The English Language Ain'T Easy
If you think the English language is easy to speak,
Perhaps you have a thing, or two, to learn.
You might say “axed” when you mean “asked”
When is it appropriate to say “dang,” “darn,” or “durn?”
“Advice” or “advise,” ”accept” or “except,” --a curse
Tempted to use “illicit” when you mean “elicit?”
Misusing “averse” when you mean “adverse?”
If you are not careful, you will completely botch it.
“Farther” and “further” are especially difficult:
One describes distance, the other quantity, or degree,
“Hanged” or “hung” present similar predicaments,
In both cases one word should do, but don’t “axe” me.
Who knew “ingenious” and “ingenuous” aren’t the same,
And few folks get “nauseous” and “nauseated” right.
Do you have “relatives” or “relations” or “relationships?”
If you want to quote an authority, do you use “site” or “cite”?
What is the difference between “already” and “all ready?”
Which one is correct “could care less” or “couldn’t care less?
Not to mention when you use “altogether” or “all together,”
Is it “there’s” “theirs,” “they’re”, its or it’s --what a mess!
“Continual” or “continuous,” and “fewer” or “less,”
“Conscience” and “conscious” lead some folks astray.
Are you “enthused” or “enthusiastic,” “infer” or “imply?
I hesitate to bring up the inevitable “can” or “may!”
So, “them” or “those” foreigners should learn "our tongue;"
It’ll make life simpler, “to,” “two” or “too,” for everyone.
“Who” or “whom?” -- please, let’s give these folks a break
Because English is not so easy, when all is said and done!
Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2021
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