like/as though; as if
The word like should never be used before a clause.
Example 1 (incorrect usage): It looks like it will rain.
Like should only be used before a noun, as in the following example:
Example 2 (correct usage): The girl looks like her mother.
Take a close look at the two sentences above. Do you see the difference in how they are used? In the first sentence, like is followed by the clause it will rain. In the second sentence, like is followed by her mother. Whenever a subject and verb follow, remember to substitute like with either as though or as if, as illustrated in the final example below.
Example 3 (correct): It looks as if it will rain.
___________________________
real/really
Real is often used in place of really, most often in conversational English.
Example 1 (incorrect usage): I am real tired today.
Example 2 (correct usage): I am really tired today.
Although this error is somewhat acceptable in informal conversation, it is actually incorrect and should never be used in writing. The reason that real is incorrect when used this way is simple: Real is an adjective, and as you can see in the first example above, real is incorrectly used as an adverb. In the example, real is describing tired, which is an adjective, so the adverb really is needed to make the sentence correct.
_________________________________________
"Only" as a misplaced modifier
The adverb only should be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies in a sentence. Consider the following two sentences:
Example 1: The band only sang five songs at the concert.
Example 2: The band sang only five songs at the concert.
Example 1 indicates that the band sang, rather than played, five songs. The sentence in Example 2 indicates that the band sang five songs, rather than eight or ten or any other number. There is a distinct difference in meaning. However, it is common for only to be misplaced in a sentence, making the meaning of the sentence ambiguous.
A similar error was made with the popular old song called "I Only Have Eyes for You." The writers of this song would have made the message clearer by writing "I Have Eyes for Only You." But then again, the song just wouldn't sound the same had the lyrics been written to be grammatically correct. Regardless, when using only in your own speaking and writing, remember to place it as close as possible to the word you are modifying so the meaning of the sentence is clear to the audience.
_________________________________________
wait on/wait for
The phrase wait on should be used only when referring to serving someone or something.
Example 1 (correct usage): The server waited on the customers in the restaurant.
This phrase should never mistakenly be used in place of wait for.
Example 2 (incorrect usage): We waited on our guests to arrive.
Example 3 (correct usage): We waited for our guests to arrive.
_______________________
who/that
The pronoun that is often mistakenly used in place of who. When the noun to which you are referring is a person, always use who. If, however, you are not referring to a person, then the appropriate pronoun to use is that.
Example 1 (incorrect usage): The waitress that served me was very rude. (In this sentence, that is referring to a real person--the waitress--so who should have been used instead.)
Example 2 (correct usage): The waitress who served me was very rude.
Example 3 (correct usage): The car that is parked in the street belongs to me. (That is correctly used because a car is not a person. Who would, of course, have been incorrect if used in this sentence.)
______________________________________
who/whom
These two words must be a couple of the trickiest ones in the English language. It seems as if no speakers, and only some writers, know how to use who and whom correctly. In fact, whom doesn't even exist in some people's vocabularies, and unfortunately, it appears to be a word that is quickly disappearing from the English language.
Who is used as the subject of the clause it introduces. Whom is used as the object of a preposition, as a direct object, or as an indirect object.
A key to remembering which word to use is simply to substitute who or whom with a pronoun. If you can substitute he, she, we, or they in the clause, and it still sounds okay, then you know that who is the correct word to use. If, however, him, her, us, or them sounds more appropriate, then whom is the correct choice for the sentence.
The following are some example sentences that illustrate how to correctly use who and whom.
Example 1 (who): The woman who [not whom] is standing over there is my mother.
Example 2 (whom): Whom are you going out with tonight? (Note that in formal writing, the sentence should be read: "With whom are you going out tonight?")
Example 3 (whom): The stranded motorist whom I helped was very grateful.
If you substitute she for who in Example 1, it becomes obvious that who is the correct word: "...she [in place of who] is standing over there." Now take a look at Example 3 above. Take the clause whom I helped and substitute him for whom. If you reverse the order of the words, the clause becomes I helped him. Him is in the place of whom. Remember that although this is a helpful way to distinguish between who and whom, you have to look at just the part of the sentence that begins with who or whom for this trick to work.
__________________________________________
Misplaced modifiers
A modifier is a word or a phrase that describes something else. You should place it as close as possible to what it describes. If you don't, your intended meaning may not be clear. Consider the unintentional meanings in the following:
* The young girl was walking the dog in a short skirt.
* The dog was chasing the boy with the spiked collar.
You can see what's wrong. The dog isn't "in a short skirt" and the boy doesn't have a "spiked collar." Because the modifier is misplaced, we have to think for a minute before we get the intended meaning. The correct versions are:
* The young girl in a short skirt was walking the dog.
* The dog with the spiked collar was chasing the boy.
See how the proper placement clarifies the meaning?
You also need to watch the placement of modifiers such as almost, even, hardly, nearly, often, and only. A couple of examples should be enough:
1. Big Dog almost ran around the yard twenty times.
2. He nearly ate a whole box of treats.
In both sentences--when he "almost ran" and "nearly ate"--nothing happened! He didn't quite get around to doing either thing. What is intended is:
1. Big Dog ran around the yard almost twenty times.
2. He ate nearly a whole box of treats.
Remember: if you give your readers a chance to interpret something in more than one way, they'll usually get it wrong! By placing your modifiers correctly, you'll eliminate this possibility and have a better chance of getting your point across.
____________________________
free gift
Who would want to be given a gift and then told there’s a charge? Anything that is a gift is free; otherwise, it isn’t a gift. Likewise, if there is a cost involved, it is definitely not a gift.
The term free gift is used frequently by retailers to entice customers with a bonus offer: "Free gift with the purchase of $50 or more!"
Stay away from marketing lingo and avoid using free with gift. Remember that a gift always comes with no strings attached—period.
______________________________________
further/farther
Further and farther are often used interchangeably, although they actually have slightly different meanings. Both words refer to distance, but the distinction is in the type of distance. Further refers to mental distance, while farther refers to physical distance. Take a look at the differences as illustrated in the sentences below:
Example 1 (further-correct usage): The student read further in the textbook. (Note that the distance traveled is only mental.)
Example 2 (farther-correct usage): I have to drive farther to work than to school. (In this sentence, we are referring to an actual distance that is measurable in miles, kilometers, etc., so the word farther is used.)
_________________________________________________
hopefully
This is one word that has become almost completely acceptable in its incorrect form, hence its “questionable” status.
Most people use it to mean "it is hoped that," as in the following sentence:
Example 1: Hopefully, the rain will stop in time for the outdoor concert.
Hopefully can also be used to describe performing an action "in a hopeful manner," as the following example demonstrates:
Example 2: We hopefully waited for the winner of the competition to be announced.
Example 2 illustrates what is considered by some to be the only correct usage of hopefully, while Example 1 is considered an outright error.
The argument against using hopefully in the manner of Example 1 is that the adverb--hopefully--is not modifying anything. The rain (in Example 1) is not performing an action in a hopeful manner. Other adverbs, such as thankfully, frankly, and honestly, are used similarly.
There is much debate over the correctness of using adverbs this way. To avoid controversy, switch from hopefully to I hope or we hope. Or you can choose to go with the masses and continue to use hopefully. Hopefully, no one will correct you.
___________________________________
irregardless/regardless
Regardless of what you may read or hear people say, irregardless is an unnecessary and illogical substitution for regardless. For some strange reason, this hideous word has slipped into the English language. Think for a second about the logic behind the construction of the word irregardless: The prefix ir- means "the absence of," and the suffix -less means "the absence of." Is it really necessary to indicate the absence of regard twice? I think not. Remember that regardless is a complete word on its own without the redundant ir- at the beginning.
________________________________________
mash/press or push
This is an error that may get me some nasty letters from my neighbors here in the South, where I live. It involves the usage of the word mash. Having grown up in the southern United States, I have become accustomed to hearing the word mash used in sentences such as, "Mash the button on the elevator." However, the best word to use for this sentence would be press. Mash means "to crush," but press means "to act on with a steady force," "to bear heavily down on," or "to squeeze or compress." Just remember that you mash potatoes, but you press buttons.
podium/lectern
If you've ever given a speech or lecture, you more than likely have used a stand called a lectern as a place to lay your papers or notes. However, you probably didn't refer to the stand as a lectern. Like most people, you probably called it a podium. But a podium is actually a raised platform used to stand upon when speaking in front of a group. Remember that you stand behind a lectern, while you stand on a podium.
If you are wondering why one would differentiate between these two words, consider the origin of the word podium. It is a Latin word derived from the Greek word podion, a form of pous or podos, meaning foot. Aha! By looking at the derivative of the word, it becomes clear why a podium is something that is stood upon--its root means foot.
....
Saturday, October 10, 2009
like/as though; as if
The word like should never be used before a clause.
Example 1 (incorrect usage): It looks like it will rain.
Like should only be used before a noun, as in the following example:
Example 2 (correct usage): The girl looks like her mother.
Take a close look at the two sentences above. Do you see the difference in how they are used? In the first sentence, like is followed by the clause it will rain. In the second sentence, like is followed by her mother. Whenever a subject and verb follow, remember to substitute like with either as though or as if, as illustrated in the final example below.
Example 3 (correct): It looks as if it will rain.
___________________________
real/really
Real is often used in place of really, most often in conversational English.
Example 1 (incorrect usage): I am real tired today.
Example 2 (correct usage): I am really tired today.
Although this error is somewhat acceptable in informal conversation, it is actually incorrect and should never be used in writing. The reason that real is incorrect when used this way is simple: Real is an adjective, and as you can see in the first example above, real is incorrectly used as an adverb. In the example, real is describing tired, which is an adjective, so the adverb really is needed to make the sentence correct.
_________________________________________
"Only" as a misplaced modifier
The adverb only should be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies in a sentence. Consider the following two sentences:
Example 1: The band only sang five songs at the concert.
Example 2: The band sang only five songs at the concert.
Example 1 indicates that the band sang, rather than played, five songs. The sentence in Example 2 indicates that the band sang five songs, rather than eight or ten or any other number. There is a distinct difference in meaning. However, it is common for only to be misplaced in a sentence, making the meaning of the sentence ambiguous.
A similar error was made with the popular old song called "I Only Have Eyes for You." The writers of this song would have made the message clearer by writing "I Have Eyes for Only You." But then again, the song just wouldn't sound the same had the lyrics been written to be grammatically correct. Regardless, when using only in your own speaking and writing, remember to place it as close as possible to the word you are modifying so the meaning of the sentence is clear to the audience.
_________________________________________
wait on/wait for
The phrase wait on should be used only when referring to serving someone or something.
Example 1 (correct usage): The server waited on the customers in the restaurant.
This phrase should never mistakenly be used in place of wait for.
Example 2 (incorrect usage): We waited on our guests to arrive.
Example 3 (correct usage): We waited for our guests to arrive.
_______________________
who/that
The pronoun that is often mistakenly used in place of who. When the noun to which you are referring is a person, always use who. If, however, you are not referring to a person, then the appropriate pronoun to use is that.
Example 1 (incorrect usage): The waitress that served me was very rude. (In this sentence, that is referring to a real person--the waitress--so who should have been used instead.)
Example 2 (correct usage): The waitress who served me was very rude.
Example 3 (correct usage): The car that is parked in the street belongs to me. (That is correctly used because a car is not a person. Who would, of course, have been incorrect if used in this sentence.)
______________________________________
who/whom
These two words must be a couple of the trickiest ones in the English language. It seems as if no speakers, and only some writers, know how to use who and whom correctly. In fact, whom doesn't even exist in some people's vocabularies, and unfortunately, it appears to be a word that is quickly disappearing from the English language.
Who is used as the subject of the clause it introduces. Whom is used as the object of a preposition, as a direct object, or as an indirect object.
A key to remembering which word to use is simply to substitute who or whom with a pronoun. If you can substitute he, she, we, or they in the clause, and it still sounds okay, then you know that who is the correct word to use. If, however, him, her, us, or them sounds more appropriate, then whom is the correct choice for the sentence.
The following are some example sentences that illustrate how to correctly use who and whom.
Example 1 (who): The woman who [not whom] is standing over there is my mother.
Example 2 (whom): Whom are you going out with tonight? (Note that in formal writing, the sentence should be read: "With whom are you going out tonight?")
Example 3 (whom): The stranded motorist whom I helped was very grateful.
If you substitute she for who in Example 1, it becomes obvious that who is the correct word: "...she [in place of who] is standing over there." Now take a look at Example 3 above. Take the clause whom I helped and substitute him for whom. If you reverse the order of the words, the clause becomes I helped him. Him is in the place of whom. Remember that although this is a helpful way to distinguish between who and whom, you have to look at just the part of the sentence that begins with who or whom for this trick to work.
__________________________________________
Misplaced modifiers
A modifier is a word or a phrase that describes something else. You should place it as close as possible to what it describes. If you don't, your intended meaning may not be clear. Consider the unintentional meanings in the following:
* The young girl was walking the dog in a short skirt.
* The dog was chasing the boy with the spiked collar.
You can see what's wrong. The dog isn't "in a short skirt" and the boy doesn't have a "spiked collar." Because the modifier is misplaced, we have to think for a minute before we get the intended meaning. The correct versions are:
* The young girl in a short skirt was walking the dog.
* The dog with the spiked collar was chasing the boy.
See how the proper placement clarifies the meaning?
You also need to watch the placement of modifiers such as almost, even, hardly, nearly, often, and only. A couple of examples should be enough:
1. Big Dog almost ran around the yard twenty times.
2. He nearly ate a whole box of treats.
In both sentences--when he "almost ran" and "nearly ate"--nothing happened! He didn't quite get around to doing either thing. What is intended is:
1. Big Dog ran around the yard almost twenty times.
2. He ate nearly a whole box of treats.
Remember: if you give your readers a chance to interpret something in more than one way, they'll usually get it wrong! By placing your modifiers correctly, you'll eliminate this possibility and have a better chance of getting your point across.
____________________________
free gift
Who would want to be given a gift and then told there’s a charge? Anything that is a gift is free; otherwise, it isn’t a gift. Likewise, if there is a cost involved, it is definitely not a gift.
The term free gift is used frequently by retailers to entice customers with a bonus offer: "Free gift with the purchase of $50 or more!"
Stay away from marketing lingo and avoid using free with gift. Remember that a gift always comes with no strings attached—period.
______________________________________
further/farther
Further and farther are often used interchangeably, although they actually have slightly different meanings. Both words refer to distance, but the distinction is in the type of distance. Further refers to mental distance, while farther refers to physical distance. Take a look at the differences as illustrated in the sentences below:
Example 1 (further-correct usage): The student read further in the textbook. (Note that the distance traveled is only mental.)
Example 2 (farther-correct usage): I have to drive farther to work than to school. (In this sentence, we are referring to an actual distance that is measurable in miles, kilometers, etc., so the word farther is used.)
_________________________________________________
hopefully
This is one word that has become almost completely acceptable in its incorrect form, hence its “questionable” status.
Most people use it to mean "it is hoped that," as in the following sentence:
Example 1: Hopefully, the rain will stop in time for the outdoor concert.
Hopefully can also be used to describe performing an action "in a hopeful manner," as the following example demonstrates:
Example 2: We hopefully waited for the winner of the competition to be announced.
Example 2 illustrates what is considered by some to be the only correct usage of hopefully, while Example 1 is considered an outright error.
The argument against using hopefully in the manner of Example 1 is that the adverb--hopefully--is not modifying anything. The rain (in Example 1) is not performing an action in a hopeful manner. Other adverbs, such as thankfully, frankly, and honestly, are used similarly.
There is much debate over the correctness of using adverbs this way. To avoid controversy, switch from hopefully to I hope or we hope. Or you can choose to go with the masses and continue to use hopefully. Hopefully, no one will correct you.
___________________________________
irregardless/regardless
Regardless of what you may read or hear people say, irregardless is an unnecessary and illogical substitution for regardless. For some strange reason, this hideous word has slipped into the English language. Think for a second about the logic behind the construction of the word irregardless: The prefix ir- means "the absence of," and the suffix -less means "the absence of." Is it really necessary to indicate the absence of regard twice? I think not. Remember that regardless is a complete word on its own without the redundant ir- at the beginning.
________________________________________
mash/press or push
This is an error that may get me some nasty letters from my neighbors here in the South, where I live. It involves the usage of the word mash. Having grown up in the southern United States, I have become accustomed to hearing the word mash used in sentences such as, "Mash the button on the elevator." However, the best word to use for this sentence would be press. Mash means "to crush," but press means "to act on with a steady force," "to bear heavily down on," or "to squeeze or compress." Just remember that you mash potatoes, but you press buttons.
podium/lectern
If you've ever given a speech or lecture, you more than likely have used a stand called a lectern as a place to lay your papers or notes. However, you probably didn't refer to the stand as a lectern. Like most people, you probably called it a podium. But a podium is actually a raised platform used to stand upon when speaking in front of a group. Remember that you stand behind a lectern, while you stand on a podium.
If you are wondering why one would differentiate between these two words, consider the origin of the word podium. It is a Latin word derived from the Greek word podion, a form of pous or podos, meaning foot. Aha! By looking at the derivative of the word, it becomes clear why a podium is something that is stood upon--its root means foot.
The word like should never be used before a clause.
Example 1 (incorrect usage): It looks like it will rain.
Like should only be used before a noun, as in the following example:
Example 2 (correct usage): The girl looks like her mother.
Take a close look at the two sentences above. Do you see the difference in how they are used? In the first sentence, like is followed by the clause it will rain. In the second sentence, like is followed by her mother. Whenever a subject and verb follow, remember to substitute like with either as though or as if, as illustrated in the final example below.
Example 3 (correct): It looks as if it will rain.
___________________________
real/really
Real is often used in place of really, most often in conversational English.
Example 1 (incorrect usage): I am real tired today.
Example 2 (correct usage): I am really tired today.
Although this error is somewhat acceptable in informal conversation, it is actually incorrect and should never be used in writing. The reason that real is incorrect when used this way is simple: Real is an adjective, and as you can see in the first example above, real is incorrectly used as an adverb. In the example, real is describing tired, which is an adjective, so the adverb really is needed to make the sentence correct.
_________________________________________
"Only" as a misplaced modifier
The adverb only should be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies in a sentence. Consider the following two sentences:
Example 1: The band only sang five songs at the concert.
Example 2: The band sang only five songs at the concert.
Example 1 indicates that the band sang, rather than played, five songs. The sentence in Example 2 indicates that the band sang five songs, rather than eight or ten or any other number. There is a distinct difference in meaning. However, it is common for only to be misplaced in a sentence, making the meaning of the sentence ambiguous.
A similar error was made with the popular old song called "I Only Have Eyes for You." The writers of this song would have made the message clearer by writing "I Have Eyes for Only You." But then again, the song just wouldn't sound the same had the lyrics been written to be grammatically correct. Regardless, when using only in your own speaking and writing, remember to place it as close as possible to the word you are modifying so the meaning of the sentence is clear to the audience.
_________________________________________
wait on/wait for
The phrase wait on should be used only when referring to serving someone or something.
Example 1 (correct usage): The server waited on the customers in the restaurant.
This phrase should never mistakenly be used in place of wait for.
Example 2 (incorrect usage): We waited on our guests to arrive.
Example 3 (correct usage): We waited for our guests to arrive.
_______________________
who/that
The pronoun that is often mistakenly used in place of who. When the noun to which you are referring is a person, always use who. If, however, you are not referring to a person, then the appropriate pronoun to use is that.
Example 1 (incorrect usage): The waitress that served me was very rude. (In this sentence, that is referring to a real person--the waitress--so who should have been used instead.)
Example 2 (correct usage): The waitress who served me was very rude.
Example 3 (correct usage): The car that is parked in the street belongs to me. (That is correctly used because a car is not a person. Who would, of course, have been incorrect if used in this sentence.)
______________________________________
who/whom
These two words must be a couple of the trickiest ones in the English language. It seems as if no speakers, and only some writers, know how to use who and whom correctly. In fact, whom doesn't even exist in some people's vocabularies, and unfortunately, it appears to be a word that is quickly disappearing from the English language.
Who is used as the subject of the clause it introduces. Whom is used as the object of a preposition, as a direct object, or as an indirect object.
A key to remembering which word to use is simply to substitute who or whom with a pronoun. If you can substitute he, she, we, or they in the clause, and it still sounds okay, then you know that who is the correct word to use. If, however, him, her, us, or them sounds more appropriate, then whom is the correct choice for the sentence.
The following are some example sentences that illustrate how to correctly use who and whom.
Example 1 (who): The woman who [not whom] is standing over there is my mother.
Example 2 (whom): Whom are you going out with tonight? (Note that in formal writing, the sentence should be read: "With whom are you going out tonight?")
Example 3 (whom): The stranded motorist whom I helped was very grateful.
If you substitute she for who in Example 1, it becomes obvious that who is the correct word: "...she [in place of who] is standing over there." Now take a look at Example 3 above. Take the clause whom I helped and substitute him for whom. If you reverse the order of the words, the clause becomes I helped him. Him is in the place of whom. Remember that although this is a helpful way to distinguish between who and whom, you have to look at just the part of the sentence that begins with who or whom for this trick to work.
__________________________________________
Misplaced modifiers
A modifier is a word or a phrase that describes something else. You should place it as close as possible to what it describes. If you don't, your intended meaning may not be clear. Consider the unintentional meanings in the following:
* The young girl was walking the dog in a short skirt.
* The dog was chasing the boy with the spiked collar.
You can see what's wrong. The dog isn't "in a short skirt" and the boy doesn't have a "spiked collar." Because the modifier is misplaced, we have to think for a minute before we get the intended meaning. The correct versions are:
* The young girl in a short skirt was walking the dog.
* The dog with the spiked collar was chasing the boy.
See how the proper placement clarifies the meaning?
You also need to watch the placement of modifiers such as almost, even, hardly, nearly, often, and only. A couple of examples should be enough:
1. Big Dog almost ran around the yard twenty times.
2. He nearly ate a whole box of treats.
In both sentences--when he "almost ran" and "nearly ate"--nothing happened! He didn't quite get around to doing either thing. What is intended is:
1. Big Dog ran around the yard almost twenty times.
2. He ate nearly a whole box of treats.
Remember: if you give your readers a chance to interpret something in more than one way, they'll usually get it wrong! By placing your modifiers correctly, you'll eliminate this possibility and have a better chance of getting your point across.
____________________________
free gift
Who would want to be given a gift and then told there’s a charge? Anything that is a gift is free; otherwise, it isn’t a gift. Likewise, if there is a cost involved, it is definitely not a gift.
The term free gift is used frequently by retailers to entice customers with a bonus offer: "Free gift with the purchase of $50 or more!"
Stay away from marketing lingo and avoid using free with gift. Remember that a gift always comes with no strings attached—period.
______________________________________
further/farther
Further and farther are often used interchangeably, although they actually have slightly different meanings. Both words refer to distance, but the distinction is in the type of distance. Further refers to mental distance, while farther refers to physical distance. Take a look at the differences as illustrated in the sentences below:
Example 1 (further-correct usage): The student read further in the textbook. (Note that the distance traveled is only mental.)
Example 2 (farther-correct usage): I have to drive farther to work than to school. (In this sentence, we are referring to an actual distance that is measurable in miles, kilometers, etc., so the word farther is used.)
_________________________________________________
hopefully
This is one word that has become almost completely acceptable in its incorrect form, hence its “questionable” status.
Most people use it to mean "it is hoped that," as in the following sentence:
Example 1: Hopefully, the rain will stop in time for the outdoor concert.
Hopefully can also be used to describe performing an action "in a hopeful manner," as the following example demonstrates:
Example 2: We hopefully waited for the winner of the competition to be announced.
Example 2 illustrates what is considered by some to be the only correct usage of hopefully, while Example 1 is considered an outright error.
The argument against using hopefully in the manner of Example 1 is that the adverb--hopefully--is not modifying anything. The rain (in Example 1) is not performing an action in a hopeful manner. Other adverbs, such as thankfully, frankly, and honestly, are used similarly.
There is much debate over the correctness of using adverbs this way. To avoid controversy, switch from hopefully to I hope or we hope. Or you can choose to go with the masses and continue to use hopefully. Hopefully, no one will correct you.
___________________________________
irregardless/regardless
Regardless of what you may read or hear people say, irregardless is an unnecessary and illogical substitution for regardless. For some strange reason, this hideous word has slipped into the English language. Think for a second about the logic behind the construction of the word irregardless: The prefix ir- means "the absence of," and the suffix -less means "the absence of." Is it really necessary to indicate the absence of regard twice? I think not. Remember that regardless is a complete word on its own without the redundant ir- at the beginning.
________________________________________
mash/press or push
This is an error that may get me some nasty letters from my neighbors here in the South, where I live. It involves the usage of the word mash. Having grown up in the southern United States, I have become accustomed to hearing the word mash used in sentences such as, "Mash the button on the elevator." However, the best word to use for this sentence would be press. Mash means "to crush," but press means "to act on with a steady force," "to bear heavily down on," or "to squeeze or compress." Just remember that you mash potatoes, but you press buttons.
podium/lectern
If you've ever given a speech or lecture, you more than likely have used a stand called a lectern as a place to lay your papers or notes. However, you probably didn't refer to the stand as a lectern. Like most people, you probably called it a podium. But a podium is actually a raised platform used to stand upon when speaking in front of a group. Remember that you stand behind a lectern, while you stand on a podium.
If you are wondering why one would differentiate between these two words, consider the origin of the word podium. It is a Latin word derived from the Greek word podion, a form of pous or podos, meaning foot. Aha! By looking at the derivative of the word, it becomes clear why a podium is something that is stood upon--its root means foot.
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