“I” Have More Confusing Words for You!
Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabayWe continue on with the series of confusing words with the letter I:
1 I could care less – I think we all know by now that the correct phrase is I couldn’t care less. If you could care less, that means you care. However, the phrase implies you don’t care at all.
2. Idol/Idle – An idol (noun) is someone you look up to. Idle (adjective or verb) means not doing anything.
Her older brother had always been her idol.
I am usually idle on Saturday, which is my day of relaxation.
3. If/Whether – If is often used when whether should be used. If is conditional. Whether implies a choice. If or not appears in the sentence, use whether.
I am not going hiking if it rains.
I don’t know whether I should drive or fly. (not if I should drive or fly)
4. Imply/Infer – We are still getting this one confused. Think of the words as going in opposite directions. To imply is to suggest something without coming out and saying it directly. It goes from you out to others. To infer is to assume something from information you are hearing. It comes to you from someone else.
I implied to her that I probably would not be attending her party.
She inferred from what I said about being busy that I would not attend her party.
5. In regard to/In regards to – Both are fine. In regard to is preferred. In regards to is more formal.
6. Into/In to – This one does make a difference.
I poured the wine into the glasses.
I turned my overdue book in to the library.
I turned my overdue book into the library. (No. Unless you performed magic and turned your book into a library
