Words Commonly Misused : A





A & An :

A is used before a word which starts with a consonant sound while AN is used before a word which starts with a vowel sound. (A Cashier & An Indian)



According to & In accordance with :

None of the two gives a direct expression and it is always desirable to write something natural. Thus instead of writing ‘In accordance with your request’ it is better to write: “we have pleasure in sending a detailed folder you requested”.



Accept & Except :

Accept means to receive or to confirm.

Except means to omit.



Acknowledge & Acknowledging :

Instead of writing “we acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your letter” or “while acknowledging our letter of”, it is better to use a simple sentence like “Thank you for your letter of…..”



Affect & Effect :

Affect means to influence.

Effect (verb) means to cause and to institute.

Effect (noun) means a result.



Alright & All Right :

It is always better to use the word ALL RIGHT instead of ALRIGHT.



All together and Altogether :

All together means ‘all things or persons together’ while altogether means ‘completely’.



Among & Between :

Among is always used when the number of the object is three or more.

Between is used only when the number of objects is only two.



Amount & Number :

Amount refers to measurable quantity.

Number refers to countable quantity.



And & Etc. :

AND should never be used with ETC.

Thus ‘table chair, cot, almirah, etc.’ is correct.



Anticipating :

Always avoid using the word Anticipating.

Thus ‘anticipating your order and ‘anticipating your reply’ are wrong.



Anyplace, Anywhere, Anywheres :

Always use ANYWHERE in place of anyplace or anywheres.



Appraise, Evaluate & Assess :

Appraise and evaluate mean to ascertain the value or amount of...

Assess means to value for tax purposes.



Approve & Endorse :

Approve means TO SANCTION.

Endorse means HAVE FAVOURABLE OPINION.



Apt, Likely & Liable :

Apt denotes natural tendency.

Likely means probably.

Liable means exposed to disadvantage or danger, responsibility.



As Per :

Use more natural expression.

Thus instead of writing, ‘As per your letter of….’ It is better to write. ‘As you state in you letter’.



At & About :

Always use about.

Thus AT ABOUT 5P.M. is incorrect while ABOUT 5P.M is correct.


Words Commonly Misused


A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M

N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z





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Words Commonly Misused
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