e.g. and i.e.
e.g. means “for example” and should be followed by a comma.
i.e. means “that is” and should be followed by a comma.
i.e. means “that is” and should be followed by a comma.
Fewer and less
Use “fewer” to refer to objects that can be counted, e.g., There are fewer students
using the cafeteria; I have fewer dollars than you do.
Use “less” when referring to general amounts or concepts that cannot be counted, e.g., She has less interest in coffee than I do; I have less money than you do.
Use “less” when referring to general amounts or concepts that cannot be counted, e.g., She has less interest in coffee than I do; I have less money than you do.
In regard to and regards
Use “in regard to” not “regards.”
More than and over
“More than” is preferred with numerals, e.g., He made more than $100 in sales; More
than 60 applicants responded to the ad.
“Over” is preferred with spatial relationships: She jumped over the hole.
“Over” is preferred with spatial relationships: She jumped over the hole.
Than and then
“Than” is used in comparisons when you are talking about a noun being more, less,
etc. in relation to another noun: We have more books than magazines at the library.
“Then” is used to indicate time in a series of events: First the student enrolled, then she attended classes.
“Then” is used to indicate time in a series of events: First the student enrolled, then she attended classes.
That and which
Use “that” without commas to precede clauses essential to the meaning of sentences,
e.g., I remember the day that I started working at InkHouse.
Use “which” and commas for non-essential (could be removed without affecting meaning) clauses: The company, which already has won many awards, is now developing a niche product.
Use “which” and commas for non-essential (could be removed without affecting meaning) clauses: The company, which already has won many awards, is now developing a niche product.
Titled and entitled
In referring to a named work, either “titled” or ”entitled” is acceptable, e.g., The
book was entitled The Great Gatsby or The book was titled The Great Gatsby.
Toward and towards
Use “toward” not “towards.”
Who and whom
“Who” is the pronoun used for references to people (not to an institution or university),
and it is generally the grammatical subject of sentences, clauses, or phrases, e.g.,
Who is coming to the party? The man who received the tickets was my friend.
“Whom” is used when someone is the object of a verb or preposition, e.g., With whom do you wish to speak? The girl to whom the car was given already owned a truck.
“Whom” is used when someone is the object of a verb or preposition, e.g., With whom do you wish to speak? The girl to whom the car was given already owned a truck.