For vs. Since Knowing when to use FOR, and when to use SINCE is important. Therefore it is useful to look at a summary of the contrast between FOR and SINCE. FOR to mention a specific period (or duration) of time. SINCE to mention the starting point of a period of time (continues to now). I have been a doctor for…
Everyday vs. Every day Don’t confuse every day (two words) with everyday (one word). Every day is used as an adverb and means ‘each day’: Incorrect: Technology is advancing everyday. Correct: Technology is advancing every day. Incorrect: Everyday, when they go back home, the first thing they do is turn on the TV. Correct: Every…
Who vs. Whom Rule. Use this he/him method to decide whether who or whom is correct: he = who him = whom Example: Who/Whom wrote the letter? He wrote the letter. Therefore, who is correct. Example: Who/Whom should I vote for? Should I vote for him? Therefore, whom is correct. Example: We all know who/whom…
That Moment When Nouns Become Adjectives and Adjectives Become Nouns One more thing you should know about adjectives is that, sometimes, a word that is normally used as a noun can function as an adjective, depending on its placement. Example: Never try to pet someone’s guide dog without asking permission first. Guide is a noun. But in this…
Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Reflexive pronouns end in -self or -selves: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. Use a reflexive pronoun when both the subject and object of a verb refer to the same person or thing. Example: I found myself sandwiched between passengers on the subway. Intensive pronouns look the same as reflexive pronouns, but their…
Wish + would We can use wish + would if we are annoyed about something that is or is not happening, or about something that will or will not happen: Example: I wish you would stop making so much noise! (You are making a noise; it would be better if you didn’t.) Example: I wish…
“Advice” or “Advise”? Advice is a noun and means a suggestion about what someone should do. It is uncountable: Correct: She gave good advice. Incorrect: Let me give you an advice If we want to use advice in a countable way, then we use the phrase a piece of advice: Example: I have two pieces of advice for you about the holiday.…
Punctuating coordinating conjunctions correctly; put a comma before Use a comma before the word “but” if it is joining two independent clauses: Incorrect: Sophia is a good singer but she is an even better dancer Correct: Sophia is a good singer, but she is an even better dancer. If but is not joining two independent…
Some time, Sometime, Sometimes The words sometime, some time, and sometimes are obviously related in meaning, but they are used in different ways. Definitions The expression some time (two words) means “a period of time.” Example: I was waiting in the queue for some time. The adverb sometime (one word) means “at an indefinite or…
“Affect” or “Effect”? How to choose the correct one. “Affect” and “effect” are easy to mix up. “Effect” is usually, but not always used as a noun. Here are some proper usages of the word “effect”: The word “effect” means a result. Example: What was the effect of your experiment? Effect can also be used…