SC Flashcards
(45 cards)
any pronoun
replace with antecedent - does it make sense? Does antecedent exist AS A NOUN in the sentence (aka NOT an adjective)
comparison maker:
unlike, like, as, than
Are we comparing apples to apples?
should:
Eg. the train should arrive now
WRONG
moral obligation NOT likelihood
farther vs. further
farther = distance further = degree of something other than distance
where vs. in which
where = a real place
in which = metaphorical place
DO NOT USE WHERE FOR METAPHORICAL PLACE
comma which vs. comma -ing
which modifies a NOUN
comma-in modifies a CLAUSE
whose modifies…
people or place
NOUN modifier
who modifies…
people only
NOUN modifier
which modifies…
NOT people
NOUN modifier
less vs. fewer
less used for uncountable items (eg. patience)
fewer used for countable items (eg. hats)
The vs. A number of…
The number = singular
A number = plural (means some, many)
between vs. among
between = TWO things among = THREE or more things
try and vs. try to
“try and” discusses two parallel but SEPARATE verbs
If related: try to
Eg. try to establish NOT try and establish
Colloquial error
like vs. as
COMPARISON MARKERS
Like: used to compare nouns (only nouns can follow like)
As: used to compare clauses (i.e. when there’s a verb)
like vs. such as
DO NOT use like to introduce examples
Use “such as”
comma which vs. comma with
comma-which: modifies the noun right before the comma (noun modifier)
comma-with: modifies the entire clause before the comma (adverbial modifier)
if vs. whether
if: requires a consequence - if…then..
whether: does not
Eg. I do not know whether I will go
fives times older than vs. fives times as old as
Use times..as..as for multiplication
to be of the conviction THAT
or to be of the conviction OF?
to be of the conviction THAT
whether
OR whether or not?
Just whether
Whether or not is redundant
plan TO
or plan ON?
plan TO
compared TO
or compared WITH?
BOTH WORK!
rather than vs. instead of
rather than: better to use when comparing two VERBS
instead of: better to use when comparing two NOUNS
remembered for
OR remembered because of?
remembered for
