Grammar Crammers 41-50

1. Grammar Crammers 41-50 G. Herbst 2012

2. In, Into • In • Indicates location • Ex: He was in the room. • Into • Indicates motion • Ex: She walked into the room.

3. Bring/Take • Bring • Come to a place with someone or something • Ex: Make sure you bring that delicious cake when you swing by the birthday party. • Take • To lay hold of something with one’s hands; to remove • Ex: Did you take a piece of her cake?

4. Contagious, Infectious • Contagious • Of a disease: spread from one person or organism to another by direct or indirect contact • Ex: Many incurable diseases are highly contagious. • Of an emotion: likely to spread to and affect others • Ex: Her enthusiasm is contagious. • Infectious • Of a disease: likely to be transmitted to people or organisms through the environment • Ex: Horses are more likely to become infected with --- when there are puddles of stagnant water and many mosquitos. • Of an emotion: like to spread or influence others in a rapid manner • Ex: His excitement infected the crowd with positive energy.

5. Amid, Among, Between • Amid • Never amidst • Surrounded by; in the middle of • Ex: Our dream home was set amid magnificent rolling countryside. • Among • Never amongst • Introduces more than two items • Ex: The funds were divided among Ford, Carter and McCarthy. • Between • Introduces two items • Ex: The two siblings split the cake between themselves. • Ex: They kept the secret between him and her.

6. Ain’t • This not a “real” word, but one that is simply colloquial in nature • Often used as a substitute for to be+not • Ex: INCORRECT: She ain’t going to go to the party. CORRECT: She isn’t going to go to the party. • Do not use this word, ever, in any formal writing

7. Awful • To be used only as an adjective • Meaning very bad or unpleasant • Ex: Sulfur has an awful smell. • Ex: He made an awful speech. • Do not use in colloquial phrases such as: You’ve got an awful lot to learn. • Instead, state: You still have much to learn.

8. Accept, Except • Accept: to receive • Examples: • She was happy to accept the nomination as prom queen. • He accepted the gift from his friend. • Except: to exclude • Examples: • I enjoy all vegetables except eggplant. • Everyone was invited to attend the conference except the students who were receiving an F in the class.

9. May, Might • Difference is subtle • Both indicate that something is possible, but something that may happen is more likely than something that mighthappen • Might • The likelihood of occurrence is a mighty stretch • Imagine something you'd almost never do, and then imagine someone inviting you to do it • Exceptions: • Might is the past tense of may • When you're talking about something not happening, it can be better to use might because people could think you’re talking about permission if you use may • May • Use when the outcome is likely • Examples: • You might clean your room, but you may call your friend later. • You might climb Mt. Everest someday, but you may go hiking in the foothills next weekend.

10. Could care less • Proper phrase is “couldn’t care less” • HOWEVER “could care less” is overtaking “couldn’t care less” • Meant to be used with an ironic or sarcastic tone

11. So, Very • So • Intensifier • Should generally be avoided when using by itself • May be used with the word “that” • Examples: • Incorrect: I was so happy. • Correct: I was so happy that I jumped for joy. • Very • Intensified • May be used by itself for emphasis • Use sparingly • Opt for more specific nouns, adjectives or phrases • Example: Instead of saying, “I was very hungry,” replace with “I was famished.”