100 Common Word Usage ProblemsRules 1-20

( 1 ) A and An

The article a is used before consonant soundsThe article an before vowel sounds.

Words starting with h, o, or u might have either a consonant sound or a vowel sound.

• a histology class (h-sound) • a one-way path (w-sound) • a uniform look (y-sound)

( 2 ) Accept / Except

Accept, a verb, means “to receive.” Except, a preposition, means “leaving out” or “other than.”

She did not accept/except the job offer.She did not accept the job offer.

Accept/except for Maggie, we were all excited about the reunion.Except for Maggie, we were all excited about the reunion.

( 3 ) Accuse / Allege

Accuse means “to blame” or “to carry a charge against.” Allege means “to claim one thing that has not been proven.”

He was alleged/accused of treason, which he vehemently denied.He was accused of treason, which he vehemently denied.

It was alleged/accused that he secretly cooperated with the Japanese during the war.It was alleged that he secretly cooperated with the Japanese during the war.

( 4 ) Adapt / Adopt

Adapt, a verb, means “to change.” Adopt, also a verb, means “to take as one’s own.”

We were finally able to adapt/adopt to the cold climate. We were finally able to adapt to the cold climate.

The group adopted/adapted the strategy and implemented it. The group adopted the strategy and implemented it.

( 5 ) Advice / Advise

Advice is a noun which means “an opinion.” Advise is a verb that means “to give an opinion to.”

I miss the advice/advise that mom used to bombard me with. I miss the advice that mom used to bombard me with.

She advised/adviced me to remain strong and independent. She advised me to remain strong and independent.

( 6 ) Affect / Effect

Affect is almost always a verb which means “to influence.”Effect, often a noun, means “result.” Occasionally, effect is a verb which means “to bring about” or “to cause.”

I would not let my personal issues effect/affect my work. I would not let my personal issues effect/affect my work.

She effected/affected policies that benefited your business. She effected/affected policies that benefited your business.

( 7 ) Aggravate

Aggravate means “to make worse.” Avoid using this phrase as a synonym of “annoy.”

INCORRECT: She was severely aggravated by his impolite behavior.

CORRECT: Delaying your visit to the physician will aggravate your ailment.

( 8 ) Ain’t

Ain’t, initially a contraction of AM NOT, will not be considered acceptable in standard English. Avoid using it in all writing and speaking.

INCORRECT: I ain’t going to the party tonight.

CORRECT: I am not going to the party tonight.

( 9 ) Allot, A lot

Allot, a verb, means “to divide in parts” or “to give out in shares.” A lot is an informal expression which means “a great many” or “a large amount.” Avoid using it in formal writing.

Joe will allot/a lot a portion of his monthly pay for charity.Joe will allot a portion of his monthly pay to charity.

He has a lot/allot of children to support.He has a lot of children to support.

( 10 ) All ready / Already

All ready is an expression which means “ready.” Already means “by or before this time” or “even now.”

We are all ready/already to listen to the President. We are all ready to listen to the President.

We have already/all ready arrived at a decision. We have already arrived at a decision.

( 11 ) Alright, All right

Alright is nonstandard spelling. Always use the two-word “all right” kind in your writing.

INCORRECT: It is alright to clock out early today.

CORRECT: It is all right to clock out early today.

( 12 ) All together, Altogether

All together means “all at once.” Altogether means “completely” or “in all.”

Altogether/ All together, the audience booed the play. All together, the audience booed the play.

They didn’t altogether/all together agree that the play rocked.They didn’t altogether agree that the play rocked.

( 13 ) A.M. / P.M.

A.M. refers to the hours earlier than noonP.M. to the hours after noon.

Do not spell out numbers if you use these abbreviations, and do not use such phrases as “in the morning” or “in the afternoon” with them.

INCORRECT: We will depart at nine A.M. in the morning.CORRECT: We will depart at 9:00 A.M.

( 14 ) Among, Between

Among and between are both prepositions. Among at all times implies three or more. Between is used when referring to items.

John is among/between the best students in his class. John is among the best students in his class.

The argument was among/between Frank and Fred.The argument was between Frank and Fred.

( 15 ) Amount, Number

Use amount with qualities and quantities that can’t be counted. Use number with things that can be counted.

I take a small number/amount of sugar in my coffee.I take a small amount of sugar in my coffee.

The number/amount of empty bottles is staggering.The number of empty bottles is staggering.

( 16 ) Anxious

Anxious means “worried,” “uneasy,” or “fearful.” Do not use it as a substitute for “eager.”

CORRECT: I am anxious about the upcoming unit exam.

AMBIGUOUS: I am anxious to meet new people.CLEAR: I am always eager to meet new people.

( 17 ) Anyone, Any one

Anyone and everybody mean “any person” and “every person.” Any one means “any single person (or thing).” Every one means “every single individual (or thing).”

Any one/Anyone of you might win the lottery.Any one of you might win the lottery.

Every one/Everyone complained about the food. Everyone complained about the food.

( 18 ) Anyway, Anywhere, etc.

The following adverbs should never finish in –s: anyway, anywhere, everywhere, nowhere, somewhere.

INCORRECT: The weather might be rough, but we’re going sailing anyways.

CORRECT: The weather might be rough, but we’re going sailing anyway.

( 19 ) As

Do not use the conjunction “as” to imply “because” or “since.”

INCORRECT: As she was terribly sick, she did not play well. CORRECT: Because she was terribly sick, she did not play well.

( 20 ) As To

As to is awkward. Replace it with about or on.

INCORRECT: Doctors have a number of ideas as to how to stay healthy.

CORRECT: Doctors have a number of ideas about how to stay healthy.

In class assignment

Review usage problems #1-20Download from NetMoeller:

100 Common Usage Problems

Complete questions: Exercises A-BRecord your answers on the answer

sheet given to you.