| 1 | | Yes | accept: to receive; to agree Example: I accept your suggestions.
except: apart from; but; excluding Example: We approve all your suggestions except the last one. | CC&M |
| 2 | | Yes | Amendments, ordinances, resolutions and rules are adopted or approved.
Bills are passed.
Laws are enacted. | CC&M |
| 3 | | Yes | advice (noun) recommendation; guidance Example: EIA seeks advice from the American Statistical Association.
advise (verb) to recommend; to suggest
Example: We must advise you that email and facsimile are insecure means of transmission. | CC&M |
| 4 | | Yes | affect: to influence Example: Policy decisions affect energy markets.
effect: a result; to bring about; being in full force Example: What effect will the election have on the Supreme Court? | CC&M |
| 5 | | Yes | alternate (verb) to change back and forth. Can be used as a verb with or without an object. Example: When I cross-train, I alternate between running and cycling.
alternative (noun) a choice between two things or possibilities. Example: An alternative to driving your car is taking public transportation. When the weather is too cold, the alternative is to stay inside. | CC&M |
| 6 | | Yes | between: connecting or comparing the space between two objects Example: The driving distance between Baltimore and Philadelphia is surprisingly short.
among: in or into the midst of; connecting or comparing more than two objects Example: Feel free to speak freely. You're among friends. | CC&M |
| 7 | | Yes | biannual means twice a year and is a synonym for semiannual biennial means every two years Avoid using these terms if possible. No hyphens.
| CC&M |
| 8 | | Yes | compare to: to examine and contrast Example: When compared to the cost of living in New York City, Washington, DC is an affordable city.
compare with: to describe as similar to something; to liken to Example: Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poetry can be compared with Allen Ginsberg's.
| CC&M |
| 9 | | Yes | complement: to complete; something that completes Examples: Pipelines complement tankers at key locations by relieving bottlenecks. This Climate Wise Primer is a complement to EIA's Form 1605.
compliment: to praise; an expression of praise
Examples: My boss complimented me for my good work. We take it as a compliment that journalists quote our research. | CC&M |
| 10 | | Yes | compose: to create or put together. Example: The Charlotte City Council is composed of 11 council members and one mayor.
comprise: to contain, to include all or embrace. The construction “comprised of” is incorrect.
Example: The Charlotte City Council comprises 11 council members and one mayor. | CC&M |
| 11 | | Yes | continuously: uninterrupted or constant Example: The video plays continuously.
continually: recurring often Example: We continually review and update our policies. | CC&M |
| 12 | | Yes | ensure: to make certain Example: We monitor network traffic to ensure site security.
insure: to protect against financial loss Example: Indemnity clubs insure the tankers that transport petroleum imported into the United States.
assure: to state with confidence; to declare earnestly Example: The director assured the staff that the project budget was adequate. | CC&M |
| 13 | | Yes | every day (adverb): each day, daily Example: She makes it a point to exercise every day.
Everyday (adjective): happening or used every day Example: Everyday tasks like shopping and housework pose a challenge for some elderly citizens. | CC&M |
| 14 | | Yes | farther: at or to a greater distance Example: An average vehicle traveled farther in 1994 than in 1988.
further: moreover; to a greater extent Example: In the United Kingdom, deregulation is further along than it is in other countries. | CC&M |
| 15 | | Yes | fewer: of a smaller number Example: Express lines at grocery stores should be labeled "15 items or fewer."
less than/more than: a smaller amount or degree Example: The turnout for the game was less than expected.
under and over both refer to spatial designation Example: The mechanic slid under the car.
Avoid using "under" and "over" when referrring to amounts. Instead, use "less than" or "more than." | CC&M |
| 16 | | Yes | Flier: preferred term for a handbill or an aviator. Examples: Corporate Communications printed 10,000 fliers that were handed out during the game. John Travolta is not only a famous actor; he is also a skilled flier.
Flyer: proper name for some trains and buses. Example: I took the Siberian Express to Moscow, then hopped on the Eastern Flyer to Beijing. | CC&M |
| 17 | | Yes | impact (noun) can be used in place of effect, but use sparingly and only to describe an effect that is dramatic. Otherwise, use effect.
Examples: State budget cuts will have a dramatic impact on the future of certain programs. The impact will be felt for years to come. What effect will tax rates have on property values?
impact (verb) avoid if possible and use affect instead
Example: Budget cuts will greatly affect our ability to serve our citizens.
TIP: If you can put an article such as "an" or "the" in front of "impact," you are using it in the most proper way—as a noun. Example: He wondered what the impact of the changes would be. | CC&M |
| 18 | | Yes | Irregardless is a double negative and the word does not exist. Use regardless instead. Example: The governor vetoed the bill regardless of public outcry.
| CC&M |
| 19 | | Yes | it’s: A contraction that means it is. Example: It's a shame the movie turned out to be so bad.
its is: a possessive construction. Example: The movie's plot was written well, but its characters weren't developed enough. | CC&M |
| 20 | | Yes | lay: An action word that takes a direct object. Examples: He lay the coat on the bed.
lie: Indicates a state of reclining along a horizontal plan and does not take a direct object. Example: He is ill and needs to lie down. | CC&M |
| 21 | | Yes | layoff (noun) Example: Bank of America announced massive layoffs last week.
lay off (verb)
Example: The CEO of Duke Energy said the company does not expect to lay off any employees this year. | CC&M |
| 22 | | Yes | less than: of a lesser quantity Example: You can't go out for dinner and a movie for less than $50 these days.
under: below; at a lower level than Examples: It's water under the bridge. As a manager, she is responsible for the actions of those under her. | CC&M |
| 23 | | Yes | login/logoff/logout (noun) Example: Your login is usually your email address
log in/log off/log out (verb) Example: You should log out of the system when you're finished in order to protect your personal information. | CC&M |
| 24 | | Yes | more than: of a greater quantity Example: The cost of owning car is often more than the cost of public transportation.
over: above or in excess of Example: The bridge on I-85 crosses over the Catawba River. | CC&M |
| 25 | | Yes | online: involving the internet Example: I can't get online because my modem is broken.
on-line: operational, ready for use Example: The nuclear power reactor came on-line last year. | CC&M |
| 26 | | Yes | Hyphenate only when using it as a compound modifier. Example: She works part time, but her sister is still looking for a part-time job. | CC&M |
| 27 | | Yes | precede: to go before Example: The 1992 and 1994 editions precede the current one.
proceed: to continue Example: Once you make your selections, you may proceed to the checkout counter. | CC&M |
| 28 | | Yes | soon; in a little while Example: He's parking his care and will be here presently.
TIP: Do not use "presently" to imply "currently," "now," or "at present."
| CC&M |
| 29 | | Yes | principal: foremost; head of a school; a sum of money Examples: The principal use for this wax is in candles. Mr. Jones was named principal of Maywood Elementary School. You paid back the principal of your loan, but you still have interest.
principle: a rule; standard of good behavior Example: The decision was based on principle, not profit. | CC&M |
| 30 | | Yes | real time (noun) Example: As precincts reported in, the newspaper provided election results in real time on its website.
real-time (adjective) Example: I watched real-time scores of the football game on my smart phone. | CC&M |
