Using the Right Word

1. Using the Right Word Mrs. Wright

2. Why is it important to use words correctly? • It is a reflection of who we are • Helps make our meaning clear • Helps you on standardized tests • Helps with job interviews

3. Everyone makes mistakes… • Even intelligent people • Making errors is not about intelligence • It is about being correctly informed

4. Test Yourself Student Handout 5 minutes to complete

5. A vs. An A An • If a word begins with a consonant sound • A historian • A dog • A vacation • If a word begins with a vowel sound • An honor • An eagle • An MBA • An apple

6. Accept vs. Except Accept Except • To take or receive willingly • I accept your invitation • Excluding or “left out” • The whole class, except Lou, can go to Cedar Point.

7. Affect vs. Effect Affect Effect • An action word meaning “to influence” • Your positive attitude affects everyone • A noun meaning “the result” or “the impact” • Tip: Look in front of the word for “a”, “an”, or “the” • The effect of her speech was profound • The sound effects were amazing.

8. Alot vs. A lot Alot A lot • WRONG! • Always two words • A lot of people use this expression incorrectly

9. Alright vs. All right Alright All right • WRONG • Considered slang • Always two words • Everything is all right with the world

10. All ready vs. Already All ready Already • Two words when it means “everyone is ready” • The group is all ready to go now • One word when it means “previously” • I already saw this movie

11. Any vs. No Any No • “Any” is a positive word • I don’t have any candy left • “No” is a negative word • Do not put two negatives together • Wrong: I don’t have no candy left • Correct: I don’t have any candy left

12. Between vs. Among Between Among • Used for TWO people or things • The secret is between Jessica and Jeff • Used for THREE or MORE • We’ll divide the bill among the five of us

13. Bring (come) vs. Take (go) Bring (come) Take (go) • In the direction toward the speaker • Bring your notebook when you come to class • In the direction away from the speaker • When you go home today, take your backpack

14. Can vs. May Can May • The ability to do something • I can run five miles • Used when asking permission • May I go to the bathroom

15. Fewer vs. Less Fewer Less • When you can count the items • There are 2 fewer people than yesterday • When you cannot count • His ability to concentrate is less than usual

16. Number vs. Amount Number Amount • Used the same way as fewer • When you can count the items • When there is a specific unit of measurement • The number is low this year because people are not interested • Used the same way as less • When there is no unit of measurement • When you cannot count • The amount of sleep he had is insufficient

17. Good vs. Well Good Well • Describes people, places and things (adj) • Joe is a good soccer player • Describes action verbs (adverb) • Joe plays soccer very well

18. Imply vs. Infer Imply Infer • To hint or suggest • Speakers and writers imply when they send the message • My friend implied that I ate too much • To guess or assume • Readers and listeners infer when they receive the message • When I read that story, I inferred the man was sad

19. Its vs. It’s Its It’s • Possessive pronoun • Shows ownership • The kitten licked its paws • Contraction meaning “it is” or “it has” • It’s a good thing we won the game

20. Principle vs. Principal Principle Principal • Only has one meaning: rule • I learned ten principles for good writing • This spelling is used for everything else. • Mr. Smith is our principal • What are your principal reasons for leaving?

21. Real vs. Really Real Really • Genuine • Not fake • Is this real leather? • Used the same way as the word “very” • Adam Sandler is really funny

22. Than vs. Then Than Then • Used for comparisons • Rachel is taller than Marianne • Answers when – at a certain time • First I’ll bake the pizza; then I’ll eat it

23. That vs. Which That Which • Use “that” when adding necessary information • The essay that you need to pick up before you leave is on the desk • Use “which” when the details are extra • My essay, which is ten pages long, is on the desk

24. Their vs. There vs. They’re Their There They’re • Possessive pronoun; shows ownership • My parents drove their mustang today • In that place or position; often starts sentences • Your cleats are over there • Contraction meaning “they are” • Sue and Nick said they’re going to the game

25. Weather vs. Whether Weather Whether • Climate or conditions outside • The weather is 90 degrees and sunny • Means “if” • I can’t decide whether to eat or sleep

26. Were vs. Where Were Where • Linking verb in the past tense – no action • They were going to Stratford to see Hamlet • Question word • Where is the Career Center?

27. Who’s vs. Whose Who’s Whose • Contraction meaning “who is” • Who’s the boss? • Possessive pronoun- shows ownership • I wonder whose coat is on the chair

28. Who vs. Whom Who Whom • Use who when you can substitute “he” or “she” • He’s the man who told the story • He told the story • Use whom when you can substitute for “him” or “her” • He asked the question, “For whom” • For her

29. Your vs. You’re Your You’re • Possessive pronoun- shows ownership • Your portfolio is very good • Contraction meaning “you are” • I think you’re right

30. Using the Right Word Practice 1 You may work with a partner that is near you. You cannot leave your seat to work with someone.

31. Affect and Effect: How can I tell them apart? • Affect • Used as an action word (verb) • Means “to influence” • Trick: Substitute the meaning: if it works, you’re correct • Example: • Your comments affected her decision • Your comments influenced her decision • The movie really affected my mood • The movie really influenced my mood

32. Affect and Effect: How can I tell them apart? • Effect: • Used as “the thing” (a noun) • Means “the result”, “the impact”, or “the outcome” • Trick: Look for the words “a”, “an”, or “the” in front • Example: • The effect of your speech was powerful • An effect of your speech • A positive effect of your speech • Sometimes a describer (adj) gets in between

33. Affect and Effect: How can I tell them apart? • Effect • Used as an action word (verb) • Means “to bring about” • Trick: Ask yourself “bring about WHAT” • Then find the word that answers your question • Example: • We must effect some new rules” • Question: Bring about what? • Answer: The rules • We should effect some changes in this policy • Question: Bring about what? • Answer: Changes

34. Affect and Effect Practice May work with a DIFFERENT partner that is near you. You may not leave your seat to work with someone.