’s confidence in you as a storyteller. Here is a list of commonly confused and misused words that I’ve seen in the work of novice writers.
Breathe vs. breath
“Breathe” is to inhale and exhale, as in “We must breathe oxygen to stay alive.” “Breath” is a solitary moment of inhaling or exhaling or the actual air that is inhaled/exhaled, as in “He stopped to catch his breath” or “His breath stunk like garlic.”
Its vs. it’s
“Its” is the possessive form of “it”, as in “The sun shined high overhead, its brightness warming his face.” “It’s” is a contraction for “it is”, as in “It’s just like the one my father wore.” (“It is just like the one my father wore.”)
Literally vs. figuratively
“Literal” means you’re saying exactly what happened “Figurative” means you’re speaking metaphorically So, during a headache, one’s head “figuratively explodes” not “literally explodes”
Mam vs. ma’am
“Mam” refers to a member of a Mayan people of southwestern Guatemala or to the language they speak. “Ma’am” is the correct spelling of the polite address of a woman, as in “Thank you for the change, ma’am.”
Sensuous vs. sensual
“Sensuous" means to appeal to the senses or to have strong sensory appeal, as in “The Klingon found the Grapok sauce sensuous.” “Sensual” pertains to fleshly or sexual appeal, as in “The Klingon warrior found B’etor’s ample bosom quite sensual.”
Sight vs. site
“Sight” is what you see, as in “Watching the flying saucer land was the strangest sight he’d ever seen.” “Site” is a location, as in “The landing site was in a secluded, wooded area.”
Your vs. you’re
“Your” is a possessive form of “you”, as in “Did you remember to bring your ray gun?” “You’re” is a contraction for “you are”, as in “You’re one ace shot with that ray gun, Johnny!”
You Do It
Go back through a story or novel you’re working on and check the words for correct usage.
Breathe vs. breath
“Breathe” is to inhale and exhale, as in “We must breathe oxygen to stay alive.” “Breath” is a solitary moment of inhaling or exhaling or the actual air that is inhaled/exhaled, as in “He stopped to catch his breath” or “His breath stunk like garlic.”
Its vs. it’s
“Its” is the possessive form of “it”, as in “The sun shined high overhead, its brightness warming his face.” “It’s” is a contraction for “it is”, as in “It’s just like the one my father wore.” (“It is just like the one my father wore.”)
Literally vs. figuratively
“Literal” means you’re saying exactly what happened “Figurative” means you’re speaking metaphorically So, during a headache, one’s head “figuratively explodes” not “literally explodes”
Mam vs. ma’am
“Mam” refers to a member of a Mayan people of southwestern Guatemala or to the language they speak. “Ma’am” is the correct spelling of the polite address of a woman, as in “Thank you for the change, ma’am.”
Sensuous vs. sensual
“Sensuous" means to appeal to the senses or to have strong sensory appeal, as in “The Klingon found the Grapok sauce sensuous.” “Sensual” pertains to fleshly or sexual appeal, as in “The Klingon warrior found B’etor’s ample bosom quite sensual.”
Sight vs. site
“Sight” is what you see, as in “Watching the flying saucer land was the strangest sight he’d ever seen.” “Site” is a location, as in “The landing site was in a secluded, wooded area.”
Your vs. you’re
“Your” is a possessive form of “you”, as in “Did you remember to bring your ray gun?” “You’re” is a contraction for “you are”, as in “You’re one ace shot with that ray gun, Johnny!”
You Do It
Go back through a story or novel you’re working on and check the words for correct usage.