It’s Only Words

There are words with the same meanings that can be used interchangeably so how do you decide which word to use? Which word feels right to you? Try reading it out loud and see if it sounds natural. If the word is in dialogue, does it sound like the character, the way that he or she normally speaks?

Despite and in spite of mean the same thing, the definitions often use the other term as a reference. If you are using the word for a professional publication then you might want to learn what style guide the publication prefers. The AP Style Guide and The Chicago Manual of Style both prefer the one word despite over in spite of: Some people feel that the phrase in spite of sounds harsher than the one word.

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, both gratitude and gratefulness mean the state of being grateful. Use it in a sentence, which sounds more natural to you? Many people prefer not to use the longer versions or the ness-form such as anxiousness / anxiety, coolness / cool, moistness / moisture, stupidness / stupidity, and tiredness / fatigue, but there really is no right or wrong. It’s a matter of personal preference. Again, read it out loud to decide which one you prefer.

Two words that have similar meanings but are not interchangeable are amount and number. While both words refer to a quantity, use amount when you are talking about a mass or something that is measured in bulk such as “the amount of peanuts in the bag”. Use the word number when you are talking about something that can be reasonably counted individually like “there were a number of pens in the drawer”.

When to use the words has / have and having is confusing and one of those rules that confounds ESL students. ESL students are taught “have should always be in the simple present tense for the meaning “to own,” or to describe medical problems,” but then it’s contradicted by common expressions like “he is having a heart attack”. A good rule of thumb is use has / have when talking about tangible ownership such as “I have a house”. Otherwise use has / have if the period of time is indefinite such as “He has a humorous personality” or “I have a lot to think about”. Use having if the time period is short or of a specific duration like “I am having dinner”.

Talking of dinner, did you ever ask “Can I be excused?” only to be corrected and told you should have asked “May I be excused?” The verb can refers to ability, “I can do it”. By the way, the noun can refers to a small metal container.

Often confused are two sets of words: its / it’s and whose / who’s. It’s is a contraction of the words “it is”, but its refers to possession (a grade school teacher once explained that the S belongs to the word when it is possessive). Who’s is also a contraction meaning “who is”. Use whose when you are referring to a noun or someone such as “Whose house are we going to?”; you might be able to substitute the word “which” in some sentences such as “which house are we going to?” Remember, if you can substitute the two phrases “it is” or “who is” then use the contractions.

The English language is confusing…

Writing Exercise: Choose which word is correct:
1) [Who’s / Whose] going to choose [who’s / whose] poem to read?
2) [Its / it’s] none of your business if I [have / am having] a tough time.
3) We have a [number / amount] of issues to discuss.
4) [Can / May] I have some more?

Writing Prompt: Write about the first day of school, Begin your story with “It was an early snowfall and…” Include the following words in your story: sandals, necklace, silver dollar, paper bag, gravy.