Common Errors Grammar Tip 19

Words that aren’t

Which sentences are correct?

1. Irregardless of the rain, they went hiking.

2. Supposably, she was at the party.

3. Undoubtably, he was at the party.

4. The heighth of the door is 80 inches.

5. I ordered a double expresso.

6. He has a mischievious grin.

None of the sentences are correct.

Why not?

There is no such word as “irregardless.” The correct term is either “regardless” or “irrespective.” It’s easy to see that the confusion comes from combining the two terms.

There is such word as “supposably,” but it’s used incorrectly in most cases. The correct term here is “supposedly,” meaning “allegedly.” In contrast, “supposably” means “conceivably” and is rarely, if ever, used correctly in modern English.

There is no such word as “undoubtably.” The correct term is “undoubtedly.” This term conveys the degree of certainty of an event, similar to “probably”; so people believe the two words share the same ending.

There is no such word as “heighth.” The correct term is “height.” The other dimensional measurements are “length,” “width,” “breadth,” and “depth,” so people assume that the spellings of all such terms are similar across the board. Instead, the spelling of “height” is like that of another measurement with which it is often associated—“weight.”

There is no such word as “expresso.” The correct term is “espresso.” English speakers are inclined to add an “o” to the familiar term “express” because the coffee is made quickly. But “espresso” refers to the method of expressing, or pressing out, the coffee. Because the word is Italian, an “s” replaces the “x.” When in Rome . . .

There is no such word as “mischievious.” The correct term is “mischievous,” with the correct pronunciation [MISS-cheh-vuhs], not [miss-CHEE-vee-uhs].

Here are the correct sentences:

1. [version 1] Regardless of the rain, they went hiking.
   [version 2] Irrespective of the rain, they went hiking.

2. Supposedly, she was at the party.

3. Undoubtedly, he was at the party.

4. The height of the door is 80 inches.

5. I ordered a double espresso.

6. He has a mischievous grin.

It’s true about the pronunciation of mischievous. Remember, it’s three syllables, not four.