Grammar 101: Word Use (Pt 1)

Welcome back to Grammar 101...
where I help the grammatically-challenged become proud Grammarians.
Or at least I try! lol

This week we're going to learn a bit about word use and common spelling errors.

I know we can't all be spelling bee champions and there are a few words out there that tend to trip us up.  Today, I'm hoping to fix that.

What do I mean by word use?  These are the words that look, sound or are used similarly but are not the same.

We're going to start with just a few examples (because I can go on & on & on with these) and we'll cover some more on a later date.

Example 1: Because / Since
You would use the word because when providing a reason for something.
eg: I can't write the review because I haven't read the book yet.

You would use the word since when referring to the passage of time.
eg: I haven't read "James and the Giant Peach" since I was in third grade.

Example 2: Than / Then
{This one drives me bonkers!}
You would use than only when comparing things.
eg: I like this author's recent work so much more than her older books.

You would use then when you're thinking of time (something following something else).
eg: Once I finish all my chores, then I can curl up on the couch with my new book.

Example 3: Accept / Except
{This one is too common!}
You would use accept as a verb when receiving something offered or when consenting to something.
eg: I accepted the flowers that he gave me after I accepted his apology.

You would use except as a preposition, conjunction or idiom when making an exclusion.
eg 1: They were there except me. (preposition)
eg 2: The fortress was well fortified except here. (conjunction)
eg 3: I wish I could travel more except I don't have the time or money right now. (idiom)

Last Example: I.e. vs. E.g.

I.e. and e.g. are both abbreviations for Latin terms. 
I.e. stands for id est and means roughly "that is." 
E.g. stands for exempli gratia, which means “for example.” 
Here's a handy-dandy memory trick to remember help remember when to use which:  Remember, i.e., which starts with i, means “in other words,” and e.g., which starts with e, means “for example.”
I = in other words. E= example.
You guys got all that?
Now for the fun stuff.

{Thanks to Gina from Hott Books for sending me this gem!}
 Eccept is just ALL kinds of wrong!
I would ACCEPT the challenge of teaching this school how to spell properly EXCEPT I fear there's no hope!

Uhm...they can't exactly beat ANY price if there are EXCEPTIONS, can they?

That's all for today folks!

Have a super day!

10 comments:

  1. YES! These drive me crazy! Also, effect/affect!

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  2. Oooh yes, these are my pet peeve too! But are you sure about because & since? Surely they can also be interchangeable in terms of providing reason?

    And omg, those billboards or whatever are criminal, haha!

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  3. Off topic but I need help, I can't find the link for the zombie challenge for April reviews. Thanx in advance

    Lainy

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  4. I love this post. I think I'll print it up and frame it.

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  5. From this batch I only have problems with then and than. But this is easier to correct than the right use of commas. Because I didn't get that... I think I need a Dutch explanation for some of the lessons, haha.

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  6. And here I am picking to bits books and newspapers where writers are getting it all wrong there too.
    When I want a lot of fun, I get a red pen and go through my newspaper on the weekend and pick out the grammatical error and spelling errors that writers leave in; and find how terrible they really are!

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  7. I'm always looking up how to properly use i.e. and e.g. Now I'll just bookmark this post and save myself the mission of looking on the web. Great post Isa.

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  8. I know the proper use of these but sometimes they come our wrong and I feel like such a douche. I also screw up affect/effect, it's/its, etc. Oh,and there's always the hear/here, there/their mess up if I'm writing too fast...annoying!

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  9. Hahaha. I love the signs at the end!

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  10. OH MY GOD! I was laughing so hard at this post...
    wow, then the picture.... OR should I say the 'pitchers' was awesome. HAHAHAHAHA
    :)

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