English Rules

who versus that

October 10, 2006

Someone recently sent me an email asking about the proper use of who and that: When followed by a verb, how does one know when to say "who" and when to say "that"? Ex: The lady that jumped on the couch or The lady who jumped on the couch? I prefer to use who when referring to people, but that … Read more.

lit and lighted

February 10, 2006

I just got a very nice note from Andrew, who asked a good usage question: Hi! I love reading your answers to the grammar questions. Recently, I got into a debate about 'lit' versus 'lighted'. I lit a match. I lighted a candle. The room was lit by the flame. The room was lighted by the flame. Any advice? Andrew, … Read more.

Hanged or Hung

December 4, 2005

Here is one of the many questions I've received recently: I was reading a story in the paper and the writer wrote "He hanged himself." My coworkers and I thought it should be, "He hung himself." Are we all wrong or is the journalist? Here is my answer: I'm sorry to report that you are wrong, not the journalist. Pictures … Read more.

Toward or Towards

September 22, 2005

Someone recently wrote in with the following question: I was recently reading a book that used the word "towards" many times. I have always said, "I went toward the lake." But, in this book the author wrote several sentences such as, "I went towards the lake." The author is a professor of liturature at John Hopkins. So, I'm wondering if … Read more.

historic and historical

September 22, 2005

"The question concerns the appropriate use of the words historic and historical. When is one prefered over the other?" This is a great question, for which the American Heritage Book of English Usage has an excellent answer: Historic and historical have different usages though their senses overlap. Historic refers to what is important in history: the historic first voyage to … Read more.

To and Too

September 21, 2005

Question: When do I use "to" or "too"? Example: too difficult or to stay Answer: The word too has two common meanings: (1) "also" or "besides" and (2) "excessively." Sometimes people use it informally to mean (3) "very." Examples of "too" Jane would like some ice cream, too. I, too, am part Swedish. Frida was too small to ride the … Read more.

Shall and Will

July 9, 2005

I've received a number of questions about the proper use of shall and will. Unfortunately, this issue is so difficult and convoluted that crafting an answer would take more time than I have at the moment. I usually go with my intuition, realizing that since I live in the United States I'll get away with making a mistake every now … Read more.

Rather Than and Instead Of

June 10, 2005

Kanika recently asked, "When do we use 'rather than' and when do we use 'instead of'?" The short answer is that in most cases, the two phrases are interchangeable, although "rather than" often has a more formal tone than "instead of." The American Heritage Book of English Usage offers a much lengthier answer: The phrase rather than consists of an … Read more.

Lie and Lay

April 23, 2005

Someone recently asked about the correct use of "lie" versus "lay." The Confusion A common mistake is for people to use "lay" instead of "lie." For example, they might say, "I'm feeling dizzy, so I should lay down." One might ask what exactly the person should lay down. Their arms, perhaps? I know, that was a snobbish joke. Actually, I … Read more.

Farther and Further

April 6, 2005

Sandy Mendenhall wrote in to ask about the proper use of farther and further: "What are the rules for further and farther? Everyone I ask doesn't seem to have an answer." Apparently, the two words have been used interchangably by many writers since the Middle Ages. More recently, however, some people have tried to make a distinction between the two … Read more.

Capital and Capitol

April 1, 2005

A friend asked if I could tell him what the difference is between capital (with an "a") and capitol (with an "o"). The basic rule is that capitol refers to a government building, while capital refers to everything else. Here are abridged definitions from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition: capitol 1. a building or complex … Read more.

Bring versus Take

March 30, 2005

Someone just asked about the rule for bring versus take. The general guideline is to use bring when something is being moved closer and to use take when something is being moved farther away. Sometimes, though, either word could be used just as well. Examples Ben brought a friend home from school today. Lucy takes her blanket with her when … Read more.

then and than

March 1, 2005

A visitor to the site asked about when to use than or then. Here is the answer: Use then to show sequence, what happens next. Other meanings include "at that time" and "as a necessary consequence" Examples: - The whole family had a leisurely breakfast. We then went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. - He was just a little … Read more.

Affect and Effect

February 23, 2005

Mable Scott asks, What is the rule for using affect or effect? Affect Affect is typically used as a verb meaning "to influence." Example: "The rain affected the skier's performance." It can also mean "to put on a false show of; simulate." Example: "Frank often affected a British accent because he thought it made him sound smart." It is less … Read more.

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