affect/effect
Affect is generally a verb; effect is generally a
noun. (See a dictionary for exceptions.)
Cigarette smoke affects my
breathing.
Cigarette smoke has an effect on my breathing. |
composed of/comprises
A medication may be composed of or may comprise a number
of ingredients. A medication is not comprised of ingredients.
database
Always use as one word.
ensure/insure/assure
Ensure means "make
certain."Essentially, insure and assure also
mean "make certain,"
but insure implies
taking precautionary measures and
assure implies removing doubt from someone's mind.
fewer/less
Use fewer when referring to a
group of distinct elements,
less when referring to an aggregate:
Fewer people are dying of strokes.
Please use less vinegar in that dressing.
Fewer sugar cubes in your coffee means less sugar
in your diet. |
if/whether
If specifies a condition,
whether introduces
an indirect question concerning alternatives.
I do not know whether he can do
it.
If he can do it, let him. |
imply/infer
These two words are related but refer to different ends
of the communication process. When speaking or writing,
you can imply something beyond what your words state
directly; the person listening to you or reading what you
have written can then infer your indirect message.
lay/lie
Lay (past tense and past participle
form, laid) is a transitive verb; people lay things
on the table or floor.
Lie (past tense, lay; past participle,
lain) is an intransitive verb; things
and people lie on the table or on the couch.
Mary laid the sweater on the chair.
The sweater is lying on the chair.
Please lay your books on the table.
John is lying on the couch.
|
but
Yesterday, John lay on the couch
all afternoon.
(The simple past tense of lie is lay.) |
NIH
Actually, NIH is rarely misused on campus,
but this entry is provided as a reminder that NIH is
singular, and that NIH takes the definite article
the when the sense of the sentence demands it.
The NIH is sponsoring a symposium.
Please adhere to NIH guidelines. |
not only ... but also/as well
Always use not
only in conjunction with either but also or as
well.
Jim bought not only a computer
but also a new desk.
Sheila sent her complaint letter not only to the
company but to the newspaper as well. |
principal/principle
Principal can be either
a noun or an adjective, meaning either a person in authority
or a person or thing of primary importance. Principle is
always a noun, usually referring to a fundamental rule, characteristic,
or ingredient.
philosophical principle
principal of a school |
principal parts of a verb:
interest earned on the principal in a savings
account
principal investigator |
underway/under way
Underway is a rarely used adjective;
under way is a commonly used adverbial phrase.
| Some aircraft are capable of underway refueling. |
but
Some aircraft are capable of refueling while under
way.
The meeting is under way. |
which/that
Which always follows a comma and
introduces a nonrestrictive clause. A comma does not precede that,
which always introduces a restrictive clause.
Cotton candy, which always makes me sick, is one
of my weaknesses.
Cotton candy that is red always makes me sick. |
In the first example, the clause is nonrestrictive because
it refers to all cotton candy; in the second, the clause
is restrictive because it describes a specific cotton candy.
|
