1. Diction A guide to a few words that are commonly misused

2. Accept Except “Accept” means to agree or to take something that is offered I will accept his offer “Except” means everything but Everyone was here except Fred As a verb “except” means to leave out All minors were excepted from jury duty “Accept” means to agree or to take something that is offered I will accept his offer “Except” means everything but Everyone was here except Fred As a verb “except” means to leave out All minors were excepted from jury duty

3. Affect Effect “Affect” is usually used as a verb How will the rising dollar affect our business? “Effect” is usually a noun Her lottery win had a huge effect on her credit rating Note: “Effect” also has another, less common meaning. Effect can be used as a verb to mean “bring about” We will effect numerous changes to the organization “Affect” is usually used as a verb How will the rising dollar affect our business? “Effect” is usually a noun Her lottery win had a huge effect on her credit rating Note: “Effect” also has another, less common meaning. Effect can be used as a verb to mean “bring about” We will effect numerous changes to the organization

4. Alumni, alumnae “alumnus” is a single male graduate. “alumna” is a single female graduate. “alumni” is plural for male/co-ed graduate(s). “Alumnae” is plural for a female graduate. “alumnus” is a single male graduate. “alumna” is a single female graduate. “alumni” is plural for male/co-ed graduate(s). “Alumnae” is plural for a female graduate.

5. Among Between “Between” is used only for two items Homer and his wife kept the juicy gossip between them “Among” is used for lists of three or more Lenny shared the pictures among the entire staff “Between” is used only for two items Homer and his wife kept the juicy gossip between them “Among” is used for lists of three or more Lenny shared the pictures among the entire staff

6. Amount Number “Number” is used for quantities that can be counted A number of people are missing “Amount” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc He put a large amount of sugar in his coffee “Number” is used for quantities that can be counted A number of people are missing “Amount” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc He put a large amount of sugar in his coffee

7. Could of Should of Would of These are all variations of the same mistake It comes from using pronunciation, rather than meaning, as a guide You should use “could have” or “could’ve” “I could have been a contender.” These are all variations of the same mistake It comes from using pronunciation, rather than meaning, as a guide You should use “could have” or “could’ve” “I could have been a contender.”

8. Emigrate Immigrate “Emigrate” means to leave a country (from) “Immigrate” means to come to a country (to) Many Protestants emigrated from France in the 17th century. Many American citizens have relatives who immigrated to peaceful countries.. “Emigrate” means to leave a country (from) “Immigrate” means to come to a country (to) Many Protestants emigrated from France in the 17th century. Many American citizens have relatives who immigrated to peaceful countries..

9. Fewer Less “Fewer” is used for quantities that can be counted There are fewer people here today than there were yesterday “Less” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc I should probably drink less coffee Note: For reasons understood only by a few mystical economists, money is considered an uncountable commodity The amount of money I earn today is less than the amount I earned last year “Fewer” is used for quantities that can be counted There are fewer people here today than there were yesterday “Less” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc I should probably drink less coffee Note: For reasons understood only by a few mystical economists, money is considered an uncountable commodity The amount of money I earn today is less than the amount I earned last year

10. Imply Infer “Imply” means to make a hint Pat implied that I might get lucky tonight “Infer” means to interpret someone else’s words I inferred from those words that Pat had just bought me a lottery ticket “Imply” means to make a hint Pat implied that I might get lucky tonight “Infer” means to interpret someone else’s words I inferred from those words that Pat had just bought me a lottery ticket

11. Etc. “Literally translates as “and other things.” Do not write, “The new store in the mall sells posters, CDs, and etc.” “Literally translates as “and other things.” Do not write, “The new store in the mall sells posters, CDs, and etc.”

12. In vs. Into In means “within.” Into suggests movement from the outside to the inside. Shariya came into the room with a big smile. There are 32 desks in my room. In means “within.” Into suggests movement from the outside to the inside. Shariya came into the room with a big smile. There are 32 desks in my room.

13. Healthy vs. Healthful Healthy refers to people/sentient beings. Healthful refers to things. My dog appeared to be healthy on the hike. Vegetables are widely considered to be healthful.b Healthy refers to people/sentient beings. Healthful refers to things. My dog appeared to be healthy on the hike. Vegetables are widely considered to be healthful.b

14. Done vs. Finished Cakes (things) are done. People are finished. Let me know when apple pie is done. Can we leave when we are finished? Cakes (things) are done. People are finished. Let me know when apple pie is done. Can we leave when we are finished?

15. Bring vs. Take Bring is used to convey something to the person speaking. Take is used to convey something away from the speaker. Remember to bring your pencils for the test. Take your garbage with you when you leave. Bring is used to convey something to the person speaking. Take is used to convey something away from the speaker. Remember to bring your pencils for the test. Take your garbage with you when you leave.

16. Emigrate vs. Immigrate Emigrate means to go from a country. Immigrate means to come into a country. The war forced people to emigrate from their homeland. Marie’s grandparents immigrated from Bolivia in 1950. Emigrate means to go from a country. Immigrate means to come into a country. The war forced people to emigrate from their homeland. Marie’s grandparents immigrated from Bolivia in 1950.

17. Like As if “Like” is a preposition. Use it to join words or phrases to the rest of a sentence He is drinking like a fish “As if” is a conjunction. Use it to join clauses He is acting as if he is going to be sick “Like” is a preposition. Use it to join words or phrases to the rest of a sentence He is drinking like a fish “As if” is a conjunction. Use it to join clauses He is acting as if he is going to be sick

18. Double Negative Two negatives equal a positive. “I can hardly wait until Summer School is over.” “I can’t hardly wait until Summer School is over.” Two negatives equal a positive. “I can hardly wait until Summer School is over.” “I can’t hardly wait until Summer School is over.”

19. Double Negative Two negatives equal a positive. “I can hardly wait until Summer School is over.” Two negatives equal a positive. “I can hardly wait until Summer School is over.”

20. Allusion and Illusion Illusion means a mistaken idea. “The sun-rise is an optical illusion.” Allusion is a reference to something. “The article contained many allusions to Civil War history.” Illusion means a mistaken idea. “The sun-rise is an optical illusion.” Allusion is a reference to something. “The article contained many allusions to Civil War history.”

21. Nauseated and Nauseous Nauseated means “sick”. Humans are nauseated. Nauseous means “disgusting, sickening” Things are nauseous. After the roller-coaster I felt nauseated. The spilled garbage was a nauseous site. Nauseated means “sick”. Humans are nauseated. Nauseous means “disgusting, sickening” Things are nauseous. After the roller-coaster I felt nauseated. The spilled garbage was a nauseous site.