Commonly Misused Adjectives in the English Language (With Photos)

 

Here are commonly misused adjectives in the English language. Learn to use them well to improve your proficiency when it comes to the English language. Best of luck!

Each vs Every:

Each - to be used with individual or separate items (Example: The pineapples are $2 each.)

Every - to be used when referring to things in a group or describing frequency of actions (Example: Emily goes to the beach every weekend.)

Farther vs Further

Farther - used for distance (Example: How much farther is the amusement park.)
Further - implies a metaphorical advancement (Example: Further topics will be covered next week.)

Few vs A Few

Few - represents a negative quantity or shortage (Example: Julian has few friends.)
A Few -represents a positive quantity, but it can only be used with countable nouns. (Example: Julian has a few friends.)

High vs Tall

High - is used to define an object's position from the ground. (Example: The Golden Gate Bridge is exceptionally high.)

Tall - is an adjective that measures the size or height of vertical items. (Example: The Statue of Liberty is very tall.)

Injured vs Wounded vs Hurt

Injured - victims are injured financially, emotionally or physically (Example: The injured player was carried off the field.)

Wounded - implies a physical injury or laceration (Example: The child screamed louder than a wounded animal.)

Hurt - describes an experience or physical or emotional pain (Example: Buster's owner was relieved that the small dog wasn't hurt.)

Last vs Latter vs Latest

Last - the opposite of first (Example: Read the first and last paragraphs today.)

Latter - The latter is the antithesis of the former (Example: Of the two choices, I prefer the latter./Finnick loves to catch fish but Johanna prefers swimming. The latter needs to practice for a swimming competition next month.)

Latest - means the most recent (Example: The latest innovations were astounding.)

Less vs Fewer

Less - is compatible with non-countable nouns, collective nouns, volumes and bulk amounts. (Example: Less pollution is better for the environment.)

Fewer - is used with countable nouns and individual items (Example: If people threw out fewer bottles, the world would be cleaner.)

Little vs A Little

Little - expresses a diminutive size or negative quantity (Example: Th kitten is little.)

A Little - represents a positive quantity. Always use it with non-countable nouns. (Example: There is a little sauce left.)

Many vs Much

Many - use with plural nouns (Example: There are many people in the plaza today.)

Much - use with collective nouns and singular nouns (Example: Gerald doesn't have much money.)

Sick vs Ill

Sick - related to a sickness or physical condition affecting an individual or group (Example: After the roller coaster ride, Charles felt sick.)

Ill - can mean bad, poor, unwell, or sick (Example: The expedition was ill advised.)