I.e. or E.g.? Either i.e. or e.g. can be used to clarify a preceding statement; “i.e.” by expanding upon the idea or restating it more clearly, and “e.g.” by example. i.e. = Latin: id est = that is e.g. = Latin: exempli gratia = for example My son loves watching cartoons (e.g., Spongebob Square Pants), and his favorite characters are Spongebob’s friends (i.e., Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, and Mr. Krabs.)

A lot or alot? Lots of or a lot of? RULE: A lot, which means a large quantity, is always two words. Alot does not exist in the English language! I love my dog a lot. I have a lot of friends. She has a lot of old toys to give to charity. RULE: Lots of and a lot of are mainly used in informal English. The former is more informal. Both are used in singular and in plural sentences. A lot of time is wasted. Lots of time is wasted. A lot of clothes are needed at the pictorial.

A or An? A and an are articles. An honorable man A one-way ticket RULE: Use a before words that start with consonants. Use an before words that start with vowels. BUT: Use a before words that start with a consonant sound, even if it is a vowel, and an before words that start with a vowel sound, even if it is a consonant. An honorable man A one-way ticket

All ready or Already? All ready – a way of putting emphasis on “ready”. It means something or someone is completely prepared. “She is ready.” OR “She is all ready.” The second sentence puts more emphasis on the fact that she is entirely ready. Already – an adverb used to describe things that have happened before now (and usually, that have happened earlier than expected). I am not tired because I had already slept. They finished their rehearsals already.

Among or Amongst? Both are correct and mean the same thing, but among is more common. If you’re writing historical fiction or a fantasy story, you may use amongst. However, if you’re writing a news article, it’s better to use among. E.g. “Living among the desert people taught me a lot of hard lessons.”

Among or Between? When there are only two involved, use between. Mother sensed an enmity between my sister and Sondra. With three or more, there is a choice. Use between if you are thinking of the individuals and their relations with each other. Mother sensed an enmity between Sondra, Deniece, and my sister. If you are thinking of the group, use among. The movie star’s arrival created a stir among the sisters.

Amount or Number? Amount refers to quantities that cannot be counted. E.g. The bar exams required a great amount of studying. Number is used for quantities that can be counted. E.g. A small number of relatives attended the interment.

Assume or Presume? Assume – more closely means to support, or “take for granted.” Presume – is much stronger; it more closely means to dare, believe, or “take too much for granted”. E.g. John assumed the position of vice president. The jury was ordered to presume the innocence of the defendant.

Assume or Presume? Which one should be used here? Charlene (assumes/presumes) she’s the prettiest candidate. Answer: Both can be used. However, each word creates a different attitude for Charlene. If she presumes, she is deemed overconfident and even conceited. If she assumes, we ascribe a humbler character to her.

Bad or Badly? Bad (adjective) – used with linking verbs such as looks, feels, seems, appears, is. Badly (adverb) – used with action verbs. E.g. She smells bad. (She needs to take a shower.) She smells badly. (She can’t detect the smell of her husband’s cologne.)

Between you and I or me? Although between you and I is very commonly used, the correct phrase is between you and me, because the pronouns following ‘between’ are objects of the preposition.

Bring, Take, Fetch, Get Bring – use when an object is being transported toward you Take – use when an object is being moved away Get (American English)/Fetch (British English) – used when speaking about going somewhere, getting something, and then bringing it back

Bring, Take, Fetch, Get E.g. I’ll bring the road map with me when I go to Rome. He brought me to this cafe many years ago. Take this box of books there. The teacher took the students to the museum. Could you get the bag for me? He fetched his report and showed her the figures.

Can I or May I? Can – implies ability May – implies uncertainty or permission E.g. Can you give this letter to her? May I take you to the prom? My son can drive now, but he may not use my car.

Cannot or Can not? Some say both are correct – that can not is archaic and that cannot is more frequently used now. However, note this subtle difference:  If I can not do something, then I can also do it. I can not write these words if I choose, but I also can, and am, writing them. What I cannot do is know who will read them, or what they will think. RULE: If you either could or could not do something, then use can not, because you can leave out ‘not’ if you choose to do so. If you couldn’t do something no matter how hard you tried or how much you desired, then use cannot.