By Judy Vorfeld Is there such a word as “alot”? Professor Paul Brians says that this common spelling error may have begun began because there is an English a word spelled “allot” which is a verb meaning to apportion or grant. * Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary says: 1 : to assign as […]
By Judy Vorfeld It’s easy to mix up usage of “due to” and “because of.” Here are some tips to help you remember which is which. “DUE TO” modifies nouns, but introduces adjective phrases: “Her failure was due to poor study habits.” Explanation: “due to poor study habits” […]
By Judy Vorfeld Affect or Effect? What’s the Difference? If you’re confused about when to use “affect” and “effect,” you have company! AFFECT means to change, touch, impress or influence something. It means to act upon something. If someone distracts me when I’m typing, it affects my […]
By Judy Vorfeld ADVERSE The adjective “adverse” turns up most often in the phrase “adverse circumstances.” This means difficult or unfavorable circumstances, circumstances that act as an adversary (enemy). It’s also used to mean “harmful,” “hostile,” and “opposed to.” Examples: This medication could result in adverse side […]
By Judy Vorfeld How Adjectives Work with Nouns and Pronouns ADJECTIVE: a word or phrase that describes what kind, how many, or which one. Adjectives can consist of a single word, a phrase, or a clause. Adjectives modify (or explain) the meaning of nouns (see below) and pronouns (see below). NOUN: name […]
