Do you have a favorite grammar song? Weird question, right?
Well, I have one. If you’ve never heard Weird Al’s song Word Crimes, check it out here. He’s always good for a laugh.
In this installment of the “using the right word” series, we’ll take a look at words starting with M and N. Let’s get started.
Material, materiel
Material means substance or content. Materiel means equipment, supplies and apparatus used by an organization or institution.
The materials Nancy needed to buy for her geography class added up quickly.
Bob’s war history course listed the materiel used by the Americans during the Civil War.
May be, maybe
May be is a verb phrase that means a possibility. Maybe is an adverb meaning perhaps.
Nancy may be leaving early today.
Maybe Bob will get the promotion he’s been working for.
May of, might of
May of and might of are nonstandard uses. The correct usage is may have and might have.
Nancy may have (not may of) gone out with Bob if he had asked her at the right time.
Memento
Memento means something that serves to warn or remind. The often used momento is not a word.
Bob kept Nancy’s letter as a memento.
More important, more importantly
More importantly is often used when more important is actually correct. You can remember this by thinking of it as the full phrase “what is more important.” (This is the most correct way to use more important by the way.) To say “what is more importantly” is obviously incorrect. Easy, right?
Myself
Myself is a pronoun used two ways:
Reflexive pronoun (essential to the meaning of the sentence): I blame myself.
Intensive pronoun (not essential to the meaning of the sentence): I will bring it to you myself.
Either way you use it, don’t use myself in place of I or me.
Bob gave the tickets to Nancy and me (not myself).
Nauseous, nauseated
Nauseous is a verb that means to cause nausea. Nauseated is an adjective that means to feel nausea. Usually, nauseated will be linked to a verb such as feel or become.
The smell of diapers always nauseated Nancy.
The rotten fish was so nauseous Bob had to leave the room.
I know I use this one wrong when speaking. Do you?
Not only…but also
This construction catches a lot of people off guard. The problem is with placement. Here’s an example:
Nancy was not only angry at Bob but also at Janice.
Because not only is placed before “angry,” it reads as if Nancy is something else in addition to being angry. It should read as if Nancy is angry with someone in addition to Bob. This is the correct positioning:
Nancy was angry not only at Bob but also at Janice.
See the difference? Strive for clarity, and you should usually get this one right.
Notorious, notable
Notorious means widely and unfavorably known. Notable means worthy of note. The best way to remember the difference between the two is to be known as notorious is generally a bad thing. To be notable is generally good.
Nancy was notorious for stringing Bob along.
Bob’s behavior toward Nancy was notable for its kindness.
Number, amount
Amount is used with quantities that cannot be counted. Number is used with quantities that can be counted.
The amount of cinnamon in the cookies was too much.
The number of rabbits in my yard is growing by the day.
Did I miss any M or N words that have tricked you? Let me know in the comments. Next time we’ll take a look at words starting with O, P and Q. See ya then!