Writing numbers

Commonly Misused & Abused

Words and Phrases

English 102BC

Numbers
What is the rule for writing numbers?

Numbers
Differ according to style guide
MLA use numerals for numbers above one hundred (starting
with 101)
MLA spell out numbers one hundred and below
MLA spell out large round numbers (fifteen million)
APA spell out numbers one through nine, 10 and above written
numerically
Both when one number immediately follows another, spell out
one number and use numerals for other (three 100-meter events,
25 four-poster beds)

Numbers
use numerals according to convention
Dates July 4, 1776; 56 BC; AD 30
Addresses 77 Latches Lane, 519 West 42nd Street
Percentages 55 percent (or 55%)
Fractions, Decimals , 0.047
Scores 7 to 3, 21 18
Statistics average age 37, average weight 180
Surveys 4 out of 5
Exact amounts of money - $105. 37
Divisions of books volume 3, Chapter 4, page 189
Divisions of plays act 3, scene 3 (or act III, scene iii)

Numbers
use numerals according to convention
Identification numbers serial number 10988675
Time of Day 4:00 p.m., 1:30 a.m.

When not using a.m. or p.m., write out the

time in words (two oclock in the afternoon,
twelve noon, seven in the morning)

Grammar Tasks
Create a poster illustrating the rules for writing numbers. The poster
does not need to be full size; it can be a scaled down replica.
(www.glogster.com is good for this task)

Affect VS Effect
Affect
To influence (verb)
Lack of sleep affects the quality of your work.
Effect
Result (noun)
The subtle effect of the lighting made the room look ominous.
To accomplish (verb)
Can the university effect such a change without disrupting classes?

Affect VS Effect
***hint replace confused word with definition***
Affect = to influence / effect = result, to accomplish
The arrows ____ the Aardvark.
affected
The ____ was eye-popping.
effect
The sound ____ were amazing!
effects
The rain had no ____ on Amys hairdo.
Effect (remember this is a noun)

Affect VS Effect...the exception

Affect can be used as a noun in psychology.
Psychologists know that one can never really understand what someone
else is feeling; one can only know how they appear to be feeling.
She displayed a happy affect.
Effect can be used as a verb meaning to bring about or to accomplish.
Aardvark hoped to effect change within the burrow.

Lose VS Loose
Lose
Opposite of win, to misplace
Dont lose your mind.
Loose
Not tight
The burglars pants were so loose that he couldnt run faster than the
cop.

Lose VS Loose
The hockey team doesnt want to __ the game.
lose
The girl had such a bad sunburn that she could only wear ___ clothes.
loose
Set the dog ___.
loose
I always seem to ___ my keys.
lose

A Lot VS Alot
A lot
Always leave a space
Alot
Isnt a word!!!!
You dont write alittle, abunch, acantaloupe, aporkchop, or alot.

Then VS Than
then
Used for time
First I stole a panda bear, then we drank malt liquor together.
than
Used for comparison
Im much better at holding my liquor than a panda bear.

Then VS Than
It was dark, ___ there was a scream
then
Money is better ___ poverty, if only for financial reasons (Woody Allen)
than
Russia is even more spacious ___ Canada.
than
She used to holiday in Sri Lanka as it was ___ known.
then

Weather VS Whether
Weather
Snow, rain, sunshine, typhoons
Withstand, endure
In Ireland, you will experience multiple types of weather everyday.
whether
Expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives
When I was in Ireland, I couldnt decide whether to go home or stay.

Weather VS Whether
Sarah wants to know ___ the visit is still on schedule.
whether
I am going to the fair, ___ or not it is raining.
whether
Well anchor up, ___ the storm and then head back to land.
weather
The sea will ___ that rope ion less than a week.
weather

Wether
a male sheep, especially a castrated ram

Sit VS Set
Sit/sat/sitting
To be seated or come to a resting position
I sat in my favorite chair.
Set/set/setting
To put or place
I set my glass on the table.

Sit VS Set
***hint replace set with put
We were surprised by the beautiful gift-wrapped package ___ on our bed.
setting
The flowers were ___ on the table and the mens tuxes were draped over
chairs.
setting
Suki ___ in her office and paints her nails.
sits

All ready VS already

All ready
prepared
Dinner was all ready when the guests arrived.
already
By this time
The ham was already burned when the guests arrived.

All ready VS Already

Jillian is ___.
All ready
When they pulled the shark up in the net, it was ___ dead.
already
It is ___ illegal to culture human-animal embryos for more than fourteen
days.
already

Apart VS A part
Apart
To be separated
My old car fell apart before we reached
California.
A part
To be joined with
A part of this plan involves rising at dawn.

Apart VS A part
The rocks fell 30 feet ___.
apart
The whole room was silent ___ from Becky.
apart
Once we are ___ of this group, we must pay dues.
a part

Of VS Have
Of
Coming from, caused by, part of a group, made from (preposition)
The leader of the band played bass guitar
Have
To possess
I should have started studying earlier.
***it is NEVER should of, could of, would of

Lie VS Lay
Lie/lying/lied
To tell a falsehood
I lied to my mother.
Lie/lying/lay/lain
To recline
I have a headache, so Im going to lie down for a while.
I lay on the bed because I was tired.
He was lain in the grass.
Lay/laying/laid/laid
To put, to place
Lay down that shotgun!
I laid the baby in her cradle.
We have laid the dishes on the table.

Lie VS Lay
Lay is subject acting on an object
I lay down the book.
Lie is subject doing action
I lie down.

Lie VS Lay
The cat ___ in the mud after it rained yesterday.
lay
Mary forcefully ___ her ring on the table.
laid
Dean has ___ on the floor for days.
lain
The cat has ___ in the mud for hours.
lain

Dear Abby,
http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/2002/4/9

Grammar Portfolio
Find five commonly misused words and/or phrases. Create an
advice column warning people about these egregious errors.