Again while doing some proofreading I ran across these 2 words which seem to give people quiet a hard time in knowing their proper usage. So even though they are not homonyms nor homophones I thought they should be explained so writers would have a better understanding of the way in which to use them properly.
fewer: /adjective/ not as many as (applies only to numbers)
Usage: In the supermarket, only people with 20 or fewer items should use the Express Lanes.
less: /adjective/ ,not as much as (applies to extent, degree, bulk),
Usage: There is less chance of a mistake if you read the instructions.
A little language humor
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
"Would of " , "could of", "should of" ???
Recently I have run across the use of " would of", "could of", "should of" used in a sentence,
when it should have been "would have", "could have", and/or "should have"
This seems to be a very common mistake made when speaking as well as when writing.
I "could of" been a better writer if I "would of" learned to use English grammar properly.
The right way would read...I "could HAVE" been a better writer if I "HAD" learned to use English
grammar properly.
when it should have been "would have", "could have", and/or "should have"
This seems to be a very common mistake made when speaking as well as when writing.
I "could of" been a better writer if I "would of" learned to use English grammar properly.
The right way would read...I "could HAVE" been a better writer if I "HAD" learned to use English
grammar properly.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Waste and Waist
Today while reading post in forums and on some social sites I visit often I noticed
the word "waist" had been used in place of the word "waste" in the post. So I thought these two homophones should have a place on my blog so my readers could get a better understanding of these words.
Waist /noun/, a part of the human body below the
ribs and above the hips.
Waste /verb/ anything of no purpose, fail to use, to wear gradually away, to use extravagantly.
The waist of the skirt was too tight.
The belt fit perfectly around the waist.
It was a waste of time reading that paper.
Don't waste your money on something you can't use.
the word "waist" had been used in place of the word "waste" in the post. So I thought these two homophones should have a place on my blog so my readers could get a better understanding of these words.
Waist /noun/, a part of the human body below the
ribs and above the hips.
Waste /verb/ anything of no purpose, fail to use, to wear gradually away, to use extravagantly.
The waist of the skirt was too tight.
The belt fit perfectly around the waist.
It was a waste of time reading that paper.
Don't waste your money on something you can't use.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Good or Well
Good or Well?
good /adjective/ modifies nouns
well /adverb/ modifies verbs, adjectives and other adverbs
But there are exceptions to this rule. "Well" may be used when describing if something is proper, healthy or suitable. As in, "I am well today."
When used in a sentence
That is a good cake. (Good is modifying the noun, cake )
You sang the song very well. (Well is modifying the verb, sang.)
The lady is working well. (Well is modifying the verb,working .)
The car is in good shape. (Good is modifying the noun, car.)
Exceptions
One exception is with the use of verbs of sensation like touch, feel, looks, hears, and smells. It would be proper to say, "The cake smells good." To say that the cake smells well would imply that the cake has a nose that can smell appropriately. So, to add more confusion, it is also correct to say, "I feel good today." Good refers to how you are physically and spiritually feeling.
How are you feeling?
I feel good.
How are you?
I am well, thank you.
good /adjective/ modifies nouns
well /adverb/ modifies verbs, adjectives and other adverbs
But there are exceptions to this rule. "Well" may be used when describing if something is proper, healthy or suitable. As in, "I am well today."
When used in a sentence
That is a good cake. (Good is modifying the noun, cake )
You sang the song very well. (Well is modifying the verb, sang.)
The lady is working well. (Well is modifying the verb,working .)
The car is in good shape. (Good is modifying the noun, car.)
Exceptions
One exception is with the use of verbs of sensation like touch, feel, looks, hears, and smells. It would be proper to say, "The cake smells good." To say that the cake smells well would imply that the cake has a nose that can smell appropriately. So, to add more confusion, it is also correct to say, "I feel good today." Good refers to how you are physically and spiritually feeling.
How are you feeling?
I feel good.
How are you?
I am well, thank you.
I or Me
I or me.
I /pronoun/ used by a speaker or writer when referring to him or herself.
Me /pronoun/ an objective case of I, also referring to oneself.
Sometimes the pronoun I or me can be a little confusing.
If we can get a little grammatical here, "I" should be used when it is the subject of the sentence, that is the person doing the verb. "Me" should be used for the object of the sentence either direct or indirect.
A good test as to which one to use is to think which one would be used if the other person were not included in the sentence.
These are the kinds of situations where there could be a problem deciding whether to use I or me.
The situation was awful for Sherry and me. (...was awful for me.)
John and I were out when the fire started. (I was out....)
She asked if she could come out with Mom and me. (...come out with me.)
Mom and I were happy to have her along. (I was happy...)
She thought she'd seen Dad and me at the store. (...she'd seen me.)
My best friend and I are going to the movies tonight. (I am going ...)
Tip: Imagine that the other person or people are not included in the sentence. It should then be obvious whether to use I or me.
I /pronoun/ used by a speaker or writer when referring to him or herself.
Me /pronoun/ an objective case of I, also referring to oneself.
Sometimes the pronoun I or me can be a little confusing.
If we can get a little grammatical here, "I" should be used when it is the subject of the sentence, that is the person doing the verb. "Me" should be used for the object of the sentence either direct or indirect.
A good test as to which one to use is to think which one would be used if the other person were not included in the sentence.
These are the kinds of situations where there could be a problem deciding whether to use I or me.
The situation was awful for Sherry and me. (...was awful for me.)
John and I were out when the fire started. (I was out....)
She asked if she could come out with Mom and me. (...come out with me.)
Mom and I were happy to have her along. (I was happy...)
She thought she'd seen Dad and me at the store. (...she'd seen me.)
My best friend and I are going to the movies tonight. (I am going ...)
Tip: Imagine that the other person or people are not included in the sentence. It should then be obvious whether to use I or me.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
to, too, and two
to /preposition/ , introduces a noun expression,
what is reached,aproached or touched. What is aimed at, as far as, what is caused or produced.
too /adverb/ to a greater extent than is desirable or permissible, in addition, also, moreover, more than a match for, beyond what is endurable.
two /adjective/ one more than one. A number greater than the number 1, symbol 2.
We are going to the movies.
Wont you come too?
The pain was too much for him to bear.
There were 2 birds in the tree.
I went to the store to buy 2 urns but they were too heavy for me to carry.
what is reached,aproached or touched. What is aimed at, as far as, what is caused or produced.
too /adverb/ to a greater extent than is desirable or permissible, in addition, also, moreover, more than a match for, beyond what is endurable.
two /adjective/ one more than one. A number greater than the number 1, symbol 2.
We are going to the movies.
Wont you come too?
The pain was too much for him to bear.
There were 2 birds in the tree.
I went to the store to buy 2 urns but they were too heavy for me to carry.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Lose and Loose
Lose /verb/ unable to find, be deprived of or cease to have
Loose is a homonym and it can be used as a verb or an adjective.
Loose /adjective/ not tight,free from bounds or restraints.
Loose /verb/ to let go, release
Did you lose your necklace?
It was a loose fitting vest.
Let the dogs loose to track the fox.
Loose is a homonym and it can be used as a verb or an adjective.
Loose /adjective/ not tight,free from bounds or restraints.
Loose /verb/ to let go, release
Did you lose your necklace?
It was a loose fitting vest.
Let the dogs loose to track the fox.
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