Common Errors in English Usage

Which word: effect or affect?

How's it spelt in this particular case?
When do I use "swum"? What of "begun"?

I enjoy words used well, intentional construction of a sentence, well crafted and highly polished. I also enjoy colloquial language and picturesque speech. One thing we must agree on though is that the rules must be known so they can be bent or broken appropriately.

Paul Brians helps us do that in his book, or calendar, on Common Errors in English Usage. Go to the List of Errors here to sort out your own conundrums. Paul's homepage is also a gold mine of resources and reference material.

For example:
You can allude (refer) to your daughter’s membership in the honor society when boasting about her, but a criminal tries to elude (escape) captivity. There is no such word as “illude.”

Comments