EnglishUSAGE: USING the language correctlyEnglish can be a problematic - PDF document

EnglishUSAGE: USING the language correctlyEnglish can be a problematic odyssey! 1. Affect/Effect2. There-their-they’re3. You’re/Your4. Than/Then5. Who’s/Whose6. Accept/Except7. Could-should of = could-should have8. Lose/Loose #1-8 #9-169. It’s/Its10. Weather/Whether11. Fewer/Less12. Good/Well13. Like = As if/As though14. Between/Among16. Lie/Lay 18. Who -Whom is a noun meaning “ the influence/result” It did not affectthe outcome. The did not affect oun erb erb ffect = Action They’re/there/theiris a contraction of they are.Thereis an adverb that means “at that place.” Thereis also used to begin a sentence. walking to school. Thereis too much pepper in this! Have you been there “at that place” begins sentence #2 They’re/there/their new house rightthere. They are at that to themCONFUSABLES You’re/youryou are.Your= possessive you, = “belonging to you.” always on time. Yourcoat is in the closet.#3 You’re/your going to the ice skating pond, don’t forget yourhat. you are belonging to you CONFUSABLES is a comparison. She is betterthan.It’s less than He glared at them thenslammed the door Comparing! On Your Own 1.The students enjoyed (they’re/their) field trip.2.I am taller (than/then) my mom.3.Your answer will (affect/effect) my decision.4.Excessive sugar will have an (affect/effect) on 5.It won’t matter if (your/you’re) late. On Your Own 1.The students enjoyed (they’re/2.I am taller (3.Your answer will (4.Excessive sugar will have an (affect/5.It won’t matter if (your/ [End of Section]Words confused or misusedWords with similar sounds Who’s/whoseis a contraction of who isor who has.is the possessive form of who, meaning “belonging to whom.” Who’sat the door? Whosebook is this? Who’swon the most games? who’s = who is who’s = who has#5 who owns the bookCONFUSABLES Who’s/whose the man whosewallet was stolen? who is belonging to whomCONFUSABLES Accept/exceptis a verb that means “to receive.”Except is usually a preposition that means “not including.” The teacher did not acceptthe late homework. Everyone left except reption e ccept = Action I would ofcalled. should ofcalled her back.When the word haveis not stressed in speaking, it sounds like of Could of/should of/would ofWrite could have (could’ve)could of. could ofcalled us.Write should have(should’ve),should of.would have(would’ve), could havecalled us. I should havecalled her back. I would havecalled. lose / looseloseis a verbthat means “to be defeated” or“to suffer loss” loose is usually an adjectivethat means “not tight.” The teacher did not losethe essay. The teacher’s desk was covered with loose djective erb The reason people sometimes would + have would’ve should + have should’ve could + have could’ve On Your Own 1.It didn’t recharge because of a (lose/loose) cable.2.She can’t (accept/except) no for an answer.3.(Whose/Who’s) going to go with you?4.Matt (could of/could have) done it.5.It won’t matter (whose/who’s) it is. On Your Own 1.It didn’t recharge because of a (lose/2.She can’t (3.(Whose/4.Matt (could of/couldhave5.It won’t matter ( [End of Section]Words confused or misusedWords with similar sounds 1. Affect/Effect2. There-their-they’re3. You’re/Your4. Than/Then5. Who’s/Whose6. Accept/Except7. Could-should of = could-should have8. Lose/Loose #1-8 #9-169. It’s/Its10. Weather/Whether11. Fewer/Less12. Good/Well13. Like = As if/As though14. Between/Among16. Lie/Lay It’s/itsIt’sis a contraction of it isor it has.is a possessive form that means “belonging to it.” It’sbeen a long time. It’snot easy. That tree has not lost itsleaves yet. it’s = it has it’s = it is CONFUSABLES weather / whetherweatheris for climatewhether means depending” The weather outside Whether or not…#10 Fewer/lessis used with plural nouns.Lessis used with singular nouns. We picked fewerthis year than we did last year. That means we’ll have lessthis year than we had last year. plural noun ingu nountells “how many.” Less“how much.” CONFUSABLES Goodis always an adjective. Good modifies nouns. Do not use goodto modify a verb. Use the adverb well. Sam had a goodrole in the play. He sang welltoo. Verb is usually an adverb that means “competently,” but it is also used as an adjective to mean “healthy.” Good/well Sam feels well Sam sang well adjective meaning “healthy” adverb meaning “competently” Feel goodand feel wellhave different meanings. Feel goodmeans “to feel happy or Feel wellmeans “to feel healthy.” Compliments make you feel good. Some dogs eat grass when they don’tfeel well. CONFUSABLES On Your Own 1. The wave left (it’s/its) mark on the sand.2. (It’s/Its) supposed to rain tomorrow.3. The rain won’t (affect/effect) the results.4. It matters (weather/whether) (your/you’re) honest.5. (Fewer/less) than a third of students are sane.6. My grammar has (fewer/less) problems (then/than) before.[End of Section]Write A or B on your anyour choices. On Your Own 1. The wave left (it’s/its) mark on the sand.2. (It’s/Its) supposed to rain tomorrow.3. The rain won’t (affect/effect) the results.4. It matters (weather/whether) (your/you’re5. (Fewer/less) than a third of students are sane.6. My grammar has (fewer/less) problems (then/) before.[End of Section]Write A or B on your anyour choices. On Your Own 5. There are (fewer/less) reasons (than/then) I thought.6. (Fewer/Less) people will buy it.7. You sing (good/well) (weather/whether) they say they like it or not.[End of Section]Write A or B on your anyour choices. On Your Own 5. There are (fewer/then) I ….6. (Fewer/Less) people will buy it.7. You sing (good/well) (weather/whether) they say they like it or not.[End of Section]Write A or B on your anyour choices. Like = As if / As thoughis informal and unsophisticated. Use SUCH AS/ AS IF/ AS THOUGHinstead…Unless you’re making similes! as thoughwind and solar power. Between/Amongfor twoAmongfor three or more It was a secret betweenus two.It was a secret among us. It was a secret amongus three.It was a secret between us three.CONFUSABLES By the way:No Ways = Way Forwards = forwardWaysonly as plural for “many ways”Not for “anyways” or “long ways” There was not any wayfor her to reach it.There was not any ways for her to reach it. We spotted it from a long ways off. In many waysSteinbeck is optimistic.OK to use plural for “way” when that’s what you mean noun or place something somewhere Lain on a surface (-ed, -n) Past Participle Base Form Re-Lnwean “PUT”? Lie / Lay following sentences.1. Robert will ______ down for a nap.2.Please ______ your wet towel on the dryer.3.Yesterday my sister ______ on the ground to watch ants.4.Who ______ this rake where someone could step on it?5.A snake was ______ across the trail, sunning itself. Lie / Lay following sentences.1. Robert will _2.Please _3.Yesterday my sister _4.Who _5.A snake was _ Who/Whomis a subject. WHOMis an object of verb or of preposition. I know whodid it.Whosent it?CONFUSABLES I know whomthey did it to.To was it sent? The WHO is the subject that is DOING or SENDING WHOM is receiving the action. WHOM is “being done to”…or “being sent to” Who/WhomHE = WHO:If HE can be substituted into the sentence, use WHOHIM = WHOM:If HIM can be substituted into the sentence, use WHOM 1. Who/Whomwrote the letter?He wrote the letter. Therefore, is correct.2. For who/whom should I vote?Should I vote for him? Therefore, Who/WhomHE = WHO:If HE can be substituted into the sentence, use WHOHIM = WHOM:If HIM can be substituted into the sentence, use WHOM 3. We all know who/wh Who/WhomHE = WHO:If HE can be substituted into the sentence, use WHOHIM = WHOM:If HIM can be substituted into the sentence, use WHOM 3. We all know who/wh WHO / WHOMwho =he On Your Own 1. A) Angelica was B) Angelica was not sure whom she liked. 2. A) Whoever cheats on the test will get busted. B) Whomever cheats on the test will get busted. 3. A) He is the skater who died here. B) He is the skater whom died here.4. A) She forgets wh5. A) Who are you referring to? B) Whom are you referring to? I one there.#18. Double negativesIn a double negative,two or more negative words are used when only one is needed. I don’thave time left.BE MORE POSITIVE!ONE of the two negatives must be written as a positive! neive egative can’thardly No/nothing/noneDouble negativesThese words are clearly negative. Do not use these words with another negative word. That answer doesn’tmake sense.To fix a double negative, change either negative word. That answer doesn’tmake That answer makes negative #1 Hardly/scarcely#18 Double negativesThese words convey a negative meaning. Do not use them with another negative word. n’thardly negative #2 To fix a double negative like this, delete n’t I canhardlyturn the key. #19 Formal vs. informal English Essays, reports Tests and exams Talking to adults Everyday conversations notes to friends, e-mails Journal entries Talking to close adults Formal #19 Formal vs. informal English Essays, reports Tests and exams Talking to adults Everyday conversations notes to friends, e-mails Journal entries Talking to close adults Formal •shorter•simpler•Simple•Colloquialisms , slang •Conversational Formal English •longer•more complex•Precise•Sometimes technical •Serious, dignified •shorter•simpler•Simple•Colloquialisms , slang •Conversational Formal English •longer•more complex•Precise•Sometimes technical •Serious, dignified Formal and informal EnglishColloquialismsare the informal words and phrases of everyday speech that add flavor and color to our language. Many are figures of speech that aren’t meant to be taken literally. Are you going to foot the billfor my car repairs? I’m trying to study, so quit making such a racket! Formal and informal EnglishSlang is made up of new words or old words used in new ways. Slang is usually clever or colorful. Slang is often a special language in a specific group, such as students or military personnel. beatSlang words usually have a short life, but some last and become widely used. hassle—to annoy or harass cool—pleasing or excellent kooky Many words and phrases that are fine in informal situations should be avoided in formal situations. How comeIn formal situations, use why How comeyou didn’t call? Whydidn’t you call?Formal and informal English Informal Kind of/sort ofIn formal situations, use rather I feel kind oftired. I feel somewhatFormal and informal English Informal In formal situations, use try to. Try and You must try andrelax! You must try torelax!Formal and informal English Formal nformal In formal situations, use such as or as if.Formal and informal English Reasons that make me doubt his story. Reasons such asthat make me doubt his story. Informal ol 1.We should try and leave on time today. 2.This bread tastes sort of stale to me.Identify whether the following sentences use 3.How come he forgot to do the homework? 4.Try to remember your key next time. On Your Own 1.It was kind of chilly outside yesterday. 2.Our teacher wants us to try and finish the book 3.How come you weren’t in school today? Answers 1.It was 2.Our teacher wants us to The End