Dont get me started on word confusion.

Really, how difficult can it be to learn

the vocabulary of ones own native language? Perhaps even worse than
confusing your relative pronouns or negative prefixes, is the pure misuse of
words. Maybe when there is a subtle change in meaning it is just about
permissible (for example mistaking magnitude for enormity) but confusing
them to the point that they become meaningless to both the speaker
and the listener? Quite simply, if you dont know what a word means dont
use it - look it up; consult the neglected book known as a dictionary. If you dont
know what a dictionary is oh dear.
The epitome of grammatically-induced fury is surely the grossly misused word,
like. This poor word is cruelly abused; imprisoned in sentences in which it
doesnt belong, or overworked into every other word of a clause. If you dont
know what I mean, just listen to the average teen speak for about twenty
seconds. After doing so, the more ignorant of you will simply look on vacantly,
and those who actually care will find yourselves clenching your teeth in horror
and screwing up your face or wanting to superglue the speakers mouth together.
Well, perhaps not, but you should. It doesnt even appear to be a proper filler; it
is simply used too often. Surely peoples brains have not slowed down this much
as a result of modern humanitys rotting intellect. Its more like they use it to
substitute spaces between words: even odder considering that when one speaks
there are no spaces between words. Either that or its used for the word, said.
Take this example, And like, she was like, Im like so annoyed, cause like I was
like waiting for ages, and like (You have no idea how much it took to force
myself to compose that sentence). If I were here to replace like for the
synonymous similar to, it would read thus: And, similar to, she was similar
to, Im similar to so annoyed, cause similar to I was similar to waiting for
ages, and similar to... You see. Even if it were replaced by the other use of
like, being synonymous to prefer perhaps: And, prefer, she was prefer, Im
prefer so annoyed, cause prefer I was prefer waiting for ages, and prefer...
Understandably, prefer is not quite synonymous, but it will do for the sake of
argument. As evident, this makes no sense, leaving the already complex and
irregular English language finally to disintegrate into gibberish.
Two words also often confused in English, again, generally by the youth, are
genuinely and generally. This is undeniably irritating. Whats worse is that Im
sure that the people who use the words know what they mean theyre just
being ignorant. For example, if someone claims that they are genuinely really
tired, then that is fine. Even if they arent genuinely really tired, this is feasible.
(Even still, you are not going to be saying that you are not genuinely tired, so
itd still be for the best if you didnt say anything). However, if you were to say I
am generally really tired, do you really mean that? Youre almost always
really tired? If this is actually the case, I suggest you see a doctor; you might
have anaemia.
And then theres literally, though its often even worse sometimes actually
giving me the urge to lock someone in a soundproof room with a grammar
textbook. When someone says that they are literally boiling, I start to wonder

So 70% of them is above 100 degrees Celsius and turning into steam? And
theyre still alive? They must be invincible, or alien, or both. Another way it is
used is also slightly amusing if nothing else. When somebody says that they are
literally tired, or as I heard someone down the corridor say the other day,
Literally like, Im genuinely so tired, again, they are not thinking. How can one
be metaphorically tired?
There are countless examples of words misused such as these when people
replace the word goes for said its not even the right tense, besides, she
goes where? Of course then there is also the painfully common creation of the
word unorganised (which to my horror I have discovered is now in the Microsoft
Office Word dictionary), and students trying to draw a circle with a compass.
Then of course there are the grammatical confusions as well. The enormity of the
problem (and yes, I do mean enormity) is ever growing and It is beyond me why
people still insist on using these words when they are not sure of their meaning.
Why do they not think about it? When pointed out, everyone appears to know
that the word like is horribly abused, yet when caught saying it they simply
either look mildly guilty or fairly angry.
But why bother? is a question I am frequently challenged to. Language is
forever changing with slang, they explain confidently, so what does it matter if
words are misused? It makes things so much easier. Having a language that is at
least roughly the same in all parts of the country without developing unwanted
creoles is essential in the developed world. Communication is vital in this day
and age, and to lose this would be a disaster, but what can be done? Correcting
people evidently has not much effect. Perhaps it should be insisted that these
things be drilled into pupils at school. We could fine people for every misuse of
the word like or literally. Then they may be able to grasp the concept of what
like actually means. But realistically, I fear that lingual ignorance is a growing
evil that cannot be stopped with lessons or without.