G. HERBST2012

Grammar Crammers 41-50

In, Into

In Indicates location Ex: He was in the room.

Into Indicates motion Ex: She walked into the room.

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?

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.

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.

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

Awful

To be used only as an adjectiveMeaning 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.

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.

May, Might

Difference is subtle Both indicate that something is possible, but something that may

happen is more likely than something that might happenMight

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.

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

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.”