College of Arts and Sciences - WSU Vancouver



Some Correct Word Choices[Note: Check the dictionary to clear up any misunderstood words!]Accept: to receive - I can accept the gift.Except: to exclude - Everyone except Joe went to the game.Adapt: to adjust or become accustomed to - A strict schedule helped Jill adapt to college life. Adopt: to take as one's own - We would like to adopt the puppy.Affect: to influence (verb) [exception: affect can be a noun meaning emotion] - The weather will affect arthritis.Effect: a result (noun) [exception: effect can be a verb meaning to bring about] - The effect of the treatment was immediate.Cite: to quote as an authority or example - Be sure to cite the resource. Site: a particular place - There is the site of the plement: to go with or complete (verb) - Her sense of style complemented his sense of humor. Compliment: to flatter (verb) or a flattering remark (noun) - He complimented her achievements as president.Explicit: expressed directly - His mother gave explicit directions for finding Joe's new home.4059537996542428759808777546068884572675154232714171579281455707141963750725363740245588000Implicit: implied or unstated - The instructor's expression indicated his implicit disapproval.Ensure: to make certain - This letter will ensure your admittance into the proceedings.Insure: coverage with retribution (insurance) - The car was replaced because the driver was insured.Its: possessive pronoun - The dog had its own kennel. It's: contraction for it is - It's a long walk to the store.Than: used in comparison - I have more cars than my neighbor.Then: an adverb denoting time - Joe showered and then dressed for work.There: adverb specifying place - Put the book over there on that table.Their: possessive pronoun - Their trip ended at the Grand Canyon.They're: contraction for they are - They're glad they invited Sue's friend.To: preposition - They went to the store.Too: adverb used in quantifying - We had too many choices. Two: a specific number - I only brought two books.Which: used in nonrestrictive clause (nonessential information; if the clause is removed, the meaning does not change) [Note: used with comma(s)] - The campers need sturdy shoes, which are expensive.That: used in restrictive clause (essential to the meaning) [Note: no comma used] - The campers need clothes that are durable.That/WhichUse that only with restrictive clauses. Many writers prefer to use which only with nonrestrictive clauses, but usage varies.Adjective clauses begin with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) or with a relative adverb (where, when). Nonrestrictive adjective clauses are set off with commas; restrictive adjective clauses are not.Nonrestrictive Clause:Ed's house, which is located on thirteen acres, was completely furnished with bats in the rafters and mice in the kitchen.The adjective clause which is located on thirteen acres does not restrict the meaning of Ed's house, so the information is nonessential.Restrictive Clause:An office manager for a corporation that had government contracts asked her supervisor whether she could reprimand her co-workers for smoking.Because the adjective clause that had government contracts identifies the corporation, the information is essential.69194434360921NOTE: Do not use which to refer to persons. Use who instead. That, though generally used to refer to things, may be used to refer to a group or class of people.Who/WhomIsolate the subordinate clause. Then read its subject, verb and any objects, restructuring the clause if necessary. Some writers find it helpful to substitute he for who and him for whom.Samuels hoped to become the business partner of (whoever/whomever) found the treasure.Test: . . .whoever found the treasure. [. . .he found the treasure.]Ada always seemed to be bestowing a favor on (whoever/whomever) she worked for. Test: . . .she worked for whomever. [. . .she worked for him.]In a question, read the subject, verb, and any objects. Rearrange the sentence structure if necessary.(Who/Whom) conferred with Roosevelt and Stalin at Yalta in 1945?Test: Who conferred. . . ? [He conferred. . . ](Who/Whom) did the committee nominate? Test: The committee did nominate whom? [The committee did nominate him.] ................
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