Glossary of Usage: E

 

effect, affect everybody
ego, egotistical everyday, every day (and other every- compounds)
enthused except, accept
etc.

 

G1: write the rule. Do not just write "G" or "Glossary of usage" in your corrections. Find the appropriate section in the alphabetized list below, read it, write the rule (or a short version of the rule), and correct the error.


effect, affect: usually affect is a verb and effect a noun. "The storm did not affect us; it had no harmful effects." Both words have secondary meanings as verbs. Affect can mean "to pretend" (in the sense of putting on airs): "Trying to sound cultured, he affected a British accent." Effect can mean "to bring about": "Diplomats failed to effect a settlement."


ego, egotistical: psychology jargon. Use pride and proud instead.


enthused: standard usage prefers enthusiastic (adjective) or was enthusiastic (verb).


etc.: appropriate in note-taking, but not in an essay. Even worse is the redundant and etc.


everybody: the more formal anyone is preferred. The same is true for everyone, no one and someone. Do not mix forms: "Someone told me nobody is home."


everyday, every day (and other every- compounds): everyday is an adjective; it only precedes nouns. Every day is an adverbial phrase which means "daily."

She puts it to everyday use. Every day I jog. Everyday occurrences occur every day.

Everyone in the class had read every one of her novels.


except, accept: except is usually a preposition, accept a verb. "I accept every offer except the last."


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