The Split Infinitive

The last time I updated here I gave you a few examples of words that were confusion in comparison with other words. Today I'm giving you some words and phrases that are confusing for their own sake, as well as a few other similar words.

The first set of words comes to us from TBNer Xmasgirl, who asked about the difference between subconscious and unconscious. Now, this is a tricky one, especially since I'm not a psychologist, but here's what my grammatical research turned up:

Subconscious vs. Unconscious

Subconscious is something that is in your head that you are not currently thinking about, but that you can access if you so decide. Example: Someone gave you their telephone number. Someone else asks you for it, and you pull it out of your subconscious. You're not thinking of it all the time, but that information is accessible to you.

Unconscious is something that you cannot access. It might be floating around in your head somewhere, but you can't get to it without some trigger, hypnosis or some other event. Example: Traumatic childhood events get repressed and are unconscious. We may not even know they're there until something triggers them.

Nonplussed

This word is a personal pet peeve of mine (one of many), because so many people use it incorrectly. It's often used to mean "calm" or "undisturbed," but that's almost the exact opposite of its true meaning.

Dictionary.com defines nonplussed as "a state of utter perplexity."

WordWeb Online defines it as "filled with bewilderment."

I am nonplussed as to why people use it to mean "calm" or "undisturbed."

"I could care less."

Think about it. When people say this, they typically mean, "I don't care at all." But that's not what they're saying! If you could care less, it means that you do care at least a little. The negation matters! If you really don't care at all, say, "I couldn't care less." It makes much more sense.

Principle vs. Principal

Principles are rules, morals, or basic truths. Example: He is a man of principle.

Principal means either the most important element, a person in a position of importance, or the original amount of a debt before interest. Example: The principal actor in the play performed very well. The principal called the student into his office. Apply this payment to the principal.

Personnel vs. Personal

Personnel is a group of people, either a work force or those in charge of work force management. Example: All front-line personnel should report for the meeting. The personnel department places employees in individual jobs.

Personal refers to either an ad seeking something (or, more often, someone) in a newspaper or other publication, or a particular person. Example: I met him through a personal ad. This is my personal computer. He owes me a personal favor.

Have a grammar question? Send it to me! Email miss_elisha@toboldlynano.com! Maybe your question will be featured here!