Glossary of Usage Flashcards
a vs. an
a: consonant after
an: vowel after
adapt vs. adopt
adapt: get used to something/change to be suitable for oneself
adopt: to take something and make it one’s own
effect. vs affect
affect: to influence
the drought affected plant growth
effect (v.): to bring about a desired response
effect (adj.):the result of an action
computers have had a huge effect on our lives(?)
all right vs. alright
all right: correct, okay, safe
alright: this isn’t entirely correct
all the farther vs. all the faster
both are informal
all the farther: as far as
all the faster: as fast as
allusion vs. illusion
allusion: indirect reference to something
illusion: misleading appearance
a lot
informal
and it’s not alot
alumnus
male graduate,
alumni: group of graduates
alumna
female graduate
alumnae
female graduates
amount vs. number
amount: singular word (amount of water)
number: plural word (number of trees)
and etc.
don’t use and
also try to avoid etc. in standard English
anyways, anywheres
omit the s
assure vs. ensure vs. insure
assure: state with confidence
ensure: to make certain
insure: to arrange for monetary payment in case of loss
would of
would have*
who vs. which vs. that
who: refers to ppl only
which: refers to things only
that: refers to both ppl and thing
try and vs. try to
Did anyone try to help Annie?
not try and
this here vs. that there
avoid using here/there
this, that is better
persecute vs. proscute
persecute: to attack or annoy someone constantly
proscute: to bring legal action against someone for unlawful behaviour
says vs. said
says: present
said: past
some vs. somewhat
avoid using some to mean to some extent in formal English
Reverend and honorable
make sure to use the before each title, and don’t exclude the person’s first name if you choose not to include an honorific (Dr., Mr., Mrs.)
bust vs. busted
don’t use these in formal cases
instead, use burst, catch, or arrest
beside vs. besides
beside: by the side of
besides: in addition, moreover
credible, creditable, credulous
credible: believable
creditable: praiseworthy
credulous: inclined to believe too readily
emigrate vs. immigrate
emigrate: to leave a country
immigrate: to come into a country
famous vs. notorious
famous: widely known
notorious: known but for unfavourable reasons
imply vs. infer
to imply: to suggest something indirectly
to infer: to draw in a conclusion
literally vs. figuratively
literally: in a literal sense
figuratively: metaphorically, not literally
nauseated vs. nauseous
nauseated: the child is nauseated
nauseous: that odor is nauseous
