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
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
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
THE RULE
 Do not use this word in
speaking or writing; it
is considered nonstandard English.
4
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
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
THE RULE
 Do not use at after
where.
EXAMPLES
 INCORRECT: This is
where I live at.
 CORRECT: This is
where I live.
7
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
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
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
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

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
Take five minutes to
study your notes.
 Quizzes will be
distributed by the
teacher.


After completing the
quiz, turn it face down
on your desk and wait
quietly, until everyone
is done.
Practice Quiz One
14
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
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
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
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
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.”
19

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
10 sentences to
correct.
 You may want to study
some outside of class,
too.

20
Take five minutes to
study your notes.
 Quizzes will be
distributed by the
teacher.


After completing the
quiz, turn it face down
on your desk and wait
quietly, until everyone
is done.
Practice Quiz Two
21



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.
22



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.
23



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.
24
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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
10 sentences to
correct.
 You may want to study
some outside of class,
too.
 This quiz is worth 12
points.

34
Take five minutes to
study your notes.
 Quizzes will be
distributed by the
teacher.


After completing the
quiz, turn it face down
on your desk and wait
quietly, until everyone
is done.
Practice Quiz Three
35
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
Please _____ and face the class.
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.
1.
2.
37
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
Please _____ here, Ms. Brown.
Have you ____ the seedlings in the sun?
We were _____ in the park during the fireworks?
Someone has already _____ the kettle on the stove.
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?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
39
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
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
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
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
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
THE RULE
 Use way, NOT ways in
referring to a distance.
EXAMPLE
 We hiked a long way
(not ways).
45
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
THE RULE
 Do not use where for
that.
EXAMPLE
 I read in this magazine
that (not where) Marie
Ledbetter is a
champion parachutist.
47
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
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.
EXAMPLE
I stepped on the book. ( I is the subject and the book is
the object)
49
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
Mrs. James, (who, whom) I work for, owns a pet shop.
Is there anyone here (who, whom) needs a bus pass.
She is the only one (who, whom) everybody trusts.
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.
1.
2.
3.
4.
51
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.
52
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.
53
Number your paper 1-5. Write the correct pronoun for
each blank. Use either who or whom.
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
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
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.
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

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.

58
Take five minutes to
study your notes.
 Quizzes will be
distributed by the
teacher.


After completing the
quiz, turn it face down
on your desk and wait
quietly, until everyone
is done.
Practice Quiz Four
59



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 – 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.

The purpose of this test is to
assess YOUR learning.
60
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