However, while there a bunch of words that seem to get our collective back up, there are also a number of them that are used incorrectly, all the time.
As there are probably hundreds of words that are incorrectly used in common business settings, this list could be enormous, which is why I’ve picked out only handful of them. So here they are.
Anticipate
“We anticipate our earnings will increase by 50% by the end of the year.”
According to the most dictionaries, to anticipate means to look ahead and prepare. So using this example, you can anticipate additional earnings through increased sales, but only if you are also making preparations to handle that increase, otherwise you’re just estimating or guessing. And if that’s the case use those words instead.
Bottleneck
Generally speaking, a bottleneck is a point of constraint or limitation, like when four lanes on a freeway merge into one, traffic inevitably slows down to let every car through.
All too often, people tell us that there is a “growing bottleneck”. Guess what, bottlenecks can’t get bigger, they can’t expand or spread out. Bottlenecks can however, really slow down productivity.
Irregardless
This is one of those words that is used so often that it actually hurts. Also, it’s not a real word.
Generally, people use irregardless to mean without regard to or without respect to… but that is what regardless actually means.
Essentially, the “ir” part that is so often tacked onto the start, actually adds a “not” at the beginning of the word, altering its meaning. So when someone says irregardless, they’re actually saying “not without regard to,” which is probably not what they mean.
Can
Can = to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to do… something. Can is used to indicate what is possible. The word “may”, however, indicates what is permissible. For instance, “I can spend my days at work looking at images of cats, but due to the threat of imminent sacking, I may not.”
Telling your staff members or colleagues that, “they cannot take gifts from clients without authorisation,” may sound great but it is factually incorrect. They certainly can, byut the fact is they probably shouldn’t.
Invariably
I was about to say that this word is invariably used incorrectly, but then stopped myself – because that would be wrong and I would look quite the fool. Many, many people use invariably to indicate frequency: “Invariably, Frank is late in to work,” is only correct if Frank always, always, ALWAYS turns up late. Why? Because invariably means “in every case or occasion.”
So unless Frank has never, not once in his entire life, turned up to work on time, try using frequently, or usually and then talk to HR about his reliability.
Majority
Majority is another word that the majority of people get wrong. It is used to sound impressive and authoritative. For example: If you say “The majority of our stakeholders are satisfied with our service,” you’d think things were going great guns. Not necessarily, because majority is defined as “the greater number.” The only thing you actually said is that at least 51 per cent of your stakeholders were satisfied; the remainder could absolutely hate you.
The reason the word majority is problematic is because it’s used to signify success and achievement, but means very little when accuracy is really important. We hear this word used incorrectly so often that a phrase like “the majority of our customers will renew their policies,” sounds as of almost all of our customers are signing on the dotted line, when in fact nearly half may not.
Instead of using majority, use statistics or facts or try saying most or nearly all. This way you won’t give the wrong impression.
About the author
Edward has learned much of what he knows from over ten years’ experience writing and producing content for the web across a variety of topics, including leadership, technology, communication, productivity, insurance and finance. The rest he has picked up from watching far too much television.
About ANZIIF
The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) is the leading provider of education, training and professional development services to the insurance and financial services industry in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. For more information visit www.theinstitute.com.au
