Appendix Glossary of Correct Usage

The following glossary contains words or phrases which may cause you special difficulty while writing essays as a part of studying English on the senior courses.

1. accept, except. Accept is a verb, except is a preposition

They accepted my invitation to dinner.

Everyone attended the meeting except the secretary

2. affect, effect. Affect is a verb; it means “to influence.” Effect may be a verb or a noun. The verb effect means “to cause to happen.” The noun effect means “the result.”

Pollution affects everyone.

What is the effect of that drug?

3. Almost, most. Most is an adjective; almost is an adverb.

Almost everyone has a desire to succeed.

The childred ate almost all of the pie.

or

The children ate most of the pie.

4. Altogether, all together. Altogether means “thoroughly.” All together means”in a group.”

Altogher confused, he asked me to explain the word again.

The passengers stood all together in the station.

5. Amount, number. Use amount to refer to things which can not be counted. Number refers to the countable.

He checked out a large number of books from the library.

Elephants can consume a large amount of food.

6. About, around. Around refers to place. About means “approximately.”

The mail arrived about ten o’clock.

I’ll be around.

7. Because, because of. Because is a subordinating cojunction; it is followed by a clause. Because of is a preposition; it is followed by a noun or a noun phrase.

We could not see because the lighting was poor.

The game was cancelled because of the rain.

8. Beside, besides. Beside means “next to.” Besides means “in addition to.”

He was sitting beside the pretty girl.

Besides Tommy, Helen and I attended the concert.

9. Between, among. Between is used with two persons or things. Among is used with three or more persons or things.

You must choose between the two plans.

The law was debated among the senators, the representatives, and the judges.

10. But, hardly, scarcely. These words are negative. Do not use them with another negative word.

She earned but thirty dollars last week.

I could hardly see him in the dark.

She spends scarcely any money on clothes.

11. Expect, suppose, think. Suppose and think are not followed by infinitives. Expect is not followed by a noun clause.

I suppose (or think) that I will see you tomorrow.

He expects to return in May.

12. Farther, further. Farther refers to distance; further is used to express additional time, degree, or quantity.

Chicago is father north than Fort Worth.

I can give you further information about this later.

13. In spite of, despite are prepositions. They cannot be followed by a clause.

I was able to concentrate despite the noisy room.

In spite of the cold he didn’t wear a coat.

14. Later, latter. Later is the comparative of late. Latter refers to the last named of two things or people.

Jefferson and Lincoln are two famous presidents. The latter was assassinated while in office.

15. Like, as, as if. Like is a preposition; as, as if (as though) are conjunctions. As is also a preposition when it means “in the capacity of.”

You ought to write like me.

She doesn’t study as she should.

She acts as if (or as though) she doesn’t understand.

16. Maybe, may be. Maybe means “perhaps.” May be is a verb.

Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow.

The secretary may be out to lunch.

17. Passed, past. Passed is the past tense of the verb pass. Past can be an adjective, a noun or a preposition.

I passed his house on the way to the post office.

I walked to the post office past his house.

In the past salt was often used as money.

One can learn from past experiences.

18. Percentage, percent. Use percent after a number.

Almost fifty percent of our energy recources come from abroad.

A large percentage of his salary is spent on food.

19. Prefer, superior. These words are not followed by the preposition than.

Many students prefer History to Mathematics.

I believe that a microwave oven is superior to a conventional oven.

20. Principal, principle. Principal is a noun or an adjective meaning “chief official or main.” Principle is a noun meaning “fundamental truth.”

In his reaearch he followed basic scientific principles.

The chairman pointed out his principal objection.

The principal of the school had to resign last year.

21. Quiet, quite. Quiet means “silent.” Quite means “completely.”

We must be quiet inside the library.

Your answer was quite wrong.

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