has to, have to, have got to	how
(the) hidden meaning	however
hopefully

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.

has to, have to, have got to: in place of these weak phrases, use the old-fashioned, sadly neglected, vigorous word must: "We must improve our effort."

(the) hidden meaning: when you write about literature, avoid phrases like "deeper meaning" and "hidden meaning." They sound like boasting, and they give the false impression that writers set out to deceive readers.

Be more objective. Sometimes students who write "deeper" or "hidden meaning" are really talking about the difference between figurative and literal meanings.

BOASTFUL: Although Frost's poem seems on the surface to be about two roads, on a deeper level it is really about choices in life.

OBJECTIVE: The roads in Frost's poem are symbols of the choices everyone faces in life.

hopefully: much misused. It must modify a living thing capable of hope. See DM5 (Part Two).

WRONG: Hopefully, UCLA will accept me.

RIGHT: I hope UCLA will accept me.

RIGHT: I wait hopefully for good news from UCLA.

how: if your teacher marks "G," determine which of the following errors you have made:

1. Do not confuse how with that:

WRONG: He told me how he is doing well.

RIGHT: He told me that he is doing well.

RIGHT: He told me how well he is doing.

2. Do not use how as the object of a verb or preposition:

WRONG (OBJECT OF VERB): I like how you wear your hair.

RIGHT: I like the way you wear your hair. I like your hair style.

WRONG (OBJECT OF PREPOSITION): He tells her about how he loves her.

RIGHT: He tells her that he loves her. He tells her how much he loves her.

3. Do not use and how to create loose parallelism:

FAULTY: I admire her beautiful singing and how she dances gracefully.

PARALLEL: I admire her beautiful singing and graceful dancing.

LOOSE: He describes the snow and how it looks beautiful.

BETTER: He describes the beauty of the snow.

How means "in what way or manner." It is best used before adjectives ("how good you look"), adverbs ("how quickly time flies"), or phrases or clauses of explanation ("how to program computers," "how the West was won").

however: a frequently mispunctuated word. Often it creates comma splices and fused sentences:

WRONG: I go, however, he stays. I go, however he stays. I go however he stays.

RIGHT: I go; however, he stays.

A comma links however to the clause it modifies; a semicolon or period separates it from the other clause. However provides transition between clauses but does not make them one sentence. It is not a conjunction like although or but. It is a conjunctive adverb, like nevertheless, moreover, and therefore. However can be placed at different points within the clause it modifies, but if it is not at the beginning or end, it requires two commas:

WRONG: My sister, however is tall.

RIGHT: My sister, however, is tall. However, my sister is tall. My sister is tall, however.

With no comma, readers may think you are using however in a different sense:

However you do it, just get it done! However hard I kick, the ball doesn't move.

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