I.
Aggravating, irritating.—In good use aggravating means "making heavier, more grave, worse in some way." It is often misused for irritating, exasperating, or provoking.
All, the whole.—See page 120.
Apt, likely, liable.—Apt implies a natural predisposition, an habitual tendency. "Likely implies a probability of whatever character; liable, an unpleasant probability."[120] One is apt to speak quickly, likely to hear good news, liable to be hurt.
Both, each, every.—Both, meaning "the two, and not merely one of them," groups objects, as, "Both were men of hot temper." Each means "all of any number, considered one by one," as, "Each boy recited in his turn." Every means "all of any number, considered as composing a group or class," as, "Every pupil should have a dictionary and use it freely." "Every directs attention chiefly to the totality, each chiefly to the individuals composing it. It may also be observed that each usually refers to a numerically definite group.... Thus, 'Each theory is open to objection' relates to an understood enumeration of theories, but 'Every theory is open to objection' refers to all theories that may exist."[121]
Many, much.—Many refers to number, much to quantity.
Mutual, common.—Mutual properly means "reciprocal," "interchanged." It is often misused for common in the sense of "belonging equally to both or all," especially in the phrase, "A mutual friend."
Partly, partially.—"Partly, in the sense of 'in part,' is preferable to partially, since partially also means 'with partiality.'"[122]
Quite, very.—Quite properly means "entirely"; in the sense of "very" or "to a considerable degree" it is not in good use.
So-as, as-as.—Both so and as are used as adverbs of degree correlative with the conjunction "as": unless there is a negative in the clause as is generally used; with a negative so is preferable to as. We say "It is as cold as ice," "It is not so good as it looks."