The Terrible 30 The 30 Most Common Errors in
Description: The Terrible 30 The 30 Most Common Errors in Students Writing Created by Hunter Brown Summer 2013 The Terrible 30 The -wise suffix The suffix -wise has long meant in the manner or direction of, as in clockwise, otherwise, slantwise.
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slide1. The Terrible 30 The 30 Most Common Errors in Students’ Writing Created by Hunter Brown
Summer 2013<br>
slide2. The Terrible 30 The -wise suffix
The suffix -wise has long meant “in the manner or direction of,” as in
clockwise,
otherwise,
slantwise.
However, in recent years, -wise has come to mean “with respect to,” as in
sales-wise,
interface-wise,
aesthetics-wise.
These usages are generally considered informal and somewhat awkward. Try to avoid them, especially in academic writing. “-wise” TheFreeDictionary. Farlex Inc., n.d. Web. 16 July 2013.<br>
slide3. The Terrible 30 The “type” and “type of” habit
“Type” is often incorrectly used to replace "sort” or “kind.” Even when used correctly, it often sounds clichéd and should be avoided.
NOT: I have the type father who loses his temper.
BUT: I have a father who loses his temper.
OR: My father has a quick temper.
NOT: She wasn’t that type of girl.
BUT: She wasn’t that kind of girl.
NOT: She wore a Spanish-type costume.
BUT: She wore a Spanish costume.
OR: Her costume had a Spanish look.
NOT: He was a Charles Chaplin-type actor.
BUT: His acting was Chaplinesque.
OR: Like Charles Chaplin, he . . .<br>
slide4. The Terrible 30 “Manner” and “nature” phrases
Manner and nature phrases often sound pompous and redundant:
“In a polite manner” means “politely.”
“Comprehensive in nature” or “of a comprehensive nature” means “comprehensively.”
Using such phrases can give the impression that you are trying to sound dignified or trying to increase your word count.
As far as—As far as must be followed by is concerned, or it is meaningless.
NOT: As far as studying, I’ve worked hard.
BUT: As far as studying is concerned, I’ve worked hard.
Center around—Not possible. You can only center on.<br>
slide5. The Terrible 30 Different—Use different than only if a clause (a subject and a verb) follows. Use different from in all other cases.
He is different from me.
That model is different from the rest.
He is different than I am.
That model is different than the rest are.
Disinterested/uninterested—If you are disinterested, you are interested but unbiased. If you are uninterested, you take no interest at all.
Due to—Use due to only when it follows a be verb (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being). Otherwise, use as a result of or because of.
CORRECT: His poor health is due to his strenuous job.
INCORRECT: The class was cancelled due to the storm.
CHANGE TO: The class was cancelled as a result of the storm.
OR: The class was cancelled because of the storm.<br>
slide6. The Terrible 30 Enthuse—A back formation from the noun enthusiasm, enthuse is a verb meaning “to become or cause to become enthusiastic.” Avoid using it in formal writing.
Fabulous—Overuse has robbed this word of some of its power. Instead of using it to describe everyday things—fabulous cars, fabulous neckties, fabulous meatballs—save it for that which is truly extraordinary and unbelievable.
Feel bad/feel badly—If you are sick or unhappy, you feel bad. If your fingers lack sensitivity, you feel badly.<br>
slide7. The Terrible 30 Fewer/less—Fewer refers to numbers, less to amounts.
fewer minutes, less time
fewer notes, less music
fewer vegetables, less produce
Imply/infer—To imply means to suggest or indicate: “The essay implies [suggests] that scientists are out of touch.” To infer means to draw a conclusion from: “I infer [draw the conclusion that] the author doesn’t know any real scientists.” Words and pictures imply; only people can infer.
Indefinite pronouns (each, everyone, everybody, either, neither, nobody)—All these pronouns are singular and must be treated consistently as such.
NOT: Everybody brought their own lunch.
BUT: Everybody brought his or her own lunch.
NOT: Neither a dog nor a cat are allowed in the apartments.
BUT: Neither a dog nor a cat is allowed in the apartments. 2 < 4<br>
slide8. The Terrible 30 Irregardless—Irregardless is not a word. The ir- is redundant; it means the same thing as -less. Saying irregardless is like saying irreckless or irruthless: obviously irridiculousless.
Like/as—Don’t use like when you can substitute it with as though, as, as if, or in the way.
She acts like a queen.
(No substitute is possible here, so “like” is used correctly.)
She acts like she thinks she’s a queen.
(A substitute is possible here, so use it: She acts as though she thinks she is a queen.)
She acts like a queen would act.
(Use another substitute: She acts in the way a queen would act.)
Never use like if one of the substitute phrases will work.<br>
slide9. The Terrible 30 Mixed Metaphor—Don’t mix one metaphor with another. The result may be comic.
He climbed the ladder of success across a sea of troubles and left his footprint on the face of time.
You’ve buttered your bread; now lie in it.
Off—Always “off,” never “off of.”
Perfect/unique—If a thing is perfect, it’s perfect. If it’s unique, it’s unique. It can’t be more perfect or more unique. Never use more or most with these words.
Plus—Do not use plus in place of and. Don’t say “He was hungry, plus he was penniless.” Save plus for problems in addition.<br>
slide10. The Terrible 30 Redundancies—Remove words that don’t add meaning. Each of the phrases below is redundant:
a distance of ten yards
future prospects
advanced forward
in addition, he also
an actual fact
inside of
another one
outside of
at the present time
These are only a few of the redundancies that clutter English usage. Look for others in your own writing, and avoid them.
Regarding—This word is a substitute for concerning or respecting, but is often misused.
NOT: Regarding meals, the cafeteria will be open at noon. (The cafeteria seems to be regarding the meals.)
BUT: The cafeteria will open for lunch at noon.
NOT: Regarding tardiness, the company’s policies are very forgiving. (The policies seems to be regarding tardiness.)
BUT: The company’s policies toward tardiness are very forgiving.
Even when used correctly, regarding can sound overly formal. past history
equally as good as
retreat back
false illusion
small in size
few in number
usual custom
free gift
young teenager<br>
slide11. The Terrible 30 Similar to—If you mean “like,” say “like.” Why beat around the bush?
Slang—Some students use slang words and phrases, such as those below, believing that it will make their writing sound more conversational and relatable. However, such expressions are not appropriate in academic writing.
out of whack
bent out of shape
under the weather
off the hook
down in the dumps
legit
grungy
good vibes
pain in the neck
piece of cake
So—Don’t use so as a substitute for very, as in “Exercise is so exhausting.” You can get by with this usage in speech, but not in writing. A reader expects a so in this position to be followed by that: “Exercise is so exhausting that I quit before I start.”<br>
slide12. The Terrible 30 Split Infinitive—Avoid putting words between the two parts of an infinitive.
NOT: to not think
BUT: not to think
NOT: to suddenly stop
BUT: to stop suddenly
The Reason Is—Never say “the reason is because .” Reason already means “cause” in this context, so the expression is repetitive.
NOT: The reason for all these delays is because there was a wreck.
BUT: The reason for all these delays is that there was a wreck.
Trite Expressions—Avoid overused and clichéd expressions such as those in the list below: acid test
green with envy
as luck would have it
last but not least
better late than never
Mother Nature
bitter end
needless to say
busy as a bee
rich and varied experience
depths of despair
ripe old age
easier said than done
sadder but wiser
festive occasion
slow but sure
few and far between
untold agony
finer things in life
words cannot express to go boldly<br>
slide13. The Terrible 30 Try—Don’t use try and when you mean try to.
NOT: I will try and be there.
BUT: I will try to be there.
While—While means “time” or “at the time.” Never use it as a substitute for and, but, or although.
NOT: Tolstoy was a Russian writer, while Hemingway was an American writer. (Tolstoy died when Hemingway was twelve years old, so they could not have been writers at the same time.)
BUT: Tolstoy was a Russian writer, and Hemingway was an American writer.
Use while only if you can substitute at the time in its place.<br>
Summer 2013<br>
slide2. The Terrible 30 The -wise suffix
The suffix -wise has long meant “in the manner or direction of,” as in
clockwise,
otherwise,
slantwise.
However, in recent years, -wise has come to mean “with respect to,” as in
sales-wise,
interface-wise,
aesthetics-wise.
These usages are generally considered informal and somewhat awkward. Try to avoid them, especially in academic writing. “-wise” TheFreeDictionary. Farlex Inc., n.d. Web. 16 July 2013.<br>
slide3. The Terrible 30 The “type” and “type of” habit
“Type” is often incorrectly used to replace "sort” or “kind.” Even when used correctly, it often sounds clichéd and should be avoided.
NOT: I have the type father who loses his temper.
BUT: I have a father who loses his temper.
OR: My father has a quick temper.
NOT: She wasn’t that type of girl.
BUT: She wasn’t that kind of girl.
NOT: She wore a Spanish-type costume.
BUT: She wore a Spanish costume.
OR: Her costume had a Spanish look.
NOT: He was a Charles Chaplin-type actor.
BUT: His acting was Chaplinesque.
OR: Like Charles Chaplin, he . . .<br>
slide4. The Terrible 30 “Manner” and “nature” phrases
Manner and nature phrases often sound pompous and redundant:
“In a polite manner” means “politely.”
“Comprehensive in nature” or “of a comprehensive nature” means “comprehensively.”
Using such phrases can give the impression that you are trying to sound dignified or trying to increase your word count.
As far as—As far as must be followed by is concerned, or it is meaningless.
NOT: As far as studying, I’ve worked hard.
BUT: As far as studying is concerned, I’ve worked hard.
Center around—Not possible. You can only center on.<br>
slide5. The Terrible 30 Different—Use different than only if a clause (a subject and a verb) follows. Use different from in all other cases.
He is different from me.
That model is different from the rest.
He is different than I am.
That model is different than the rest are.
Disinterested/uninterested—If you are disinterested, you are interested but unbiased. If you are uninterested, you take no interest at all.
Due to—Use due to only when it follows a be verb (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being). Otherwise, use as a result of or because of.
CORRECT: His poor health is due to his strenuous job.
INCORRECT: The class was cancelled due to the storm.
CHANGE TO: The class was cancelled as a result of the storm.
OR: The class was cancelled because of the storm.<br>
slide6. The Terrible 30 Enthuse—A back formation from the noun enthusiasm, enthuse is a verb meaning “to become or cause to become enthusiastic.” Avoid using it in formal writing.
Fabulous—Overuse has robbed this word of some of its power. Instead of using it to describe everyday things—fabulous cars, fabulous neckties, fabulous meatballs—save it for that which is truly extraordinary and unbelievable.
Feel bad/feel badly—If you are sick or unhappy, you feel bad. If your fingers lack sensitivity, you feel badly.<br>
slide7. The Terrible 30 Fewer/less—Fewer refers to numbers, less to amounts.
fewer minutes, less time
fewer notes, less music
fewer vegetables, less produce
Imply/infer—To imply means to suggest or indicate: “The essay implies [suggests] that scientists are out of touch.” To infer means to draw a conclusion from: “I infer [draw the conclusion that] the author doesn’t know any real scientists.” Words and pictures imply; only people can infer.
Indefinite pronouns (each, everyone, everybody, either, neither, nobody)—All these pronouns are singular and must be treated consistently as such.
NOT: Everybody brought their own lunch.
BUT: Everybody brought his or her own lunch.
NOT: Neither a dog nor a cat are allowed in the apartments.
BUT: Neither a dog nor a cat is allowed in the apartments. 2 < 4<br>
slide8. The Terrible 30 Irregardless—Irregardless is not a word. The ir- is redundant; it means the same thing as -less. Saying irregardless is like saying irreckless or irruthless: obviously irridiculousless.
Like/as—Don’t use like when you can substitute it with as though, as, as if, or in the way.
She acts like a queen.
(No substitute is possible here, so “like” is used correctly.)
She acts like she thinks she’s a queen.
(A substitute is possible here, so use it: She acts as though she thinks she is a queen.)
She acts like a queen would act.
(Use another substitute: She acts in the way a queen would act.)
Never use like if one of the substitute phrases will work.<br>
slide9. The Terrible 30 Mixed Metaphor—Don’t mix one metaphor with another. The result may be comic.
He climbed the ladder of success across a sea of troubles and left his footprint on the face of time.
You’ve buttered your bread; now lie in it.
Off—Always “off,” never “off of.”
Perfect/unique—If a thing is perfect, it’s perfect. If it’s unique, it’s unique. It can’t be more perfect or more unique. Never use more or most with these words.
Plus—Do not use plus in place of and. Don’t say “He was hungry, plus he was penniless.” Save plus for problems in addition.<br>
slide10. The Terrible 30 Redundancies—Remove words that don’t add meaning. Each of the phrases below is redundant:
a distance of ten yards
future prospects
advanced forward
in addition, he also
an actual fact
inside of
another one
outside of
at the present time
These are only a few of the redundancies that clutter English usage. Look for others in your own writing, and avoid them.
Regarding—This word is a substitute for concerning or respecting, but is often misused.
NOT: Regarding meals, the cafeteria will be open at noon. (The cafeteria seems to be regarding the meals.)
BUT: The cafeteria will open for lunch at noon.
NOT: Regarding tardiness, the company’s policies are very forgiving. (The policies seems to be regarding tardiness.)
BUT: The company’s policies toward tardiness are very forgiving.
Even when used correctly, regarding can sound overly formal. past history
equally as good as
retreat back
false illusion
small in size
few in number
usual custom
free gift
young teenager<br>
slide11. The Terrible 30 Similar to—If you mean “like,” say “like.” Why beat around the bush?
Slang—Some students use slang words and phrases, such as those below, believing that it will make their writing sound more conversational and relatable. However, such expressions are not appropriate in academic writing.
out of whack
bent out of shape
under the weather
off the hook
down in the dumps
legit
grungy
good vibes
pain in the neck
piece of cake
So—Don’t use so as a substitute for very, as in “Exercise is so exhausting.” You can get by with this usage in speech, but not in writing. A reader expects a so in this position to be followed by that: “Exercise is so exhausting that I quit before I start.”<br>
slide12. The Terrible 30 Split Infinitive—Avoid putting words between the two parts of an infinitive.
NOT: to not think
BUT: not to think
NOT: to suddenly stop
BUT: to stop suddenly
The Reason Is—Never say “the reason is because .” Reason already means “cause” in this context, so the expression is repetitive.
NOT: The reason for all these delays is because there was a wreck.
BUT: The reason for all these delays is that there was a wreck.
Trite Expressions—Avoid overused and clichéd expressions such as those in the list below: acid test
green with envy
as luck would have it
last but not least
better late than never
Mother Nature
bitter end
needless to say
busy as a bee
rich and varied experience
depths of despair
ripe old age
easier said than done
sadder but wiser
festive occasion
slow but sure
few and far between
untold agony
finer things in life
words cannot express to go boldly<br>
slide13. The Terrible 30 Try—Don’t use try and when you mean try to.
NOT: I will try and be there.
BUT: I will try to be there.
While—While means “time” or “at the time.” Never use it as a substitute for and, but, or although.
NOT: Tolstoy was a Russian writer, while Hemingway was an American writer. (Tolstoy died when Hemingway was twelve years old, so they could not have been writers at the same time.)
BUT: Tolstoy was a Russian writer, and Hemingway was an American writer.
Use while only if you can substitute at the time in its place.<br>