Before we get down to our regularly scheduled grammar business, can we please talk about how Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are expecting another baby? I’m so ridiculously happy right now!
Me yesterday |
ANYWAY
If you’re new around these parts, you may not know that up until recently I was a high school English teacher. I studied to be an English teacher at Vanderbilt, which involved an entire class about grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and how to teach them. Because of that and actually teaching, I learned all sorts of rules of English grammar. One area of that is commonly confused words.
Back in November, I talked about the differences between stationary and stationery, raise and rise, and lay and lie. If you every wonder about those differences, be sure to check that out!
What are the differences between affect and effect?
Is it bear with me or bare with me?
Accept versus except – go!
You’re going to follow me on all social media other than Pinterest? I may not like it, but I accept your exception. Accept is agreeing or receiving. Except is everything but. Although it is usually used as a preposition or conjunction, it can be as a verb. So don’t tell yourself that accept is a verb and except isn’t, because that isn’t always the case. Preposition version is the most common – “I will do everything except for …”
Is it more then or more than?
More than! “Then” is a progression – “First I write a post, then I proofread it.” “Than” is a comparison. “Are you faster or slower than Usain Bolt?” Depending on your accent, there might not be a difference between them when you speak, which can make this difficult to figure out. But they are two separate words.
Am I complimenting or complementing someone?
Well, it depends. Are you trying to tell them something nice about them? Then you are complimenting them. If you are trying to make a group complete, then you are complementing the group. If you tell your new coworker, “Mary, your skills really complement the law firm,” then you are complimenting her. Think about it this way: when you complement, you complete.
And now – meet Jenn!
Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.
Ellen Ross // Ask Away Blog says
This is a great post to clear stuff up. I really hope a lot of people see this!
XO Ellen from Ask Away Advice & Fashion Blog
http://www.askawayblog.com
Lynsey @ Eternally Wanderlyn says
I love posts like this! I am constantly correcting bad grammar. 🙂
Sarah says
I didn't even know there were two different ways to spell complimenting. Learn something new everyday.
Kelley Moyer says
Gah I'm not a lover of English/grammar/writing or anything, but I can NOT stand when people don't know when to use "than" vs. "then"!!!
Becca @ Becoming Adorrable says
I'd actually love more of these posts. The effect/affect confusion ALWAYS gets me!
The Girl who Loved to Write says
"Actually, unless you want someone to get naked with you, it's bear." I love your humor in these posts because it helps me remember these rules!
Audrey Brewer says
This post affected me, because I normally accept my own grammar as perfect (bear with me – I'm an English major), and I'm realizing now there's more than a little still left to learn! Consider it a compliment.
Hahaha.
xoxo
Audrey
Keiko Zoll says
Great post with excellent reminders! I love being a grammar nerd 🙂
Marla Rogers says
Omg YES YES YES YES. Especially bear with me…when people say "bare with me" I just can't help but snicker because really you want me to bare with you? But saying "then" instead of "than" makes me the most angry haha I just can't "bare" it.
sara says
English is one of the most important languages in the world. It can even be said to be the single most important language.Other languages are important too
ielts letter
Kads Life says
Can't stand it when people say "I brought this from the shop" when they mean bought!!