Shined/Shone - Both are the past tense of shine. Shined is usually used with a direct object, and shone is not. "He shined his shoes before his interview." "The sun shone all day." #grammar #grammardiva #language #wordusage
September 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Shined/Shone - Both are the past tense of shine. Shined is usually used with a direct object, and shone is not. "He shined his shoes before his interview." "The sun shone all day." #grammar #grammardiva #language #wordusage
Set/Sit - To set is to place something or put something and takes a direct object. You must put something. Sit has no direct object. "Set the book on the table." The book is sitting on the table." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language, #Englishclass
September 12, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Set/Sit - To set is to place something or put something and takes a direct object. You must put something. Sit has no direct object. "Set the book on the table." The book is sitting on the table." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language, #Englishclass
Regretful/Regrettable - Regretful is full of regret and applies to people. Regrettable applies to circumstances. "I am regretful I didn't have a better relationship with my brother." "It is regrettable that my brother and I were not close." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language
September 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Regretful/Regrettable - Regretful is full of regret and applies to people. Regrettable applies to circumstances. "I am regretful I didn't have a better relationship with my brother." "It is regrettable that my brother and I were not close." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language
Regimen/Regiment - A regimen is a prescribed course someone follows. A regiment is a group of ground forces in the military. "I follow a strict diet and exercise regimen." "The leader of the regiment was well-liked because he was knowledgeable and empathetic." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
September 2, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Regimen/Regiment - A regimen is a prescribed course someone follows. A regiment is a group of ground forces in the military. "I follow a strict diet and exercise regimen." "The leader of the regiment was well-liked because he was knowledgeable and empathetic." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
The reason is because/The reason is that - Use "the reason is that," not "the reason is because." The reason I am late is that there was an accident on the freeway, NOT The reason I am late is because there was an accident on the freeway. #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language
September 1, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The reason is because/The reason is that - Use "the reason is that," not "the reason is because." The reason I am late is that there was an accident on the freeway, NOT The reason I am late is because there was an accident on the freeway. #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language
Real/Really - Real is an adjective meaning true. It describes things. Really is an adverb meaning to a great extent. "My ring is a real diamond." "They are a really attractive couple." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language
August 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Real/Really - Real is an adjective meaning true. It describes things. Really is an adverb meaning to a great extent. "My ring is a real diamond." "They are a really attractive couple." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language
Prostate/Prostate - Aw, don't confuse these two! Prostate with just one r is a gland in the male body. Prostrate with two r's means lying flat. "He had his prostate examined." "Police found the man prostrate on the ground in a pool of blood. #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language
August 25, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Prostate/Prostate - Aw, don't confuse these two! Prostate with just one r is a gland in the male body. Prostrate with two r's means lying flat. "He had his prostate examined." "Police found the man prostrate on the ground in a pool of blood. #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #language
Pray/Prey - Pray is a verb and has a faith connotation. Prey can be a verb or a noun and is something hunted by someone or to hunt something. "I try to pray to God every morning." "Some people are easy prey for scammers." "Some scammers prey upon senior citizens." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
August 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Pray/Prey - Pray is a verb and has a faith connotation. Prey can be a verb or a noun and is something hunted by someone or to hunt something. "I try to pray to God every morning." "Some people are easy prey for scammers." "Some scammers prey upon senior citizens." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
Perspective/Prospective - Perspective is the way someone sees things; viewpoint. Prospective means in the future, likely. "From my perspective, it seems like a great idea." "I hope my prospective salary as a manager will be enough for me to live on." #grammar #grammardiva #words #wordusage
August 19, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Perspective/Prospective - Perspective is the way someone sees things; viewpoint. Prospective means in the future, likely. "From my perspective, it seems like a great idea." "I hope my prospective salary as a manager will be enough for me to live on." #grammar #grammardiva #words #wordusage
Pedal/Peddle - Bicycles and cars have pedals. Peddle is a verb that means to go from place to place selling things.
"Put your foot on the gas pedal to go." "He went from town to town peddling his art." #words #wordusage #grammar #grammardiva
"Put your foot on the gas pedal to go." "He went from town to town peddling his art." #words #wordusage #grammar #grammardiva
August 15, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Pedal/Peddle - Bicycles and cars have pedals. Peddle is a verb that means to go from place to place selling things.
"Put your foot on the gas pedal to go." "He went from town to town peddling his art." #words #wordusage #grammar #grammardiva
"Put your foot on the gas pedal to go." "He went from town to town peddling his art." #words #wordusage #grammar #grammardiva
Peak/Peek/Pique - Peak is the top. Peek is to take a little look. Pique is to irritate or excite. "We climbed to the peak of the mountain." "I took a peek at the wedding cake." "Seeing my sister as a bride piqued my attention." #grammardiva #grammar #words #wordusage
August 14, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Peak/Peek/Pique - Peak is the top. Peek is to take a little look. Pique is to irritate or excite. "We climbed to the peak of the mountain." "I took a peek at the wedding cake." "Seeing my sister as a bride piqued my attention." #grammardiva #grammar #words #wordusage
Passed/Past - Passed is the past tense of the verb "to pass." Past is a preposition that tells where. "I passed your house on my way downtown." "I live just past the high school." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
August 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Passed/Past - Passed is the past tense of the verb "to pass." Past is a preposition that tells where. "I passed your house on my way downtown." "I live just past the high school." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
Overdo/Overdue - Overdo is to do too much. Overdue is past due. "When I overdo it at the gym, I am very sore." "I am overdue for a vacation, so I took two weeks off from work." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
August 12, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Overdo/Overdue - Overdo is to do too much. Overdue is past due. "When I overdo it at the gym, I am very sore." "I am overdue for a vacation, so I took two weeks off from work." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
On/Onto - On is to be suspended from or supported by. Onto is to a place or position. "Put your book on the table." "Climb onto the horse." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
August 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
On/Onto - On is to be suspended from or supported by. Onto is to a place or position. "Put your book on the table." "Climb onto the horse." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
Moot/Mute - Often confused, pronounced differently. Moot rhymes with flute. Mute rhymes with cute. Moot means not worth discussing. Mute is silent or unable to speak. "This is a moot point." "She remained mute during the trial." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
August 6, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Moot/Mute - Often confused, pronounced differently. Moot rhymes with flute. Mute rhymes with cute. Moot means not worth discussing. Mute is silent or unable to speak. "This is a moot point." "She remained mute during the trial." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
Meat/Meet/Mete - Three spellings, three meanings, one pronunciation. Meat is what some of us eat. Meet is to come together. Mete is to distribute. "The sauce has meat in it." "I will meet you at the theater." "She meted out the cake in equal parts." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
August 5, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Meat/Meet/Mete - Three spellings, three meanings, one pronunciation. Meat is what some of us eat. Meet is to come together. Mete is to distribute. "The sauce has meat in it." "I will meet you at the theater." "She meted out the cake in equal parts." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
May be/Maybe - May be is a verb and an auxiliary verb (may), like might be. "My sister may be coming to visit." Maybe is an adverb meaning possibly. "Maybe you can have ice cream if you finish your dinner." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words
August 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
May be/Maybe - May be is a verb and an auxiliary verb (may), like might be. "My sister may be coming to visit." Maybe is an adverb meaning possibly. "Maybe you can have ice cream if you finish your dinner." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words
Many/Much - These two words are similar to "fewer" and "less." Many is used with plurals and things that can be counted. Much is used for singulars and things that cannot be counted. "I have too many pencils." (not "much") "There is too much salt in this pasta." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
July 31, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Many/Much - These two words are similar to "fewer" and "less." Many is used with plurals and things that can be counted. Much is used for singulars and things that cannot be counted. "I have too many pencils." (not "much") "There is too much salt in this pasta." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage
Mantel/Mantle - A mantel is the frame around a fireplace. A mantle is a loose cloak or cape; something that covers or envelopes. "We hung the stockings on the mantel." "Her mantle covered her entire body and face." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words
July 30, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Mantel/Mantle - A mantel is the frame around a fireplace. A mantle is a loose cloak or cape; something that covers or envelopes. "We hung the stockings on the mantel." "Her mantle covered her entire body and face." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words
Loose/Lose - I see this one misspelled all the time. Lose is a verb meaning to misplace. Loose is an adjective, the opposite of tight. "Don't lose your purse again." I lost weight, and my pants are too loose." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #usage #word
July 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Loose/Lose - I see this one misspelled all the time. Lose is a verb meaning to misplace. Loose is an adjective, the opposite of tight. "Don't lose your purse again." I lost weight, and my pants are too loose." #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #usage #word
Lightening/Lightning - Lightening means making lighter in color or weight. Lightning comes before the thunder in a storm. "He has been lightening his hair for years." "I am afraid of getting struck by lightning!" #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words #usage
July 25, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Lightening/Lightning - Lightening means making lighter in color or weight. Lightning comes before the thunder in a storm. "He has been lightening his hair for years." "I am afraid of getting struck by lightning!" #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words #usage
Lessen/Lesson - To lessen is to make less. A lesson is what you have at school, what you are taught. "This medication should lessen your pain." I have a piano lesson this afternoon." #word #usage #wordusage #writing #grammar #grammardiva
July 22, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Lessen/Lesson - To lessen is to make less. A lesson is what you have at school, what you are taught. "This medication should lessen your pain." I have a piano lesson this afternoon." #word #usage #wordusage #writing #grammar #grammardiva
Leave/Let - To leave is to go away from someone or something. "Leave me alone." (not "let me alone") Let is to allow. "Don't let the dog into the living room." #wordusage #word #usage, #grammar #grammardiva
July 18, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Leave/Let - To leave is to go away from someone or something. "Leave me alone." (not "let me alone") Let is to allow. "Don't let the dog into the living room." #wordusage #word #usage, #grammar #grammardiva
Lead/Led - Lead (verb) is the present tense of the verb. Led is the past tense. "That school band leads the parade each year." "They led the parade last year." The lead (noun) that is pronounced as "led" is the material in your pencil. #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words #usage
July 17, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Lead/Led - Lead (verb) is the present tense of the verb. Led is the past tense. "That school band leads the parade each year." "They led the parade last year." The lead (noun) that is pronounced as "led" is the material in your pencil. #grammar #grammardiva #wordusage #words #usage
I think we need one more for lay/lie: Lay has an object. Lie does not. I lie on the sofa. Yesterday I lay on the sofa. All week I have lain on the sofa. I lay my purse on the table. Yesterday I laid my purse on the table. I have always laid my purse on that table. #grammardiva #grammar #wordusage
July 16, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I think we need one more for lay/lie: Lay has an object. Lie does not. I lie on the sofa. Yesterday I lay on the sofa. All week I have lain on the sofa. I lay my purse on the table. Yesterday I laid my purse on the table. I have always laid my purse on that table. #grammardiva #grammar #wordusage