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Choice of Words - Correct Usage
Choice of Words - Correct Usage
Be careful with the choices of words. Most words are loaded with political, social,
historical, aesthetic, or moral values. A good writer tries not to offend anyone by
trying to avoid such words, and using value-neutral words as far as possible.
- Which or that?
Usually which and that can both be used in a sentence structure. The only time they
create confusion is when they are used as relative pronouns to introduce clauses.
Which is used with non-essential clauses. For example: �The places, which I
visited, were beautiful�. Here the clause is not essential, it has only been added
for further information.
That is used with essential clauses. For example: �The places that I told you about
were interesting�. Here the clause is essential because it tells us that we are
talking about particular places.
- Use of adjectives
Do not use a lot of adjectives. Adjectives are good to describe your people,
places, or things, but their overuse makes your writing stagnant. Try using strong,
descriptive verbs instead. �
- �Corrupted� words
Watch for commonly used �corrupted� words. If you are not sure about them, confirm
before using them. Examples: �preventative� for �preventive�, or� �dependency� for
�dependence�.
The only time effect is a verb is when it means �to bring about�. Example: The
principal has effected some new rules.
- Using due to
�Due to� means �caused by� and NOT �because of�. Hence,
�The game was postponed due to rain� is incorrect.
�The game was postponed because of rain� is correct
But, �The game�s postponement was due to rain� is correct.
In short, use �due to� only if it can be substituted with �caused by�.
- Farther or further
Do not confuse the words �farther� and �further�.
�Farther� refers to physical advancement in distance. It is the comparative form of
�far� when referring to distance. For example: His house is farther than John�s.
�Further� refers to advancement to a greater degree. It is the comparative form of
�far� when referring to degree or extent. For example: He decided to go ahead
without any further delay.�
- Till or Until
In modern English, till and until are interchangeable, except when used as the
first word in a sentence when until is preferred. Which one to use is most often
decided by the rhythm of the sentence. Until is also sometimes considered more
formal, which is why it turns up more often in edited prose.
- �Bring� or �take�?
Whether to use �bring� or �take� depends on the direction of the action.
For example: �I will bring her with me to the party�.� Here the action is towards
the party. Hence, the word �bring�.
�She plans to take just one suitcase with her to London�. In this sentence, the
action is away from where you are. Hence, the word �take�.
Envelop (without the �e�) is a verb, is pronounced en-VELL-uhp, and means �to
wrap�, �to conceal� or �to cover�. For example: As the lights go off, darkness
envelops us.
- Disinterested or uninterested
Do not confuse disinterested with uninterested.
Disinterested means �impartial� or �unbiased�. For example:
A disinterested mediator helped settle the dispute. (He did not take sides)
Uninterested means �not interested� or �indifferent�. For example:
This student is uninterested in chemistry. (The student has no interest in
chemistry)
The majority elects the president of the organization. (�Majority� here is singular
as it is used to describe a single collective group. Hence, the verb elects.)
The majority of the students come to school by bus. (Here �majority� is plural
since it is used to describe a collection of individuals, the students. Hence, the
verb come.)