Commonly misused words that can make you sound unprofessional
Whether you’re writing emails, LinkedIn posts, or marketing copy, certain words can trip you up and quietly chip away at your credibility. We all make the occasional typo, but some word mix-ups can make even the smartest among us sound sloppy or careless. And in a world where attention spans are shrinking and judgments are made in milliseconds, your words must work for you, not against you.
Let’s look at some of the most commonly misused words—and what to say instead.
Lose vs. loose
Wrong: I don’t want to loose this opportunity.
Right: I don’t want to lose this opportunity.
Lose = to not win or to misplace something.
Loose = not tight.
Affect vs. effect
Wrong: The new design really effected our sales.
Right: The new design really affected our sales.
Affect = verb (to influence something).
Effect = noun (the result of something).
Then vs. than
Wrong: Our brand is better then theirs.
Right: Our brand is better than theirs.
Then = a point in time or consequence.
Than = used in comparisons.
Compliment vs. complement
Wrong: This copy compliments our new visuals.
Right: This copy complements our new visuals.
Compliment = a kind remark.
Complement = something that completes or enhances.
Your vs. you’re
Wrong: Your doing a great job!
Right: You’re doing a great job!
Your = possessive.
You’re = you are.
Its vs. it’s
Wrong: Every brand has it’s quirks.
Right: Every brand has its quirks.
Its = possessive.
It’s = it is.
Why it matters
Words are subtle signals of attention to detail. If you’re pitching to a client, selling a service, or even just commenting online—clean, correct language builds trust. It shows you care. It sets the tone for how professional (or unprofessional) your brand feels.
And when your words are sharp, your ideas shine through.
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