The “F” Words

Oh, sorry, not those “F” words….

This post continues the series about confusing words. Here are some confusing word pairs/groups that begin with the letter “F”:

Farther/Further –  This pair is not easy. I find that sometimes the context is very gray and either word could fit. However, farther applies to physical distance. Further means anymore or any longer.

• I rode my bike farther today than I ever have before. 
• I cannot discuss this any further with you today.

Fewer/Less – This pair is still constantly misused. I hear it on cable news all the time. Less is generally used when fewer should be used. Fewer is used for plurals and things that can be counted (people, books, etc.). Less is used for things that cannot be counted (salt, intelligence).

• There are fewer people at the beach because of the pandemic. (Less people is often said — incorrectly.)
• I think less sugar would make this recipe healthier.

Figuratively/Literally –  I have heard that these two opposites are now synonymous! Figuratively means not real, involving a figure of speech. Literally means real or actual. Examples are helpful here.

• I  fell through the floor when she told that big lie, figuratively speaking.  (You didn’t really fall through the floor!)
• When I told her I literally threw my phone out the window after I spoke to my ex, she thought I was joking!

Firstly (Secondly, Thirdly, Lastly) – These are transition words, used to connect your sentences or paragraphs in speaking or writing. They are best left at first, second, third, and last. Avoid using the -ly.

Flair/Flare – Flair is style or natural ability for something. Flare is a verb meaning to burn or burst forth — or a noun, referring to those lit thingies on the road when you have an emergency with your car.

• She really has a flair for style, so I always ask her opinion before I buy clothes. 
• The fire was almost out, but then it flared up again causing us to evacuate. 

Flamenco/Flamingo – Flamenco is a type of dance. Flamingo is a pink bird that stands on one foot, and thus would find it difficult to flamenco. It is not flamingo dancing.

• I just starting taking flamenco lessons.
• I have a few lawn flamingos in my yard.

Flammable/Inflammable/Nonflammable – Here is a confusing mess. Flammable and inflammable are the same: able to catch fire. Nonflammable is the opposite, and is the one that means does not catch on fire. Usually  the -in prefix means not, but not in this case.

• I don’t want to buy those curtains because I think the fabric is flammable.
• Don’t buy any pajamas that are inflammable.
• All children’s pajamas are nonflammable.

Foreword/Forward – Another tricky one. Notice that not only does one have the e, but one ends in word and the other in ward. A foreword is an introduction to a book, so it is easy to remember that it ends in word. Forward is directional and the opposite of backward.

• The foreword of her book is written by a famous scientist.
• Please step forward when I call your name.

Formally/Formerly –  Formally means in a formal manner, e..g., dressed in a tux. Formerly means in the past,

• We need to dress formally for this wedding.
• She was formerly known as Ms. Blake before she married Dr. Scott and became Ms. Scott.

Found/Founded – Found is the past tense of find. Founded is the past tense of found, meaning to establish something (and usually used in the past tense).

• I found a buried treasure in my yard.
• I founded a charity that supports artists.

I will be the guest on a teleseminar sponsored by the National Association of Memoir Writers, talking about grammar, on September 18. Please check it out here!

Happy to announce that August 2020 was my best selling month ever for my books….must be the schooling at home.