daily - correct spelling daily adjective, adverb, and noun
Example: He read his daily newspaper. adjectiv... |
daiquiri - correct spelling daiquiri noun
Example: She ordered a strawberry daiquiri.... |
Dairy vs. Diary Dairy and diary are confusing because they are spelled with the same letters, but with the two vowels revers... |
Dalmatian - correct spelling Dalmatian Proper noun
Not Dalmation.Example: The Dalmatian rode in the fire truck.Example: The young ... |
dangling modifier A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not hook up to any other word or phrase in the sentence. The dangling modifier is a gross grammatical error, one you want to avoid.The error typically arises with ... |
dangling participle See dangling modifier
.... |
data In formal writing, it’s probably best to treat this word as a plural
. Thus: the data are.The singular is ... |
data, datum - vocabulary data, datum - noun
Facts, statistics, or items of information. Note:Data is a plural of datum, which is originally a Latin noun meaning “something given.” Today, dat... |
Dates - Day-Month-Year If you depict dates by day-month-year, not month-day-year, do not use commas. Make certain you use a consistent system throughout the document. Those disliking the required commas for month-day-year expressions used as adjectives (e.g., "your July 1,... |
Dates - Month-Day-Year Comma After the YearWhen you indicate month, day, and year, put a comma after the day and after the year (unless some other punctuation mark, like a period or question mark, follows the year). Include these commas even if the... |
Dates - Month-Year If you omit the day and just include the month and year, do not use a comma: In January 1945 he was born in a large southern city. We now wish to respond to your July 2006 letter.... |
daughter - correct spelling daughter noun
Example: Their daughter learned to speak at an early age.... |
dauntless - vocabulary dauntless - adjective
Fearless, intrepid, bold. For Thought has a pair of dauntless wings.—Robert Frost ”Bond and Free” (1920) Note: You may ... |
daybreak - correct spelling daybreak noun
Example: We talked until daybreak.... |
dearth - vocabulary dearth - noun
Scarcity, inadequate supply (usually of something desirable). Reverence is the highest quality of man’s nature; and that individual, or nation, which has it slightly developed, is so far unfo... |
death - correct spelling death noun
Example: “Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me….” —Emily Dickinson.... |
debase - vocabulary debase - verb
To lower in character or virtue, to reduce in value or quality, as in The Fed debased the dollar; to lower in rank, significance, or dignity. Hygiene is the corruption of medicine by... |
debt - correct spelling debt noun
Example: Consumers continue to take on more and more debt.... |
Deceased vs. Diseased English has a lot of confusing words in it. Some words are spelled the same with different meanings, some wo... |
deceive - correct spelling deceive verb
Example: My eyes deceive me.Example: She tried to deceive her... |
December - correct spelling December proper noun
Example: The oil drilling will start this December.... |
decent - correct spelling decent adjective
Not descent
.Example: After college, he got a fairly decent... |
deception - correct spelling deception noun
Example: Clever research by the CFO uncovered the CEO’s deception.... |
decide - correct spelling decide verb
Example: We want to decide this issue now.... |
decimate - vocabulary decimate - verb
To destroy a measurable or large proportion of.Note: Originally, decimate meant to select by lot and execute every tenth soldier of a unit. But the current usage of the wo... |
decision - correct spelling decision noun
Example: The court reached a decision in favor of the plaintiff.... |
decisive - correct spelling decisive adjective
Example: His decisive action saved the company from ruin.... |
decorous - vocabulary decorous - adjective
Characterized by dignity, good manners, good taste, appropriateness.Note: Decorum is the noun form. But, by a curious twist, ... |
deduce - vocabulary deduce - verb
To derive or draw as a conclusion by reasoning from given premises or principles. In no department are American universities weaker than in the department of English. The æsthetic opinion tha... |
deed - correct spelling deed noun and verb
Example: “No good deed goes unpunished.” * noun
Example: The cove... |
Defence vs. Defense The words defence and defense can be confusing for those not sure of their differences, and not knowing which to use can cause a writer to second-guess his or her work, even though there might not be anything wrong with it. Do th... |
defendant - correct spelling defendant noun
Example: The defendant refused to testify, pleading his rights under the Fifth Amendment. noun... |
deferred - correct spelling deferred verb (past tense and past participle of the verb defer) and adjective
Example: We ... |
defining clause The great grammarian Henry Fowler coined this term to refer to a restrictive clause
. A defining clause looks to the noun modified and singles it out among others that could exist in the context. A defining clause poi... |
definite - correct spelling definite adjective
Not definate.Note: The adjectives definite and definitive both describe something precisely defined or explicitly set forth. The word ... |
definite article We have three articles in the English language: a, an, and the. The word the is the definite article. The words a and an are indefinite articles
.Grammaria... |
definitely - correct spelling definitely adverb
Grammar.com's section on the Parts of Speech discusses the demise of -ly adverbs. Click here for that di... |
definition - correct spelling definition noun
Example: His definition of the word profit confused the shareholders.Example: In the rain, the sce... |
definitive - correct spelling definitive adjective
Note: The adjectives definite and definitive both describe something precisely defined or explicitly set forth. The word definitive, however, re... |
Defuse vs. Diffuse The bomb squad d... |
degradation - vocabulary degradation - noun
Diminution, as of strength or magnitude; changing to a lower or less respected state.Note: Degrade is the verb form. [Former U.S. Se... |
deign - vocabulary deign - verb
To deem worthy of notice or account; to think it appropriate to one’s dignity. No professor, so far as I know, has ever deigned to give the same sober attention to the se... |
deleterious - vocabulary deleterious - adjective
Harmful or injurious, morally or physically. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and ab... |
delicious - correct spelling delicious adjective
Example: The child munched on the delicious apple.... |
delineate - vocabulary delineate - verb
To represent by sketch or diagram; to trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline; to represent pictorially, as in She delineated the state of New York on the map with a blue pencil. To port... |
demagogue - vocabulary demagogue - noun
An orator or politician who gains popularity and power by arousing emotions, passions, and prejudices.Note: Also used as a verb
. We shall achie... |
demonstrable, demonstrative - vocabulary demonstrable, demonstrative - adjective
Demonstrable: capable of being demonstrated by positive proof; clearly evident or obvious. It is plain and demonstrable... |
demonstrative pronoun We have four demonstrative pronouns in the English language: this, that, these, those. The first two are singular, the last two plural. Demonstrative pronouns take the place of a noun, and when you use them, make sure the ... |
demure, demur Demure is an adjective used to describe someone who is reserved, modest, or shy.Demur is a verb that means “to delay” or “to object.” Lawyers will use demur to desc... |
denizen - vocabulary denizen - noun
Inhabitant or resident; one who frequently inhabits a place, as in the denizens of the local pub. A tanned skin is something more than respectable, and perhaps olive is a fitter col... |
denote - vocabulary denote - verb
To indicate, to be a sign of, as in A rise in the price of gold often denotes a fall in the U.S. dollar. Note: Denote and connote ... |
denouement - vocabulary denouement - noun
The final resolution of a plot or play; also used to describe the ultimate outcome of a doubtful series of events. A young professor I watched in action at one of our large ea... |
Denounce vs. Renounce There are a lot of English words with similar meanings, spelling, pronunciations, etc., and they all serve t... |
Dependant vs. Dependent Because American and British English sometimes have different spellings for the same word, beginning writers... |
dependent - correct spelling dependent adjective and noun
Example: Our success is dependent on our willingness to work. adjective... |
dependent clause Clauses come in two varieties: independent and dependent. A dependent clause cannot stand by itself as a sentence. Dependent clauses will act in one of three ways in your sentences: (1) adjectives, (2) ... |
deposit - correct spelling deposit noun and verb
Example: She put the bank deposit in an envelope. noun
Example: ... |
deprecate - vocabulary deprecate - verb
To express disapproval of; to belittle.Note: The word deprecate has come to mean depreciate (to belittle), though the words share no common origins. Rarely do we... |
derelict - correct spelling derelict adjective and noun
Example: We saw a derelict ship off the coast of North Carolina. adjecti... |
derivative adjective A derivative adjective derives from a verb form. You can take certain suffixes (‑ful, ‑ent,‑ant, ‑ive, and others), add them to verbs, and produce derivative adjectives. The word derivative in derivative adjective is, you g... |
derivative noun A derivative noun derives from a verb form. You can take certain suffixes (‑tion, ‑sion, ‑ence, ‑ance, and others), add them to verbs, and produce derivative nouns. Examples include conclusion, statement, pertinence... |
descend - correct spelling descend verb
Example: The jet was finally able to descend and land safely.... |
descent - correct spelling descent noun
Not decent
.Example: The bumpy descent of the plane unsettled th... |
describe - correct spelling describe verb
Example: He tried to describe the beauty of the sunset and the Florida palms.... |
description - correct spelling description noun
Example: The description of the house attracted the young couple.... |
desert - correct spelling desert noun, adjective, and verb
Not dessert
.Grammar.com’s section on Problem Words discusses ... |
Desert vs. Dessert I would love to enjoy a cold dessert in a desert. ... |
desiccate - correct spelling desiccate verb
Example: The burning sun will desiccate the new plants in her garden.... |
desirable - correct spelling desirable adjective
Example: The company found a desirable location for its new store.... |
despair - correct spelling despair noun and verb
Example: The irresponsible young boy was the despair of his parents and friends. noun... |
desperate - correct spelling desperate adjective
Example: The desperate criminal tried to take a hostage.... |
despot, despotism - vocabulary despot, despotism - noun
Despot: a monarch or other rule with absolute power; a tyrant or oppressor.Despotism: rule by an autocratic government; tyranny; a count... |
dessert - correct spelling dessert noun
Not desert
.Grammar.com’s section on Problem Words discusses desert and dessert. ... |
dessert, desert A dessert is something you eat after dinner.A desert is a hot place with a lot of sand. Desert can also be used as a verb meaning “... |
destruction - correct spelling destruction noun
Example: The hurricane left the city in a state of total destruction.Example: “We’re on the eve of ... |
determine - correct spelling determine verb
Example: We must determine how the accountant stole our inheritance.... |
deterrence - correct spelling deterrence noun
Example: The theory of deterrence doesn't work very well with career criminals.... |
develop - correct spelling develop verb
Not develope.Example: The real-estate company planned to develop the property with large, unsightly houses.... |
Developing Your Love Affair Falling in Love with the VerbPowerful words, these verbs. Maybe that’s why Hugo once said, “The word is the verb, and the verb is God.”Verb PowerPretty neat, these verbs. They aren’t content t... |
development - correct spelling development noun
Not developement.Example: The rising price of gold was a discouraging development for the value of the dollar.... |
device - correct spelling device noun
Not devise
.Grammar.com’s section on Problem Words discusses device and devise. ... |
Device vs. Devise It is very easy to make spelling errors. Not even the most experienced writers are immune to these simple, b... |
devise - correct spelling devise verb
Not device
.Grammar.com’s Section on Problem Words discusses device and devise. ... |
devise, device To devise means “to formulate a plan.” In the law, devise means “to give away land or other real property in a will.”A device is something that is made to serve a s... |
Dialog vs. Dialogue I wrote a dialogue between a customer and a shopkeeper. ... |
Dialogue vs. Dialog If you were a novelist or a playwright, what word would you use to describe a conversation between two or mo... |
diary, dairy A diary is a written record of daily events.A dairy is a place that produces milk or milk products. Dairy is also used as an ... |
dictator - correct spelling dictator noun
Example: The Korean dictator apologized for his nuclear tests.... |
dictionary - correct spelling dictionary noun
Example: She consulted the dictionary to find the meaning of the word dictionary.... |
didactic - vocabulary didactic - adjective
Pertaining to teaching, intended for instruction; inclined to teach or lecture (to excess), as in a boring, didactic speaker. A didactic play attempts to... |
died - correct spelling died verb (past tense and past participle of the verb die)Not dyed
.Examp... |
difference - correct spelling difference noun
Example: There’s a big difference between the two candidates’ views on taxes.... |
Difference Between Proofreading and Copyediting No matter what type of writing you are working on, you will sooner or later face the need for proofreading and editing your piece since these are important stages of the entire writing process. Therefore, any... |
different - correct spelling different adjective
Grammar.com’s section on Problem Words discusses different from vs. different than. Click ... |
different from, different than Although both of these phrases are common today, some believe that different than is always incorrect. The reason is easy to understand. The word than follows a ... |
diffident - vocabulary diffident - adjective
Lacking confidence in one’s own ability or worth; timid, shy. [Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady] is bland on television and awkward as a public speaker. In a city of bombast ... |
dilatory - vocabulary dilatory - adjective
Tending to delay or procrastinate; tardy, slow. Diligence increaseth the fruit of toil. A dilatory man wrestles with losses.—Hesiod Works an... |
dilemma - correct spelling dilemma noun
Example: She found herself on the horns of a dilemma.** “The original dilemma in rhetoric was a device by which you pr... |
dilettante - vocabulary dilettante - noun
One who engages in art or other subject for amusement, usually in a desultory or superficial way; a dabbler. Also used to refer to a lover of the fine arts. The second reason for his dela... |
diminution - vocabulary diminution - noun
The process, act, or fact of lessening or diminishing; reduction.Note: The adjective form diminutive often refers to people or things that are s... |
dining - correct spelling dining verb (present participle of the verb dine)Example: He was dining with friends when he heard the n... |
dinner - correct spelling dinner noun
Example: She came to our house for dinner.... |
Dinner vs. Diner When words have several related meanings, you have to rely on context to parse the meaning of a sentence. Wh... |
direct object Action verbs come in two varieties: transitive and intransitive
. A transitive verb has the intrinsic ability to attach directly to a noun, and that noun is called the direct object... |
direction - correct spelling direction noun
Example: The ship sailed in a northern direction.Example: Parents must provide the proper ... |
disappear - correct spelling disappear verb
Example: The magician made his assistant disappear.... |
disappearance - correct spelling disappearance noun
Example: Since her disappearance, the company lost its purpose and energy.... |
disappoint - correct spelling disappoint verb
Example: These earnings will disappoint the shareholders.... |
disappointment - correct spelling disappointment noun
Example: The loss was a major disappointment to his supporters.... |
disapproval - correct spelling disapproval noun
Example: Her disapproval of his behavior was immediately apparent.... |
disapprove - correct spelling disapprove verb
Example: The bank will disapprove the loan application. transitive verb
Example: ... |
disastrous - correct spelling disastrous adjective
Example: The financial results were disastrous, and the stock price plummeted.... |
discipline - correct spelling discipline noun and verb
Example: The young mother will provide gentle discipline for her child. noun... |
discomfit - vocabulary discomfit - verb
Discomfit, to confuse, disconcert; to thwart, to frustrate the plans of, to foil. Whether the issue is birth control or global warming or clean air, this administration has alread... |
discover - correct spelling discover verb
Example: After we discover the culprit, we can alert the police.... |
Discreet vs. Discrete The government’s discreet decision about the four discrete divisions caused a ... |
Discreet vs. Discrete It’s easy to mix up these two words; discreet and discrete, in English writing. They are a set of homophones... |
discreet, discrete To be discreet means to be “modest” or “prudent.”To be discrete means to be “obviously separate” or “distinct.” Discrete also has a specific meaning in mathematics ... |
discriminate - correct spelling discriminate verb and adjective
Example: The laws must not discriminate against people because of their race. ... |
disease - correct spelling disease noun
Example: His disease interfered with his work.... |
disenfranchise - vocabulary disenfranchise - verb
To deprive of any right privilege or power; to deprive of voting rights. From the early indications, Americans are feeling enthusiastic about their constitutionally guaranteed right t... |
disingenuous Consider the following usage note on Dictionary.com
:The meaning of disingenuous has been shifting about lately, as if people were unsure of its proper meaning. Generally, it me... |
disingenuous - vocabulary disingenuous See the discussion of ingenuous
Note: You may download the Grammar eBook ... |
Disinterested vs. Uninterested Alex brought her disinterested friend to solve the dispute between her and Adam who was uninterested in ... |
disinterested, uninterested To be disinterested means to be “impartial,” “free from bias,” or “indifferent.” A disinterested person has no stake in the outcome.To be uninterested means “having... |
disjunctive - vocabulary disjunctive - adjective
Helping or serving to disconnect or separate; dividing; distinguishing.Note: In grammar, disjunctive describes the process of syntactically setting two or mor... |
Disk vs. Disc There are a lot of homophones in English that confuse both native and ESL writers alike. The two words disc ... |
Disorganized vs. Unorganized Do disorganized and unorganized mean the same thing?... |
disparage - vocabulary disparage - verb
To regard or speak of slightingly; to belittle; to bring reproach or discredit on. People disparage knowing and the intellectual life, and urge doing. I am content with kn... |
dispensable - correct spelling dispensable adjective
Example: Unfortunately, she was dispensable and lost her job last year.... |
Disperse vs. Disburse Everyday-spoken English is usually considered less formal than written English, and this informality sometim... |
dissatisfied - correct spelling dissatisfied adjective and verb (past tense and past participle of the verb dissatisfy)Example: She gave ... |
dissection - correct spelling dissection noun
Example: The students performed a dissection of the poor frog.... |
dissemble - vocabulary dissemble - verb
To give a misleading or false appearance, to conceal the truth; to feign.Note: Do not confuse dissemble (to hide the truth) with disassemble (to take something a... |
disseminate - vocabulary disseminate - verb
To spread or scatter widely, as seed is sown; to distribute, broadcast, disperse, as in disseminate information. "Nations, like individuals, wish to enjoy a fair reputation. It ... |
dissipate - correct spelling dissipate verb
Example: The smoke will dissipate when the wind blows.... |
distance - correct spelling distance noun and verb
Example: Distance makes the heart grow fonder. noun
Example: ... |
distinction - correct spelling distinction noun
Example: This is a distinction without a difference.Example: He is a man of ... |
Distrust vs. Mistrust Sometimes, two words are so similar that even experienced writers have trouble remembering which is which. D... |
Distrustful vs. Mistrustful Origin of the words ... |
Dive Deeper into the English Language with These Tips Admit it – when someone tells you that he/she’s learning English, and it’s verydifficult, chances are that you don’t help or comfort them by giving some tips,sharing your personal hacks or doing anything that can make the s... |
division - correct spelling division noun
Example: For efficiency, we relied on a division of labor.Example: Send your complaint to the customer-relati... |
doctor - correct spelling doctor noun and verb
Example: My son, the doctor, treats small children. noun
Example: ... |
dogma, dogmatic, dogmatize - vocabulary dogma, dogmatic, dogmatize - noun, adjective, verb noun
Dogma: a systems of tenets or principles... |
dollar - correct spelling dollar noun
Example: The U.S. dollar is a fiat currency.Example: The newspaper costs a ... |
dominant - correct spelling dominant adjective
Example: She played the dominant role in the company’s success.... |
Donut vs. Doughnut Everyone enjoys a doughnut every now and then—glazed, powdered, sprinkled, jelly filled. It’s hard not to lo... |
doubt - correct spelling doubt verb and noun
Example: We started to doubt our convictions. verb
Example: Her ... |
dough - correct spelling dough noun
Example: She kneaded the dough and baked some fabulous bread.Example: He was broke. He had no ... |
doughty - correct spelling doughty adjective
Example: The doughty soldier charged the enemy’s position.... |
Download Grammar eBooks Besides, we've kept the prices of our Grammar eBooks low. Very low.Safe and Secure: Downloads are safe and secure. Also, we will keep your name and email address private. We will not ... |
dozen - correct spelling dozen noun and adjective
Example: A dozen should be enough. noun
Example: We or... |
Drier vs. Dryer Some words sound alike but don’t mean the same thing. Such words are called homophones, and they are common ... |
drunkenness - correct spelling drunkenness noun
Not drunkeness.Example: His drunkenness caused him to lose control of the car.... |
Dual vs. Duel Dual and duel are a pair of homophones which means that both the words spell and sound almost similar but their meanings are entirely different from each other. Homophones are usual... |
dumbbell - correct spelling dumbbell noun
Not dumbell.Example: The weightlifter used a 100-pound dumbbell.Example: By all accounts, th... |
duplicity - vocabulary duplicity - noun
Deceitfulness in conduct or speech; speaking and acting in two different, opposing ways; a twofold or double quality or state.Note: The adjective dupl... |
dyed - correct spelling dyed verb (past tense and past participle of the verb dye)See died
.Example: ... |
