Tricky Words – Making the Distinction

• denotes ability or power to do something

• suggests doubt; also expresses permission to do something

• contains all the parts

• contain some of the parts

• in means to exist in, to have as the essential feature
• consist of means to be made up of

• frequently repeated (a dripping tap)
• uninterrupted (Niagara Falls)

• one who depends on another
• depending on

• is used with a noun or pronoun
• introduces a clause

• to influence (nearly always used as a verb)
• Refers to emotional reactions associated with an experience (usually qualified by an adjective)  e.g. The patient had a flat affect.
• result (nearly always used as a noun), to bring about, used in context of power, influence, creation and administration (e.g. drug side effect)

• having an effect; coming into operation
• answering its purpose

• to make sure
• to provide insurance
• to remove worry or uncertainty

• use with plurals: fewer courses
• use with singulars: less elective

• important or famous in history
• about or based on history

• abbreviation for it is (or it has)
• belonging to it (held its own)

• The nurse laid the instrument on the tray

• to go before
• to go along, continue

• for a particular purpose
• to a great degree, outstanding

that

• one that defines the noun it is attached to and cannot be omitted: The office building that is painted blue is mine.
• one that adds information that could be omitted without changing meaning. The office building, which was built in 2000, is blue.

• normally refers to things but may be used of people in a body: She spoke to the room full of patients, which grew silent.
• usually refers to people but sometimes to animals, especially those with names: Snip, who is 14, is a toy poodle.
• refers to people or things: It was the doctor that (or who) spoke.

• we are thankful that something has happened
• we are grateful for something we have received