Common Errors & Tricky choices


Using Just and Only

When using the word just as an adverb meaning "no more than," place it directly in front of the word it modifies.

Similarly, place the word only directly in front of the word it modifies.

Vague: Just give me three more days.

Correct: Give me just three more days.

Vague: I only have three dollars.

Correct: I have only three dollars.


Using Kind Of and Sort Of

The expressions kind of or sort of to mean "rather," "partially," or "somewhat" are nonstandard.

Both expressions literally mean "type of" or "variety of."

Incorrect: The child felt kind of lonely.

Correct: The child felt somewhat (or rather) lonely.

Correct: The kestrel is a kind of falcon.
(A type or variety of falcon)

When using kind of or sort of always use a singular object of the preposition of. If the object is plural, then use kinds of or sorts of.

Examples: What kind of salad is this?
(Kind and salad are both singular.)

There are all sorts of fruits in this salad.
(Sorts and fruits are both plural.)

If you are using an expression like kind of, sort of, type of, or variety of, then you are putting the person or thing you describe into a category. Therefore, such expressions should not apply to one specific individual of the type.

Incorrect: He is the kind of leader we need.
(You are referring to a specific person in the subject and to a category in the predicate.)

Correct: He is like the kind of leader we need.
(You are referring to a category, and he is an example of someone in the category.)

Correct: He is the leader we need.
(You are referring to a specific person, not to a category.)


Like or As?

Like is a preposition. It should be followed by an object to make a prepositional phrase.

As is a conjunction. It should be followed by a clause containing a subject and a verb.

Incorrect: He runs like a gazelle does.
(Like is followed by a clause.)

Correct: He runs like a gazelle.

Correct: He runs as a gazelle does.

This is sometimes confusing because as occasionally is used with elliptical clauses which may resemble prepositional phrases.

Like is never used with clauses in standard English.



Supposed To and Used To

The common expressions supposed to meaning "meant to" or "intended to" and used to meaning "formerly" are frequently misspelled or misunderstood.

Both expression are normally in the Passive Voice. This means that the verb is the past participle so it ends with an -ed. Writers sometimes drop the final d because of the t sound which follows it.

Incorrect: We are suppose to meet at seven.

Correct: We are supposed to meet at seven.

Incorrect: I use to read every Hardy Boys book I could find.

Correct: I used to read every Hardy Boys book I could find.


Disinterested or Uninterested?

Disinterested means "impartial" or "not taking sides." (In other words, not having a personal interest at stake.)

Uninterested means "not interested." (In other words, not showing any interest.)

Correct: A good referee should be disinterested.
(He does not take sides.)

Incorrect: He was disinterested in Jill's hobby.

Correct: He was uninterested in Jill's hobby.
(He shows no interest.)


Whose or Who's?

Whose is the possessive form of who (or, occasionally, which). It means "belonging to whom or which."

Who's is a contraction of who is or who has. Notice the apostrophe replacing the missing letters.

Incorrect: Who's department do you work for?

Correct: Whose department do you work for?

Correct: Who's coming to visit tomorrow?



The End

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