Have you ever wondered about the difference between “disinterested” and “uninterested”? Or between “complement” and “compliment”? Looking at the history of the terms can help you remember the subtle differences in meaning.
While editing for a pharmaceutical publisher, I am often presented with a mixed bag in terms of content – anything ranging from overly formal and academic “one” pronouns to thought leaders who are not so strong at putting those thoughts on paper. Some of these clients are CEOs of major organisations or highly educated academics with PhDs from top universities, which goes to show that writing mistakes can be made by anyone, and it is not a sign of poor intelligence; rather, it is a lack of experience in the craft.
I decided to compile a short list of the most interesting misused or confusing words I’ve come across in my work, some of which are quite common and others more obscure.
1. Comprise
The word “comprise” is often attributed to the Old French compris, meaning “to include”. The confusion with this word most likely comes from its better-known alternative, “to consist of” – leading many to write sentences such as:
“The building is comprised of four floors”.
By writing this sentence, you are effectively saying, “The building consists of of four floors” because “comprise” is a synonym for “consist of” not “consist”. The correct sentence should read, “The building comprises 4 floors”.
An easy way to remember this is to replace the word “comprise” with the word “include”.
2. Dependant Vs Dependent
This is more of an interesting one. Historically speaking, sources suggest that the origin of the difference in spelling depends on whether you follow the Latin origin or the French. The form of the word “dependent” is attributable to the Latin dependere, but the word “dependant” seems to come from Old French. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, The Century Dictionary (1897) stated the following:
“As the spelling of this class of words depends solely upon whether they happen to be regarded as derived directly from the French or directly from the Latin, and as usage is divided, there is no good reason for insisting upon a distinction in spelling between the noun and the adjective”
However, the division into two forms seems to have become standard usage for British English, but in American English, “dependent” seems more widely used as both the noun and the adjective. In Britain, you are a “dependant” if you are “dependent” on someone else.
3. Compliment Vs Complement
The word “complement” comes from the Latin complementum, meaning “to complete or fulfil”. In an earlier context, the word could be used as an expression of civility. In essence, a “complement” completes the obligation of courtesy. However, an Italian translation thrown in the mix led to the rise of the term “compliment”, derived from complimento – “expression of respect and civility”. As a result, in modern English usage, a division is drawn between the act of completing or fulfilling something else (to complement), and the act of expressing respect or civility (to compliment).
In short, you compliment someone on their looks, but the colour of their shoes complements their outfit.
An easy way to remember the difference is to think of “complement” as something that completes.
4. Disinterested Vs Uninterested
If you’ve ever gotten confused about the difference between “disinterested” and “uninterested”, historically, I wouldn’t blame you. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the term “disinterested” came from the Old French disinteresse, which then became “distinteressed”, meaning “impartial”. However, over time the use of the word “uninterested”, meaning “unbiased”, crossed over with “disinterested” in the 1600s, after which a distinction was eventually drawn.
If you’re still with me, “uninterested” became “to take no interest in the matter at hand”, and “disinterested” became “impartial and unbiased”. In other words, if you are bored or not engaged with something you are “uninterested” in it; however, if you have no stake in the matter, you are “disinterested”.
An easy way to remember the difference is to think of “disinterested” as being distant from the conversation.
5. Fortuitous Vs Fortunate
Frequently, we see writers use the term “fortuitous” to refer to an accident or case of good luck. However, “fortuitous” only refers to chance or luck in itself and is not necessarily “fortunate”. The confusion undoubtedly comes from the “fort” aspect of both words, leading people to assume that one must be a variant of the other. However, historically, they come from subtly different origins.
“Fortuitous” comes from the Latin fortuitus meaning “happening by chance” and the “fort” aspect relates to forte (literally meaning “by chance”). By contrast, “fortunate” comes from the Latin fortunatus, meaning “prosperous”. Both words are derived from “fortune” and the Latin fortuna, but take a difference depending on good luck or just chance.
An easy way to remember the difference is by remembering that you can be fortunate or unfortunate, but you can only be fortuitous.
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