Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 12: A Glossary of Usage: Common Usage Problems

Lesson 1: Glossary of Usage A

Grade 5 students studying grammar in Elements of Language, 2nd Course learn to correctly use commonly confused words and expressions covered in the first section of the Chapter 12 usage glossary. The lesson addresses specific pairs and problem words including a/an, accept/except, between/among, bring/take, and expressions such as ain't, a lot, could of, and at after where. Students practice applying formal standard English conventions through exercises that require selecting the correct word choice in context.

Section 1

A vs. An

Definition

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

Explanation

It’s all about the sound, not the letter! Sometimes a word that starts with a vowel letter, like 'o' or 'u', actually makes a consonant sound. For example, 'one' starts with a 'w' sound, and 'university' starts with a 'y' sound. So, we say 'a one-dollar bill' and 'a university'. It's a fun trick of the English language!

Examples

  • We saw a bird build its nest. [Bird begins with a consonant sound.]
  • My dad ate an orange with his lunch. [Orange begins with a vowel sound.]
  • She has a uniform for her job. [Even though uniform begins with a vowel, the first sound you hear is the consonant sound y.]

Section 2

Accept vs. Except

Definition

Accept is a verb that means “to receive.” Except may be used as a verb or as a preposition. Except used as a verb means “to leave out” or “to exclude.” Except used as a preposition means “other than” or “excluding.”

Explanation

Think 'A' for accept and 'A' for 'agree to take it.' It means you are receiving something. For except, think of the 'ex' as in 'exclude.' It's all about leaving something out of a group or a list. It helps you point out the one thing that is different.

Examples

  • Will you accept my apology? [You can replace accept with receive.]
  • The teacher excepted the new students from the quiz. [You can replace excepted with excused.]
  • He ate all the cookies except the oatmeal one. [You can replace except with excluding.]

Section 3

The Word Ain't

Definition

Do not use this nonstandard English word in formal speaking or writing.

Explanation

Think of 'ain't' as slang. It's very casual and not suitable for schoolwork or formal situations. To make your writing and speaking sound more professional, you should always choose proper words like 'isn't,' 'aren't,' 'am not,' or 'hasn't.' Using the right words shows you know your stuff!

Examples

  • NONSTANDARD: He ain’t finished with his project.
  • STANDARD: He isn’t finished with his project.

Section 4

A Lot

Definition

A lot should always be written as two words. Never write alot as one word.

Explanation

This is a super common mistake, so learning this rule will make your writing much better! Just remember that 'a lot' is a phrase made of two words, like 'a car' or 'a dog.' You would never smash those words together, so don't do it with 'a lot' either. Always give them space!

Examples

  • My brother reads a lot of comic books.

Section 5

Using 'At' with 'Where'

Definition

Do not use at after where.

Explanation

The word 'where' already asks about a location, so adding the word 'at' to the end of the question is unnecessary. It's like wearing a hat on top of another hat! Dropping the 'at' makes your sentence cleaner and more correct. Just let 'where' do its job by itself.

Examples

  • NONSTANDARD: Where is your backpack at?
  • STANDARD: Where is your backpack?

Section 6

Between vs. Among

Definition

Use between when you are referring to two individuals or things at a time. Use among when you are referring to a group rather than to separate individuals or things.

Explanation

Here's an easy way to remember: use between for things you can count as two. Use among when you're talking about something within a crowd or group of three or more. If you can picture two distinct items, 'between' is your word. If it's a general group, go with 'among.'

Examples

  • I sat between my mom and my dad at the movie. [Between my mom and my dad refers to two people.]
  • He shared the popcorn among his friends. [Among his friends refers to a group.]

Section 7

Bring vs. Take

Definition

Bring means “to come carrying something.” Take means “to go carrying something.” Think of bring as related to “come to” and take as related to “go from.”

Explanation

It all depends on the direction of movement! Use bring when something is moving toward the speaker. Use take when something is moving away from the speaker. If you're going somewhere, you 'take' things with you. If someone is coming to you, they 'bring' things.

Examples

  • Please bring me that book when you come to my desk.
  • Please take this note to the office when you go to lunch.

Section 8

Could Have (Not Could Of)

Definition

Use have with the helping verb could. Also, use have with ought to, should, would, might, and must.

Explanation

When we talk fast, 'could have' sounds like 'could of.' But in writing, 'could of' is always incorrect because 'of' is not a verb! You must always use the helping verb have after words like could, should, and would. A good trick is to remember that these words need a real verb helper, and that helper is have.

Examples

  • You should have studied for the test.
  • We might have won if we had practiced more.

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Chapter 12: A Glossary of Usage: Common Usage Problems

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Section 1

A vs. An

Definition

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

Explanation

It’s all about the sound, not the letter! Sometimes a word that starts with a vowel letter, like 'o' or 'u', actually makes a consonant sound. For example, 'one' starts with a 'w' sound, and 'university' starts with a 'y' sound. So, we say 'a one-dollar bill' and 'a university'. It's a fun trick of the English language!

Examples

  • We saw a bird build its nest. [Bird begins with a consonant sound.]
  • My dad ate an orange with his lunch. [Orange begins with a vowel sound.]
  • She has a uniform for her job. [Even though uniform begins with a vowel, the first sound you hear is the consonant sound y.]

Section 2

Accept vs. Except

Definition

Accept is a verb that means “to receive.” Except may be used as a verb or as a preposition. Except used as a verb means “to leave out” or “to exclude.” Except used as a preposition means “other than” or “excluding.”

Explanation

Think 'A' for accept and 'A' for 'agree to take it.' It means you are receiving something. For except, think of the 'ex' as in 'exclude.' It's all about leaving something out of a group or a list. It helps you point out the one thing that is different.

Examples

  • Will you accept my apology? [You can replace accept with receive.]
  • The teacher excepted the new students from the quiz. [You can replace excepted with excused.]
  • He ate all the cookies except the oatmeal one. [You can replace except with excluding.]

Section 3

The Word Ain't

Definition

Do not use this nonstandard English word in formal speaking or writing.

Explanation

Think of 'ain't' as slang. It's very casual and not suitable for schoolwork or formal situations. To make your writing and speaking sound more professional, you should always choose proper words like 'isn't,' 'aren't,' 'am not,' or 'hasn't.' Using the right words shows you know your stuff!

Examples

  • NONSTANDARD: He ain’t finished with his project.
  • STANDARD: He isn’t finished with his project.

Section 4

A Lot

Definition

A lot should always be written as two words. Never write alot as one word.

Explanation

This is a super common mistake, so learning this rule will make your writing much better! Just remember that 'a lot' is a phrase made of two words, like 'a car' or 'a dog.' You would never smash those words together, so don't do it with 'a lot' either. Always give them space!

Examples

  • My brother reads a lot of comic books.

Section 5

Using 'At' with 'Where'

Definition

Do not use at after where.

Explanation

The word 'where' already asks about a location, so adding the word 'at' to the end of the question is unnecessary. It's like wearing a hat on top of another hat! Dropping the 'at' makes your sentence cleaner and more correct. Just let 'where' do its job by itself.

Examples

  • NONSTANDARD: Where is your backpack at?
  • STANDARD: Where is your backpack?

Section 6

Between vs. Among

Definition

Use between when you are referring to two individuals or things at a time. Use among when you are referring to a group rather than to separate individuals or things.

Explanation

Here's an easy way to remember: use between for things you can count as two. Use among when you're talking about something within a crowd or group of three or more. If you can picture two distinct items, 'between' is your word. If it's a general group, go with 'among.'

Examples

  • I sat between my mom and my dad at the movie. [Between my mom and my dad refers to two people.]
  • He shared the popcorn among his friends. [Among his friends refers to a group.]

Section 7

Bring vs. Take

Definition

Bring means “to come carrying something.” Take means “to go carrying something.” Think of bring as related to “come to” and take as related to “go from.”

Explanation

It all depends on the direction of movement! Use bring when something is moving toward the speaker. Use take when something is moving away from the speaker. If you're going somewhere, you 'take' things with you. If someone is coming to you, they 'bring' things.

Examples

  • Please bring me that book when you come to my desk.
  • Please take this note to the office when you go to lunch.

Section 8

Could Have (Not Could Of)

Definition

Use have with the helping verb could. Also, use have with ought to, should, would, might, and must.

Explanation

When we talk fast, 'could have' sounds like 'could of.' But in writing, 'could of' is always incorrect because 'of' is not a verb! You must always use the helping verb have after words like could, should, and would. A good trick is to remember that these words need a real verb helper, and that helper is have.

Examples

  • You should have studied for the test.
  • We might have won if we had practiced more.

Book overview

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

Continue this chapter

Chapter 12: A Glossary of Usage: Common Usage Problems

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Glossary of Usage A

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Glossary of Usage B

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Glossary of Usage C

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