Understanding Confusing Expressions
Is
That One Word or Two?
Updated December 15, 2017from thoughtco.com
A common writing error occurs when students use the
wrong version of a compound word or phrase. It's important to know the
difference between everyday and every day because these
expressions have very different meanings.
Improve your writing by learning the
differences between expressions that are very similar but that fill very
different roles when it comes to sentence structure.
A
lot or Alot?
“A lot” is a two-word phrase meaning
very much.
This is an informal expression, so
you shouldn’t use it “a lot” in your writing.
“Alot” is not a word, so you should
never use it!
It’s a good idea to avoid this
expression altogether in formal writing.
All
Together or Altogether?
Altogether is an adverb meaning completely, entirely, wholly, or
"considering everything." It often modifies an adjective.
"All together" means as a
group.
The meal was altogether
pleasing, but I would not have served those dishes all together.
Everyday
or Every Day?
The two-word expression “every day”
is used as an adverb (modifies a verb like wear), to express how often
something is done:
I wear a dress every day.
The word “everyday” is an adjective
that means common or ordinary. It modifies a noun.
I was horrified when I realized I'd
worn an everyday dress to the formal dance.
They served an everyday meal —
nothing special.
Never
Mind or Nevermind?
The word “nevermind” is often used
in error for the two-word term “never mind.”
The phrase “never mind” is a
two-word imperative meaning “please disregard” or “pay no attention to that.”
This is the version you'll use most often in your life.
Never mind that man behind the curtain.
All
Right or Alright?
“Alright” is a word that appears in
dictionaries, but it is a nonstandard version of “all right” and should
not be used in formal writing.
To be safe, just use the two-word
version.
Is everything all right in
there?
Backup
or Back Up?
There are many compound words that confuse us because they sound
similar to a verb phrase. In general, the verb form usually consists of two
words and the similar compound word version is a noun or adjective.
Verb: Please back up your work when using a word
processor.
Adjective: Make a backup copy of your work.
Noun: Did you remember to make a backup?
Adjective: Make a backup copy of your work.
Noun: Did you remember to make a backup?
Makeup
or Make Up?
Verb: Make up your bed before you leave the house.
Adjective: Study for your makeup exam before you leave the house.
Noun: Apply your makeup before you leave the house.
Adjective: Study for your makeup exam before you leave the house.
Noun: Apply your makeup before you leave the house.
Workout
or Work Out?
Verb: I need to work out more often.
Adjective: I need to wear workout clothing when I go to the gym.
Noun: That jog gave me a good workout.
Adjective: I need to wear workout clothing when I go to the gym.
Noun: That jog gave me a good workout.
Pickup
or pick up?
Verb: Please pick up your clothes.
Adjective: Don’t use a pickup line on me!
Noun: I’m driving my pickup to the mall.
Adjective: Don’t use a pickup line on me!
Noun: I’m driving my pickup to the mall.
Setup
or Set Up?
Verb: You'll have to set up the chairs for the puppet
show.
Adjective: Unfortunately, there is no setup manual for a puppet show.
Noun: The setup will take you all day.
Adjective: Unfortunately, there is no setup manual for a puppet show.
Noun: The setup will take you all day.
Wake-up
or Wake Up?
Verb: I could not wake up this morning.
Adjective: I should have asked for a wake-up call.
Adjective: I should have asked for a wake-up call.
Noun: The accident was a good wake-up.
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