Tuesday, June 23, 2020

introduce to vs. introduce into


introduce to: to present someone to someone else for the first time so that they can become acquainted

  • I would like to introduce you to my cousin, Sarah.
  • We proudly introduce to you the Dutch team.
  • Let me introduce you to him.

introduce into: to put something into use for the first time, or to put something into a new place

  • New computers have been introduced into the office.
  • The grey squirrel was introduced into Britain from North America.
  • Fuel was introduced into the jet pipe.


Thursday, June 11, 2020

each other vs. one another


The reciprocal pronouns "each other" and "one another" are used to show that people do the same thing, feel the same way, or have the same relationship.

Use each other when there are only two people or things, and one another when there are more than two.

  • The two companies are in competition with each other.
  • Sarah and Sam have had a big argument and now they're not speaking to each other.
  • Emily and Neal looked at each other.
  • I and my best friend talk to each other every day.
  • Rose and Gina never liked each other.
  • We sent New Year cards to one another.
  • The triplets dislike one another.
  • The dog, cat and bird looked at one another.
  • Apes spend a great deal of time grooming one another's fur.




















Tuesday, June 09, 2020

Apostrophe: Quick Tips 2


The apostrophe (') is used in nouns to show possession.

If the plural form of the noun ends in s, add the apostrophe (')

Plural
Plural Possessive
boys
boys’
girls
girls’
ladies
ladies’

Sarah excused herself to use the ladies’ room.

Note: The sign of the possessive case is always added to a word. It is not something that is inserted within a word.




Monday, June 08, 2020

Apostrophe: Quick Tips 1


The apostrophe (') is used in nouns to show possession.

If the plural form of the noun doesn't end in s, add the apostrophe and s.

Plural

Plural Possessive

men
men’s
children
children’s
mice
mice’s
teeth
teeth’s
women
women’s

Note: The sign of the possessive case is always added to a word. It is not something that is inserted within a word.



Sunday, June 07, 2020

Usage: advise...to vs. advise that


Use advise...to when the sentence is giving advice directly to someone or something. If you advise someone to do something, you tell them what you think they should do.

  • I advise you to go home. (I am giving this advice directly to you.)
  • Sam advised Sarah to sell her car. (Sam advised Sarah directly)
  • The minister advised him to leave as soon as possible

Use advise that when the sentence is giving advice not directed at any particular person or thing.

  • Experts advise that sunscreen should be reapplied on an hourly basis. (The experts are not giving this advice directly to people; the advice is being given to all of us.)
  • Experts advise that investors sell their stock in the company. (The experts are not giving this advice directly to the investors; the advice is being given to all of us.)



Saturday, June 06, 2020

Usage: on the basis of vs. based on


When acting as a past participle based should modify a noun. If there is no noun to which it can attach, one must use on the basis of.

  • Incorrect: Based on these findings, we adopted a new marketing approach.
  • Correct: On the basis of these findings, we developed a new marketing approach.
  • Correct: We developed a new marketing approach based on these findings.
  • Incorrect: Based on the growth rates of large modern reptiles such as the Galapagos tortoise and examinations of fossils of juvenile dinosaurs, scientists estimate that the largest dinosaurs probably lived to be between 100 and 200 years old.
  • Correct: On the basis of growth rates of large modern reptiles such as the Galapagos tortoise and examinations of fossils of juvenile dinosaurs, scientists estimate that the largest dinosaurs probably lived to be between 100 and 200 years old.




Thursday, June 04, 2020

Usage Note: Hopefully


As a sentence adverb (modifying an entire sentence or clause, rather than the actual verb), hopefully has been widely criticized.
In formal writing, replace hopefully with an expression such as "I hope that" or "it is to be hoped that."


I hope that we will be able to reach home by evening. - correct
Hopefully, we will be able to reach home by evening. - incorrect

It is to be hoped (or we can only hope) that the ceasefire will last. - correct
Hopefully, the ceasefire will last. - incorrect

Hopefully: an ordinary adverb (modifying the verb)

They waited hopefully for the rain to stop. - correct
He prayed hopefully for the rain. - correct




Tuesday, June 02, 2020

Differ with vs. Differ from



One differs with a person in the matter of opinion. 

I beg to differ with your interpretation. (matter of opinion)
The President also differed with members of Congress over this issue. (matter of opinion)

A person or thing differs from another in certain respects; it is unlike another in certain respects.

Delhi differs from Chennai in many ways. (in certain respects)
Laws on pollution differ widely from one country to another.



Monday, June 01, 2020

During vs. While



During and while both mean through a period of time.

Use during before a noun that names an event or a period of time. 

They work during the night and sleep by day.
You're not allowed to talk during the exam.

Use while before a clause.

gained a lot of weight while I was on holiday.
read it while you were drying your hair.