Lesson 2: Glossary of Usage B

Definition

Don't is the contraction of do not. Doesn't is the contraction of does not. Use doesn't with singular subjects except I and you. Use don't with plural subjects and I and you.

Explanation

Use doesn't with singular subjects except for I and you. This includes words like he, she, it, or a single noun like the team. For plural subjects like they or the students, and for I and you, you should always use don't. It's all about making the verb agree with its subject!

Examples

• My brother doesn't play video games. [The subject is singular, so the contraction is doesn't.]
• The new students don't know the school rules yet. [The subject is plural, so the contraction is don't.]
• I don't think that's the right answer. [The subject of the verb is I, so the contraction is don't.]

Definition

Use fewer to describe a noun that can be counted. Fewer tells "how many" about the noun. Use less to describe an uncountable noun. Less tells "how much" about the noun.

Explanation

Here’s a quick check: if you can count the items individually (like chairs, dollars, or assignments), use fewer. If it's a substance or concept you can't count (like water, advice, or time), use less. Fewer answers 'how many?' while less answers 'how much?'

Examples

• The recipe calls for fewer ingredients than I expected. [Ingredients is a countable noun, so the correct adjective is fewer, which tells 'how many' ingredients.]
• After the storm, there was less sand on the beach. [Sand is uncountable, so the correct adjective is less, which tells 'how much' sand.]

Definition

Use himself instead of hisself. Use themselves instead of theirself or theirselves. Hisself, theirself, and theirselves are nonstandard forms.

Explanation

Watch out for these common word mix-ups! In formal writing and speech, hisself, theirself, and theirselves are considered incorrect. Always use the standard forms: himself refers to a single male, and themselves refers to any group of people or things. Using the standard forms makes your language more professional.

Examples

• NONSTANDARD: The actors prepared theirselves for the show.
• STANDARD: The actors prepared themselves for the show.
• NONSTANDARD: My dad taught hisself how to code.
• STANDARD: My dad taught himself how to code.

Definition

In formal speech or writing, avoid using kind of or sort of instead of the adverbs rather or somewhat.

Explanation

While you probably say 'kind of' and 'sort of' all the time with friends, these phrases are too informal for essays or presentations. To make your writing sound more academic and clear, swap them out for more formal adverbs like rather or somewhat. It's an easy way to elevate your style!

Examples

• NONSTANDARD: The final exam was kind of difficult.
• STANDARD: The final exam was somewhat difficult.
• NONSTANDARD: I was sort of disappointed with the movie's ending.
• STANDARD: I was rather disappointed with the movie's ending.