Glossary of correct usage — as — expect & suppose
accept, except
Accept is a verb; Except is a preposition
They accepted my invitation.
Everyone attended the meeting except the secretary.
advice, advise
Advice is a noun; Advise is a verb.
His advice was useful.
I was advised to purchase a more economical car.
affect, effect
Affect is a verb; it means » to influence.»
Effect may be a verb or a noun. The verb effect means » to cause to happen » The noun effect means » the result.»
Pollution affects everyone.
Your tears do not affect me.
Your tears have no effect upon me.
Doctors have effected a cure for polio.
The effect of drugs is well known.
almost, most
Most is used to form the superlative; it is used to modify nouns.
Almost is an adverb.
Most people are honest.
He is the most unusual person I have ever met.
Almost everyone has a desire to succeed.
Almost all of the food was eaten.
already, all ready
Already means » before the time specified. » All ready means » completely prepared.»
The movie had already begun by the time we arrived.
The members were all ready to hear the report.
altogether, all together
Altogether means » thoroughly.» All together means » in a group.»
The thought of a third world war is altogether frightening.
The children were all together on the bus.
amount, number
Use amount to refer to thing sin bulk or mass; Number refers to the countable.
Wrong: I was amazed by the amount of people present.
Right: I was amazed by the number of people present.
Right: The amount of money needed was soon collect.
and which, which
Wrong: I found a lost dog and which needs a good home
Right: I found a lost dog which needs a good home.
Wrong: My father is a good man and whom we all love deeply.
Right: My father is a good man whom we all love deeply and whom we admire.
anywheres, anywhere
Anywheres is very informal
Wrong: We can talk anywheres.
Right: We can talk anywhere.
around
Wrong: He arrived around ten o’clock.
Right: He arrived about ten o’clock
as
Avoid using as instead of because, for, since, that, or whether.
Wrong: As he was ill, he stayed home.
Right: Because he was ill, he stayed home.
Right Since he was ill, he stayed home.
Right: He stayed home, for he was ill.
Wrong: I feel as I should go.
Right: I feel that I should go.
at
Omit the «at»
Wrong: Where is he living at now ?
Right: Where is he living now ?
at about
Omit the «at»
Wrong: He arrived at about noon.
Right: He arrived about noon.
because
Do not begin a noun clause with because.
Wrong: Because he was late annoyed the teacher
Right: His lateness annoyed the teacher.
Right: The fact that he was late annoyed the teacher.
Wrong: Because I overate was why I became ill.
Right: Because I overate, I became ill.
beside, besides
Besides means » in addition to.» Beside means » next to. «
He sat beside the pretty girl.
He owes a bicycle besides a car.
between, among
Among always implies more than two; between implies only two.
Wrong: There is little difference between the members of the class.
Right: There is little difference among the members of the class.
Right: There is little difference between the two nationalities.
but, hardly, scarcely
Do not use these words with another negative.
Wrong: I couldn’t hardly see him.
Right: I could hardly see him.
Wrong: He didn’t have but one dollar.
Right: He had but one dollar..
different from (not different than)
The result was much different from what I expected.
equally as good is not correct
Use either equally good or as good as.
Wrong: The movie is equally as good as the play.
Right: The movie and the play are equally good.
Right: The movie is as good as the play.
expect and suppose (or think) have different meanings
Wrong: I expect that she will be here.
Right: I suppose (or think) that she will be here.
Right: I expect to be late.
Right: They expect us to help them.
