Commas unit 15

Misused Words
(Concluded)
Unit 15


Unit 15 Misused Words
(Concluded)
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better, best
differ from, differ with
farther, further
fewer, less
lay, lie
loose, lose

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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may be, maybe
passed, past

real, very
recent, resent
some time, sometime

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Better, Best


Better is used when comparing two items.



Best is used when comparing more than two items.


Of the two scarves, the striped one looks better.



Of the three scarves, the striped one looks best.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

It is (better, best) to get up early than to sleep late
and then have to rush.

2.

Of the two watches, I like the silver one (better,
best).

3.

Lillian is the (better, best) of all the team members.

4.

The soccer match is beginning; may the (better,
best) team win.

5.

Which of the three DVDs do you like (better, best)?

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Differ From, Differ With


Differ from refers to persons or things.



Differ with refers to opinion, thought.


Today’s test results differ from those of yesterday.



I must differ with you, Hector, on that decision.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

Your membership fees differ (from, with) mine.

2.

My ideas on fashion differ (from, with) those of my
sister.

3.

Horatio, your job description differs (from, with)
mine.

4.

The President’s decision differs (from, with) the
suggestions made be the secretary of state.

5.

Connie and I differ (from, with) each other during
discussions of politics.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Farther, Further


Farther refers to distance.



Further refers to time, quantity, or degree.


The rescuers walked farther into the woods.



As I read further, I became more interested.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

As I read (farther, further) along in the book, the
plot became more complicated.

2.

Donna must do (farther, further) research for her
dissertation.

3.

We must drive (farther, further) until we finally
arrive at our destination.

4.

The lost child wandered (farther, further) into the
forest.

5.

My recovery has progressed (farther, further) than
anticipated.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Fewer, Less


Fewer is used with nouns that can be counted.



Less is used with nouns that cannot be counted.


I read fewer books this week than usual.



You have offered less proof than is required.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

My supervisor has requested that I make (fewer,
less) errors in my work.

2.

The defense attorney offered (fewer, less)
evidence than anticipated.

3.

(Fewer, Less) students than expected came to the
review class.

4.

Each year (fewer, less) people march in the
parade.

5.

The actual snow was (fewer, less) than predicted
by the experts.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Lay, Lie


lay: to put or place



lie: to rest or recline


I am laying the book on the table.



He is lying down now.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

The child (lay, lie) down for a nap every afternoon
this past week.

2.

(Lay, Lie) the flowers near the blue vase.

3.

Vondra has been (laying, lying) in bed for two days
because of a cold.

4.

Chico picked up the keys and (lay, laid) them on
the desk next to me.

5.

I believe the solution (lays, lies) in another
direction.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Loose, Lose


loose: free; not tight



lose: to misplace or leave behind; to fail to win (in a
game)


The screw became loose and fell out.



If you aren’t careful, you may lose that pen.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

If the string becomes (loose, lose), you may
(loose, lose) the contents of the package.

2.

The lion at the circus was (loose, lose), and
everyone was screaming.

3.

“Don’t (loose, lose) sight of that car,” shouted the
police officer.

4.

Since dieting my suit has become too (loose, lose).

5.

You can easily (loose, lose) your way if you aren’t
careful.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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May Be, Maybe


may be: the verb form



maybe: perhaps


The winning essay may be selected today.



Maybe the winning essay will be selected today.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

It (may be, maybe) possible to arrange the trip for
tomorrow.

2.

I thought that (may be, maybe) you would like to
join me for dinner.

3.

The transit strike (may be, maybe) over by next
week.

4.

Carmelita (may be, maybe) going to Atlanta on
business.

5.

(May be, Maybe) the fog will lift before the

scheduled departure.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Passed, Past


passed (verb): went by or moved by; completed
successfully



past (adjective): gone by in time



past (noun): time gone by; the events that happened
formerly


I passed Chelsea on my way here.



Alicia passed the English test.



I enjoyed myself this past summer.



My grandfather has fond memories of the past.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

In the (passed, past) I often (passed, past)
algebra easily.

2.

As the ship (passed, past) the Statue of Liberty,
visions of my waiting family (passed, past) in
front of me.

3.

I spent this (passed, past) summer at the
beach, but that is now all in the (passed, past).

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences

(cont)

4.

Erin (passed, past) her science course each term
for the (passed, past) two years.

5.

When I (passed, past) Herschel, he informed me
that he had received a commendation for his
(passed, past) job performance.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Real, Very


real: genuine



very: the extreme (to a high or low degree);
exceedingly


This is a real diamond.



That is a very pretty diamond ring.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

We were (real, very) sorry to hear the bad news.

2.

Are you (real, very) sure that this is a (real, very)
gold necklace?

3.

I felt (real, very) bad after eating lunch.

4.

Lara had a coat of (real, very) fur and was (real,
very) unhappy when she lost it.

5.

Be (real, very) careful when you pick up the baby.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Recent, Resent


recent (adjective): of late occurrence; not long past



resent (verb): to feel or show displeasure from a
sense of injury or insult


I met Miguel during a recent trip.



Bo is sure to resent your intrusion.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

The baby is a (recent, resent) addition to our
family.

2.

When did the racehorse win his most (recent,
resent) race?

3.

The staff is sure to (recent, resent) the president’s
(recent, resent) decision to downsize.

4.

On a (recent, resent) summer afternoon, Cesar
and I went swimming.

5.

I (recent, resent) the implication that I am not

sympathetic.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Some Time, Sometime


some time: a specified period of time



sometime: at some unspecified or indefinite time


Make the appointment for some time in May.



Let’s meet sometime soon.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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Tryout Sentences
1.

Our apartment was painted (some time, sometime)
ago.

2.

Frankie plans to be married (some time,
sometime) in December.

3.

Mrs. Bates is returning from Europe (some time,
sometime) next week.

4.

We hope to see you again (some time, sometime)
soon.

5.

I’d like to make an appointment with the dentist
(some time, sometime) this month.

Unit 15 Misused Words (Conc

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