Common Usage and Punctuation Problems Accept Except Accept

Common Usage and Punctuation Problems

Accept, Except Accept is verb meaning: to receive. Except is a preposition meaning: other than.

Affect, Effect 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

All ready, Already 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 right, alright 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 together, Altogether All together: together as a group Altogether: completely or in all

Awhile, a while Awhile is an adverb, meaning: for a while. A while is an article and a noun, usually used after the preposition for

because 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.

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.

Farther, further Farther refers to distance. Further refers to additional or to a greater degree or extent.

Kind of, sort of 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

Fewer, less Use fewer for things that can be counted. Use less for quantities that can not be counted.

Lay, lie 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.

Of, have Have is possession Of is a preposition WRONG: I could of gone if I had wanted.

Than, then Than is used in comparisons. Do not confuse it with the adverb then, which usually refers to time.

Comma, Colon, Semicolon 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.

-wise Avoid using this suffix to create new words for a particular situation. WRONG: Gradewise, I did well last marking period.

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.

Comma Use a comma to separate adjectives of equal rank. Example: The twisting, scenic path leads to the park.

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. ”

Semicolons 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.

Colons Use a colon before a list of items. Example: The snacks for the hike included: apples, nuts, and raisins.

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. ”

Use a colon to introduce a formal appositive. Example: Tonight, we present a well known chef: Julia Child.