Rules of UsageRules of Usage

Or, which word should I Or, which word should I use???use???

ACCEPT/EXCEPTACCEPT/EXCEPT

• ““If you offer me Almond Roca candies, If you offer me Almond Roca candies, I will gladly I will gladly accept accept them—them—except except for for the peppermint-flavored ones.the peppermint-flavored ones.””

• Just remember that the Just remember that the ““XX”” in in ““exceptexcept”” excludesexcludes things — they tend to stand things — they tend to stand out, be different. In contrast, just out, be different. In contrast, just look at those two cozy look at those two cozy ““CC’’ss”” - very - very accepting, always willing to receive. accepting, always willing to receive.

ADAPT/ADOPTADAPT/ADOPT

•You can adopt a child or a custom You can adopt a child or a custom or a law; in all of these cases or a law; in all of these cases you are making the object of the you are making the object of the adoption your own, accepting it. adoption your own, accepting it.

•If you If you adaptadapt something, you are something, you are changing it.changing it.

•““After a couple After a couple adopts adopts a child, a child, they must they must adaptadapt to a new to a new lifestyle.lifestyle.””

AFFECT/EFFECTAFFECT/EFFECT

• ““AffectAffect”” is usually a verb meaning to have an is usually a verb meaning to have an influence on: influence on: ““The large donation from the The large donation from the industrialist did not affect my vote for the industrialist did not affect my vote for the Clean Air Act.Clean Air Act.”” It can also mean It can also mean ““to make a to make a display of or deliberately cultivate,display of or deliberately cultivate,”” as when as when a pretentious person is said to a pretentious person is said to ““affectaffect”” an an artificial air of sophistication. artificial air of sophistication.

• ““EffectEffect”” is most commonly used as a noun to is most commonly used as a noun to mean result: mean result: ““When I left the stove on, the When I left the stove on, the effecteffect was that the house filled with smoke. was that the house filled with smoke.””

• ““When you When you affectaffect a situation, you have an a situation, you have an effecteffect on it. on it.””

• Less commonly, Less commonly, ““effecteffect”” is a verb meaning is a verb meaning ““to create or bring aboutto create or bring about””: : ““II’’m trying to m trying to effect effect a change in the way we elect our a change in the way we elect our president.president.”” Note especially that the Note especially that the proper expression is not proper expression is not ““take affecttake affect”” but but ““take effecttake effect””—become effective.—become effective.

• Even less commonly, when the word Even less commonly, when the word ““affectaffect”” is accented on the first syllable (AFF-is accented on the first syllable (AFF-ect), it is a noun meaning ect), it is a noun meaning ““emotion.emotion.”” In In this case the word is used mostly by this case the word is used mostly by psychiatrists and social workers. psychiatrists and social workers.

Quick Quiz: Affect vs. Quick Quiz: Affect vs. EffectEffect1.1.The __________of the antibiotic on her The __________of the antibiotic on her

infection was surprising. infection was surprising. 2.2.I did not know that antibiotics could I did not know that antibiotics could

______________ people so quickly.   people so quickly.  3.3.Plastic surgery had an Plastic surgery had an ____________________ not only not only

on her appearance, but on her self-esteem. on her appearance, but on her self-esteem.   

4.4.If the chemotherapy has no If the chemotherapy has no ________________, should , should she get surgery for the tumor?  she get surgery for the tumor?  

5.5.When will we know if the treatment has When will we know if the treatment has _______ _______ herher long-term prognosis? long-term prognosis? 

6.6.We cannot We cannot ________________ a new policy without the a new policy without the board of directors voting on it first. board of directors voting on it first. 

Quick Quiz: Affect vs. Quick Quiz: Affect vs. EffectEffect1.1.The The EFFECTEFFECT of the antibiotic on her of the antibiotic on her

infection was surprising. infection was surprising. 2.2.I did not know that antibiotics could I did not know that antibiotics could

AFFECT AFFECT people so quickly.  people so quickly.  3.3.Plastic surgery had an Plastic surgery had an EFFECTEFFECT not only on not only on

her appearance, but on her self-esteem.  her appearance, but on her self-esteem.  4.4.If the chemotherapy has no If the chemotherapy has no EFFECTEFFECT, should , should

she get surgery for the tumor?  she get surgery for the tumor?  5.5.When will we know if the treatment has When will we know if the treatment has

AFFECTED AFFECTED herher long-term prognosis? long-term prognosis? 6.6.We cannot We cannot EFFECT EFFECT a new policy without the a new policy without the

board of directors voting on it first. board of directors voting on it first. 

ALL READY/ALREADYALL READY/ALREADY

• ““All readyAll ready”” is a phrase meaning is a phrase meaning completely prepared, as in completely prepared, as in ““As soon as As soon as I put my coat on, I will be all readI put my coat on, I will be all ready.y.””

• ““AlreadyAlready”” is an adverb used to describe is an adverb used to describe something that has happened before a something that has happened before a certain time, as in certain time, as in ““What do you mean What do you mean youyou’’d rather stay home? Id rather stay home? I’’ve already ve already got my coat on.got my coat on.””

ALOT/ALLOT/A LOTALOT/ALLOT/A LOT

•First, First, ““alotalot”” is NOT a word. is NOT a word.•To To ““allotallot”” is to designate an is to designate an amount of something for a amount of something for a certain purpose: certain purpose: ““I am going to I am going to allot you ten minutes in class allot you ten minutes in class to work on your homework.to work on your homework.””

•““A lotA lot”” means a sufficient or means a sufficient or plentiful amount: plentiful amount: ““He ate a lot He ate a lot of Halloween candy.of Halloween candy.””

AMOUNT/NUMBERAMOUNT/NUMBER

• This is a vast subject: This is a vast subject: ““I will try to I will try to limit the limit the numbernumber of words I expend on it of words I expend on it so as not to use up too great an so as not to use up too great an amountamount of space.of space.””

• AmountAmount words relate to quantities of words relate to quantities of things that are measured in bulk; things that are measured in bulk; numbernumber to things that can be counted. to things that can be counted.

• In the sentence above, it would have In the sentence above, it would have been improper to write been improper to write ““the amount of the amount of wordswords”” because words are discrete because words are discrete entities which can be counted, or entities which can be counted, or numbered. numbered.

A few more insights …A few more insights …

• Here is a handy chart to distinguish the two categories of Here is a handy chart to distinguish the two categories of words:words:

AmountAmount NumberNumberquantityquantity numbernumberlittlelittle fewfewlessless fewerfewermuchmuch manymany

• You can eat You can eat fewer fewer cookies, but you drink cookies, but you drink lessless milk. If you eat milk. If you eat too too many many cookies, people would probably think youcookies, people would probably think you’’ve had too ve had too much much dessert. dessert.

• If the thing being measured is being considered in countable If the thing being measured is being considered in countable units, then use units, then use numbernumber words. Even a substance which is words. Even a substance which is considered in bulk can also be measured by number of units. For considered in bulk can also be measured by number of units. For instance, you shouldninstance, you shouldn’’t drink too t drink too muchmuch soda, but you should also soda, but you should also avoid drinking too avoid drinking too manymany glasses of soda. Note that here you are glasses of soda. Note that here you are counting glasses.counting glasses. They can be numbered. They can be numbered.

So much to say on this So much to say on this ……

• The most common mistake of this kind is The most common mistake of this kind is to refer to an to refer to an ““amountamount”” of people instead of people instead of a of a ““numbernumber”” of people. of people.

• Exceptions to the less/fewer pattern are Exceptions to the less/fewer pattern are references to units of time and money, references to units of time and money, which are usually treated as amounts: which are usually treated as amounts: less than an hour, less than five less than an hour, less than five dollars. Only when you are referring to dollars. Only when you are referring to specific coins or bills would you use specific coins or bills would you use fewer: fewer: ““I have fewer than five state I have fewer than five state quarters to go to make my collection quarters to go to make my collection complete.complete.””

Quick Quiz: Amount vs. Quick Quiz: Amount vs. NumberNumber1.1.I canI can’’t believe the _______ of t believe the _______ of

homework we have in this class!homework we have in this class!2.2.The _________ of assignments is huge!The _________ of assignments is huge!3.3.We also read a large ________ of We also read a large ________ of

books.books.4.4.The _______ of writing is especially The _______ of writing is especially

large when essays are due.large when essays are due.5.5.ItIt’’s a good thing the _______ of s a good thing the _______ of

essays has gone down from past years.essays has gone down from past years.

Quick Quiz: Amount vs. Quick Quiz: Amount vs. NumberNumber1.1.I canI can’’t believe the t believe the AMOUNTAMOUNT of of

homework we have in this class!homework we have in this class!2.2.The The NUMBERNUMBER of assignments is huge! of assignments is huge!3.3.We also read a large We also read a large NUMBERNUMBER of books. of books.4.4.The The AMOUNTAMOUNT of writing is especially of writing is especially

large when essays are due.large when essays are due.5.5.ItIt’’s a good thing the s a good thing the NUMBERNUMBER of of

essays has gone down from past years.essays has gone down from past years.

A WHILE/AWHILEA WHILE/AWHILE

•When When ““awhileawhile”” is spelled as a is spelled as a single word, it is an adverb single word, it is an adverb meaning meaning ““for a timefor a time”” ( (““stay awhilstay awhilee””).).

•When When ““whilewhile”” is the object of a is the object of a prepositional phrase, as in prepositional phrase, as in ““Lend Lend me your hammer for a while,me your hammer for a while,”” the the ““whilewhile”” must be separated from the must be separated from the ““a.a.””

BESIDE/BESIDESBESIDE/BESIDES

•““BesidesBesides”” can mean in addition to, can mean in addition to, as in: as in: ““Besides the puppy chow, Besides the puppy chow, Spot ate the steak I was going to Spot ate the steak I was going to serve for dinner.serve for dinner.””

•““Beside,Beside,”” in contrast, usually in contrast, usually means next to. For example, means next to. For example, ““I sat I sat beside Cheryl all evening, but she beside Cheryl all evening, but she kept talking to Jerry instead.kept talking to Jerry instead.””

BETWEEN/AMONGBETWEEN/AMONG

•Use Use ““betweenbetween”” to refer to two to refer to two items; use items; use ““amongamong”” when there are when there are more than two.more than two.

•““She was standing between the She was standing between the bushes among the many flowers.bushes among the many flowers.””

•““She was the top speller among the She was the top speller among the students in her class.students in her class.””

•““The contest was between Joe and The contest was between Joe and John.John.””

Between you and IBetween you and I

•This is considered incorrect This is considered incorrect English; you need to use an English; you need to use an objectobject pronoun after a preposition.pronoun after a preposition.

•““Just between you and me, I heard Just between you and me, I heard that you got the job.that you got the job.””

•““I had to choose between him and I had to choose between him and her.her.””

•““They contacted both us and them.They contacted both us and them.””

CAPITAL/CAPITOLCAPITAL/CAPITOL

• A A ““capitolcapitol”” is almost always a building. is almost always a building.

• Cities which serve as seats of government Cities which serve as seats of government are are capitalscapitals spelled with an spelled with an AA in the last in the last syllable, as are most other uses of the syllable, as are most other uses of the word as a common noun. The only exceptions word as a common noun. The only exceptions are place names alluding to capitol are place names alluding to capitol buildings in some way or other, like buildings in some way or other, like ““Capitol HillCapitol Hill”” in Washington, D.C. in Washington, D.C.

• It might help to remember that It might help to remember that CongressCongress with an with an OO meets in the meets in the CapitolCapitol with another with another O.O.

CITE/SITE/SIGHTCITE/SITE/SIGHT

•You You cite cite (document) the author in an (document) the author in an endnote or include a endnote or include a Works Cited Works Cited page; you visit a Web page; you visit a Web site site or the or the site site (location) of the crime, and (location) of the crime, and you you sight sight (see) your beloved running (see) your beloved running toward you in slow motion on the toward you in slow motion on the beach (a sight for sore eyes!).beach (a sight for sore eyes!).

•You travel to see the You travel to see the sightssights. It. It’’s s not called not called ““siteseeingsiteseeing”” but but sightseeingsightseeing. .

CREDIBLE/CREDULOUSCREDIBLE/CREDULOUS

• ““CredibleCredible”” means means ““believablebelievable”” or or ““trustworthy.trustworthy.”” It is also used in a It is also used in a more abstract sense, meaning more abstract sense, meaning something like something like ““worthyworthy””: : ““She made a She made a credible lyric soprano.credible lyric soprano.””

• DonDon’’t confuse t confuse ““crediblecredible”” with with ““credulous,credulous,”” a much rarer word which a much rarer word which means means ““gullible.gullible.””

DECENT/DESCENT/DISSENTDECENT/DESCENT/DISSENT

• ““DecentDecent”” (rhymes with (rhymes with ““recentrecent””) is used to ) is used to label actions, things, or people that are label actions, things, or people that are respectable, appropriate, satisfactory, or respectable, appropriate, satisfactory, or kind. kind.

• The word to use when discussing ancestry is The word to use when discussing ancestry is ““descentdescent”” (rhymes with (rhymes with ““we sentwe sent””). Somebody ). Somebody whose ancestors came from Brazil is of whose ancestors came from Brazil is of Brazilian descent. You also make a Brazilian descent. You also make a ““descentdescent”” down a mountain. down a mountain.

• Occasionally this latter word is confused Occasionally this latter word is confused with with ““dissent,dissent,”” which means which means ““disagreement.disagreement.””

EVERYONE/EVERY ONEEVERYONE/EVERY ONE

• ““EveryoneEveryone”” means means ““everybodyeverybody”” and is used when and is used when you want to refer to all the people in a you want to refer to all the people in a group: group: ““Everyone in my family likes Everyone in my family likes spaghetti.spaghetti.””

• But if youBut if you’’re referring to the individuals re referring to the individuals who make up a group, then the phrase is who make up a group, then the phrase is ““every one.every one.”” Examples: Examples: ““God bless us, every God bless us, every oneone”” (may each individual in the group be (may each individual in the group be blessed). blessed). ““We wish each and every one of you We wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmasa Merry Christmas”” (every single one of you). (every single one of you). In the phrase In the phrase ““each and every one,each and every one,”” you should you should never substitute never substitute ““everyoneeveryone””..

FARTHER/FURTHERFARTHER/FURTHER

•Some authorities insist on Some authorities insist on ““fartherfarther”” to refer to physical distance and on to refer to physical distance and on ““furtherfurther”” to refer to an extent of to refer to an extent of time or degree, but others treat the time or degree, but others treat the two words as interchangeable except two words as interchangeable except for insisting on for insisting on ““furtherfurther”” for for ““in in additionaddition”” and and ““moreover.moreover.”” You You’’ll ll always be safe in making the always be safe in making the distinction; some people get really distinction; some people get really testy about this. testy about this.

FORMALLY/FORMERLYFORMALLY/FORMERLY

•These two are often mixed up in These two are often mixed up in speech. If you are doing something in speech. If you are doing something in a formal manner, you are behaving a formal manner, you are behaving formally; but if you previously formally; but if you previously behaved differently, you did so behaved differently, you did so formerly. formerly.

•For example: For example: ““FormerlyFormerly, boys wore , boys wore simple suits to Coronation, but now simple suits to Coronation, but now they often dress more they often dress more formallyformally in in tuxes.tuxes.””

GOOD/WELLGOOD/WELL

• You do something You do something ““well,well,”” but a thing is but a thing is ““good.good.”” The exception is verbs of The exception is verbs of sensation in phrases such as sensation in phrases such as ““the pie the pie smells good,smells good,”” or or ““I feel good.I feel good.””

• Saying Saying ““the pie smells wellthe pie smells well”” would imply would imply that the pastry in question had a nose. that the pastry in question had a nose.

• Similarly, Similarly, ““I feel wellI feel well”” is also is also acceptable, especially when discussing acceptable, especially when discussing health, but it is not the only correct health, but it is not the only correct usage. usage.

HANGED/HUNGHANGED/HUNG

•Originally these words were pretty Originally these words were pretty much interchangeable, but much interchangeable, but ““hangedhanged”” eventually came to be used pretty eventually came to be used pretty exclusively to mean exclusively to mean ““executed by executed by hanging.hanging.””

•Except in cases of execution or Except in cases of execution or suicide, suicide, ““hunghung”” is the correct form of is the correct form of the word: the word: ““Lady Wrothley saw to it Lady Wrothley saw to it that her ancestorsthat her ancestors’’ portraits were portraits were properly hung.properly hung.””

HOLE/WHOLEHOLE/WHOLE

•““HoleHole”” and and ““wholewhole”” have almost have almost opposite meanings. A hole is a lack opposite meanings. A hole is a lack of something, like the hole in a of something, like the hole in a doughnut. doughnut.

•““WholeWhole”” means things like entire, means things like entire, complete, and healthy and is used complete, and healthy and is used in expressions like in expressions like ““the whole the whole thing,thing,”” ““whole milk,whole milk,”” ““whole wheat,whole wheat,”” and and ““with a whole heart.with a whole heart.””

IDLE/IDOLIDLE/IDOL

• Something or someone inactive is Something or someone inactive is idleidle. . The word can also mean The word can also mean ““lazylazy”” ( (““the idle the idle richrich””). Unemployed workers are said to ). Unemployed workers are said to be idle, fired ones to have been idled. be idle, fired ones to have been idled. A car engine can idle.A car engine can idle.

• Someone you admire or something you Someone you admire or something you worship is an worship is an idolidol. Also, former . Also, former contestants on contestants on ““American IdolAmerican Idol”” are are idols, whether you like them or not! idols, whether you like them or not!

Incredible/IncredulousIncredible/Incredulous

•Incredible means Incredible means ““unbelievably unbelievably great or fantasticgreat or fantastic””; incredulous, ; incredulous, ““disbelieving or skepticaldisbelieving or skeptical””

•““He was incredulousHe was incredulous”” means means ““he he didndidn’’t believe it,t believe it,”” whereas whereas ““he he was incrediblewas incredible”” means means ““he was he was wonderfulwonderful”” (but use the latter (but use the latter expression only in casual speech). expression only in casual speech).

INTO/IN TOINTO/IN TO

• ““IntoInto”” is a preposition which often answers the is a preposition which often answers the question, question, ““where?where?”” For example, For example, ““Tom and Becky Tom and Becky had gone far into the cave before they realized had gone far into the cave before they realized they were lost.they were lost.”” Sometimes the Sometimes the ““wherewhere”” is is metaphorical: metaphorical: ““She went into business.She went into business.”” It can It can also refer to time: also refer to time: ““The snow lingered on the The snow lingered on the ground well into April.ground well into April.””

• In other instances where the words In other instances where the words ““inin”” and and ““toto”” just happen to find themselves neighbors, they just happen to find themselves neighbors, they must remain separate words. For instance, must remain separate words. For instance, ““Rachel dived back in to rescue the struggling Rachel dived back in to rescue the struggling boy.boy.”” Here Here ““toto”” belongs with belongs with ““rescuerescue”” and means and means ““in order to,in order to,”” not not ““where.where.”” (If the phrase had (If the phrase had been been ““dived back into the water,dived back into the water,”” ““intointo”” would would be required.) be required.)

ITS/ITITS/IT’’SS

• The exception to the general rule that The exception to the general rule that one should use an apostrophe to indicate one should use an apostrophe to indicate possession is in possessive pronouns possession is in possessive pronouns (its, his, hers, ours, theirs). (its, his, hers, ours, theirs).

• The problem with avoiding The problem with avoiding ““itit’’ss”” as a as a possessive is that this spelling is possessive is that this spelling is perfectly correct as a contraction perfectly correct as a contraction meaning meaning ““it is.it is.”” Just remember one point Just remember one point and youand you’’ll never make this mistake ll never make this mistake again: again: ““itit’’ss”” always means always means ““it isit is”” or or ““it it hashas”” and nothing else. and nothing else.

LAY/LIELAY/LIE

• You You laylay down the book you down the book you’’ve been reading, but ve been reading, but you you lielie down when you go to bed. In the down when you go to bed. In the present tense, if the subject is acting on present tense, if the subject is acting on some other object, itsome other object, it’’s s ““lay.lay.”” If the subject If the subject is lying down, then itis lying down, then it’’s s ““lie.lie.””

• This distinction is often not made in informal This distinction is often not made in informal speech, partly because in the past tense the speech, partly because in the past tense the words sound much more alike: words sound much more alike: ““He lay down for He lay down for a nap,a nap,”” but but ““He laid down the law.He laid down the law.””

• If a helping verb is involved, you need the If a helping verb is involved, you need the past participle forms. past participle forms. ““LieLie”” becomes becomes ““lainlain”” and and ““laylay”” becomes becomes ““laidlaid””: : ““He had just lain He had just lain down for a nap,down for a nap,”” and and ““His daughter had laid His daughter had laid the blanket on him.the blanket on him.””

TensesTenses

Present Present PastPastPerfectPerfect

Lay (put/place)Lay (put/place) LaidLaidHas LaidHas Laid

Lie (recline)Lie (recline) LayLayHas LainHas Lain

Lie (not tell truth)Lie (not tell truth)LiedLiedHas LiedHas Lied

Quick Practice: Lay vs. Quick Practice: Lay vs. LieLie1.1.She wants to She wants to ________ on the beach and get on the beach and get

a tan.a tan.2.2.Yesterday she Yesterday she __________ in the sun too long in the sun too long

and got a sunburn.and got a sunburn.3.3.You should always You should always _____ _____ a towel on the a towel on the

sand before you sand before you _____ _____ down.down.4.4.If she had If she had _____ _____ a towel down, she a towel down, she

would not have gotten so sandy.would not have gotten so sandy.5.5.ItIt’’s been a long time since I have s been a long time since I have _____ _____

on a sunny beach and read a book.on a sunny beach and read a book.

Quick Practice: Lay vs. Quick Practice: Lay vs. LieLie1.1.She wants to She wants to LIELIE on the beach and get on the beach and get

a tan.a tan.2.2.Yesterday she Yesterday she LAYLAY in the sun too long in the sun too long

and got a sunburn.and got a sunburn.3.3.You should always You should always LAYLAY a towel on the a towel on the

sand before you sand before you LIELIE down. down.4.4.If she had If she had LAIDLAID a towel down, she a towel down, she

would not have gotten so sandy.would not have gotten so sandy.5.5.ItIt’’s been a long time since I have s been a long time since I have

LAINLAIN on a sunny beach and read a on a sunny beach and read a book.book.

LETLET’’S/LETSS/LETS

•The only time you should spell The only time you should spell ““letlet’’ss”” with an apostrophe is when with an apostrophe is when it means it means ““let uslet us””: : ““LetLet’’s go to the s go to the mall.mall.””

•If the word you want means If the word you want means ““allowsallows”” or or ““permits,permits,”” no apostrophe should no apostrophe should be used: be used: ““My mom lets me use her My mom lets me use her car if I fill the tank.car if I fill the tank.””

LOSE/LOOSELOSE/LOOSE

•This confusion can easily be avoided This confusion can easily be avoided if you pronounce the word intended if you pronounce the word intended aloud. If it has a voiced aloud. If it has a voiced ZZ sound, sound, then itthen it’’s s ““lose.lose.”” If it has a hissy If it has a hissy SS sound, then itsound, then it’’s s ““loose.loose.””

•Here are examples of correct usage: Here are examples of correct usage: ““He tends to lose his keys.He tends to lose his keys.”” ““She lets She lets her dog run loose.her dog run loose.”” Note that when Note that when ““loselose”” turns into turns into ““losing,losing,”” it loses it loses its its ““E.E.””

NOONE/NO ONENOONE/NO ONE

•Noone only exists in Old Noone only exists in Old English: English: ““Shall we meet at Ye Shall we meet at Ye Olde Sandwyche Shoppe at NoonOlde Sandwyche Shoppe at Noone?e?””

•““No oneNo one”” is is alwaysalways two separate two separate words, unlike words, unlike ““anyoneanyone”” and and ““someone.someone.””

PASSED/PASTPASSED/PAST

• If you are referring to a distance or a period If you are referring to a distance or a period of time before now, use of time before now, use ““pastpast””: : ““The police The police car drove past the suspectcar drove past the suspect’’s houses house”” (distance) (distance) or or ““The team performed well in the pastThe team performed well in the past”” (time). (time).

• If you are describing the action of If you are describing the action of passing,passing, you need to use you need to use ““passedpassed““: : ““When John passed When John passed the gravy, he spilled it on his lap.the gravy, he spilled it on his lap.”” ““The The teacher was astonished that none of the teacher was astonished that none of the students had passed the test.students had passed the test.”” ““After a brief After a brief illness, he passed away.illness, he passed away.””

• ““PastPast”” can be an adjective, a noun, a can be an adjective, a noun, a preposition, or an adverb, but never a verb. preposition, or an adverb, but never a verb. If you need to write the past tense of the If you need to write the past tense of the verb verb ““to pass,to pass,”” use use ““passed.passed.””

PEACE/PIECEPEACE/PIECE

• Peace refers to a calmness of spirit or atmosphere; Peace refers to a calmness of spirit or atmosphere; piece, to a part or portion of something.piece, to a part or portion of something.

• ““PiecePiece”” has the word has the word ““piepie”” buried in it, which buried in it, which should remind you of the familiar phrase, should remind you of the familiar phrase, ““a piece a piece of pie.of pie.”” You can meditate to find peace of mind, You can meditate to find peace of mind, or you can get angry and give someone a piece of or you can get angry and give someone a piece of your mind.your mind.

• Classical scholars will note that Classical scholars will note that paxpax is the Latin is the Latin word for peace, suggesting the need for an word for peace, suggesting the need for an ““AA”” in in the latter word. the latter word.

PRECEDE/PROCEEDPRECEDE/PROCEED

•““PrecedePrecede”” means means ““to go before.to go before.””

•““ProceedProceed”” means to go on. means to go on.

•For example: For example: ““Let your companion Let your companion precede you through the door, precede you through the door, then proceed to follow her.then proceed to follow her.””

PRINCIPAL/PRINCIPLEPRINCIPAL/PRINCIPLE

• Remember: Remember: ““Your school principal is your paYour school principal is your pal.l.””

• ““PrincipalPrincipal”” is a noun and adjective referring is a noun and adjective referring to someone or something which is highest in to someone or something which is highest in rank or importance. (In a loan, the principal rank or importance. (In a loan, the principal is the more substantial part of the money, is the more substantial part of the money, the interest is—or should be—the lesser.) the interest is—or should be—the lesser.)

• ““PrinciplePrinciple”” is only a noun, and has to do is only a noun, and has to do with law or doctrine: with law or doctrine: ““The workers fought The workers fought hard for the principle of collective hard for the principle of collective bargaining.bargaining.””

REAL/REALLYREAL/REALLY

• ““RealReal”” is an adjective meaning true, actual, or is an adjective meaning true, actual, or genuine. genuine. ““ReallyReally”” is an adverb meaning truly, very, is an adverb meaning truly, very, or extremely.or extremely.

• While the correct adverbial form is While the correct adverbial form is ““reallyreally”” rather rather than than ““real,real,”” even that form is generally confined to even that form is generally confined to casual speech, as in casual speech, as in ““When you complimented me on my When you complimented me on my speech I felt really great!speech I felt really great!”” In general, In general, ““reallyreally”” is a feeble qualifier. is a feeble qualifier.

• Usually, it is better to replace the expression Usually, it is better to replace the expression altogether with something more precise: altogether with something more precise: ““almost almost seven feet tallseven feet tall”” is better than is better than ““really tall.really tall.”” To To strive for intensity by repeating strive for intensity by repeating ““really,really,”” as in as in ““That dessert you made was really, really good,That dessert you made was really, really good,”” demonstrates an impoverished vocabulary. demonstrates an impoverished vocabulary.

SENSE/SINCESENSE/SINCE

•““SenseSense”” is a verb meaning is a verb meaning ““feelfeel”” ((““I sense you near meI sense you near me””) or a noun ) or a noun meaning meaning ““intelligenceintelligence”” ( (““have some have some common sense!common sense!””). ).

•DonDon’’t use it when you need the t use it when you need the adverb adverb ““sincesince”” ( (““since you went since you went away,away,”” ““since yousince you’’re up anyway, re up anyway, would you please let the cat would you please let the cat out?out?””). ).

SO … THAT/VERYSO … THAT/VERY

• Originally people said things like, Originally people said things like, ““I was I was so so delighted with the wrapping delighted with the wrapping thatthat I couldn I couldn’’t t bring myself to open the package.bring myself to open the package.”” But then they But then they began to lazily say began to lazily say ““You made me so happy,You made me so happy,”” no no longer explaining just how happy that was. longer explaining just how happy that was.

• This pattern of using This pattern of using ““soso”” as a simple as a simple intensifier meaning intensifier meaning ““veryvery”” is now standard in is now standard in casual speech, but is out of place in formal casual speech, but is out of place in formal writing, where writing, where ““veryvery”” or another intensifier or another intensifier works better.works better.

• Without vocal emphasis, the Without vocal emphasis, the ““soso”” conveys little conveys little in print; in formal writing, it should be in print; in formal writing, it should be paired with paired with ““thatthat””

THAN/THENTHAN/THEN

•When comparing one thing with When comparing one thing with another, you may find that one is another, you may find that one is more appealing more appealing ““thanthan”” another. another. ““ThaThann”” is the word you want when doing is the word you want when doing comparisons. comparisons.

•If you are talking about time, If you are talking about time, choose choose ““thenthen““: : ““First you separate First you separate the eggs; the eggs; thenthen you beat the whites. you beat the whites.””

•Alexis is smarter Alexis is smarter thanthan I, not I, not ““thenthen I.I.””

THEYTHEY’’RE/THEIR/THERERE/THEIR/THERE

• There is ALWAYS a contraction of There is ALWAYS a contraction of ““they are.they are.”” If youIf you’’ve written ve written ““theythey’’re,re,”” ask yourself ask yourself whether you can substitute whether you can substitute ““they are.they are.”” If If not, younot, you’’ve made a mistake. ve made a mistake.

• ““TheirTheir”” is a possessive pronoun like is a possessive pronoun like ““herher”” or or ““ourour”” ““They eat their hotdogs with They eat their hotdogs with sauerkraut.sauerkraut.””

• Everything else is Everything else is ““there.there.”” ““ThereThere goes the goes the ball, out of the park! See it? Right ball, out of the park! See it? Right there!there! ThereThere aren aren’’t very many home runs like that.t very many home runs like that.””

• Another hint: Another hint: ““therethere”” has has ““herehere”” buried buried inside it to remind you it refers to place, inside it to remind you it refers to place, while while ““theirtheir”” has has ““heirheir”” buried in it to buried in it to remind you that it has to do with possession. remind you that it has to do with possession.

THREW/THROUGHTHREW/THROUGH

•““ThrewThrew”” is the past tense of the is the past tense of the verb verb ““throwthrow””: : ““The pitcher threw a The pitcher threw a curve ball.curve ball.””

•““ThroughThrough”” is never a verb: is never a verb: ““The ball The ball came through my living room window.came through my living room window.””

•Unless your sentence involves Unless your sentence involves someone throwing something—even someone throwing something—even figuratively, as in figuratively, as in ““she threw out she threw out the idea casuallythe idea casually””— the word you — the word you want is want is ““through.through.””

TO/TOO/TWOTO/TOO/TWO

• People seldom mix People seldom mix ““twotwo”” up with the other up with the other two; it obviously belongs with words that two; it obviously belongs with words that also begin with also begin with TW,TW, like like ““twicetwice”” and and ““twentytwenty”” that involve the number 2. But the other two that involve the number 2. But the other two are confused all the time. are confused all the time.

• Just remember that the only meanings of Just remember that the only meanings of ““tootoo”” are are ““alsoalso”” ( (““I want some ice cream too.I want some ice cream too.””) and ) and ““in excessin excess”” ( (““Your iPod is playing too Your iPod is playing too loudly.loudly.””). Note that extra ). Note that extra O.O. It should It should remind you that this word has to do with remind you that this word has to do with adding more on to something. adding more on to something.

• ““ToTo”” is the proper spelling for all the other is the proper spelling for all the other uses. uses.

WEATHER/WETHER/WHETHERWEATHER/WETHER/WHETHER

•The climate is made up of The climate is made up of ““weatherweather””; ; whether whether it is nice it is nice out depends on out depends on whether whether it is it is raining or not. raining or not.

•A A wetherwether is just a castrated is just a castrated sheep; there should be no time sheep; there should be no time you ever need to use this word you ever need to use this word in this class! in this class!

WHO/WHOMWHO/WHOM

• ““WhomWhom”” has been dying an agonizing death for decades has been dying an agonizing death for decades— many people never use the word in speech at all. — many people never use the word in speech at all. However, in formal writing, critical readers still However, in formal writing, critical readers still expect it to be used when appropriate. expect it to be used when appropriate.

• The distinction between The distinction between ““whowho”” and and ““whomwhom”” is is basically simple: basically simple: ““whowho”” is the subject form of this is the subject form of this pronoun, and pronoun, and ““whomwhom”” is the object form. is the object form.

• ““Who was wearing that awful dress at the Academy Who was wearing that awful dress at the Academy Awards banquet?Awards banquet?”” is correct because is correct because ““whowho”” is the is the subject of the sentence (Ask yourself, can you subject of the sentence (Ask yourself, can you replace it with replace it with ““hehe”” or or ““sheshe””?). ?). ““The MC was so The MC was so startled by the neckline that he forgot to whom he startled by the neckline that he forgot to whom he was supposed to give the Oscarwas supposed to give the Oscar”” is correct because is correct because ““whomwhom”” is the object of the preposition is the object of the preposition ““toto”” (think, (think, can you replace it with can you replace it with ““himhim”” or or ““herher””?)?)

More on Who/Whom …More on Who/Whom …

• Now consider this sort of question: Now consider this sort of question: ““Who are you Who are you staring at?staring at?”” Although strictly speaking the Although strictly speaking the pronoun should be pronoun should be ““whom,whom,”” it is very rarely used it is very rarely used even by careful speakers as the first word in a even by careful speakers as the first word in a question, and many authorities have now question, and many authorities have now conceded the point.conceded the point.

• There is another sort of question in which There is another sort of question in which ““whowhomm”” appears later in the sentence: appears later in the sentence: ““I wonder whom I wonder whom he bribed to get the contract?he bribed to get the contract?”” This may seem at This may seem at first similar to the previous example, but here first similar to the previous example, but here ““whomwhom”” is not the subject of any verb in the is not the subject of any verb in the sentence; rather, it is part of the noun clause sentence; rather, it is part of the noun clause which itself is the object of the verb which itself is the object of the verb ““wonder.wonder.””

Quick Quiz: Who vs. Quick Quiz: Who vs. WhomWhom1.1.Is she the one ____ spoke to you?Is she the one ____ spoke to you?2.2.Yes, she is the one _____ I spoke to.Yes, she is the one _____ I spoke to.3.3.II’’m not sure ____ sent me this m not sure ____ sent me this

package.package.4.4.She is the one _____ bought the car.She is the one _____ bought the car.5.5._____ should I ask to the dance?_____ should I ask to the dance?6.6.Cedric hasnCedric hasn’’t decided _____ should be t decided _____ should be

appointed yet.appointed yet.7.7.II’’m looking for an assistant on _____ m looking for an assistant on _____

I can depend.I can depend.

Quick Quiz: Who vs. Quick Quiz: Who vs. WhomWhom1.1.Is she the one Is she the one WHOWHO spoke to you? spoke to you?2.2.Yes, she is the one Yes, she is the one WHOMWHOM I spoke to. I spoke to.3.3.II’’m not sure m not sure WHOWHO sent me this sent me this

package.package.4.4.She is the one She is the one WHOWHO bought the car. bought the car.5.5.WHOMWHOM should I ask to the dance? should I ask to the dance?6.6.Cedric hasnCedric hasn’’t decided t decided WHOWHO should be should be

appointed yet.appointed yet.7.7.II’’m looking for an assistant on m looking for an assistant on WHOMWHOM

I can depend.I can depend.

WHOWHO’’S/WHOSES/WHOSE

• This is one of those cases where it is This is one of those cases where it is important to remember that possessive important to remember that possessive pronouns never take apostrophes, even pronouns never take apostrophes, even though possessive nouns do.though possessive nouns do.

• ““WhoWho’’ss”” always and forever means only always and forever means only ““who is,who is,”” as in as in ““WhoWho’’s that guy with s that guy with the droopy mustache?the droopy mustache?”” or or ““who has,who has,”” as as in in ““WhoWho’’s been eating my porridge?s been eating my porridge?””

• ““WhoseWhose”” is the possessive form of is the possessive form of ““whowho”” and is used as follows: and is used as follows: ““Whose dirty Whose dirty socks are these on the breakfast socks are these on the breakfast table?table?””

YOUR/YOUYOUR/YOU’’RERE

•““YouYou’’rere”” is always a contraction of is always a contraction of ““you are.you are.”” If you If you’’ve written ve written ““youyou’’re,re,”” try substituting try substituting ““you are.you are.”” If it If it doesndoesn’’t work, the word you want is t work, the word you want is ““your.your.”” Your writing will improve if Your writing will improve if youyou’’re careful about this.re careful about this.

•If someone thanks you, write back If someone thanks you, write back ““youyou’’re welcomere welcome”” for for ““you are you are welcome.welcome.””