The A to Z English Podcast

A to Z Quick Tips 28 | Commonly Misused Words

Sep 29, 2023

Learn the correct usage of 'literally' and 'figuratively', explore the misuse of 'ironic', and understand the difference between 'bemused' and 'amused'. Discover examples and relatable situations while engaging with the hosts through audience participation.

11:16

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Quick takeaways

'Literally' should only be used to describe something that actually happened, not to exaggerate or emphasize.

'Ironic' should be reserved for situations where there is a contradiction between what is expected and what actually happens, while 'coincidental' is used when events happen by chance.

Deep dives

The difference between literally and figuratively

Literally means something actually happened, while figuratively is used to convey a non-literal meaning. For example, when someone says 'I literally died of laughter,' it doesn't make sense because if they had literally died, they couldn't tell the story. They should say 'I figuratively died of laughter' to express the intensity of their laughter.

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

6min

Understanding Irony, Coincidence, Bemused, and Amused

6min

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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