V10/cmd/wwb/wordlist.d
%
A LOT: ALOT: The correct spelling is always as two separate
words.
%
ACCEPT: EXCEPT: "Accept" is a verb meaning "to receive, to
take." "Except" is either a verb meaning "to exclude" or a
preposition meaning "with the exclusion of, other than."
%
ACTUAL: ACTUALLY: Do not use "actually" as a simple
intensifier (He actually had the nerve to strike me!). Save
it for expressing a contrast between fact and opinion
(George looks like an old man, but actually he is only 37).
%
ADAPT: ADEPT: ADOPT: To "adapt" is to adjust, to make
suitable. "Adept" means "skilled, proficient." To "adopt"
is to accept or to take as one's own.
The children _a_d_a_p_t_e_d their habits to their new home.
She is _a_d_e_p_t at typing. The resolution was _a_d_o_p_t_e_d.
%
ADVICE: ADVISE: "Advice" is the noun, "advise" the verb.
Similarly, "device" is the noun and "devise" the verb.
%
AFFECT: EFFECT: "Affect" is normally only a verb; "effect"
is usually a noun, but it is also used as a verb. The verb
"affect" means either "influence" (This quiz will not affect
your final grade) or "to pretend, assume" (He affected a
British accent). The noun effect means "result" (Painting
the walls black had a depressing effect). The verb "effect"
means "to bring about, cause" (The election effected a
change of government). The noun "affect" is a rarely
encountered technical term in psychology meaning "an
emotion."
%
ALL: ALL OF: Either is usually correct, but "of" can often
be omitted to avoid wordiness. Only "all of" is correct
before personal pronouns (all of us, all of them). Only
"all" is appropriate before abstract nouns (All beauty is
deceptive).
%
ALL READY: ALREADY: ALL TOGETHER: ALTOGETHER: "All ready" is
a pronoun plus an adjective; "already" is an adverb meaning
"by a particular time." Similarly, "all together" is a
pronoun plus an adjective, and should be used when meaning
"at one time" or "in one place." "Altogether" is an adverb
meaning "entirely" or "in total."
They were _a_l_l _r_e_a_d_y by noon. It was _a_l_r_e_a_d_y noon.
The ten of us were _a_l_l _t_o_g_e_t_h_e_r. There were
_a_l_t_o_g_e_t_h_e_r too many.
%
ALL RIGHT: ALRIGHT: The only acceptable spelling is "all
right."
%
ALLUSION: DELUSION: ILLUSION: An _a_l_l_u_s_i_o_n is a hint or
indirect reference (to call an athlete a "Goliath" is to use
a Biblical allusion). An _i_l_l_u_s_i_o_n is a deceptive sense
impression or a mistaken belief. When an _i_l_l_u_s_i_o_n is
serious and persistent enough, it may become a _d_e_l_u_s_i_o_n.
%
ALMOST: MOST: "Almost" is an adverb; "most" is a pronoun or
adjective. Colloquially, "most" is often used as an adverb
before a pronoun, but this should be avoided in writing.
COLLOQUIAL _M_o_s_t everybody likes chocolate.
STANDARD _A_l_m_o_s_t everybody likes chocolate.
%
ALOUD: OUT LOUD: "Out loud" is a colloquial variant of
"aloud" and should be avoided in writing.
%
ALTHOUGH: THOUGH: The words are interchangeable and both are
correct. The abbreviated forms "altho" and "tho" should not
be used in formal writing.
%
AMONG: BETWEEN: In general, "among" refers to more than two
persons or things, and "between" refers to only two persons
or things. "Between" is, however, often used with reference
to more than two things if the things are being considered
individually. Only "between" is correct if relationships
are being considered two by two: there were several
marriages _b_e_t_w_e_e_n members of the class.
%
AND ETC.: "And" is redundant because "etc." is an
abbreviation for Latin "et cetera," which means "and the
rest." Hence saying "and etc." is like saying "and and so
on."
%
ANY MORE: ANYMORE: The correct spelling is as two separate
words. The use of "any more" in a sentence without a
negative is a regionalism and should be avoided in writing.
REGIONAL I see him almost every day _a_n_y _m_o_r_e.
STANDARD I see him almost every day _n_o_w.
%
ANY ONE: ANYONE: SOME ONE: SOMEONE: "Anyone" means "anybody"
or "any person at all." "Any one" means "a single individual
and only one."
Choose _a_n_y_o_n_e you like.
Choose _a_n_y _o_n_e of the three.
Exactly the same distinction applies to "everyone" and
"every one"; "everyone" means "all persons" and "every one"
means "each single individual." Similarly for "someone" and
"some one."
%
ANY WAY: ANYWAY: ANYWAYS: "Any way" is an adjective plus a
noun meaning "whatever way." "Anyway" is an adverb meaning
"in any case." "Anyways" is a colloquial substitute for
"anyway."
Do it _a_n_y _w_a_y you like, but do it _a_n_y_w_a_y.
%
APT: LIABLE: LIKELY: PRONE: In careful usage, all four of
these words are distinguished. "Apt" means "talented" (apt
at wood-working) or "suitable for the occasion" (an apt
remark). "Liable" means "susceptible to something
unpleasant" (liable to error) or "legally responsible"
(liable for damages). "Likely" means "probable" (likely to
snow). "Prone" refers to a strong habit or predisposition
(prone to temper tantrums).
%
ASSURE: ENSURE: INSURE: "Assure" refers to persons; "ensure"
and "insure" to events or things. Each verb must be
followed by an object.
_e_n_s_u_r_e his recovery,
_i_n_s_u_r_e his house and car,
_a_s_s_u_r_e him that he will recover.
"Assure" means "to give confidence to or to make sure or
certain."
A successful field _a_s_s_u_r_e_d (us) a new drying method.
Although "ensure" and "insure" are considered
interchangeable, the preference is to use "ensure" to mean
"make sure or certain" and limit "insure" to financial
protection.
Certain inspection sequences have been established
to _e_n_s_u_r_e that the consoles will meet all
customer requirements.
%
AS TO: Do not use "as to" to mean "about."
INCORRECT The clerk inquired _a_s _t_o her health.
CORRECT The clerk inquired _a_b_o_u_t her health.
"As to" is redundant before the subordinators "who, what,
when, which, whether, where, why, and how."
WORDY The clerk inquired _a_s _t_o _w_h_e_t_h_e_r she
was healthy.
IMPROVED The clerk inquired _w_h_e_t_h_e_r she was healthy.
%
ATTENUATE: EXTENUATE: Both "attenuate" and "extenuate"
basically mean "to thin out." "Extenuate" is the legal term:
"extenuating circumstances" make a crime seem less serious
or contemptible than it originally appeared.
%
ATTRIBUTE: CONTRIBUTE: "Contribute" means "to give one's
share" or "to have a share" in something; "attribute" means
"to trace or ascribe something to a cause or source" ("He
attributed the crossing of the letters in the mail to the
intervention of a supernatural power").
%
AWFUL: AWFULLY: The adjective "awful" has lost its former
meaning of "inspiring awe" and has come to have the
colloquial meaning of "unpleasant, disagreeable." The adverb
"awfully" has been so overused that today it means only
"very." Both should be avoided in writing. The use of
"awful" as an adverb (I'm awful sick of his complaining) is
nonstandard.
%
AWHILE: A WHILE: "A while" may be used wherever "awhile" can
be, but only "a while" is correct after the preposition
"for" or with "ago."
Wait _a_w_h_i_l_e. Rest _a_w_h_i_l_e before you start again.
Wait _a _w_h_i_l_e. We waited for _a _w_h_i_l_e.
He left _a _w_h_i_l_e ago.
%
BARELY: HARDLY: SCARCELY: These are negative words and no
other negative should be used in the same clause.
INCORRECT _h_a_r_d_l_y no trouble, _b_a_r_e_l_y didn't make,
without _h_a_r_d_l_y a word
CORRECT _h_a_r_d_l_y any trouble, _b_a_r_e_l_y made, with
_h_a_r_d_l_y a word
The same principle applies for the negative time adverbs
"rarely" and "seldom." Phrases with "barely, hardly, and
scarcely" are followed by "when" or "before" and not "than."
INCORRECT She had scarcely left the garage _t_h_a_n
her brakes failed.
CORRECT She had scarcely left the garage _w_h_e_n
her brakes failed.
%
BECAUSE: "Because" properly introduces noun clauses, not
adverbial clauses. Thus, after such words as "reason,"
"excuse," and "explanation," the correct word is "that."
INCORRECT The reason Judy is crying is _b_e_c_a_u_s_e
she has a toothache.
CORRECT The reason Judy is crying is _t_h_a_t
she has a toothache.
INCORRECT Her excuse for not coming is _b_e_c_a_u_s_e
the roads are bad.
CORRECT Her excuse for not coming is _t_h_a_t
the roads are bad.
%
BEING AS (HOW): BEING THAT: SEEING AS (HOW): Nonstandard for
"because."
%
BESIDE: BESIDES: "Beside" is a preposition meaning "at the
side of." "Besides" is either a preposition meaning "in
addition to" or an adverb meaning "in addition, moreover."
_B_e_s_i_d_e the fishtank, was a pump.
_B_e_s_i_d_e_s the fishtank, there was a birdcage.
_B_e_s_i_d_e_s, she had forty-two houseplants.
%
BUT THAT: BUT WHAT: Nonstandard for "that" or "whether."
INCORRECT I don't doubt _b_u_t _t_h_a_t he's guilty.
CORRECT I don't doubt _t_h_a_t he's guilty.
INCORRECT Who knows _b_u_t _w_h_a_t he's guilty?
CORRECT Who knows _w_h_e_t_h_e_r he's guilty?
%
CAN: MAY: In speech, "can" is widely used for both "ability
to do" and "permission to do." In writing, use "may" to
express the notion of permission.
%
CAPITAL: CAPITOL: "Capital" means "most important" or "most
serious." "Capitol" is a building in which a state
legislature meets.
%
CASE: CIRCUMSTANCES: INSTANCE: LINE: SITUATION: All of these
words tend to be overused, vague and are heavy contributors
to deadwood.
DEADWOOD In the _c_a_s_e of the manufacture of paper,
air pollution is a serious problem.
IMPROVED Air pollution is a serious problem in
the manufacture of paper.
DEADWOOD He was in very difficult _c_i_r_c_u_m_s_t_a_n_c_e_s.
IMPROVED He was in great difficulty.
When using a word like "situation," the sentence can often
be improved by using more precise wording.
VAGUE What about the shovel _s_i_t_u_a_t_i_o_n?
IMPROVED Are there enough shovels for everyone?
%
CENSOR: CENSURE: CENSER: To "censor" is to examine,
especially to examine printed matter for possible
objections. To "censure" is to reprimand or to condemn. A
"censer" is a receptacle for incense, especially one used in
religious ceremonies.
Half the story was _c_e_n_s_o_r_e_d. The students condemned
their treasurer in a vote of _c_e_n_s_u_r_e. Choirboys
carried the _c_e_n_s_e_r_s.
%
CERTAIN: PARTICULAR: Redundant in expressions like "this
certain person" or "in that certain instance." "Particular"
is preferable where "certain" could be ambiguous, meaning
either "some" or "reliable" (certain examples).
%
CITE: SIGHT: SITE: To "cite" is to refer to. "Sight" means
"view" or "spectacle." A "site" is a location.
He _c_i_t_e_d an old legal document. The mountains
below were a beautiful _s_i_g_h_t. We visited the
_s_i_t_e of the new building.
%
COMMON: MUTUAL: Strictly speaking, "common" refers to
something shared with others (a common driveway, common
interests). "Mutual" means "reciprocal, having the same
relation to each other" (mutual respect, mutual agreement).
The distinction is often blurred in speech, but should be
preserved in writing.
%
COMPARE TO: COMPARE WITH: Although "to" and "with" are used
interchangeably in speech, in more formal writing, "compare
with" means "to examine in order to note similarities" and
"compare to" means "to represent as similar, to liken." In
other words, "compare with" is the act of comparing, and
"compare to" is the statement of similarity.
%
COMPOSE: COMPRISE: "Comprise" expresses the relation of the
larger to the smaller, not vice versa. Try to think of
"comprise" as meaning "include." "Compose" means "to form
by putting together."
The U.S. _c_o_m_p_r_i_s_e_s 50 states.
The committee was _c_o_m_p_o_s_e_d of three representatives.
%
CONNOTE: DENOTE: "Connote" implies a suggestion whereas
"denote" specifies a meaning.
His paper _c_o_n_n_o_t_e_s that our research is
too conservative.
Signs in red _d_e_n_o_t_e danger.
%
CONSCIENCE: CONSCIOUS: "Conscience" is a noun referring to a
sense of rightness. "Conscious" is an adjective meaning
"awake" or "aware" or "active mentally."
Let your _c_o_n_s_c_i_e_n_c_e be your guide.
I was not _c_o_n_s_c_i_o_u_s of his fear.
%
CONSENSUS OF OPINION: Redundant because the word "consensus"
means "agreement of opinion." "Consensus" alone is enough.
%
CONTACT: Overworked as a verb synonym for "talk with,
telephone, ask about, advise, inform, query, write to, call
upon."
%
CONTINUAL: CONTINUOUS: To be "continuous," something must
extend without interruption in space or in time. People may
keep up a "continual" conversation, interrupted because they
have to pause for breath.
%
CONVINCE: PERSUADE: You "convince" someone that something is
right, but you "persuade" someone to do something. Hence,
you might convince your instructor that your grade is too
low, but still not persuade him to change it.
%
COUNCIL: COUNSEL: CONSUL: "Council" means "advisory board"
or "group." "Counsel" means "advice" or, especially in law,
"the man who gives advice." It may also be used as a verb.
A "consul" is a government official.
%
CREDIBLE: CREDULOUS: CREDITABLE: Stories may be _c_r_e_d_i_b_l_e
(believable) or _i_n_c_r_e_d_i_b_l_e (unbelievable); the people who
read them may be _c_r_e_d_u_l_o_u_s (willing to believe) or
_i_n_c_r_e_d_u_l_o_u_s (skeptical). An act that does someone credit is
a _c_r_e_d_i_t_a_b_l_e (worthy of praise) act.
%
DATA: DATUM: The singular "datum" is seldom used.
Generally, "data" takes a plural verb; however, if the
reference is to a group of facts taken as a unit, a singular
verb may be used.
%
DES'ERT: DESERT': DESSERT': "Des'ert" means a wilderness or
dry, sandy region with sparse, scrubby vegetation.
"Desert'" means to abandon. "Dessert'" (note the change in
spelling) is a sweet, such as cake or pie, served at the end
of a meal.
The Mojave _D_e_s_e_r_t is part of the Great American _D_e_s_e_r_t
in southern California.
When we ran out of fuel, we _d_e_s_e_r_t_e_d our car to find a
gas station.
John and Sue baked a strawberry pie for _d_e_s_s_e_r_t.
%
DEVICE: DEVISE: "Device" is a noun and "devise" is a verb.
His time machine was an amazing _d_e_v_i_c_e.
I wonder how he could _d_e_v_i_s_e such a thing.
%
DIFFER FROM: DIFFER WITH: "Differ from" means "to be
different from, to be unlike something." "Differ with" means
"to disagree with someone."
%
DISINTERESTED: UNINTERESTED: Although both words are often
used to mean "not interested," "disinterested" more properly
is reserved for the meaning "impartial, unbiased,
objective." "Uninterested" is used to mean "not interested,
indifferent."
%
DUE TO: DUE TO THE FACT THAT: "Due to" is always acceptable
in an adjectival phrase (following directly a form of "to
be": the error was due to a misunderstanding). However,
some still object to using "due to" to introduce an
adverbial phrase (He was fired due to his incompetence).
"Due to the fact that" is unnecessarily wordy and can always
be replaced by "because."
%
EACH AND EVERY: "Each and every" is unnecessarily wordy;
either "each" or "every" is preferable. If you do feel you
must have both for emphasis, the verb is still singular.
%
EACH OTHER: ONE ANOTHER: Some extremely careful writers use
"each other" to refer to two persons or things and "one
another" for more than two. For most people, the two
phrases are interchangeable.
%
E.G.: I.E.: "E.g." means "for example" and "i.e." means
"that is." Both are usually abbreviated in writing.
%
ELECTRIC: ELECTRICAL: "Electric" carries the sense of
producing, arising from, or being actuated by electricity,
e.g., electric pumps, electric motors, or electric circuits.
"Electrical" implies pertaining to, being related to, or
associated with electricity but without its properties or
characteristics, e.g., electrical industry, electrical
units.
%
ENTHUSE: ENTHUSED: Although these words are widely used
colloquially, many people object to seeing them in writing.
Use "be enthusiastic" and "enthusiastic" instead.
%
ETC.: The abbreviation "etc." is acceptable, even in formal
writing, to avoid a long and tedious list that the readers
can infer for themselves. However, "etc." should not be
used just because the writer cannot think of any other
examples; rather than write: "Vermin include rats,
cockroaches, etc.," try: "Vermin include such pests as rats
and cockroaches." Do not misspell "etc." as "ect." Do not
write "and etc." See, AND ETC.
%
EVER SO OFTEN: EVERY SO OFTEN: The two do not mean the same
thing. "Ever so often" is a somewhat childish way of saying
"very often, frequently." "Every so often" means "now and
then, occasionally."
%
EVERY ONE: EVERYONE: EVERYBODY: "Every one" is used when
referring to individual units in a larger group. "Everyone
may seem to be plural, but it requires a singular verb and a
singular pronoun. "Everybody" is interchangeable with
"everyone."
ACCURATE _E_v_e_r_y _o_n_e of our students is fully certified.
ACCURATE _E_v_e_r_y_o_n_e should stay in _h_i_s _o_r _h_e_r seats.
INACCURATE _E_v_e_r_y_o_n_e should stay in _t_h_e_i_r seats.
ACCURATE _E_v_e_r_y_b_o_d_y should stay in _h_i_s _o_r _h_e_r seats.
%
EXACT: EXACTLY: "Exact" is an adjective; do not use it to
modify the adjective "same." The correct form is "exactly
the same."
INCORRECT He did the _e_x_a_c_t same thing.
CORRECT He did _e_x_a_c_t_l_y the same thing.
%
EXCEPT: UNLESS: "Except" is a preposition and should not be
used to introduce a clause. To introduce a clause, use the
conjunction "unless."
INCORRECT He never writes us _e_x_c_e_p_t he wants money.
CORRECT He never writes us _u_n_l_e_s_s he wants money.
%
EXPECT: Colloquial or regional in the meaning "suppose,
suspect, think." "Expect" is standard in the meaning
"anticipate."
COLLOQUIAL I _e_x_p_e_c_t you already know him.
STANDARD I _e_x_p_e_c_t you to respond immediately.
%
FARTHER: FURTHER: In practice, the two words are almost
interchangeable. However, some prefer to reserve "farther"
to refer to physical distance (ten miles farther) and
"further" for other kinds of distance or degree (a further
observation). Only "further" is correct in the meaning "in
addition, moreover, furthermore."
%
FEWER: LESS: In speech, "less" is often used before both
plural and mass nouns. In writing, "less" should be
reserved for mass nouns (less control) and "fewer" should be
used with plural nouns (fewer horses). In general if the
following noun ends in "s", use "fewer."
%
FINALIZE: Although "finalize" is formed according to the
same principles as the acceptable "popularize," "legalize,"
and "modernize," many people still object to it. Try
"complete," "conclude," or "put into final form" instead.
%
FIND: LOCATE: "Find" is a verb usually meaning "to come upon
by study, search or experiment." "Locate" can mean either
"to determine the position of something" or "to set up in a
particular place."
Please _f_i_n_d my pen.
I don't know if I can _f_i_n_d the strength for it.
Can you _l_o_c_a_t_e their missing son?
Take that crate and _l_o_c_a_t_e it in the warehouse.
%
FORMALLY: FORMERLY: "Formally" means "in a formal way."
"Formerly" means "earlier, in the past."
%
FORTUITOUS: FORTUNATE: "Fortuitous" changes are accidental,
unplanned developments that are not always "fortunate."
%
FULL: FULSOME: "Fulsome," except when used by people who are
confused by its similarity with "full," means "offensive,"
or "disgusting." "Fulsome praise" is offensively exaggerated
or insincere.
%
GOOD AND: As an intensifier meaning "very," "good and" is
colloquial; it should be avoided in writing.
COLLOQUIAL Cleaning the cellar made him _g_o_o_d _a_n_d
tired.
PREFERABLE Cleaning the cellar made him _v_e_r_y tired.
%
GRATITUDE: GRATUITOUS: "Gratitude" is a noun meaning "to be
grateful or thankful." "Gratuitous" is an adjective meaning
"costing nothing, free, uncalled for."
His _g_r_a_t_i_t_u_d_e made all my efforts seem
worthwhile.
She gave him _g_r_a_t_u_i_t_o_u_s advice.
%
HEALTHFUL: HEALTHY: A distinction gradually breaking down
restricts "healthful" to mean "conducive to health" and
"healthy" to mean "possessing health."
%
HOPEFULLY: "Hopefully" is always acceptable in the meaning
of "in a hopeful manner" (Minnie asked hopefully if there
were any brownies left). As a sentence modifier meaning "it
is to be hoped," "hopefully" is attacked by many, who
apparently have not noticed that "hopefully" is completely
parallel to such acceptable sentence modifiers as
"undoubtedly" and "preferably." To be absolutely safe, you
can reserve "hopefully" for the first meaning.
%
HUMAN: HUMANE: Not every human being is "humane"--that is,
kind, compassionate, sensitive, or refined.
%
I: ME: The objective case of "I" is "me." "Me" can be a
direct object, an indirect object, an object of a
preposition, an object of a verbal, or the subject of an
infinitive.
It was a pleasure for the engineer and _m_e to
review the book.
This is a decision that must be made between
you and _m_e [not I].
%
IDENTICAL TO: IDENTICAL WITH: Authorities disagree on use
and acceptability; use the preposition that feels more
comfortable. "Identical with" means uniform with;
"identical to" means "equal to" or the "same as."
%
IF: WHETHER: "If" and "whether" are almost interchangeable
after a verb and before a clause. "Whether" is preferred
when an alternative is expressed (Tell me whether you want
to play Probe or Scrabble).
%
IMPLY: INFER: "Imply" means "to hint or suggest indirectly,
without stating directly." "Infer" means "to make a
conclusion, based on evidence." You might infer that your
roommate is angry because he implied it by throwing his
track shoes at you.
%
IN BACK OF: IN BEHIND: IN FRONT OF: BEFORE: The "in" is
unnecessary in "in back of" and "in behind." "Back of" is
acceptable, though somewhat more colloquial than "behind."
"In front of" is always correct and often clearer and less
awkward than the formal "before."
%
INGENIOUS: INGENUOUS: "Ingenious" means "having or giving
evidence of resourceful intelligence." It can be used of
either persons (an ingenious strategist) or things (an
ingenious device). "Ingenuous" means "naively frank." It is
used only of persons and of things closely associated with
them (an ingenuous proposal).
%
IN LIEU OF: "In lieu of" means "instead of" or "in the place
of." If does not mean "in view of." Even used correctly, the
expression is somewhat of an affectation and usually should
be avoided.
%
IN REGARDS TO: Nonstandard for "in regard to." "As regards"
is correct, but sounds affected in American English. All
expressions with regard are wordy and often are better
replaced with "about" or "concerning."
%
INSIDE OF: OUTSIDE OF: As prepositions referring to space,
the "of" is redundant (Don't wash the dog inside of the
house). In time expressions, "inside of" is colloquial for
"within" (You'll hear inside of a week). As nouns, "inside"
and "outside" require the preposition "of" (We couldn't see
the outside of the house because it was too dark).
%
IRREGARDLESS: DISREGARDLESS: Both are nonstandard for
"regardless."
%
ITS: IT'S: ITS': "Its" is a possessive adjective (the dog
ate its food); "it's is the contraction for "it is" or "it
has" (It's lost its flavor). "Its'" is always incorrect.
%
JUDICIAL: JUDICIOUS: A "judicial" decision is a decision
reached by a judge or by a court. A "judicious" decision
shows sound judgment. Not every judicial decision is
judicious.
%
KIND: SORT: TYPE: These words are singular and should be
modified by "this" or "that," not by "these" or "those." In
the phrase: "this kind (sort, type) of a," the "a" is
redundant and should be omitted.
%
KIND OF: SORT OF: Colloquial for "somewhat, rather," in
sentences like (He's kind of big for his age).
%
LATER: LATTER: "Later" is an adjective meaning "coming or
remaining after the proper time" (He came later than the
rest.) "Latter" is also an adjective, but means "relating
to, or being the second of two groups or things referred to"
(Of apples and oranges, I prefer the latter).
%
LEAD: LED: The correct past tense and past participle of the
verb "lead" is "led," not "lead."
%
LIE: LAY: LAID: LAIN: Three pairs of similar verbs have been
so thoroughly confused in dialect and nonstandard usage, and
even in literate conversation, that many people have trouble
distinguishing between them in meaning and spelling,
particularly in their uses with separable suffixes. See
also rise-raise and sit-set.
_L_i_e (lay, lain), intransitive, but usually modified or
combined with a suffix like down, indicates that the subject
occupies a position.
The book _l_i_e_s on the table.
The book _l_a_y on the table yesterday.
The book has _l_a_i_n on the table in the past.
"Lay" (laid, laid), transitive except for a few special
uses ("The hens lay well"; "Lay on, Macduff"), means place
or put and now appears mainly in a variety of special
contexts (see a dictionary).
He _l_a_y_s brick in his spare time.
The men _l_a_i_d their plans carefully.
the soldiers _h_a_v_e _l_a_i_d down their arms.
%
LIKE: Careful writers still use "like" as a preposition and
"as" or "as if" as a conjunction to connect two complete
clauses. However, if a verb has been omitted by ellipsis
from the second clause, "like" is an acceptable connector.
COLLOQUIAL He looked _l_i_k_e he had just had a shock.
PREFERABLE He looked _a_s _i_f he had just had a shock.
ACCEPTABLE He looked _l_i_k_e a man in shock.
%
LITERAL: LITERALLY: VERITABLE: "Literally" means "in a
strict sense, exactly as spoken or written" and should not
be used as an intensifier meaning "almost." "He literally
crucified her" means that he actually nailed her to a cross.
Similarly, "veritable" means "true, actual," and should
not be used as a simple intensifier. "My nephew is a
veritable monkey" makes you a monkey's uncle.
%
LOOSE: LOOSEN: LOSE: "Loose" is either an adjective meaning
"free, unattached" or a verb meaning "set free, unfasten."
The verb "loosen" means the same as the verb "loose." "Lose"
is a verb meaning "mislay, suffer loss."
You will _l_o_s_e an arm if that dog gets _l_o_o_s_e.
%
LOTS OF: A LOT OF: Colloquial for "a great deal, many" and
best avoided in writing.
%
LUXURIANT: LUXURIOUS: A "luxurious" house may be surrounded
by "luxuriant"--that is, profusely growing--vegetation.
%
MAJORITY: PLURALITY: Save "majority" for use with exact
counts, where a contrast between the majority and the
minority is made or implied. "Majority" should never be
used with mass nouns.
INACCURATE The _m_a_j_o_r_i_t_y of the apples are bruised.
ACCEPTABLE Out of 20 or 30 apples, the _m_a_j_o_r_i_t_y of them
are bruised.
PREFERABLE Most of the apples are bruised.
"Plurality" is a technical term; it means "the difference
between the number of votes received by the winning
candidate and the votes received by the next highest
candidate."
%
MARSHAL: MARSHALL: In the United States, this word ends with
a double "l" only when it serves as the proper name of a
person or place. In other instances, it is "marshal,"
whether it be "field 'marshal'" or "to 'marshal' one's
forces."
%
MATERIAL: MATERIEL: "Material" is a very general term which
can be used for any matter or substance from which something
is made. "Materiel" refers to apparatus or equipment,
especially military supplies.
%
MASTERFUL: MASTERLY: "Masterful" is an adjective meaning
"unusually competent to play the master." It also can mean
"a strong, virile personality and ability to deal
authoritatively with affairs." "Masterly" is also an
adjective meaning "to indicate thorough knowledge or
superior skill and power."
%
MAY BE: MAYBE: "May be" is a verb phrase indicating
possibility. "Maybe" is an adverb meaning "perhaps."
"Maybe" is somewhat colloquial; in formal writing, use
"perhaps" instead.
They _m_a_y _b_e right after all.
To be fair, _m_a_y_b_e we should wait.
%
MORAL: MORALE: "Moral" is a modifier, concerning the
preference of right over wrong; "morale" is a noun
suggesting good spirits and a healthy attitude.
George Washington was a _m_o_r_a_l man.
The victory improved the soldiers' _m_o_r_a_l_e.
%
NICE: Colloquial as a synonym for "affable," "agreeable,"
"amiable," "congenial," "considerate," and so on through the
alphabet. Use a more exact word. Carefully used, "nice"
means "precise," "exact," "discriminating."
%
NONE: When "none" means not one or no part (of), it is
singular; when it means not any, it is plural.
_N_o_n_e [not one] was satisfactory.
_N_o_n_e [not any] of the receivers were impaired.
%
NON SEQUITUR: The English translation of the Latin phrase is
"it does not follow." Within a sentence, a "non sequitur"
is a fact or statement which has absolutely no connection
with the main sense of the sentence. It is usually a forced
effort to include a bit of irrelevant information, as "Born
in Ohio, she loved cats."
Another kind of "non sequitur" is a comment or answer to a
query which bears no relation to the query to which it was
supposed to be a response. This is sometimes done
deliberately to evade the question or to create confusion.
%
NOR: "Nor" is correctly used as (1) the second member of the
correlative conjunction "neither...nor," or (2) to introduce
a main clause after a preceding negative main clause. After
a preceding "not, no, never, etc.," in the same clause, only
"or" is correct.
INCORRECT The refugees have no warm clothing _n_o_r
shelter.
CORRECT The refugees have no warm clothing _o_r
shelter.
CORRECT The refugees have no warm clothing, _n_o_r
do they have shelter.
CORRECT He was neither a gentleman _n_o_r a farmer.
%
NUMBER: AMOUNT: "Number" refers to objects which can be
counted. "Amount" refers to quantity in bulk.
The present method of refining this metal requires an
excessive _n_u_m_b_e_r of work hours.
The present method of refining this metal requires an
excessive _a_m_o_u_n_t of employee time.
%
OFF OF: The "of" is unnecessary. The use of "off" or "off
of" to designate source or origin is nonstandard (I bought
it off of a friend of mine). Use "from" instead.
%
ON ACCOUNT OF: Colloquial for "because of." The use of "on
account of" instead of "because" to introduce a noun clause
is nonstandard.
NONSTANDARD I stopped reading _o_n _a_c_c_o_u_n_t _o_f the
light was so bad.
STANDARD I stopped reading _b_e_c_a_u_s_e the light
was so bad.
%
ONE OF THE: THE ONLY ONE OF THE: "One of the" is followed by
a plural verb; "the only one of the" is followed by a
singular verb.
Norman is _o_n_e _o_f _t_h_e men who own their own boats.
Norman is _t_h_e _o_n_l_y _o_n_e _o_f _t_h_e men who owns his
own boat.
%
ONTO: ON TO: "Onto" means to position on; "on to," to
progress to the next item or step.
%
OVER WITH: Colloquial for "ended" or simply "over."
%
PASSED: PAST: "Passed" is the past tense and past participle
of the verb "to pass." "Past" is a noun, adjective, or
preposition.
The time has _p_a_s_s_e_d rapidly.
In the _p_a_s_t; _p_a_s_t events; _p_a_s_t our window
%
PEOPLE: PERSONS: As a general rule, use "people" with large
numbers, "persons" with exact or small numbers. _P_e_r_s_o_n_s are
the individuals who make up the _p_e_o_p_l_e.
%
PERCENT: PERCENTAGE: Use "percent" only after numbers; use
"percentage" as a part or proportion of the whole.
"Percent," originally two words from the Latin "per centum,"
has become one word (see Webster's New Collegiate
Dictionary, 8th edition).
Only 5 _p_e_r_c_e_n_t of the units failed, but this
_p_e_r_c_e_n_t_a_g_e was considered too large.
%
PERSONAL: "Personal" is usually redundant and best omitted
after possessive adjectives or nouns. For example, in the
phrase: "My personal feelings," what else could your
feelings be except personal? Reserve "personal" to contrast
with impersonal (highly personal remarks).
%
PLAN ON: PLAN TO: "Plan on" is a colloquial substitute for
"plan to," perhaps by confusion with "count on." In writing,
use "plan to."
%
PRACTICABLE: PRACTICAL: A "practicable" plan seems capable
of being put into practice. A "practical" plan, when put
into practice, is workable or effective. Unlike things,
people can be practical but not practicable.
"Your plan for introducing low-cost synthetic
fuels to the public sounds _p_r_a_c_t_i_c_a_l, but
I'm afraid it isn't going to be _p_r_a_c_t_i_c_a_b_l_e
in the near future," the oil executive said
in a smug tone.
%
PRINCIPAL: PRINCIPLE: "Principal" is an adjective meaning
"chief, main" or a noun meaning (1) "the head of a school,"
or (2) "money used as capital, as opposed to interest."
"Principle" is a noun meaning "rule, law, doctrine." It may
help to remember that the adjective is always "principal."
%
PRONE: SUPINE: It is impossible for a man to "lie 'prone' on
his back." "Prone" means "face downward." If he is lying on
his back, he is "supine."
%
PROVED: PROVEN: "Proved" is the only form having historical
foundation, but "proven" is also commonly accepted. The
verb "prove" is often used carelessly of statements that are
not proved; often "suggest," "imply," or "indicate" would be
more accurate.
%
PROVIDED: PROVIDED THAT: PROVIDING: All are acceptable in
the meaning "on the condition that," but "provided" is
preferred in more formal writing. The "that" can be omitted
unless confusion would result. None of these need be used
where "if" will express the same meaning.
%
RARELY EVER: SELDOM EVER: SELDOM OR EVER: Instead of "rarely
ever," use "rarely" or "rarely if ever." Instead of "seldom
ever" or "seldom or ever," use "seldom," "hardly ever,"
"seldom if ever," or "seldom or never."
%
REAL: REALLY: "Real" is colloquial as an adverb (She was
real pleased). Use "really" or "very" instead. Or consider
omitting the adverb entirely; "really" often sounds as if
the writer is trying too hard to convince the reader (You
_r_e_a_l_l_y must try this new shampoo).
%
RESPECTFULLY: RESPECTIVELY: "Respectfully" means "full of
respect"; "respectively" means "with respect or reference to
each of several things in the order in which they were
mentioned" ("'Un' and 'deux' mean 'one' and 'two,'
respectively").
%
RISE: RAISE: The two verbs are frequently confused. "Rise"
(rose, risen), intransitive, often combined with suffixes
like "up," indicates that the subject moves.
He _r_i_s_e_s before dawn.
He _r_o_s_e before dawn yesterday.
He has never _r_i_s_e_n before dawn in his life.
"Raise" (raised, raised), usually transitive (but "John
opened the betting, and Tom raised"), indicates that the
subject acts on something, making it rise or appear.
He _r_a_i_s_e_s his hand when he wants to talk.
The committee _r_a_i_s_e_d a new issue.
His salary has not been _r_a_i_s_e_d for a year.
%
SELF: The only correct forms of the pronouns are myself,
yourself, himself, herself, itself, oneself, ourselves,
yourselves, and themselves.
Although "-self" forms are often used in speech when the
subject of the sentence is not the same as the receiver of
the action, this usage should be avoided in writing, and "-
self" forms should be used only as intensive or reflexive
pronouns.
COLLOQUIAL He told a funny story to Paul and myself.
PREFERABLE He told a funny story to Paul and me.
%
SHALL: WILL: In American English, "will" is by far the more
common, except in legal documents and in asking for
direction or suggestions in the first person (Shall we bring
in the deck chairs?). If "will" seems natural to you, use
it; "shall" would probably sound affected to your readers
too.
%
SIT: SET: The two verbs are frequently confused. "Sit"
(sat, sat), intransitive except for a few uses, especially
with suffixes like "out" or "with" ("She sat out the dance;
she sits a horse gracefully"), indicates that the subject
occupies a place or seat or is in a sitting position.
He _s_i_t_s by the window. He _s_a_t by the window last week.
He has _s_a_t there for a year.
"Set" (set, set), transitive except for a few uses ("The sun
sets in the west; the hens are setting"), means place or
put, often varied in combinations with words like "off,"
"up," and "by."
He _s_e_t the lamp on the table.
They _s_e_t up the new organization yesterday.
Finally they have _s_e_t out on their journey.
%
SO: TOO: VERY: "So" and "too" are colloquial substitutes for
"very" in negative clauses and should be avoided in writing.
Either use "very" or omit the intensifier entirely.
COLLOQUIAL The eggplant quiche doesn't taste _s_o good.
COLLOQUIAL The eggplant quiche doesn't taste _t_o_o good.
STANDARD The eggplant quiche doesn't taste _v_e_r_y good.
%
SOME TIME: SOMETIME: SOMETIMES: "Some time" refers to a
period or span of time (I saw her some time ago).
"Sometime" refers to a particular but indefinite time in the
future (Come to see me sometime). "Sometimes" means "now
and then, at times" (I see her sometimes, but not
regularly). "Sometime" is also a slightly archaic adjective
(A sometime teacher, he now is a broker).
%
SOMEBODY: SOMEONE: "Somebody" is one or some person of
unspecified or indefinite identity. "Someone" is
interchangeable with "somebody."
_S_o_m_e_b_o_d_y outside would like to speak with you.
_S_o_m_e_o_n_e outside would like to speak with you.
%
SOPHISTICATED: During the 1920's and 1930's "sophisticated"
was used chiefly to describe people with a high quotient of
worldly wisdom and urbanity. Since World War II a new
scientific application has evolved, and today one speaks of
highly "sophisticated" computers and "sophisticated" weapons
systems, when describing devices that are complicated in
design and advanced in form. Both senses of "sophisticated"
are Standard English.
%
SUBSTITUTE: It is usually incorrect to use any other
preposition than "for" to follow the word "substitute." It
is sometimes advisable to use the word "replace" rather than
"substitute."
%
STATIONARY: STATIONERY: "Stationary" is a modifier meaning
"not movable" or "not moving"; "stationery" is a noun
meaning "writing materials." They can be distinguished by
remembering that letters are written with stationery.
%
SUIT: SUITE: "Suit," the commoner word, can be either a verb
("Suit yourself") or a noun ("a tailor-made suit").
"Suite," only a noun, has several specialized uses.
The ambassador and his _s_u_i_t_e occupied a _s_u_i_t_e of rooms.
%
TERRIBLE: TERRIBLY: Overused and misused; colloquial as
general intensives ("She is a terribly sweet girl") and as
blanket words signifying anything unpleasant ("I had been
vaccinated and felt terrible").
%
TERRIFIC: Recently misused and overused as a general synonym
for "large," "impressive," "dramatic," "significant,"
"dexterous," or "important," it can now scarcely be used in
its standard meaning, "causing terror."
%
THAN: THEN: "Than" is a subordinating conjunction used in
making comparisons. "Then" is an adverb of time or a
conjunctive adverb meaning "consequently, therefore."
%
THAT: WHICH: "That" introduces only restrictive clauses.
"Which" may introduce either restrictive or nonrestrictive
clauses, although some writers prefer to use "which" only
with nonrestrictive clauses.
RESTRIC. The shells _t_h_a_t _s_h_e _s_e_l_l_s _b_y _t_h_e
_s_e_a_s_h_o_r_e are overpriced.
CLAUSE (The restrictive clause limits the
shells being discussed to those sold by
the seashore.)
NONRESTRIC. The shells, _w_h_i_c_h _s_h_e _s_e_l_l_s _b_y _t_h_e
_s_e_a_s_h_o_r_e, are overpriced.
CLAUSE (All the shells being discussed are over-
priced; the nonrestrictive clause simply
gives additional information about the
shells.)
If the clause could contain "by the way," then use "which"
with a comma before it.
The shells, _w_h_i_c_h _b_y _t_h_e _w_a_y she sells by the seashore,
are overpriced.
%
THERE: THEIR: THEY'RE: "There" is an adverb or an expletive
pronoun; "their" is a possessive adjective; "they're" is the
contraction of "they are."
_T_h_e_y'_r_e pitching _t_h_e_i_r tent over _t_h_e_r_e.
%
THUSLY: THUS: Nonstandard for "thus." "Thus" is already an
adverb and needs no additional "ly."
%
TILL: UNTIL: Either form is correct and the two words are
interchangeable. The spelling 'til, however, is incorrect.
%
TO: TOO: TWO: "To" is a preposition and is also used to form
the infinitive; "too" is an adverb; "two is a cardinal
number.
The _t_w_o girls were _t_o_o small _t_o see over the fence.
%
TOWARD: TOWARDS: Either form is correct, although "toward"
is preferred in American usage.
%
UNIQUE: In careful usage, "unique" means "the only one, the
sole example, having no equal." Hence you should not write
he was a very unique child (or rather unique or somewhat
unique) any more than you would write he was a very only
child. If you mean simply "unusual," then write unusual,
rare, remarkable, or extraordinary.
%
VERY: QUITE: RATHER: "Very," "quite" and "rather" are
intensifiers that are generally overused and unnecessary
(e.g. _v_e_r_y dead, frozen _q_u_i_t_e to the bottom, _r_a_t_h_e_r like an
apple). These words should be used sparingly. You should
try to use words that are strong themselves.
%
VERY: VERY MUCH: Strictly speaking, "very much" (or
"greatly") should be used to modify past participles and
"very" to modify adjectives. The problem lies in deciding
whether a past participle is also an adjective. If the
participle has a different meaning from the verb, it is
probably a true adjective (determined, very determined), but
in many other instances, the line is not easy to draw. One
way of resolving the difficulty is to omit "very"
completely; "very" is overused as an intensifier and many a
sentence is improved by its removal.
%
WAY: WAYS: (1) Use "way" for "distance, "ways" is
colloquial.
COLLOQUIAL That's a long _w_a_y_s to go by canoe.
STANDARD That's a long _w_a_y to go by canoe.
(2) "Way" for "away" is colloquial.
COLLOQUIAL Don't go _w_a_y--I need you.
STANDARD Don't go _a_w_a_y--I need you.
(3) The phrases "in a bad way" meaning "in poor condition"
and "in the worst way" meaning "very much, greatly" are both
colloquial.
%
WEATHER: WHETHER: "Weather" refers to atmospheric conditions
such as temperature or cloudiness. "Whether" helps to
express choice or an alternative.
Daily _w_e_a_t_h_e_r reports are studied by meteorologists.
_W_h_e_t_h_e_r we call or write for reservations, we must
do it soon.
%
WHICH: WHO: THAT: "Which" refers to nonhumans, "who" to
persons, and "that" to either. See also, THAT, WHICH.
%
WHOSE: WHO'S: "Whose" is the possessive adjective or pronoun
from "who" or "which." "Who's" is the contraction of "who
is" or "who has." Note that "whose" is perfectly acceptable
as a possessive for a nonhuman referent and often is far
less awkward than "of which."
AWKWARD List all the planets names _o_f _w_h_i_c_h you can
remember.
IMPROVED List all the planets _w_h_o_s_e names you
can remember.
%
WISE: The suffix -wise is completely acceptable in
established words such as "clockwise," "otherwise," and
"lengthwise." However, its use to form new adverbs
indiscriminately is abhorred by many. Even if "-wise" saves
space, it is best to avoid it.
QUESTIONABLE The house was satisfactory location-wise.
PREFERABLE The location of the house was satisfactory.
%
YOU: In writing, "you" should be reserved for addressing the
reader directly and should be avoided as an indefinite
pronoun. Hence, "you" is correct in imperatives and in
giving instructions or advice addressed specifically to the
reader. As an indefinite pronoun, use "one," "anyone,"
"everyone," "a person," or the plural "people" or "those
(who)."
COLLOQUIAL When you are deaf, you are cut off from
the world.
PREFERABLE A deaf person is cut off from the world.