Common_Errors_in_English_usage

In casual speech, we say "it depends who plays the best defense"; but in
writing follow "depends" with "on."
DEPRECIATE/DEPRECATE
To depreciate something is to actually make it worse, whereas to
deprecate something is simply to speak or think of it in a manner that
demonstrates your low opinion of it. People who make unflattering jokes
or comments about themselves are self­deprecating.
DERISORY/DERISIVE
Although "derisory" and "derisive" can both mean "laughable," there are
sometimes subtle distinctions made between them. "Derisory" is most
often used to mean "worthy of being laughed at": "Ethan" made a derisory
effort to clean the cat box while talking on his cell phone." Sneering
laughter is usually described as "derisive."
You might more unusually speak of an effort as "derisive," but most
people would think it odd to use "derisory" to describe the tone of
someone's laughter.
DESERT/DESSERT
Perhaps these two words are confused partly because "dessert" is one of
the few words in English with a double "S" pronounced like "Z"
("brassiere" is another). That impoverished stretch of sand called a
desert can only afford one "S." In contrast, that rich gooey extra thing
at the end of the meal called a dessert indulges in two of them. The
word in the phrase "he got his just deserts" is confusingly pronounced
just like "desserts."
DEVIANT/DEVIATE
The technical term used by professionals to label someone whose behavior
deviates from the norm is "deviate," but if you want to tease a perv
friend you may as well call him a "deviant"­­that's what almost
everybody else says. In your sociology class, however, you might want to
stick with "deviate."
DEVICE/DEVISE
"Device" is a noun. A can­opener is a device. "Devise" is a verb. You
can devise a plan for opening a can with a sharp rock instead. Only in
law is "devise" properly used as a noun, meaning something deeded in a
will.
DEW/DO/DOO/DUE
The original pronunciation of "dew" and "due" rhymed with "pew", but
American pronunciation has shifted toward sounding all of these words
alike, and the result is much confusion in standard phrases. On a damp
morning there is dew on the grass. Doo on the grass is the result of
failing to pick up after your dog. The most common confusion is