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!