These are the little word-usage mistakes that bother me. My peeved attitude is entirely nonrational: they’re generally harmless mistakes, and most have worked their way into acceptance—at least in speech. I’m actually sometimes impatient with word pedants, but I can be that way, too. Here goes:
try and
Don’t try and go to the store. Try to go to the store.
lie and lay
You’re not going to go lay down. Unless you mean you have some soft feathers and you’re planning to place them on something. You’re going to lie down.
begs the question
That I saw dark clouds in the sky doesn’t beg the question of whether it will rain. It raises the question.
missing -ed
It’s not an old-fashion car or an item of return merchandise or a cancel check. Old-fashioned car, returned merchandise, canceled check.
lead for led
Yesterday, you lead me to your door? No, you led me.
ironic
“It’s ironic that he wanted to be a cowboy, and now he will never be able to be one.” That’s sad. “It’s ironic that he wanted to be a cowboy, and he met someone who also wanted to be a cowboy.” That’s a coincidence. What’s ironic is that he wanted to be a cowboy, and now a cowboy wants to be him.