THE RULE Use A before words beginning with a consonant sound; use AN before words beginning with a vowel sound. EXAMPLES A student walked into the

A, An

THE RULE Use A before

words beginning with a consonant sound; use AN before words beginning with a vowel sound.

EXAMPLES A student walked

into the library. Our town needs A

hospital. May I please have

AN apple? Martha worked for

AN hour.

1

Accept, Except

THE RULE Accept is a verb;

it means “to receive.”

Except may be either a verb or a preposition. As a verb it means “to leave out” or “to omit.” As a prepostion, except means “excluding.”

EXAMPLES We accept your

apology. Senior citizens will

be excepted from the fee.

Everyone except me has seen the exhibit.

2

Affect, Effect

THE RULE Affect is a verb

meaning “to influence.”

Effect used as a verb means “to accomplish.”

Effect used as a noun means “the result of some action.”

EXAMPLES The bright colors

affect the patients beneficially.

The doctors hope the treatment will effect a cure for the disease.

The bright colors have a beneficial effect on the patients. 3

Ain’t

THE RULE Do not use this

word in speaking or writing; it is considered non-standard English.

4

and, etc.

THE RULE Etc. is an

abbreviation of the Latin phrase et cetera, meaning “and other things.” Thus, and etc. means “and and other things.”

Do not use and with etc.

EXAMPLE(S) My younger sister

collects string, bottle caps, stickers, etc. (not and etc.)

5

anywheres, everywheres, nowheres, somewheres

THE RULE Use these words

without the final –s.

EXAMPLES That bird is

described somewhere (not somewheres) in this book.

I searched everywhere (not everywheres) for a blouse to match that skirt.

6

At

THE RULE Do not use at after

where.

EXAMPLES INCORRECT: This

is where I live at. CORRECT: This is

where I live.

7

beside, besides

THE RULE Beside means “by

the side of” someone or something; it is always a preposition.

Besides as a preposition means “in addition to.”

Besides as an adverb means “moreover or further.”

EXAMPLES Sit beside me on

the couch. Besides songs and

dances, the show featured several comedy sketches.

I have a long walk home. Besides, it’s starting to snow.

9

between, among

THE RULE Use between when

you are thinking of two things at a time, even though they may be a part of a group consisting of more than two.

Use among when you are thinking of a group rather than of separate individuals.

EXAMPLES Stand between Alice and Noreen

in the third row. The Civil War is sometimes called

the War Between the States. (Although 35 states were involved, the war was between two sides.)

The manager could not decide which of the four players to select, as there was not much difference between them. (although there are more than two players, each one is being thought of and compared with the others separately.)

There was some confusion among the jurors about one part of the defendant’s testimony. (The jurors are thought of as a group.)

We collected only ten dollars among the four of us.

10

bring, take

THE RULE Bring means “to

come carrying something.”

Take means “to go carrying something.”

Think of bring as related to come, take as related to go.

EXAMPLES Bring that box over

here. Now take it to the

basement.

11

bust, busted

THE RULE Avoid using these

words as verbs. Use a form of either burst or break.

EXAMPLES The balloon burst

(not busted) loudly. The firefighters

broke (not busted) a window.

12

QUIZ TOMORROW OVER GLOSSARY OF USAGE

Review the Glossary of Usage Terms we have studied so far for five minutes in preparation for a practice quiz tomorrow.

The quiz will consist of 20 sentences to correct.

You may want to study some outside of class, too.

13

Glossary of Usage Quiz Today Take five minutes

to study your notes.

Quizzes will be distributed by the teacher.

Practice Quiz One

After completing the quiz, turn it face down on your desk and wait quietly, until everyone is done.

14

could of

THE RULE Could have sounds

like could of when spoken. Do not write of With the helping verb could. Write could have.

Also avoid ought to of, should of, would of, might of, and must of.

EXAMPLE Diane could have

(not of) telephoned us.

15

discover, invent

THE RULE Discover means

“to be the first to find, see, or learn about something that already exists.”

Invent means “to be the first to do or make something.”

EXAMPLES Marguerite Perey

discovered the element francium.

The zipper was invented in 1925.

16

don’t, doesn’t

THE RULE Don’t is the

contraction of do not

Doesn’t is the contraction of does not.

Use doesn’t, not don’t, with he, she, it, this and singular nouns.

EXAMPLES It doesn’t (not

don’t) matter. This doesn’t (not

don’t) make sense.

17

fewer, less

THE RULE Fewer is used with

plural words Less is used with

singular words. Fewer tells “how

many.” Less tells “how

much.”

EXAMPLES There are fewer

gypsy moths this year.

They have done less damage to the trees.

18

good, well

THE RULE Good is always an

adjective. Never use good to modify a verb; use well, which is an adverb.

Although well is usually used as an adverb, it can be used as an adjective to mean “healthy.”

EXAMPLES INCORRECT: Joey

Votto plays good. CORRECT: Joey Votto

plays well. She does not feel well

(used here to mean “healthy.)

NOTE: Feel good and feel well mean different things. Feel good means “to feel happy or pleased.” Feel well means “to feel healthy.”

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20




Practice Quiz Two


21

Glossary of Usage Review Test coming.

Study Glossary of Usage Terms for five minutes in preparation for Review Test.

The Review Test will consist of 20 sentences that cover the most important usage problems we’ve discussed so far.

You will need to evaluate each sentence, determine if there is an error in usage, and correct if necessary.

Date of Test This test will be for a

grade in the grade book. The value of this test is 40

points. You probably should study

outside of class to do the best you can.

The purpose of this test is to assess YOUR learning.

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23










24

Glossary of Usage Review Test TODAY!

Study five minutes for Review Test.

Are there any questions? Be ready to ask at the end of five minutes.

Tests will be distributed by the teacher.

GOOD LUCK!

25

had ought, hadn’t ought

THE RULE Unlike other verbs,

ought is not used with had.

EXAMPLES INCORRECT: Lee had

ought to plan better; he hadn’t ought to have left his packing until the last minute.

CORRECT: Lee ought to plan better; he ought not to have left his packing until the last minute. OR Lee should plan better; he shouldn’t have left his packing until the last minute.

26

he, she, they

THE RULE Do not use an

unnecessary pronoun after a noun. This error is called a double subject.

EXAMPLES INCORRECT: My

mother she grows all her own herbs.

CORRECT: My mother grows all her own herbs.

27

kind, sort, type

THE RULE The demonstrative

words this, that, these, and those must agree in number with the words kind, sort, type: this type, these types.

EXAMPLES I like this kind of

jeans better than any of those other kinds.

28

learn, teach

THE RULE Learn means “to

acquire knowledge.”

Teach means “to instruct” or “to show how.”

EXAMPLES Some coaches

teach classes in gymnastics, where young gymnasts can learn many techniques.

29

leave, let

THE RULE Leave means “to

go away” or “to depart from.”

Let means “to allow” or “to permit.”

EXAMPLES INCORRECT: Leave

her speak if she insists.

CORRECT: Let (allow) her speak if she insists.

CORRECT: Let’s leave on time for a change.

30

like, as

THE RULE Like is a

preposition. In informal English like is often used as a conjunction meaning “as” ; but in formal English as is always preferable.

EXAMPLES She looks like her

sister. (The preposition like introduces the phrase like her sister.)

We should do as our coach recommends. (As our coach recommends is a clause and needs the conjunction as- not the preposition like- to introduce it.

31

like, as if

THE RULE In formal written

English, like should not be used for the compound conjunctions as if or as though.

EXAMPLES Toto looks as

though (not like) he has been in the creek again.

32

of

THE RULE Do not use of with

prepositions such as inside, off, outside, beneath, etc.

Of is also unnecessary with had.

EXAMPLES He fell off (not off

of) the ladder outside (not outside of) the garage.

What’s inside (not inside of) that box?

If I had (not had of) seen you, I would have waved. 33





This quiz is worth 12 points.

34




Practice Quiz Three


35

Rise, Raise

THE RULE The verb rise means

“to go in an upward direction.” Its principal parts are rise, rising, rose, (have risen). The verb rise never has an object.

The verb raise means “to move something in an upward direction.” It’s principal parts are raise, raising, raised, and (have) raised.

EXAMPLES I always rise early. Someone will raise

that question. The price index rose

sharply. The publisher raised

the price of paper.

36

Number your paper 1-10, and write the correct form of rise or raise for each of the following blanks.

1. Please _____ and face the class.2. After the speech, the reporters _____ several

questions.3. Will the governor _____ the sales tax again?4. The price of fuel has _____ steadily.5. Let’s get there before the curtain _____.6. Jerry, one of the stagehands, will _____ the

curtain.7. The bread has _____ beautifully.8. The moon _____ and slipped behind a cloud.9. The candidate _____ to address her supporters.10.The children _____ when the bell rang.

37

Sit, Set

THE RULE The verb sit means

“to rest in an upright, seated position.” The principle parts of sit are sit, sitting, sat, (have) sat. Sit almost never has an object.

The verb set means “to put,” “to place” (something). The principle parts of set are set, setting, set, (have) set. It may take an object.

EXAMPLES Sit down. Set it down here. Cups sit on the tray. I set the cups there.

38

Number your paper 1-10. for each of the blanks in the following sentences, write the correct form of sit or set.

1. Please _____ here, Ms. Brown.2. Have you ____ the seedlings in the sun?3. We were _____ in the park during the fireworks?4. Someone has already _____ the kettle on the

stove.5. Grandfather is busily _____ tomato plants in the

garden.6. At the concert, Keith _____ near Isabella.7. My cat rarely _____ on my lap.8. They were _____ on the rocks, watching the surf.9. We had _____ still for almost an hour.10. Have you ever _____ on the beach at sundown?

39

So

THE RULE This word is

overworked in writing. Avoid using it whenever you can.

EXAMPLES NOT GOOD – The

basketball tryouts lasted all day, so the coach could not post the results by noon.

BETTER - Because the basketball tryouts lasted all day, the coach could not post the results by noon. 40

Some, Somewhat

THE RULE In writing, do not

use some for somewhat as an adverb.

EXAMPLES INCORRECT - My

grammar has improved some.

CORRECT – My grammar has improved somewhat.

41

Than, Then

THE RULE Do not confuse

these words. Than is a

conjunction, a word that joins words or groups of words.

Then is an adverb a word used to modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

EXAMPLES This box is heavier

than that one. We wrapped the

presents. Then we hid them in the closet.

NOTE: then usually tells when – notice the similarity in spelling.

42

Them

THE RULE Them should not

be used as an adjective. Use these or those.

EXAMPLE I like these (not

them) shoes, don’t you?

43

this here, that there

THE RULE The here and the

there are unnecessary.

EXAMPLE I’m buying this

(not this here) cd instead of that (not that there) one.

44

Way, Ways

THE RULE Use way, NOT

ways in referring to a distance.

EXAMPLE We hiked a long

way (not ways).

45

When, Where

THE RULE Do not use when

or where incorrectly in writing a definition.

EXAMPLES INCORRECT –

A “bomb” in football is when/ where a quarterback throws a long pass.

CORRECT - A “bomb” in football is a long pass thrown by the quarterback. 46

Where

THE RULE Do not use where

for that.

EXAMPLE I read in this

magazine that (not where) Marie Ledbetter is a champion parachutist.

47

Which, That, Who

THE RULE Remember that the

relative pronoun who refers to people only; which refers to things only; that refers to either people or things.

EXAMPLES Here is the man who

will install the new carpet. (person)

That is the color which we selected. (thing)

It is the kind of carpet that will wear well. (thing)

The dealer is a person that stands behind a product. (person) 48

Who, Whom

THE RULE The words who and whom are both

pronouns. To know whether to use who or whom, it is

necessary to understand the difference between subjects and objects because who is used when referring to the subject of a clause and whom is used when referring to the object of a clause.

The subject of the sentence is the person doing something and the object of the sentence is having something done to them.

EXAMPLEI stepped on the book. ( I is the subject and

the book is the object)49

Who, Whom – Quick and Dirty Tip

Like whom, the pronoun him ends with m. When you're trying to decide whether to use who or whom, ask yourself if the answer to the question would be he or him.

If you can answer the question being asked with him, then use whom, and it's easy to remember because they both end with m.

EXAMPLES "Who (or whom) do you love?" (The answer would be "I

love him." Him ends with an m, so you know to use whom.) "Who (or whom) stepped on Squiggly?" (The answer would

be "He stepped on Squiggly." There's no m, so you know to use who.

50

Number your paper 1-10. After the proper number write the correct pronoun.

1. Mrs. James, (who, whom) I work for, owns a pet shop.2. Is there anyone here (who, whom) needs a bus pass.3. She is the only one (who, whom) everybody trusts.4. Her grandmother, to (who, whom) she sent the flowers, won

the over-fifty marathon.5. I helped Mr. Thompson, (who, whom) was shingling his porch

roof.6. Eileen couldn’t guess (who, whom) it was.7. It was John Adams (who, whom) founded the American Society

of Arts and Letters.8. Both of the women (who, whom) ran for election to the city

council were elected.9. That author (who, whom) you admire is scheduled to visit the

local bookstore next Tuesday.10. Edgar Degas (who, whom) we are studying in art class, is well

known for his painting of Parisian theater scenes.

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1. Choose whoever/whomever you want. 2. Show the door to whoever/whomever

disagrees. 3. Who/whom did you see? 4. A man who/whom I recognized left the

theater. 5. He is the one who/whom we think will give

up first. 6. We don't know who/whom you are talking

about.7. I never met anyone who/whom looked so

tired as she/her.8. Who/Whom do you trust? 9. Who/Whom do you think should stay

behind? 10. The game ball will be given to whoever/

whomever displays superior sportsmanship.

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1. Kerry Ann, __________ hates spiders, wears bug-stomping boots wherever she goes.

2. Professor Borglum glared at Reggie, __________ spent the entire class drawing space aliens in the margins of the lecture outline.

3. Into the dark apartment walked David, __________ we nearly killed with surprise when everyone shouted “Happy Birthday”and jumped from behind the furniture.

4. In desperation, Belinda sought help from Professor White, __________ she knew preferred playing solitaire on his computer to assisting students during office hours.

5. The doctor explained that Rex, __________ we had rushed to the veterinary clinic, would not die after eating eight bananas that he stole off the kitchen counter.

6. Tim was too embarrassed to say anything to Deidre, __________ had sautéed spinach caught between two teeth.

7. Grandma bought Freddie, __________ wears black T-shirts exclusively, a button-down white oxford shirt and a navy blue blazer for Christmas.

8. Grandma, __________ Freddie loves despite her bad taste in clothing, believes that a blue blazer is an essential component of a young man’s wardrobe.

9. __________ believes that Kyle will eat the tarantula fried in garlic and olive oil?

10. Kyle, __________ will take anyone’s dare, no matter how outrageous, smacked his lips in anticipation of the fried tarantula.

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1. Kerry Ann, __________ hates spiders, wears bug-stomping boots wherever she goes.

2. Professor Borglum glared at Reggie, __________ spent the entire class drawing space aliens in the margins of the lecture outline.

3. Into the dark apartment walked David, __________ we nearly killed with surprise when everyone shouted “Happy Birthday”and jumped from behind the furniture.

4. In desperation, Belinda sought help from Professor White, __________ she knew preferred playing solitaire on his computer to assisting students during office hours.

5. The doctor explained that Rex, __________ we had rushed to the veterinary clinic, would not die after eating eight bananas that he stole off the kitchen counter.

54

Number your paper 1-5. Write the correct pronoun for each blank. Use either who or whom.

1. Tim was too embarrassed to say anything to Deidre, __________ had sautéed spinach caught between two teeth.

2. Grandma bought Freddie, __________ wears black T-shirts exclusively, a button-down white oxford shirt and a navy blue blazer for Christmas.

3. Grandma, __________ Freddie loves despite her bad taste in clothing, believes that a blue blazer is an essential component of a young man’s wardrobe.

4. __________ believes that Kyle will eat the tarantula fried in garlic and olive oil?

5. Kyle, __________ will take anyone’s dare, no matter how outrageous, smacked his lips in anticipation of the fried tarantula.

55

Number your paper 1-5. Write the correct pronoun for each blank. Use either who or whom.

Number your paper 1-10. Write the entire sentence and fill in the blank with either who or whom. Underline your answer.1. To ____________ did you give the book?2. ____________ will you ask to help you with

all this work?3. I can't remember ____________ told me

that.4. I can't figure out ____________ I should

blame for this.5. ____________ shall I say is calling?6. To ____________ should I address this

question?7. I don't care _______ takes responsibility for

this accident, but somebody should.8. Of all her athletes, ____________ did Coach

Carter like most?9. Congressman Smith is the candidate

____________ the voters feel is best qualified.

10. I really don't care _______ she's going out with.

Without, Unless

THE RULE Do not use the

preposition without in place of the conjunction unless.

EXAMPLE I will not be able to

sing unless (not without) my cold gets better.

57





58




Practice Quiz Four


59





Date of Test – Thursday, Nov. 10, 2009

This test will be for a grade in the grade book.

The value of this test is 80 points.

You probably should study outside of class to do the best you can.


60

Glossary of Usage Review Test TODAY!

Study five minutes for Review Test.

Are there any questions? Be ready to ask at the end of five minutes.

Tests will be distributed by the teacher.

GOOD LUCK!

61

Documents

THE RULE Use A before words beginning with a consonant sound; use AN before words beginning with a vowel sound. EXAMPLES A student walked into the