E.g. vs. I.e. I.e. and e.g. are two different abbreviations that many writers get confused, but, once you understand what ... |
e.g., i.e. Both abbreviations are actually for Latin, not English words.Id est (i.e.) is Latin for “that is.”Exempli gratia (e.g.) is the Latin “for example.”If the ph... |
Eager vs. Anxious There are many ways to enrich your writing. One of the easiest ways is by using adjectives. Adjectives ... |
earnest - correct spelling earnest adjective and noun
Example: The earnest young worker received a Christmas bonus. adjective... |
easily - correct spelling easily adverb
Grammar.com's section on the Parts of Speech discusses the demise of -ly adverbs. Click here ... |
easy - correct spelling easy adjective
Example: Learning how to spell is easy.Example: Now we’re on ... |
Eatable vs. Edible Say you’re about to sit down and eat a meal with your family; what’s the best way to describe the food sitti... |
ebullient - vocabulary ebullient - adjective
Showing enthusiasm or exhilaration of feeling; excited; high-spirited. The world was kept informed of Pavarotti's joie de vivre, his ebullient flirtatio... |
eccentric - vocabulary eccentric - noun
One who goes his own way and cares little about the norm.adjective
Deviating from customary or recognized character; erratic; odd; peculiar. An insi... |
ecstasy - correct spelling ecstasy noun
Example: His ecstasy caused him to shout with glee.... |
ecstatic - correct spelling ecstatic adjective
Example: After the thrilling performance, the audience was ecstatic.... |
education - correct spelling education noun
Example: He wanted to further his education by attending night school.... |
Education vs. Experience: Where to Place What, Where on Your Resume When it comes to deciding if you should place education before experience or vice versa on your resume, the truth of the matter is that it depends on a number of considerations. ... |
efface - vocabulary efface - verb
To wipe out, do away with, obliterate, expunge, as in She effaced her most dreadful memories.Note: The related terms self-effacement and self-effacing mean... |
effect - correct spelling effect noun and verb
Not affect (which is usually a verb, but sometimes a noun). For a discussion of affect vs. effect... |
Effect vs. Affect The cause and effect story ... |
Effective vs. Affective There are a lot of English words that have similar meanings to one another, making it difficult to tell them... |
effete - vocabulary effete - adjective
Lacking in wholesome vigor, degenerate, decadent; exhausted of energy or support, worn out. A spirit of national masochism prevails, encouraged by an effete corps o... |
efficacious - vocabulary efficacious - adjective
Capable of having the desired result; effective as a method, means, or remedy.Note: The noun form efficacy means effectiveness. For exampl... |
Efficacy vs. Efficiency The English language has a lot of similar words amongst its ranks. But while many of these words may be simi... |
efficiency - correct spelling efficiency noun
Example: The new computer system increased the company’s efficiency.... |
efficient - correct spelling efficient adjective
Example: The efficient workers increased the company’s productivity.... |
effrontery - vocabulary effrontery - noun
Unblushing impudence or boldness; barefaced audacity; “nerve.”Note: Do not confuse the noun effrontery with the verb and ... |
Egg on Your Face This Grammar eBook explores the most prevalent grammatical mistakes people make. Each mistake is thoroughly discussed and illustrated with examples in the media and on the Internet.Here's a list of The Top 25 Grammatical Mistakes... |
egoism, egotism - vocabulary egoism, egotism - noun
Egoism: a philosophical doctrine that morality has its foundations in self-interest.Egotism: an excessive preoccupation with self. ... |
egregious - vocabulary egregious - adjective
Extraordinary in a bad way, glaring, flagrant, as in an egregious violation of the law. On Jan. 31, 1996, the city ordered the tenants of a Harlem brownstone to move out... |
eight - correct spelling eight noun
Example: She loved her eight grandchildren.... |
eighth - correct spelling eighth adjective and noun
Example: This was the eighth time he won the lottery. adjective... |
either - correct spelling either adjective, adverb, pronoun, and correlative conjunction
Example: You may sit on ... |
Either vs. Neither Despite being just a single letter apart from each other, the two words either vs. neither have completely o... |
Either-Neither-Both 1. With too and so respectively Differences between Either and too (both either and too are used at the end of a sentence) – ... |
Elicit vs Illicit Elicit Elicit is a verb which means t... |
Elicit vs. Illicit Some homophones, similar-sounding words that don’t mean the same thing, are harmless. But elicit and illicit... |
elicit, illicit Elicit is a verb that means “to draw out.”Illicit is an adjective describing unlawful or underhanded behavior or a... |
elicit, illicit - vocabulary Elicit: verb, to draw out, to bring forth, to call forth or provoke.Illicit: adjective, not legally perm... |
eligibility - correct spelling eligibility noun
Example: He increased his eligibility for the loan by taking on two jobs.... |
eligible - correct spelling eligible adjective and noun
Example: He stands out among the eligible candidates as the one likely to win. ... |
eliminate - correct spelling eliminate verb
Example: We should eliminate him from the list of prospects.... |
elliptical clause A useful power structure is the elliptical clause, also called a truncated clause. The structure consists of a subordinating conjunction (if, though, although, when, while, and many ... |
elliptical expression An elliptical expression is a group of words with certain understood words omitted. Good writers routinely use elliptical expressions. You may punctuate elliptical expressions in two ways: (1) begin the expression with a semicolon, and then insert a ... |
elucidate - vocabulary verb
To bring out more clearly the facts concerning; to make lucid or clear. The chief element in the art of statesmanship under modern conditions is the ability to elucidate the confused an... |
elude, allude - vocabulary verb
Elude: to evade the search or pursuit of by dexterity or artifice; to escape capture. Also, to escape the understanding of, as in The answer eluded me.Allude:... |
Em Dashes - No Spaces No spaces come before and after the dash. The dash—a most effective punctuation mark—halts readers in their tracks. Previous: En and Em Dashes ... |
emaciate - vocabulary verb
To waste away in flesh, to make abnormally lean. Often used as a verbal adjective, as in After his diet, he looked emaciated. It never entered his head to analyse the d... |
email - correct spelling email noun and verb
Note: Spelled email, e-mail, and E-mail. By using email and omitting the hyphen, you will avoid having the word wrap at t... |
email, e-mail, E-mail Here’s a usage note from Dictionary.com
: The transition from World Wide Web site to Web site to website as a single uncapitalized word mirrors the dev... |
emanate - vocabulary verb
To flow out of, to proceed, as from a source, as in The light emanated from the lamp. As the struggle proceeded for making the ruling power emanate from the periodical choice o... |
embarrass - correct spelling embarrass verb
Spell with two "r's" and two "s's."Example: He tried to embarrass her in front of her coworkers.... |
embarrassment - correct spelling embarrassment noun
Example: His offensive behavior was an embarrassment to the hosts.... |
Embed vs. Imbed English is rife with words that are spelled almost the same but mean completely different things. Much less ... |
embezzle - correct spelling embezzle verb
Example: He tried to embezzle funds from the charity.... |
embezzler - correct spelling embezzler noun
Example: The embezzler skipped town with $100,000 of the charity’s money. ... |
emergency - correct spelling emergency noun
Example: The governor declared a state of emergency.... |
emigrate, immigrate - vocabulary verb
Emigrate: to move out of a country.Immigrate: to come into a country.noun
Emigration: th... |
Eminent vs. Imminent English has many pitfalls for beginning and experienced writers alike, not the least of which is the presenc... |
eminent, imminent Eminent means “prominent” or “great.”Something is imminent if it is “impending” or “about to occur.”Example: The spectators rose to their feet as the eminent... |
eminent, imminent - vocabulary adjective
Eminent: high in station or rank, prominent, distinguished; prominent; conspicuous. To show the highest in stature, use preeminent (no hyphen).In law, the power of ... |
Empathic vs. Empathetic The English language has evolved over the centuries. ... |
empathy, sympathy To feel empathy means "to understand another’s feelings or situation." When you feel empathy for others, you “stand in their shoes” and feel what they’re feeling.If you show symp... |
emperor - correct spelling emperor noun
Example: Julius Caesar was emperor of Rome and died on March 15 in 44 B.C. when he was murdered by a group led by Cassius and Brutus.... |
emphasis - correct spelling emphasis noun
Example: His emphasis on perfection motivated his staff.... |
Emphasise vs. Emphasize Throughout your writing career, you will need to highlight important points and focus on the most salient aspects of the topic of your writing. Strong writing emphasizes important things and spends less time on less important thi... |
emphasize - correct spelling emphasize verb
Example: We should emphasize the importance of this project.... |
Emphasize vs. Emphasise Throughout your writing career, you will need to highlight important points and focus on the most salient aspects of the topic of your writing. Stron... |
Employ vs. Deploy Employ Employ is a verb that comes from the middle English imploy and means to give work to someone and pay for it. For exam... |
emulate - vocabulary verb
To imitate with the intent to equal or surpass. Gentlemen, I had hoped you might emulate your Saxon forefathers, who thought it not creditable to be unprepared for anything.... |
En and Em Dashes Types of DashesThere are several kinds of dashes, differing from one another in length. There are en dashes (short), em dashes (medium), and 2‑ and 3‑em dashes (long). The term em dash is a printer's term meaning the... |
Encase vs. Incase If you have done any significant amount of reading in English, you will notice that some verbs involving placing things in... |
enclosed please find, please find enclosed, enclosed herewith Boot out all these expressions from your language. In the words of Bryan Garner, they are “archaic deadwood.” Garner, Oxford, p. 124.Instead, try these on for size: Here are the reports you wanted. I enclose ... |
Enclosed vs. Inclosed It would make all of our lives simpler if words had one universal, mutually agreed-upon spelling that never ... |
enclosure - correct spelling enclosure noun
Example: The enclosure in his back yard protected his neighbors from his pit bull.... |
encouragement - correct spelling encouragement noun
Example: Her mother’s encouragement led to her success as an opera star.... |
encouraging - correct spelling encouraging verb (present participle of the verb encourage) and adjective
Example: She was ... |
endeavor - correct spelling endeavor noun and verb
Example: His endeavor to become a doctor began in college. noun
Exampl... |
Endeavor vs. Endeavour History is replete with heroes and would-be heroes going to extraordinary lengths to achieve lofty goals. Many of them did... |
endemic - vocabulary adjective
Characteristic of or natural to a particular place or people; indigenous; native; belonging exclusively to or confined to particular place. Dr. Hooker has recently shown that in the S.E. corne... |
Endemic vs. Epidemic If you are a researcher for the World Health Organization, you will need to know how to describe the various diseases and ... |
Ending a Sentence Spaces Following a PeriodIn word-processed documents, two spaces traditionally follow a sentence-ending period. In documents destined for typesetting, however, ordinarily only one space appears after sentence-ending punctuati... |
Ending a Sentence or Clause with a Preposition Yet Another MythHere we have another myth, which I briefly mentioned in the section on prepositions:Never end a sentence or clause with a preposition. Actually, a sound rule would urge you to ... |
enemy - correct spelling enemy noun
Example: The new enemy was the powerful drug lords.... |
enervate - vocabulary verb
To render ineffective or inoperative; to deprive of strength or force; to weaken.Note: Do not confuse enervate with invigorate. The two words... |
engineer - correct spelling engineer noun and verb
Example: He worked as an electrical engineer for IBM. noun
Example: ... |
English - correct spelling English proper noun and adjective
Example: The English love their pubs. proper noun
Exam... |
enhance - vocabulary verb
To intensify, to raise to a higher degree, to magnify; to raise the value of. Baseball, he determined, would be an excellent hobby. “No sense a man’s working his fool head off. I’m going out to the Game... |
enigma - vocabulary noun
An inexplicable occurrence or situation, puzzling; a person of puzzling character; a question, saying, or picture with a hidden meaning, a riddle. I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a ... |
enmity - vocabulary noun
A feeling or condition of animosity, hatred, ill will. Between men and women there is no friendship possible. There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship.... |
ennoble - vocabulary verb
To dignify, to elevate in degree or respect; to exalt; to confer nobility upon. [S]uffering does not ennoble. It destroys. To resist destruction, self-hatred, or lifelong hopelessness, ... |
enormity, enormousness - vocabulary noun
Enormity: outrageous or heinous character; largeness of size, immensity.Enormousness: largeness of size or scope.Note: Use enormo... |
enormous - correct spelling enormous adjective
Grammar.com's section on Problem Words discusses enormousness and enormity. Click h... |
enormousness, enormity These words may both be used to describe something that is “very large.” But enormity has recently begun to take on strongly negative connotations. Enormity implies that something is both “... |
enough - correct spelling enough adjective, adverb, pronoun, and interjection
Example: She has enough... |
Enquire vs. Inquire She inquired about the library charges... |
Enquiry vs. Inquiry There are so many words in English that are either so similar to each other in spelling and pronunciation or their meanings are so close to each other that it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. This is the case with inquiry ... |
Enrol vs. Enroll Enrol vs. Enroll... |
ensure, insure, assure Most writers use these words interchangeably.But there are some differences. For example, assure is used only in reference to people. You assure your boss. If you insure... |
entirely - correct spelling entirely adverb
Grammar.com's section on the Parts of Speech discusses the demise of -ly adverbs. Click here for that disc... |
Entitled vs. Titled There is a lot of information floating around about these two words. Are they both the same? Is one wrong to use? Is one m... |
entrance - correct spelling entrance noun and verb
Example: The new owners installed spotlights to shine on the entrance to their house. nou... |
entrepreneur - correct spelling entrepreneur noun
Example: The entrepreneur started many new businesses before one finally succeeded.... |
envelop - correct spelling envelop verb
Not envelope (which is a noun
).Example: He wanted to ... |
Envelop vs. Envelope He tore open the envelope as he was enveloped in anguish. ... |
envelope - correct spelling envelope noun
Not envelop (which is a verb
).Example: He put the check in the ... |
environment - correct spelling environment noun
Example: The exhaust from the huge trucks harms the environment.... |
Envision vs. Invision As languages evolve, spelling conventions change and some words that used to be correct become mistakes. Most writers no l... |
Envoy vs. Convoy Both convoy and envoy are nouns. Convoy can be used as a verb too, as we will see later in the article. Envoy Envoy is derived from the old French word ‘... |
epiphany - vocabulary noun
A sudden appearance or bodily manifestation of a deity; a sudden, intuitive perception of the essential meaning or significance of something, usually initiated by a commonplace occurrence.Note:... |
epithet - vocabulary noun
Any word or phrase applied to a person or thing and used to describe an actual or attributed quality, as in The Great Communicator used to describe Ronald Reagan or man’s best friend used to describe ... |
epitome - vocabulary noun
A person or thing that is typical of or represents to a high degree the attributes of an entire class; a summary or abstract of a larger literary work.Note: The word epitome does not m... |
equable, equitable The word equable means “even, tranquil, level.” The word equitable derives from equity and means “fair, just, or relating to a court of equity.”Example: ... |
equanimity - vocabulary noun
Emotional or mental stability or composure, especially when tensed or strained; calm. We could not help contrasting the equanimity of Nature with the bustle and impatience of man. His w... |
equipment - correct spelling equipment noun
Example: He bought all new computer equipment.... |
equipped - correct spelling equipped verb (past tense and past participle of the verb equip)Example: They equipped... |
equity - vocabulary noun
Characterized by fairness. In law, the term courts of equity refers to a parallel system of courts in England and, later, the United States, that could give remedies deemed inadequate in courts of law... |
equivalent - correct spelling equivalent adjective and noun
Example: His new TV was equivalent to mine. adjective... |
equivocal - vocabulary verb
Equivocate: To hedge, to utter ambiguous statements, to use unclear expressions.adjective
Equivocal: Ambiguous, open to more than one i... |
err - correct spelling err verb
Example: “To err is human, to forgive divine.” *Example: We will err... |
erudition, erudite - vocabulary noun
Erudition: deep, extensive knowledge and learning.adjective
Erudite: characterized by great knowledge and learning. ... |
eschew - vocabulary verb
To stay away from, to avoid, to abstain from. Revelry rules the roost on New Year's Eve, but there are those who value fine dining more than noise-making. Many of Long Island's best restaurants are plan... |
especially - correct spelling especially adverb
Grammar.com's section on the Parts of Speech discusses the demise of -ly adverbs. Click here for that di... |
Essence vs. Essential Essence Essence is a noun that refers to the quality of something that determines its uniqueness or character, or a gist of something. For example, • The essence of this skit is ... |
essential - correct spelling essential adjective and noun
Example: The ability to write is essential to your success. adjective... |
estimable - vocabulary adjective
Worthy of respect, deserving esteem and admiration. But this is truly a wonderful occasion, the culmination of years of hard work and remarkable generosity, and all of which was due to the goo... |
Ethics vs. Morals In today’s world, which often seems lawless and relativistic, the difference between ethics and morals might... |
Ethics vs. Morals In... |
Eulogy vs. Elegy The English language is full of confusing words that mix up writers and speakers alike, and most of this con... |
euphemism - vocabulary noun
A figure of speech by which a less offensive phrase is substituted to convey a harsh thought. For example, pass away is a euphemism for die. Euphemisms abound... |
Evade vs. Invade Evade ... |
Eve vs. Even vs. Evening Evening (noun) – is the time between afternoon and night. The exact time can vary, but essentially it is the time from 4pm-7pm... |
evening - correct spelling evening noun
Example: They sat on their front porch every evening.... |
everyday, every day Everyday is an adjective used to describe things that are “common” or “ordinary.”Every day describes things that happen daily; it’s a ... |
evident - correct spelling evident adjective
Example: His red face made his anger evident to all.... |
evince - vocabulary verb
To make manifest or evident; to show clearly, to prove; to reveal the possession of a quality or trait. Presidents and prime ministers everywhere, I suspect, sometimes wonder how history will deal with ... |
evoke - vocabulary verb
To call up or summon forth memories or feelings; to elicit, draw forth; to summon. Railroad iron is a magician’s rod, in its power to evoke the sleeping energies of land and water.... |
Evoke vs. Invoke While these two words aren’t quite homophones or homonyms, they still sound similar enough to cause some con... |
Evoke vs. Invoke vs. Provoke Evoke Evoke means to recall a memory. It could be related to old incidents or emotions. Evoking ‘something’ is not a cons... |
ewe - correct spelling ewe noun
Example: My grandchildren love to look at the ewe and the baby lambs.... |
exaggerate - correct spelling exaggerate verb
Example: He always seems to exaggerate his abilities and successes.... |
exaggeration - correct spelling exaggeration noun
Example: The candidate’s promises were a complete exaggeration of the truth.... |
examine - correct spelling examine verb
Example: The doctor planned to examine the patient carefully.... |
Examples of Nondangling Participles Check out these examples. Notice that the introductory adjective points directly to the grammatical subject: Enacted in 1964, the Civil Rights Act transferred power to the federal gov... |
exceed - correct spelling exceed verb
Example: The results will exceed our expectations.... |
Exceed vs. Accede Their loyalty exceeds their national bonds. ... |
excellence - correct spelling excellence noun
Example: The supervisor insisted on excellence from all her staff.... |
excellent - correct spelling excellent adjective
Example: These excellent results will impress the voters.... |
except - correct spelling except preposition, subordinating conjunction, and verb
Grammar.com’s section on Problem Words discusses except and accept. ... |
exceptional - correct spelling exceptional adjective
Example: Her exceptional children received full academic scholarships.... |
Exclamation Point Goes Inside Sometimes the exclamation point goes inside the closing quotations marks. The man cried out: "Fire! There's a fire! Call 911!" (Exclamation point that's part of the quotation goes inside. Notice that no additional pun... |
Exclamation Point Goes Outside Sometimes the exclamation point goes outside the closing quotations marks. When 911 took the call, the operator said, "I'm on a break now"! (Exclamation point showing the writer's exclamation goes outside the ending q... |
execrable - vocabulary adjective
Abominable, detestable, abhorrent; very bad. But is an enemy so execrable that though in captivity his wishes and comforts are to be disregarded and even crossed? I think not.... |
exercise - correct spelling exercise noun and verb
Not excercise.Example: His lack of exercise caused him to gain weight. n... |
exhaust - correct spelling exhaust noun and verb
Example: The car’s exhaust fouled the air. noun
Example: We wi... |
exhausted - correct spelling exhausted adjective and verb (past tense and past participle of the verb exhaust)Example: He was ... |
exhaustion - correct spelling exhaustion noun
Example: The athlete’s exhaustion caused him to faint.... |
exhilarate - correct spelling exhilarate verb
Example: The enthusiastic speaker will exhilarate the crowd.... |
exhilaration - correct spelling exhilaration noun
Example: The spectators applauded with exhilaration.... |
existence - correct spelling existence noun
Not existance.Example: They worked for a better existence.... |
existent - correct spelling existent adjective
Example: He searched for any existent errors in the document.... |
exorbitant - correct spelling exorbitant adjective
Example: The exorbitant fees prompted us to find a new accountant.... |
expense - correct spelling expense noun and verb
Example: The cost of his computer was a legitimate business expense. noun... |
experience - correct spelling experience noun
Example: She lacks the necessary experience for the position.... |
experiment - correct spelling experiment noun and verb
Example: The experiment proved the force of gravity. noun
Example: ... |
expiate - vocabulary verb
To atone for, to make amends for, as in to expiate his crimes. “Dolly!” he said, sobbing now; “for mercy's sake, think of the children; they are not to blame! I am to blame, and punish me, make... |
explanation - correct spelling explanation noun
Example: He has no adequate explanation for the company’s loss.... |
explicate - vocabulary verb
To make clear or plain; to explain, interpret; to develop a theory or principle. "This book is about life as it is interpreted by books," Edward Mendelson begins. He takes as his subjects Birth, Childho... |
Explicit vs. Implicit Th... |
explicit, implicit The word explicit means “fully and clearly expressed; leaving nothing implied.” It also means “readily observable,” as in an explicit sign of success. And, of course, explicit... |
Expresso vs. Espresso Coffee lovers have a special relationship with a certain type of concentrated, highly caffeinated coffee cal... |
extenuate - vocabulary verb
To diminish the gravity or importance of an offense, fault, or crime; to underestimate, make light of, underrate.Note: The present parti... |
Extortion vs. Blackmail Do... |
extreme - correct spelling extreme adjective
Example: He answered the door with extreme hostility.... |
extremely - correct spelling extremely adverb
Grammar.com's section on the Parts of Speech discusses the demise of -ly adverbs. Click here for that dis... |
extricate - vocabulary verb
To release or free from entanglement, to disengage, usually from a situation. Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the rav... |
exuberance - correct spelling exuberance adjective
Example: “But how do we know when irrational exuberance has unduly escalated asset values, which then become subject to un... |
