Online Reporter
This kind of discussion includes common errors. Let us try and understand A, and An. Experts tell us that these two are called the indefinite articles. The decision whether to use “a” or “an” depends upon the first sound of the word that follows the indefinite article, not upon the first letter of the word.
The general rule given is use: “a” before a word that begins with a consonant sound. For example, a goat, a young ox, a free country. Use “an” before a word that begins with a vowel sound. For example, an animal, an old ox, an oppressed country.
Some words that begin with the letter “h” do not have the sound of that letter pronounced, and the first sound is a vowel although the first letter is not. Wrong words; a honest man, a heir, a hour and a honour. But correct words: an honest man, an heir, an hour, an honour.
Other words beginning with “h” do not have the first syllable stressed. In speech, these words are usually preceded by “an”. For example: An historical moment. However, in informal writing, “a” should be used. For example, a hysterical woman.
A few words beginning with the letter “u” have the initial sound of “you”. This is a consonant sound, so such are preceded by “a”. Wrong, an union, an united people, a ugly child. Correct a union, a united people, a united people, an ugly child.
Always, ever. Always and ever are almost synonymous in the sense of “all the time”, but they are not interchangeable. “Forever” is synonymous with “always”, but must be carefully placed to avoid a clumsy sentence. Wrong: She swore she would ever be faithful. Correct: She swore she would be always faithful. She swore she would be faithful forever.
Angry, annoyed. Angry expresses a much greater degree of emotion than annoyed does. A person can be annoyed without being angry.
“Angry at, angry about and annoyed at” are used when emotion concerns things other than people. For example, He was angry at/about the lack of attention she received. She was annoyed at the lack of attention she received.
When the anger or annoyance concerns people, angry with annoyed by or annoyed with are appropriate. For example, she was angry with/ annoyed by/ annoyed with a naughty brother. Apology, excuse. When a person offers an apology that person admits being at fault.
When an excuse is made it may be true or untrue. The teacher accepted the girl’s apology for being late. The boy’s excuse for being late was that it was raining. Arrived at, reached at. When the verb “arrived” is qualified by an objective word, it must be immediately followed by “at”. The “at” in “reached at” is necessary.
Wrong: they arrived the village in the afternoon. Correct: They arrived at the village in the afternoon. Wrong: They reached at the village in the afternoon. Correct: They reached the village in the afternoon. As, as if, as though, like. Formal usage does not accept the replacement of the conjunctions as, as if, and as though by the preposition like, but such use is common in informal English.
Informal: He sulked like he was a baby. Formal: He sulked as a baby does. Formal: He sulked as if he was a baby. Similarly, as if should not be used in place of like. Wrong: She ran as if the wind. Correct: She ran like the wind. Ask from, ask of. Ask from is common in informal English, but formal language requires the use of “ask of” when a service or favour is requested.
Informal: All I ask from you is complete honesty. Formal: All I ask of you is complete honesty.
At, in. Today, there is little or no difference between the use of “at” and “in” when referring to place. The general has been that “in” is used when a large place is concerned, and “at” as if the place is small, for example, He is at the office. He is in Bulawayo.
Bad, Badly. Bad is usually used as an adjective and badly as an adverb. Adjective: He made a very big mistake. He liked soccer, but he played badly. In informal English, badly is often used as an adjective after a linking verb such as to feel. In formal writing bad should be used as the predicate adjective.
Informal: She felt badly about breaking his pen. Formal: She felt bad about breaking his pen.
