Common Usage and Punctuation
Problems
Accept is verb meaning: to receive.
Except is a preposition meaning: other than.
Accept, Except
Affect is almost always used a verb meaning:
to influence. Effect, usually a noun, means: result
Occasionally, effect is a verb meaning: to bring about or to cause
Affect, Effect
The two words all ready are used as an
adjective meaning: ready
Already is an adverb meaning: by or before this time or even now
All ready, Already
Alright, though it is seen more and more
frequently in print, is not considered a correct spelling.
Make sure that in your own writing, you always use the two word form.
All right, alright
All together: together as a group
Altogether: completely or in all
All together, Altogether
Awhile is an adverb, meaning: for a while.
A while is an article and a noun, usually used after the preposition for
Awhile, a while
Do not use because after the reason. Say the
reason…is that or re-word the sentence altogether.
BAD: The reason he is sad is because his dog died.
because
Due to means: caused by. Should be used only when the words caused
by can logically be substituted.
BAD: Due to a rare virus, he became seriously ill on this recent trip.
Due to
Farther refers to distance.
Further refers to additional or to a greater degree or extent.
Farther, further
Do not use kind of or sort of in place of rather
or somewhat
BAD: I feel sort of sick. GOOD: I feel somewhat sick
Kind of, sort of
Use fewer for things that can be counted.
Use less for quantities that can not be counted.
Fewer, less
Lay means “to put or set (something) down.”
Its principle parts-lay, laying, laid- are usually followed by a direct object.
Lie means “to recline”. It’s principle parts- lie, lying, lay, and lain- are never followed by a direct object.
Lay, lie
Have is possession
Of is a preposition
WRONG: I could of gone if I had wanted.
Of, have
Than is used in comparisons. Do not confuse
it with the adverb then, which usually refers to time.
Than, then
Use a comma before a conjunction to
separate two independent clauses in a compound sentence.
Conjunctions: and, but, or, for, nor, so, yet
Example: We saw many beautiful sights on our vacation, but we spend too many hours on the road.
Comma, Colon, Semicolon
Avoid using this suffix to create new words for
a particular situation.
WRONG: Gradewise, I did well last marking period.
-wise
Use a comma after an introductory word,
phrase or clause.
Example: Yes, I will be happy to stay over.
Over the thickly wooded hills, I saw a bear.
Use a comma to separate adjectives of equal
rank.
Example: The twisting, scenic path leads to the park.
Comma
Use a comma to set off parenthetical
expressions.*
*a phrase that is loosely related to the rest of the sentence
Example: I’ll start dinner, Dad, in a while.
That’s a nice suit, Mr. Jones.
Use a comma to set off nonessential
expressions.* *appositive phrases Example: The piano, now located in the
Orchard House, is the same one my grandmother used to play.
Use a comma to set off a direct quotation
from the rest of the sentence.
Example: The boy suggested, “We should go on a picnic.”
“I want to eat popcorn,” the boy continued, “and swim.”
Use a semicolon to join clauses that aren’t
already joined by a conjunction.
Example: Jen celebrated her birthday; we ate several pieces of cake.
I cleared the table; Mark washed the dishes.
Semicolons
Use a colon before a list of items.
Example: The snacks for the hike included: apples, nuts, and raisins.
Colons
Use a colon to introduce a quotation that is
formal or lengthy. (three sentences or more) Example: The speaker on health food stated:
“Putting additives in food would cause…yada, yada, yada.”
Use a colon to introduce a formal appositive. Example: Tonight, we present a well known
chef: Julia Child.
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