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The Worst is Yet to Come

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BAD > WORSE > WORST

Most people know the difference between bad and worse and the difference between bad and worst. However, the difference between worse and worst can be a little more difficult. I attribute this to how similar the words sound when you speak them aloud. You can get away with saying “worse” when you mean “worst” and vice versa because they sound alike. However, they are definitely different words with different meanings so you want to be sure you know how to use them correctly. You may get away with it in spoken language, but your error is easily spotted in writing.

Note that this is one of those cases where spell-check probably won’t correct you, so you need to know which word to use.

Worse

Worse should be used when comparing two things that are bad. One thing is worse than the other.

Worse: (comparative) A comparative of bad; less good; lower quality

 

Worse

Worst

Worst should be used to describe the thing that is the most bad out of multiple choices or situations.

Worst: (superlative) Most severe; most unpleasant

Worst

Why so complicated?

Most comparatives/superlatives follow the same pattern as the below:

Easy > Easier > Easiest

However, worse and worst are irregular so they don’t follow the “er” then “est” rule.

Bad > Worse > Worst

(Remember the only rule in grammar without an exception is the one that states that there is an exception to every rule in grammar.)

Common phrases

The worst is yet to come.

This phrase means that the most unfortunate of all things is coming soon. Not just something worse than the thing before, but the absolute worst of all things. Thus, the correct word here is worst.

Consider the worst-case scenario. What’s the worst that could happen?

These phrases are both referring to the most terrible outcome imaginable. Therefore, the correct word is worst. You can’t get worse than the worst.

Quick Tip

Only use “worst” if there is nothing that could be any more horrific. Therefore, the worst is the least desirable. It is also the most horrible. Worst, least and most all end in “st.”

So next time you’re comparing your old hairstyles on Throwback Thursday, make sure you know when a style was worse than the one you have now and which was the worst of all time.

If you need a little help catching errors like worse vs. worst, reach out to Unscripted for a helping hand.

Is Spell-Check Good Enough?

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ABC Check

So you ran your manuscript through spell-check and meticulously corrected every error. Thus, it has officially been edited…right? Sorry.

There is nothing more important than a human-eye review.

I repeat: Nothing is more important than having a human review your work.

What’s wrong with spell-check?

Using the spell-checking feature on your computer is absolutely the first step you should take before finalizing a manuscript (or email or newsletter or anything else). However, there are plenty of major errors that a computer just won’t catch.

Homonyms

Humans have a hard enough time noticing homonyms. (Homonyms=words that are pronounced the same but spelled differently or contain different meanings.) We can’t expect a computer to catch these for us.

Homonyms

Numbers

If you misspell a number, spell-check will correct it because it is a word. However, if you mistype a number then spell-check won’t know that it is incorrect.

Numbers

Missing Words

It is easy to get carried away when you’re typing out your thoughts. Most spell-checkers won’t catch the little word you missed in your eagerness.

Missing Words

Wrong Words

If a word is spelled correctly, most non-human grammar and spell-checkers will skim right past it. You need a real person to tell you that the wrong word was used.

Wrong Words

Verb Tense

I know this is getting a little technical, but it is important that you keep the same tense throughout any document.

Verb Tense

So I can skip spell-check?

Computer-generated spell-checkers should not be discounted. They will catch a wide variety of errors from typos to passive voice. However, they absolutely cannot replace the human eye.

Recommended Process of Review:

  • Spell Check
  • Author Review
  • Peer Review
  • Author Review (regarding the peer review comments)
  • Professional Review (Proofread/Edit)
  • Author Review (regarding the professional’s recommendations)
  • Professional Review (Proofread/Edit)
  • Author Review

You can repeat the last two as many times as you deem necessary until you are happy with the final product. You can also involve a professional at any stage in the writing and reviewing process.

Contact Unscripted at any time for a professional set of eyes to review your work.

Conundrums Welcome

Unscripted, LLC 2 Comments

Grammar2

Is there a particular grammatical rule that you just can’t wrap your head around? Do you find yourself struggling with a certain word or phrase over and over again?

Reach out with your conundrums and you just might see them answered in the next blog.

Unscripted wants to provide Tips and Tricks for everyday use. That means providing information that YOU need.

Leave a comment above or contact Unscripted here. 

Here are a few examples of previous posts based on common human errors:

Five Common Grammar Mistakes 

When to Say I and When to Say Me

I Before E…Right?

Assure, Insure or Ensure?

Quick Guide to Understanding Prepositions

Don’t forget to follow Unscripted’s blog to see if your conundrum appears in the future!

I Before E…Right?

Unscripted, LLC 1 Comment

You have probably heard the phrase “I before E.” You may even know the longer version, “I before E except after C.” If you’re really lucky, you learned the compound version, “I before E except after C and when sounding like A.”

So what does all that mean?

I before E

Most English words that have an “ie” combination are spelled with the “i” first.

I Before E

Except after C

Many words where the “ei” comes after the letter C are spelled with the “e” first.

Except After C

Or when sounding like A

When the “ei” in the word is pronounced as an “A,” the “e” before “i” exception applies.

Or When Sounding like A

Additional Exceptions

The rule should really be “I before E except after C and when sounding like A, E or I and when ending in ING and when the ‘c’ makes a ‘sh’ sound and when used in a comparative/superlative and in some compound words and in other random instances when the English language deems the exception necessary.” In this case, a run-on sentence was necessary.

Random Exceptions

Here is some solid advice from one of Brian Regan’s comedy acts about his time in school:

Brian Regan

Good luck, folks.

If you struggle with this or the many other grammar rules and exceptions, seek help through the Contact page at www.unscriptedllc.com.