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

Lesson 2: A Glossary of Usage B

In this Grade 6 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 3rd Course, students practice correct usage of commonly confused terms including a lot (as two words), at after where, and among versus between. The lesson presents formal, standard English rules with sentence-level exercises drawn from Chapter 9's Glossary of Usage.

Section 1

Confused Verbs: Bring vs. Take

Definition

Bring means “to come carrying something.” Take means “to go carrying something.”

Explanation

The correct word choice depends entirely on the direction of movement relative to the speaker. Use bring for movement toward the speaker and take for movement away from the speaker. Remember this tip: You ask people to bring things here, but you take things there.

Examples

  • Please bring your report when you come to my office.
  • Can you take these files to the main office when you go?

Section 2

Common Errors: "Could have" vs. "Could of"

Definition

Do not write of with the helping verb could. Write could have.

Explanation

This common mistake happens because the contraction 'could've' sounds like 'could of' in speech. However, 'of' is a preposition, not a verb. In writing, you must use the verb have after helping verbs like could, should, would, might, and must. Could have is always the correct written form.

Examples

  • She could have/could’ve [not could of] called us sooner.
  • They must have/must’ve [not must of] forgotten about the appointment.

Section 3

Confused Quantifiers: Fewer vs. Less

Definition

Use fewer with plural nouns. Use less with singular nouns.

Explanation

It all comes down to whether you can count the items. Use fewer for things you can count individually, like cookies, people, or mistakes. Use less for things that are measured as a whole and can't be counted, like water, time, or effort. Fewer answers 'how many?' while less answers 'how much?'.

Examples

  • There are fewer cars in the parking lot today. [Cars is plural.]
  • I need to spend less time on my phone. [Time is singular.]

Section 4

Adjective vs. Adverb: Good vs. Well

Definition

Good is an adjective. Do not use good to modify a verb; use well, which can be used as an adverb.

Explanation

Remember, good is an adjective that describes a noun (a good book). Well is an adverb that describes a verb (she sings well). If you're describing an action, you almost always need well. The main exception is using 'well' to describe health ('I do not feel well').

Examples

  • He gave a good performance. [Good is an adjective describing the noun performance.]
  • He performed well on stage. [Well is an adverb describing the verb performed.]

Section 5

Nonstandard Pronouns: Hisself and Theirselves

Definition

Avoid using these nonstandard words in formal writing and speaking.

Explanation

This is a very direct rule: the words 'hisself' and 'theirselves' are not standard English. The correct reflexive pronouns are himself for a singular male subject and themselves for any plural subject. They might sound similar in speech, but only the standard forms are correct for writing.

Examples

  • The chef congratulated himself [not hisself] on the delicious meal.
  • The students organized the event themselves [not theirselves]!

Section 6

Homophones: It's vs. Its

Definition

Its means “belonging to it.” It’s is a contraction of it is or it has.

Explanation

This is a classic grammar trap! The apostrophe in it's is a signal for a contraction, meaning it's short for it is or it has. The word its, without an apostrophe, is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership, just like 'his' or 'her'. A great tip: if you can replace the word with 'it is', then use it's.

Examples

  • The dog wagged its tail. [Its means belonging to the dog.]
  • It's a perfect day for a picnic. [It's is a contraction of it is.]
  • It's been a very long time. [It's is a contraction of it has.]

Section 7

Formal Usage: 'Kind Of' and 'Sort Of'

Definition

In formal writing and speaking, avoid using kind of and sort of. Use somewhat or rather.

Explanation

While "kind of" and "sort of" are fine for casual conversations, they can make your formal writing sound vague or unprofessional. To convey your ideas with more precision and confidence, swap them out for more formal adverbs like somewhat or rather.

Examples

  • INFORMAL: I was kind of tired after the long hike.
  • FORMAL: I was rather tired after the long hike.

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Chapter 9: A Glossary of Usage: Common Usage Problems

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Section 1

Confused Verbs: Bring vs. Take

Definition

Bring means “to come carrying something.” Take means “to go carrying something.”

Explanation

The correct word choice depends entirely on the direction of movement relative to the speaker. Use bring for movement toward the speaker and take for movement away from the speaker. Remember this tip: You ask people to bring things here, but you take things there.

Examples

  • Please bring your report when you come to my office.
  • Can you take these files to the main office when you go?

Section 2

Common Errors: "Could have" vs. "Could of"

Definition

Do not write of with the helping verb could. Write could have.

Explanation

This common mistake happens because the contraction 'could've' sounds like 'could of' in speech. However, 'of' is a preposition, not a verb. In writing, you must use the verb have after helping verbs like could, should, would, might, and must. Could have is always the correct written form.

Examples

  • She could have/could’ve [not could of] called us sooner.
  • They must have/must’ve [not must of] forgotten about the appointment.

Section 3

Confused Quantifiers: Fewer vs. Less

Definition

Use fewer with plural nouns. Use less with singular nouns.

Explanation

It all comes down to whether you can count the items. Use fewer for things you can count individually, like cookies, people, or mistakes. Use less for things that are measured as a whole and can't be counted, like water, time, or effort. Fewer answers 'how many?' while less answers 'how much?'.

Examples

  • There are fewer cars in the parking lot today. [Cars is plural.]
  • I need to spend less time on my phone. [Time is singular.]

Section 4

Adjective vs. Adverb: Good vs. Well

Definition

Good is an adjective. Do not use good to modify a verb; use well, which can be used as an adverb.

Explanation

Remember, good is an adjective that describes a noun (a good book). Well is an adverb that describes a verb (she sings well). If you're describing an action, you almost always need well. The main exception is using 'well' to describe health ('I do not feel well').

Examples

  • He gave a good performance. [Good is an adjective describing the noun performance.]
  • He performed well on stage. [Well is an adverb describing the verb performed.]

Section 5

Nonstandard Pronouns: Hisself and Theirselves

Definition

Avoid using these nonstandard words in formal writing and speaking.

Explanation

This is a very direct rule: the words 'hisself' and 'theirselves' are not standard English. The correct reflexive pronouns are himself for a singular male subject and themselves for any plural subject. They might sound similar in speech, but only the standard forms are correct for writing.

Examples

  • The chef congratulated himself [not hisself] on the delicious meal.
  • The students organized the event themselves [not theirselves]!

Section 6

Homophones: It's vs. Its

Definition

Its means “belonging to it.” It’s is a contraction of it is or it has.

Explanation

This is a classic grammar trap! The apostrophe in it's is a signal for a contraction, meaning it's short for it is or it has. The word its, without an apostrophe, is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership, just like 'his' or 'her'. A great tip: if you can replace the word with 'it is', then use it's.

Examples

  • The dog wagged its tail. [Its means belonging to the dog.]
  • It's a perfect day for a picnic. [It's is a contraction of it is.]
  • It's been a very long time. [It's is a contraction of it has.]

Section 7

Formal Usage: 'Kind Of' and 'Sort Of'

Definition

In formal writing and speaking, avoid using kind of and sort of. Use somewhat or rather.

Explanation

While "kind of" and "sort of" are fine for casual conversations, they can make your formal writing sound vague or unprofessional. To convey your ideas with more precision and confidence, swap them out for more formal adverbs like somewhat or rather.

Examples

  • INFORMAL: I was kind of tired after the long hike.
  • FORMAL: I was rather tired after the long hike.

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 1

    Lesson 1: A Glossary of Usage A

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    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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