Glossary of Usage

Question 1

a vs. an

Answer 1

a: consonant after
an: vowel after

Question 2

adapt vs. adopt

Answer 2

adapt: get used to something/change to be suitable for oneself
adopt: to take something and make it one’s own

Question 3

effect. vs affect

Answer 3

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(?)

Question 4

all right vs. alright

Answer 4

all right: correct, okay, safe
alright: this isn’t entirely correct

Question 5

all the farther vs. all the faster

Answer 5

both are informal
all the farther: as far as
all the faster: as fast as

Question 6

allusion vs. illusion

Answer 6

allusion: indirect reference to something
illusion: misleading appearance

Question 7

a lot

Answer 7

informal
and it’s not alot

Question 8

alumnus

Answer 8

male graduate,
alumni: group of graduates

Question 9

alumna

Answer 9

female graduate

Question 10

alumnae

Answer 10

female graduates

Question 11

amount vs. number

Answer 11

amount: singular word (amount of water)
number: plural word (number of trees)

Question 12

and etc.

Answer 12

don’t use and
also try to avoid etc. in standard English

Question 13

anyways, anywheres

Answer 13

omit the s

Question 14

assure vs. ensure vs. insure

Answer 14

assure: state with confidence
ensure: to make certain
insure: to arrange for monetary payment in case of loss

Question 15

would of

Answer 15

would have*

Question 16

who vs. which vs. that

Answer 16

who: refers to ppl only
which: refers to things only
that: refers to both ppl and thing

Question 17

try and vs. try to

Answer 17

Did anyone try to help Annie?
not try and

Question 18

this here vs. that there

Answer 18

avoid using here/there
this, that is better

Question 19

persecute vs. proscute

Answer 19

persecute: to attack or annoy someone constantly
proscute: to bring legal action against someone for unlawful behaviour

Question 20

says vs. said

Answer 20

says: present
said: past

Question 21

some vs. somewhat

Answer 21

avoid using some to mean to some extent in formal English

Question 22

Reverend and honorable

Answer 22

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.)

Question 23

bust vs. busted

Answer 23

don’t use these in formal cases
instead, use burst, catch, or arrest

Question 24

beside vs. besides

Answer 24

beside: by the side of
besides: in addition, moreover

Question 25

credible, creditable, credulous

Answer 25

credible: believable
creditable: praiseworthy
credulous: inclined to believe too readily

Question 26

emigrate vs. immigrate

Answer 26

emigrate: to leave a country
immigrate: to come into a country

Question 27

famous vs. notorious

Answer 27

famous: widely known
notorious: known but for unfavourable reasons

Question 28

imply vs. infer

Answer 28

to imply: to suggest something indirectly
to infer: to draw in a conclusion

Question 29

literally vs. figuratively

Answer 29

literally: in a literal sense
figuratively: metaphorically, not literally

Question 30

nauseated vs. nauseous

Answer 30

nauseated: the child is nauseated
nauseous: that odor is nauseous