Which one do I use? This one or that? This is another misused term that is so hard to figure out. In my days as a journalist, my editor wielded his pencil like a switchblade, stabbing and slicing my story every place I chose incorrectly.

His face would be red and inflamed as he handed my shredded story back to me. I didn’t like his face when it was red and inflamed. It frightened me. And someday he will become a character in a horror novel.

That is the price you pay for being sloppy. It is a emotion, which I hope, I never feel.  So, quite simply.

That is defining, points directly to, marks the thing you’re referring to.

Which is not defining, adds a tidbit or a fact to the thing you’re referring to.

Which one? That one.

This could be one of the greatest faux pas of our language. It has become so common to hear someone say they’re nauseous, it’s no wonder we’re so nauseated by people.

Nauseous – means to cause nausea or disgust.

Nauseate/d – means to be affected by stomach distress or disgust.

 Strunk explained this best and still makes me laugh. “Do not, therefore, say, ‘I feel nauseous,’ unless you are sure you have that effect on others. [1]

1. Strunk and White, The Elements of Style.

Another time vs. quantity distinction, these two beasties trip up the best of us. While you work to further your career, you may have to travel farther to find what you need. You may throw your mouse farther than you did last time, but it still didn’t get you any further in your copy.

Farther - refers to physical distance.

Further -refers to time, quantity, or degree.

The farther you write, the further you will go in your journeys. But, be nice to your mouse.