Elizabeth Vande Water's Weblog

Works Cited

elizabethvandewater — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:59:00 +0000

Works Cited

Casson, Philip, dir. A Performance of Macbeth. 1979. YouTube. 2 Jan. 2008 .

Nunn, Trevor, dir. Twelfth Night: Or What You Will. 1996. YouTube. 2 Jan. 2008 .

Parker, Oliver, dir. Othello. 1995. YouTube. 2 Jan. 2008 .

“Portrait of Shakespeare,” image. 29 Dec. 2007.

Rhode, Robert T. and Eleanor Yeager Stewart. Grammar Made Easy. Unpublished textbook, 2004.

Zeffirelli, Franco, dir. Hamlet.1990.YouTube. 2 Jan. 2008 .

Grammar Tips

elizabethvandewater — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:20:51 +0000

Below you will find several words that are often confused and misused in Standard American English. Each set of words has a definition and example sentences to help you understand the proper way to use each word. Please be aware that this list is not comprehensive, but should be seen as a quick reference guide. The information from this section comes from the grammar text Grammar Made Easy by Robert T. Rhode and Eleanor Yeager Stewart.

Accept or Except?

elizabethvandewater — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:14:30 +0000

Accept is a verb that means to receive. Except is most commonly a preposition, but it can also be a conjunction or a verb that means to exclude.

Sentence Examples

We accept responsibility for the mistake.

Everyone came to the show except those who had other commitments.

Children excepted from the formal dinner will be cared for by the nanny.

Affect or Effect?

elizabethvandewater — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:10:33 +0000

Affect is commonly a verb that means to influence. Affect can also be a noun that means the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion. Effect is commonly a noun that means the result of an action. Effect can also be a verb that means to produce.

Sentence Examples

The mother’s decision affects the entire family.

The effect of pollution is devastating.

Although she was heartbroken, she effected a smile as her boyfriend said good-bye.

Allusion or Illusion?

elizabethvandewater — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:09:02 +0000

An allusion is a noun that means a reference in the same way that to allude to means to refer to. An illusion is a noun that means deceptive appearance.

Example Sentences

Shakespeare’s plays contain several biblical allusions.

The way the light reflected on the gem gave the illusion that the stone was bigger than it truly was.

Any more or Anymore?

elizabethvandewater — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:06:56 +0000

Any more refers to amounts. Anymore refers to time.

Example Sentences

Do we have any more ice cream?

I do not watch that television show anymore.

Can not or Cannot?

elizabethvandewater — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:04:19 +0000

Cannot is the correct way to write this word. It is not written as two words.

Example Sentence

I cannot come to the party because I have another commitment.

Complement or Compliment?

elizabethvandewater — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:02:06 +0000

A complement completes; a compliment flatters. Both words can be a noun or a verb.

Example Sentences

His good manners complemented his friendly disposition.

The teacher complimented her students on their good work.

Conscience or Conscious?

elizabethvandewater — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:59:20 +0000

Conscience is a noun representing the inner voice of standards. Conscious is an adjective meaning aware or awake.

Sentence Examples

As I was walking through the mall, I found some money on the ground; instead of keeping it, I listened to my conscience and turned it in to a nearby security officer.

I turn off my cell phone in the library because I am conscious of the disruption it causes when it rings.

Corps or Corpse?

elizabethvandewater — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:56:05 +0000

The definitions and the pronunciations of these words are often confused. Corps (pronounced like core) refers to a group of individuals acting as a unit. Corpse (both the p and s are pronounced) is a lifeless body.

Sentence Examples

The ballet corps performed a piece from Swan Lake for the showcase.

The corpse was found at the scene of the crime.