DICTION ERRORS A diction error is using the wrong word for the meaning intended. It is tough to spot this error because the sentence is spelled almost exactly like the word that should have been used. The athlete shall be able to participate in the marathon, providing that he is within the specified age limit. In this example the error is of using providing instead of provided, which implies ‘depending on’ whether the athlete is within the specified age limit. The athlete shall be able to participate in the marathon, provided that he is within the specified age limit. Common confusables 1. Accept (v) – agree to take – accept a proposal Except (prep) – excluding – all except him 2. Adapt (v) – make suitable for a particular purpose – adapt to environment Adept (adj) – highly skilled – adept tennis player Adopt (v) – chose as one’s own – adopt a policy of non-alignment 3. Affect (v) – influence – It affected me immensely Effect (n) – result or consequence – it had a splendid effect Allude to (v) – make an indirect reference to Elude (v) – escape from capture 4. Allusion (n) – indirect reference – an allusion to Julius Caesar Illusion (n) – deception or misconception 5. Ambivalent (adj) – having conflicting feelings Ambiguous (adj) – unclear or having more than one interpretation 6. Compliment (v) – to make a praising personal comment
Complement (v) – to make complete 7. Cite (v) – mention as a source of information or comment publicly Site (n) – a place where something occurs Sight (v/n) – see at a specific location/vision 8. Council (n) – a consultative committee Councilor (n) – member of a committee Counsel (v) – to give advice Counselor (n) – advisor 9. Discrete (adj) – distinct Discreet (adj) – prudently modest 10. Elicit (v) – cause to come forth Illicit (adj) – illegal 11. Eminent (adj) – prominently distinguished Imminent (adj) – about to occur 12. Phase (n) – stage in a process Phase out (v) – eliminate in stages Faze (v) – disturb someone’s composure 13. Flaunt (v) – show something off Flout (v) – show contempt for 14. Gambit (n) – careful strategy or opening move Gamut (n) – complete range 15. Imply (v) – suggest or hint at Infer (v) – conclude from evidence 16. Its/It’s – Apostrophes can show possession (David’s book) or indicate missing letters in a contraction (it is = it’s).
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Morale (n) – shared enthusiasm for and dedication to a goal Moral – lesson or principle about good behavior
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Precede (v) – come before Proceed (v) – go on usually after a pause Proceeds (n) – funds received from a charity drive
19. Principal (n) – head of a school or the initial investment in an account Principle (n) – guiding rule 20. Reticent (adj) – reserved or reluctant to talk Reluctant (adj) – resistant by disposition or mood Illustrative sentences to highlight ‘diction’ errors spotted on SAT 1. The range and sheer number of Van Gogh’s paintings in the museums give an insight into the highly imaginary person that he was. 2. It was tough to decide which student among the two was a better candidate for the play’s lead character. 3. Even the most trivial of rumors can effect the trial at this crucial stage. 4. The imminent social figure was elected as the counselor to head the city council. 5. The morale of the entire story is not to keep all the eggs in one basket. 6. Rather than do away with the employment policy all at once, it was decided to faze it out gradually. 7. The present CEO has a formidable reputation of severely punishing employees who deliberately flaunt rules. 8. The red scarf compliments your outfit. 9. In the entire gambit of operations of the enterprise, corporate communications seems to be the trickiest. 10. A natural catastrophe is eminent considering constant depletion of reserves from the earth’s surface.
11. Despite tremendous creative instinct, financial success alluded most artists. 12. I was reticent to convince people to try out a newly launched product, something which most of them had not even heard of earlier. 13. It was hard for the comedian to illicit even a single round of laughter from the audience. 14. The old couple acted discrete when the police came to question them about the murder in the neighborhood. 15. 16. I enjoy all desserts accept apple pie. I felt ambiguous about standing as witness against my own friend.
17. Some one unanimous left this huge carton of food and fruits at the main desk of the reception of the orphanage. 18. We were amazed at how adapt a baseball player Sam was.
19. As someone committed to justice for all, she could not accept the iniquity of the election policy. 20. The proceed from the charity were directed towards the education and food of children in the orphanage.
Answer Key 1. The range and sheer number of Van Gogh’s paintings in the museums give an insight into the highly imaginative person that he was. 2. It was tough to decide which student between the two was a better candidate for the play’s lead character. 3. Even the most trivial of rumors can affect the trial at this crucial stage. 4. The eminent social figure was elected as the councilor to head the city council. 5. The moral of the entire story is not to keep all the eggs in one basket. 6. Rather than do away with the employment policy all at once, it was decided to phase it out gradually.
7. The present CEO has a formidable reputation of severely punishing employees who deliberately flout rules. 8. The red scarf complements your outfit. 9. In the entire gamut of operations of the enterprise, corporate communications seems to be the trickiest. 10. A natural catastrophe is imminent considering constant depletion of reserves from the earth’s surface. 11. Despite tremendous creative instinct, financial success eluded most artists. 12. I was reluctant to convince people to try out a newly launched product, something which most of them had not even heard of earlier. 13. It was hard for the comedian to elicit even a single round of laughter from the audience. 14. The old couple acted discreet when the police came to question them about the murder in the neighborhood. 15. 16. I enjoy all desserts except apple pie. I felt ambivalent about standing as witness against my own friend.
17. Some one anonymous left this huge carton of food and fruits at the main desk of the reception of the orphanage. 18. We were amazed at how adept a baseball player Sam was.
19. As someone committed to justice for all, she could not accept the inequity of the election policy. 20. The proceeds from the charity were directed towards the education and food of children in the orphanage.