Rules 120 1 A and An The article a is used before consonant sounds T he article an before vowel sounds Words starting with h o or u might have either a consonant sound or a vowel ID: 588905
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "100 Common Word Usage Problems" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
100 Common Word Usage Problems
Rules 1-20Slide2
( 1 ) A and
An
The
article
a is used before consonant soundsThe article an before vowel sounds.Words starting with h, o, or u might have either a consonant sound or a vowel sound. a histology class (h-sound) a one-way path (w-sound) a uniform look (y-sound) Slide3
( 2 ) Accept / Except
Accept
, a verb, means “to receive.”
Except
, a preposition, means “leaving out” or “other than.” She did not accept/except the job offer.She did not accept the job offer.Accept/except for Maggie, we were all excited about the reunion.
E
xcept
for Maggie, we were all excited about the reunion.Slide4
( 3 ) Accuse / Allege
Accuse
means “to blame” or “to carry a charge against.”
Allege means “to claim one thing that has not been proven.”He was alleged/accused of treason, which he vehemently denied.He was accused of treason, which he vehemently denied.It was alleged/accused that he secretly cooperated with the Japanese during the war.It
was
alleged
that he secretly cooperated with the Japanese during the war.Slide5
( 4 ) Adapt / Adopt
Adapt, a verb, means “to change.”
Adopt
, also a verb, means “to take as one’s own
.”We were finally able to adapt/adopt to the cold climate. We were finally able to adapt to the cold climate.The group adopted/adapted the strategy and implemented it. The group adopted
the strategy and implemented it. Slide6
( 5 ) Advice / Advise
Advice
is a noun which means “an opinion.”
Advise is a verb that means “to give an opinion to.”I miss the advice/advise that mom used to bombard me with. I miss the advice that mom used to bombard me with.She advised/adviced me to remain strong and independent.
She
advised
me to remain strong and independent. Slide7
( 6 ) Affect / Effect
Affect
is almost always a verb which means “to influence
.”Effect, often a noun, means “result.” Occasionally, effect is a verb which means “to bring about” or “to cause.” I would not let my personal issues effect/affect my work. I would not let my personal issues effect/affect my work.She effected/affected policies that benefited
your business.
She
effected/affected policies that benefited your business. Slide8Slide9
( 7 ) Aggravate
Aggravate
means “to make worse.”
Avoid
using this phrase as a synonym of “annoy.”INCORRECT: She was severely aggravated by his impolite behavior. CORRECT: Delaying your visit to the physician will aggravate your ailment. Slide10
( 8 ) Ain’t
Ain’t
, initially a contraction of AM NOT, will not be considered acceptable in standard English. Avoid using it in all writing and speaking
.
INCORRECT: I ain’t going to the party tonight. CORRECT: I am not going to the party tonight.Slide11
( 9 ) Allot, A lot
Allot
, a verb, means “to divide in parts” or “to give out in shares.”
A
lot is an informal expression which means “a great many” or “a large amount.” Avoid using it in formal writing.Joe will allot/a lot a portion of his monthly pay for charity.Joe will allot a portion of his monthly pay to charity.He has a
lot/allot
of children to
support.He has a
lot
of children to support
.Slide12
( 10 ) All ready / Already
All
ready
is an expression
which means “ready.” Already means “by or before this time” or “even now.”We are all ready/already to listen to the President. We are all ready to listen to the President.
We
have
already/all ready arrived at a decision. We have
already
arrived at a decision. Slide13
( 11 ) Alright, All right
Alright is nonstandard spelling. Always use the two-word
“all right” kind
in your writing
.INCORRECT: It is alright to clock out early today.CORRECT: It is all right to clock out early today. Slide14
( 12 ) All together, Altogether
All
together
means “all at once.”
Altogether means “completely” or “in all.”Altogether/ All together, the audience booed the play. All together, the audience booed the play.They didn’t altogether/all together agree that the play rocked.
They didn’t
altogether
agree that the play rocked.Slide15
( 13 ) A.M. / P.M.
A.M. refers to the hours earlier than
noon
P.M
. to the hours after noon. Do not spell out numbers if you use these abbreviations, and do not use such phrases as “in the morning” or “in the afternoon” with them. INCORRECT: We will depart at nine A.M. in the morning.CORRECT: We will depart at 9:00 A.M. Slide16
( 14 ) Among, Between
Among
and
between
are both prepositions. Among at all times implies three or more. Between is used when referring to items. John is among/between the best students in his class. John is among the best students in his class
.
The argument was
among/between
Frank and
Fred.
The argument was
between
Frank and
Fred.Slide17
( 15 ) Amount, Number
Use
amount
with qualities and quantities that can’t be counted. Use number with things that can be counted. I take a small number/amount of sugar in my coffee.I take a small amount of sugar in my coffee.
The
number/amount
of empty bottles is staggering.The number
of empty bottles is staggering
.Slide18
( 16 ) Anxious
Anxious means “worried,” “uneasy,” or “fearful.” Do not use it as a substitute for “eager.”
CORRECT: I am
anxious
about the upcoming unit exam.AMBIGUOUS: I am anxious to meet new people.CLEAR: I am always eager to meet new people.Slide19
( 17 ) Anyone, Any one
Anyone
and
everybody mean “any person” and “every person.” Any one means “any single person (or thing).” Every one means “every single individual (or thing).” Any one/Anyone of you might win the lottery.Any one of you might win the lottery. Every one/Everyone
complained about the food.
Everyone
complained about the food. Slide20
( 18 ) Anyway, Anywhere, etc.
The
following adverbs should never finish in
–s
: anyway, anywhere, everywhere, nowhere, somewhere.INCORRECT: The weather might be rough, but we’re going sailing anyways.CORRECT: The weather might be rough, but we’re going sailing anyway.Slide21
( 19 ) As
Do not use the conjunction “as” to imply “because” or “since.”
INCORRECT:
As
she was terribly sick, she did not play well. CORRECT: Because she was terribly sick, she did not play well. Slide22
( 20 ) As To
As to
is awkward. Replace it with
about
or on. INCORRECT: Doctors have a number of ideas as to how to stay healthy. CORRECT: Doctors have a number of ideas about how to stay healthy. Slide23
In class assignment
Review
usage problems #
1-20
Download from NetMoeller:100 Common Usage Problems Complete questions: Exercises A-BRecord your answers on the answer sheet given to you.