INTRODUCTION
The following glossary includes commonly confused words in the English language. These terms may help you understand the explanations:
FORMAL refers to words appropriate for serious occasions such as ceremonies, public speeches, or school papers.
INFORMAL refers to words that might be used in casual conversations but are not appropriate for a serious venue.
NONSTANDARD refers to words that do not follow the usage characteristic of educated speakers of English. These words may be suitable for informal speaking or, perhaps, in narrative writing when you are trying to capture casual conversations.
STANDARD refers to words that follow grammatical rules. The words are appropriate for formal and informal speaking.
FORMAL refers to words appropriate for serious occasions such as ceremonies, public speeches, or school papers.
INFORMAL refers to words that might be used in casual conversations but are not appropriate for a serious venue.
NONSTANDARD refers to words that do not follow the usage characteristic of educated speakers of English. These words may be suitable for informal speaking or, perhaps, in narrative writing when you are trying to capture casual conversations.
STANDARD refers to words that follow grammatical rules. The words are appropriate for formal and informal speaking.
A
a, an |
These articles function as adjectives.
Use a before a consonant sound. Use an before a vowel sound. Ex: a horse, an hour |
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accept, except |
Accept is a verb meaning "to receive" or "to endure."
Except is a conjunction meaning "with the exclusion of" or a verb meaning "to leave out." Ex: He accepted the job offer. He cleaned everything except the kitchen counters. |
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adapt, adopt |
Adapt is a verb meaning "to modify or make fit."
Adopt is a verb meaning "to make one's own." Ex: The groundhog adapted to its new environment. They adopted a dog from the animal shelter. |
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affect, effect |
Affect is a verb meaning "to influence." Something is altered but not new.
Effect is used primarily as a noun meaning "a result." Effect can also be used as a verb meaning "to bring about a result" or "to cause to be." Think of cause and effect. Something new is caused or created. Ex: The rainy day affected my mood. [Influenced it.] Last night's floods had several effects in town. [results] Emergency crews effected changes in routes for motorists. [The crews created these new changes.] |
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ain't |
Ain't is nonstandard, something you should avoid in formal language. As a writer, you might use it in a story if a character speaks that way, or you might pen a song that becomes a big hit, but otherwise it is something to avoid.
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all ready, already |
All ready is actually two words, all + ready, meaning "completely ready."
Already is an adverb meaning "previously." Ex: We are all ready to depart now. We already departed an hour ago. |
all right, alright |
All right means "satisfactory," "unhurt," "safe," "correct," or "yes." All right is historically the preferred spelling.
As the English language has evolved, some writers use alright; however, it has not become standard usage. Some suggest using alright to mean "okay," as in, "I'm doing alright." For now, using all right is always right. Ex: David did all right on the test. All right, let's go to lunch. |
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all together, altogether |
All together is actually two words, all + together, meaning "completely together" or "in unison."
Altogether is an adverb meaning "completely" or "entirely." Ex: The choir sang all together. [in unison] The band was altogether out of tune. [entirely] The family was all together for Mother's Day. [completely together] |
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all the farther,
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In some parts of the United States, including the Midwest, some people use the expressions all the farther or or all the faster. While these expressions may be fine in informal conversations, use as far as or as fast as in formal situations. For more information, check out the Yale Grammatical Diversity Project.
INFORMAL The thunderstorm rolled in, so the third inning was all the farther we played before the softball game was called. FORMAL The thunderstorm rolled in, so the third inning was as far as we played before the softball game was called. |
allusion, illusion |
Allusion is an indirect reference to something, especially in literature.
Illusion is something that is unreal or misleading. Ex: Shakespeare's writing contains multiple allusions to mythological gods. The illusion of a ghost appeared before my eyes until I realized it was a practical joke. |
a lot, allot |
Alot is not a word.
A lot (with a space) is an informal word meaning "a considerable amount," "often," or "frequently." INFORMAL We have a lot of homework in English class tonight. FORMAL We have a great deal of homework in English class tonight. Allot is a verb meaning "to apportion" or "to distribute." Ex: We were allotted five minutes to post the video on YouTube. |
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alumna
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The singular form for a female graduate is alumna.
The plural form for female graduates is alumnae although alumni is sometimes used informally. The singular form for a male graduate is alumnus. The plural form for male graduates is alumni. The plural form for graduates of a coeducational institution is alumni. Ex: Mr. Heyn is an alumnus of Revere High School. Both men are alumni of Revere High School. Both women are alumnae of Revere High School. |
among, between |
Among is a preposition meaning "in the midst of." Use among when you discuss something in relation to other surrounding members of a group.
Between is a preposition meaning "in common with" or "in the space that separates." Generally, use between when you are deciding between 2 things or are seeing these things as separate individuals. Ex: You are a rose among thorns. There is no honor among thieves. You have a choice between cake or pie. |
amount, number |
Amount refers to a quantity that is not countable, such as liquids or energy.
Number refers to individual units that are countable, such as people or desks. Ex: Learning how to pitch a curveball took an immense amount of time. The number of people at the game is phenomenal. |
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and etc.
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Etc. is the abbreviation for the Latin expression et cetera, which means "and others" or "and so forth"; therefore, adding the word and would be redundant. Just write etc.
Ex: In our poetry unit, we will study various poets: William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Billy Collins, etc. |
anyway or
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Anyways appears in certain dialects and is nonstandard. Drop the S for the preferred spelling.
Ex: Even though the test was postponed, I studied for it last night anyway. |
ANYWHERE or
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Anywheres appears in certain dialects and is nonstandard. Drop the S for the preferred spelling.
Ex: I'm not sure my answer was anywhere near being right. |
as, as if,
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Both as and like can function as various parts of speech.
As has traditionally been a subordinating conjunction or preposition. As if and as though are also subordinating conjunctions. EXAMPLES: For Halloween she dressed as the Statue of Liberty. [preposition] The actor bowed as the audience applauded. [conjunction beginning an adverb clause] He looked as if he were about to go to sleep. [conjunction beginning an adverb clause] Ashley is performing as though she is a Broadway actress. [conjunction beginning an adverb clause] Traditionally, like has been a preposition. As the English language has evolved, some writers use like as a subordinating conjunction; however, reserve like primarily for informal settings. Ex: The play's set looks like a farm. [preposition] INFORMAL In his suit and tie, he acted like he could run for political office. FORMAL In his suit and tie, he acted as if he could run for political office. |
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assure, ensure, insure |
Assure is a verb meaning "to convince" or "to give confidence to." Ensure is a verb meaning "to make sure or certain." Insure is a verb meaning "to obtain insurance" or "to take precautions."
EXAMPLES: Mr. Silvidi assured us that the essay test would not be too difficult. I studied a lot to ensure a good grade. If I earn an A, my parents will give me money to insure my car. |
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at |
Despite what you might hear in songs (Beck, Future, etc.), you should not use at after the word where.
NONSTANDARD Where are you at? STANDARD Where are you? NONSTANDARD Where do you live at in Bath Township? STANDARD Where do you live in Bath Township? |
a while, awhile |
A while is a noun phrase meaning "a period of time." Awhile is an adverb meaning "for a while" or "for a short time." If there's a preposition such as for in front of the word, use a while (two words) to form a prepositional phrase: for a while.
EXAMPLES: Patrick played his guitar for a while. I rested awhile before going swimming. |
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B
bad, badly |
Bad is an adjective. Badly is an adverb. Use bad to modify a noun or pronoun.
EXAMPLE: Braces can improve bad teeth. Have a linking verb (feel, look, sound, taste, smell) with a predicate adjective? Use bad. You may hear “feel badly” in informal conversations, but in formal situations, the appropriate expression is “feel bad.” INFORMAL I felt badly when she spilled her drink. FORMAL I felt bad when she spilled her drink. |
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because,
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Novice writers may use the wordy expression "The reason [fill in the blank] is because . . ."
In formal situations, "The reason [fill in the blank] is that . . ." is better. Typically, a more direct expression is preferred. Can you eliminate some of that expression anyway? INFORMAL The reason my homework is late is because my dog ate it. [12 words] FORMAL The reason my homework is late is that my dog ate it. [12 words] BETTER My homework is late because my dog ate it. [9 words, less wordy, more direct] |
being as,
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Being as or being that is sometimes used in certain dialects in place of since or because. Avoid using either expression.
NONSTANDARD Being that my dog ate my homework, I could not turn it in. BETTER Because my dog ate my homework, I could not turn it in. [Less wordy] |
beside, besides |
Beside is a preposition meaning "by the side of."
Besides is a preposition meaning "except" or "together with." It can also be an adverb meaning "also" or "moreover." EXAMPLES: Jeff sat beside me in chemistry class. Besides Copley, whom else did we defeat in football? I can't go to the game; besides, it's away and I can't drive. |
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between, among |
Among is a preposition meaning "in the midst of." Use among when you discuss something in relation to other surrounding members of a group.
Between is a preposition meaning "in common with" or "in the space that separates." Generally, use between when you are deciding between 2 things or are seeing these things as separate individuals. Ex: You are a rose among thorns. There is no honor among thieves. You have a choice between cake or pie. |
borrow, lend |
Borrow is a verb meaning "to receive something from someone temporarily with the expectation of giving it back."
Lend is a verb meaning "to give something to someone temporarily and expect to get it back" or "to loan." EXAMPLES: Can I borrow your eraser? [I don't plan to keep your eraser.] Can you lend me your pencil? [You own the pencil and would give it to me temporarily.] |
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bring, take |
Bring is a verb meaning "to carry with you toward the speaker or intended destination.'
Take is a verb meaning "to acquire and carry away from." EXAMPLES: Bring my dinner here. [toward the speaker] Take it away. [away from the speaker] Bring your iPad with you to the library. [with you toward the intended destination] Could you take your project when you leave? [away from the speaker] |
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bust, busted |
Do not use either word in a formal situation.
My cracked iPhone is broken, not busted. A pipe burst; it is not busted. No one got busted, but someone was caught. |