Learn on PengiElements of Language, 3rd CourseChapter 9: A Glossary of Usage: Common Usage Problems

Lesson 1: A Glossary of Usage A

In this Grade 6 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 3rd Course, students practice correct usage of commonly confused terms including a vs. an, accept vs. except, between vs. among, and a lot as two words. The lesson explains how sound rather than spelling determines article choice, and how context distinguishes verbs from prepositions. Students also learn to avoid nonstandard forms like ain't and the incorrect use of at after where in formal writing.

Section 1

Articles 'a' and 'an'

Definition

Use a before words that begin with a consonant sound. Use an before words that begin with a vowel sound.

Explanation

The choice between a and an depends on the sound a word starts with, not the letter! Words starting with a vowel letter but a consonant sound (like 'u' in 'university') use a. Words starting with a silent consonant (like 'h' in 'hour') use an.

Examples

  • She sketched a lovely portrait.
  • It was an honor to meet the president.
  • My sister is an amazing artist.

Section 2

'Accept' vs. 'Except'

Definition

Accept is a verb and means “to receive.” Except can be used as a preposition meaning “excluding.” Except also can be used as a verb meaning “to excuse,” “to leave out,” or “to omit.”

Explanation

Think of accept as agreeing to take something, like a gift or an idea. Use except when you want to single something or someone out from a group. It's the one that's excluded. If you are excepted from a task, you are excused from it.

Examples

  • The director will accept the award on behalf of the cast.
  • All the stores are open except the bakery.
  • Students with perfect attendance are excepted from the final exam.

Section 3

Usage of 'Ain't'

Definition

Ain’t is nonstandard English.

Explanation

While you might hear ain't used in music or casual conversation, it's considered informal and incorrect for academic or professional writing. To maintain a formal tone, always replace it with standard forms like isn't, aren't, or am not. This is a quick way to make your language more polished.

Examples

  • NONSTANDARD: This song ain’t on the playlist.
  • STANDARD: This song isn’t on the playlist.

Section 4

Usage of 'A Lot'

Definition

A lot is two words, not one.

Explanation

This is a simple but very common mistake! Always remember that a lot should be written as two separate words. A helpful trick is to think if you would combine similar phrases, like 'a little' into 'alittle'. You wouldn't, so treat a lot the same way.

Examples

  • We bought a lot of groceries for the party.
  • Do you really have (a lot, alot) of video games?

Section 5

'At'

Definition

Do not use at after where.

Explanation

The word where already asks about a location, so adding at to the end of the sentence is unnecessary and grammatically redundant. Simply dropping the at makes your question sound cleaner and more correct. It's a small change for a more polished sentence.

Examples

  • NONSTANDARD: Where is the concert at?
  • STANDARD: Where is the concert?
  • Can you tell me where the library books (are, are at)?

Section 6

'Among' vs. 'Between'

Definition

Use between when you are referring to two individuals or items at a time. Use among when you are referring to a group.

Explanation

Here's the simple rule: between is for two, among is for three or more. Think of sharing a secret between two people, versus a rumor spreading among a crowd. Keep it to two for between, and you'll be correct most of the time!

Examples

  • The negotiations between the two companies lasted for weeks.
  • The lost puppy was found hiding among the bushes.
  • She divided the snacks equally among the five children.

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Chapter 9: A Glossary of Usage: Common Usage Problems

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Section 1

Articles 'a' and 'an'

Definition

Use a before words that begin with a consonant sound. Use an before words that begin with a vowel sound.

Explanation

The choice between a and an depends on the sound a word starts with, not the letter! Words starting with a vowel letter but a consonant sound (like 'u' in 'university') use a. Words starting with a silent consonant (like 'h' in 'hour') use an.

Examples

  • She sketched a lovely portrait.
  • It was an honor to meet the president.
  • My sister is an amazing artist.

Section 2

'Accept' vs. 'Except'

Definition

Accept is a verb and means “to receive.” Except can be used as a preposition meaning “excluding.” Except also can be used as a verb meaning “to excuse,” “to leave out,” or “to omit.”

Explanation

Think of accept as agreeing to take something, like a gift or an idea. Use except when you want to single something or someone out from a group. It's the one that's excluded. If you are excepted from a task, you are excused from it.

Examples

  • The director will accept the award on behalf of the cast.
  • All the stores are open except the bakery.
  • Students with perfect attendance are excepted from the final exam.

Section 3

Usage of 'Ain't'

Definition

Ain’t is nonstandard English.

Explanation

While you might hear ain't used in music or casual conversation, it's considered informal and incorrect for academic or professional writing. To maintain a formal tone, always replace it with standard forms like isn't, aren't, or am not. This is a quick way to make your language more polished.

Examples

  • NONSTANDARD: This song ain’t on the playlist.
  • STANDARD: This song isn’t on the playlist.

Section 4

Usage of 'A Lot'

Definition

A lot is two words, not one.

Explanation

This is a simple but very common mistake! Always remember that a lot should be written as two separate words. A helpful trick is to think if you would combine similar phrases, like 'a little' into 'alittle'. You wouldn't, so treat a lot the same way.

Examples

  • We bought a lot of groceries for the party.
  • Do you really have (a lot, alot) of video games?

Section 5

'At'

Definition

Do not use at after where.

Explanation

The word where already asks about a location, so adding at to the end of the sentence is unnecessary and grammatically redundant. Simply dropping the at makes your question sound cleaner and more correct. It's a small change for a more polished sentence.

Examples

  • NONSTANDARD: Where is the concert at?
  • STANDARD: Where is the concert?
  • Can you tell me where the library books (are, are at)?

Section 6

'Among' vs. 'Between'

Definition

Use between when you are referring to two individuals or items at a time. Use among when you are referring to a group.

Explanation

Here's the simple rule: between is for two, among is for three or more. Think of sharing a secret between two people, versus a rumor spreading among a crowd. Keep it to two for between, and you'll be correct most of the time!

Examples

  • The negotiations between the two companies lasted for weeks.
  • The lost puppy was found hiding among the bushes.
  • She divided the snacks equally among the five children.

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 9: A Glossary of Usage: Common Usage Problems

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: A Glossary of Usage A

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: A Glossary of Usage B

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: A Glossary of Usage C

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