Understanding the Difference Between 'Literally' and 'Figuratively' and the Misuse of 'Ironic'

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack shares three sets of commonly misused words: literally vs. figuratively, bemused vs. amused, and ironic vs. coincidental.

Literally (misused as an intensifier) vs. Figuratively (used to convey a non-literal meaning):

"Literally" should only be used to describe something that actually happened, not to exaggerate or emphasize. For example, saying "I was literally dying of laughter" is often a misuse.

Bemused (misused to mean "amused") vs. Bemused (used to describe being confused or bewildered):

"Bemused" actually means puzzled or confused, not entertained or amused.

Ironic (misused as a synonym for coincidental) vs. Coincidental (used when events happen by chance):

"Ironic" should be reserved for situations where there is a contradiction between what is expected and what actually happens. It's often misused to describe mere coincidences.

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