Business Writing Tips from The Writing Center
Grammar
Basics: Commonly Misused
Words (6)
November 2, 2006
good, well: Good is always an adjective. Well is
usually an adverb. It is used as an adjective only when
it refers to health. (She looked good
in red. She was dressed well. She had been sick for several
weeks and did not look well.)
if, whether: If meaning whether has been established in
standard English for a long time. (I haven't
decided if I'll go.)
imply, infer: Imply means to suggest, to express indirectly.
Infer means to conclude, as on the basis of suggestion or
implication. A writer implies to a reader; a reader
infers from a writer. (I can infer
from his report that he is
implying that the figures are wrong.)
irregardless: Irregardless is not considered standard English.
Use regardless.
it's, its: It's is a contraction of it is. Its is
the possessive form of the pronoun it. (It's
the first time its collator hasn't worked.)
last, latest: Last implies that there will be no more.
Latest implies that this is the most recent. (After
hearing his latest presentation, we hope that it is his last.)
lend, loan: Both lend and loan may be used to
mean to give something (or money) on the condition that it is
returned (with interest). But loan is more commonly used in
financial contexts. (The government has
loaned money to urban developers. My brother lent me his
car.)
like, as: The preposition like must be followed by an
object. (He talks like a Southerner.)
As and as if are conjunctions followed by a clause.
(He talks as if he were a Southerner.)
media: Media is the plural form of medium, a means,
agency, or instrument of expression or material suitable for
the cultivation of microorganisms. (Which
medium is best for this message? Only the local media are
covering this event. Which medium is best for this experiment?)
myself: Do not use myself as a substitute for I
or me. (Not: He and
myself were there. But:
He and I were there.) Use myself only intensively
(I, myself, shall do it) or
reflexively (I blame only myself).
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This edition was adapted from our
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