Glossary of Usage: T
Glossary of Usage: T
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.
tend to, have a tendency to: inflated expressions. Avoid them. Instead of "I exhibit a tendency to procrastinate," write "I procrastinate" or "Sometimes I procrastinate."
that, who, which: errors result from the violation of two rules:
1. Use who and whom to refer to people, which and that to refer to things:
WRONG: the boy that she likes.
RIGHT: the boy whom she likes.
Exception: use that with some words for groups of people ("the class that is graduating").
2. No comma is used before that, whereas which may or may not have a comma:
WRONG: the class, that is graduating.
RIGHT: the class that is graduating.
In other words, that is always restrictive, but which may be restrictive or nonrestrictive. See C5 and CX9 in Part Four for more information on restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.
their, there, they're: their is a possessive pronoun; there, an adverb meaning "in the specified place"; they're, a contraction of "they are." "They're sitting over there in their seats."
themself, theirselves: not standard English. Use themselves, which is always plural.
then: three errors are common:
1. Avoid then as a vague modifier. Usually then means "I'm too lazy to think of a good transition."
2. Do not use then as a conjunction. In the sentence below, misuse of then causes a comma splice:
WRONG: I go to school, then I go to practice.
RIGHT: I go to practice after school.
3. Do not confuse then with than. Than is a conjunction used in comparisons ("older than you"); then, an adverb meaning "at the specified time."
there is, there are: beware of overusing these constructions, which sap energy from sentences by substituting wordy noun phrases for action verbs:
WORDY: There is a bird singing.
BETTER: A bird sings.
If you do use the construction, remember that the verb agrees with the noun or nouns that follow:
SINGULAR: There is a bird singing.
PLURAL: There are birds singing.
therefore: often mispunctuated. See the Glossary entry on however for more information.
WRONG: I think, therefore, I am. I think, therefore I am. I think therefore I am.
RIGHT: I think; therefore, I am.
thing: often a lazy word. Expand your vocabulary. In the following sentence, explanation would be better: "He often wondered why he had no visitors, and the only thing he could think of was his pet python."
this, these, those: often used vaguely. Supply a clear noun phrase, or rephrase the sentence. Do not merely add a noun after this:
VAGUE: I kept practicing despite my sore wrist. This has helped me in my studies.
STILL VAGUE: This trait has helped me in my studies.
CLEAR: The same perseverance has helped me in my studies.
Even if the general idea is apparent, precise rephrasing can helpfully sum up the thought:
VAGUE: Odysseus taunts the Cyclops, who angrily hurls a boulder that nearly capsizes the ship. This shows the danger of pride.
STILL VAGUE: This taunting shows the danger of pride.
CLEAR: The nearly fatal consequence of his boasts shows the danger of pride.
The same rules apply to these and (when they are used demonstratively) to those and that.
UNCLEAR: Those are good ideas. That is a good idea.
Demonstrative pronouns (those which demonstrate or point out rather than defining) are useful in speech, for it is simpler to say "Mail this" than "Mail the letter addressed to the Internal Revenue Service." However, in formal writing demonstrative pronouns are often vague.
though, although: often used interchangeably as a subordinating conjunction, but the Keables Guide recommends using although or even though as a conjunction and though as a transitional adverb set off by commas:
Although it rained, we went on with our picnic.
We held our picnic even though it rained.
The rain made it miserable, though, and we regretted our decision.
threw, through, thorough: threw is the past tense of throw; through is a preposition meaning "passing in and out of "; thorough (two syllables) is an adjective meaning "complete." "I threw the ball through the ring." "You did a thorough job."
till, until: in formal writing, until is preferred. Do not write 'til.
to, too, two: to is a preposition; too, an adverb meaning "also"; two, a number.
WRONG: Do you know her? I do to.
RIGHT: Do you know her? I do too.
totally: a vague intensifier, often redundant ("totally destroyed") and usually unnecessary.
toward, towards: interchangeable; toward is preferred. Be consistent.
track, tract: track is a path; tract, an area of land. On the right track and one-track mind are the correct idioms.
try and: an error for try to.