Grammar for Everyone - Barbara Dykes 2007
29 Improve the way you speak and write - Confusion between words
Introduction
Part II The parts of speech
Due to a number of highly debated factors, some ungrammatical forms of English have become common and in due course may, by default, be regarded as acceptable usage. This is a pity, because, by being grammatically inconsistent, they provide obstacles for those, particularly of non-English speaking origin, who wish to learn correct English. However, this is a phenomenon that has bothered both teachers and students for generations. The language is living - so it happens!
Suffice it, therefore, to point out some of these anomalies and leave it to our students to adapt them or not. Others are clearly examples of bad language, unacceptable to those who wish to be, and be seen to be, well-educated.
The following list explains some common grammatical errors.
Confusion between words
I - me
I is the subject of a verb, me is the object of a verb or preposition (see page 101)
I rang Mavis; Mavis rang me.
They were very grateful to James and me.
he - him
He is the subject of a verb, him the object (see page 102).
He rang Colin; Colin rang him.
He and I both went to the party.
Colin took him and me with him.
who - whom
Who is the subject of a verb, whom is the object (see pages 139, 164).
I know who he is.
Whom did you see?
To whom did you give the money?
it’s - its
It’s is a contraction of ’it is’ (see page 80).
It's at the top of the charts.
Its is a possessive pronoun such as yours and theirs, or more frequently a possessive adjective. It has no apostrophe (see page 129).
Its cover is worn out.
different to, from or than
To differ means to ’carry apart’ so, logically, ’from’ is the only correct sequel. How could you carry something apart to something else? However, ’different to’ is commonly heard in many places.
’Different than’ is not only logically, but also grammatically, incorrect, as ’than’ introduces the second part of a mentioned comparison, e.g. Ben is taller than Mark (is).
less - fewer
Less is for amounts that cannot be numbered, fewer for things one can count (see page 129).
We had less money this year.
We bought fewer presents at Christmas.
between - among
Between distinguishes two things, among more than two.
Between you and me ...
You must choose among your many friends.
farther - further
Farther relates to distance, further means in addition.
I can’t walk any farther today.
We must discuss this idea further.
historic - historical
Historic means significant in history, historical relating to history.
The breaking down of the Berlin Wall was historic.
These are historical documents.
a - an
A is used before a word beginning with a consonant, an before a word beginning with a vowel.
This is a great occasion - it is a historic occasion.
That was an awesome event.
He is an honest man.
If the h is sounded, then, being a consonant, it is preceded by a. However, if the h is silent or omitted, as in French pronunciation, then an is appropriate, i.e. an hour, but a hotel.
if - whether
If, meaning ’on condition that’ is a conjunction which introduces an adverbial clause of condition. Whether introduces a noun clause and usually offers an alternative.
He will be in trouble if he is caught.
I wonder whether (or not) he will be expelled.
try to - try and
refers to the action it governs, try and ... implies two separate actions.
Try to write neatly; try to do your best.
Try and try again.
lie - lay
Lie is an intransitive verb with lay as its past tense.
I lie down every afternoon.
Yesterday, the dog lay down with me.
Lay is a transitive verb, with laid as its past tense.
Please lay the table properly.
Yesterday you laid it untidily.