Common English Blunders

“Dependent” vs. “Dependant”

Adjectives, Common English Blunders, Nouns, Versus

I often see “dependant” used incorrectly.

Problem:
The preferred use of “dependant” is as a noun, not as an adjective.

Explanation:
Some dictionaries indicate that “dependent” and “dependant” are synonyms.

However, other dictionaries indicate that the preferred use of “dependent” is as an adjective and that the preferred use of “dependant” is as a noun.

One way to remember this distinction is to think of “confidant”, which is a noun, versus “confident”, which is an adjective.

Solution:
Use “dependent” when you’re modifying a noun to indicate contingent or relying on something or someone else; use “dependant” when you’re talking about a person who relies on or is supported by another.

“Verbal” vs. “Oral”

Adjectives, Common English Blunders, Versus

I often hear “verbal” — as in “verbal agreement” — when people mean “oral”.

Problem:
The adjective “verbal” should not be used when one specifically is referring to something spoken.

Explanation:
The adjective “verbal” means of or pertaining to words. The primary definition of the adjective “oral” is uttered by the mouth.

Many will refer to “verbal agreements” when what they really mean is “oral agreements” (i.e., spoken agreements, not written agreements). Saying that something is a “verbal agreement” does not say much; it simply means that it is an oral or written agreement.

Solution:
Use “verbal” when you’re talking about words in general; use “oral” when you’re talking about spoken words.

“Between” vs. “Among”

Common English Blunders, Prepositions, Versus

I often hear people use “between” when they mean “among”.

Problem:
The preposition “between” should not be used when expressing a relationship for three or more items.

Explanation:
The preposition “between” means in the space separating (two people, objects, etc.) or intermediate to. The primary definition of the preposition “among” is in the midst of.

If you look up the origin of “between”, you see that the tw in “between” is related to the tw in “two”. You can use this as a mnemonic to remind you that you should use “between” when expressing a relationship for two items and therefore that you should use “among” otherwise (for three or more items).

Solution:
Use “between” when you’re talking about two items; use “among” when you’re talking about three or more items.