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Lesson 19 Word Choice

This document discusses common word choice errors involving the incorrect use of one word in place of another. It provides examples of errors involving the wrong choice between make or do, so, such, too, and as, and another or other. Key differences in usage patterns are outlined to help identify word choice errors.

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Laurie Guzman
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
201 views

Lesson 19 Word Choice

This document discusses common word choice errors involving the incorrect use of one word in place of another. It provides examples of errors involving the wrong choice between make or do, so, such, too, and as, and another or other. Key differences in usage patterns are outlined to help identify word choice errors.

Uploaded by

Laurie Guzman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LESSON 19: Word Choice

Jord choice errors


Word choice is speci cally tested only in Error ldenti cation items. Word choice
involve the incorrect use of one word in place of another. The two words may be (do
ns (other and another: for example) or they may be completely different
and make, for example).
escriptions of some of the most common word choice errors are given below

A) WRONG CHOICE OF MAKE OR DO

ne verb to do is often used in place of o make, and to make in place of to do. In its
Sense, o make means to produce, to create, to construct, whle to do means to

- , toact, toaccomplish.Theseverbsarealsoused in anumbxp43xp4


Per of set expressions:

Common Expressions with make

make advances (in) make a law


make a mistake
make an attempt
make a choice make an offer

make a comparison make a plan

make a contribution make a point

make a decision make a prediction


make a difference make a pro t
make a discovery make a promise

make a distinction make a suggestion

make a forecast make a sound/noise

make an investment
be made of (= be composed of)
make up (= compose)
To make is also used in this pattern: make + someone/something +
adjective. (The gift made her happy.)

CommonExpressionswith do

do an assignment do someone a favor


do one's best do harm to
do business (with) do research
do damage (to) do one's work
do an experiment do wrong
The auxiliary verb do is used rather than repeating main verbs: My
computer doesn't operate as fast as theirs does.

Any time you see the verb maKe or do underlined in an Error Identifcation item.
suspect a word choice error.

Section 2 Guide to Structure


194
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SAMPLE ITEMS

Structure
Sample
Cement Is done from yarying amounts oflimestone, clay, anaBYPsu

Tim

Conhrm

Answe

The verb done is incorrect in this sentence.The correct word choice is made.
de

Structure Sample

Small town newspapers often urge readers to make business with local merchants.

Time Help ontirm I

s 3n Answer

The phrase should read do business with.

B) WRONG CHOICE OF SO, SUCH, TO0, AND AS

The words so, such, and too are used in the following patterns:

so + adjective + that clause


These boxes are so heavy that we can't lift them.
So is also used with many... that and much.. . that:
There were so many people in the auditorium that we could barely get in the

front door.
such + adjective + noun + that clause
It was such a pretty view that he took a photograph of it.

too + adjective + in nitive


It's too cold to go swimming today. an
Notice that so and such are both tollowed by that clauses, but too is followed by

in nitive.
The words as and so are also Sometimesconfused:
*Jane did so well as I did on the economicsexam. (INCORRECI
*The coffee was as hot that I couldn't drink it.(INCORRECTI
+he word as should be used in place of s0; in the second. so
In the rst sentence, the word as should be used in place of so

should be used in place of as. Guide to Structure 195


Section 2
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Sample
Structure

The Sun ls so brlght tolook at dlrcctly.

| (on inm
Help

Answer

The correct pattern is too + adjective + in nitive.

Sample
Structure

In much of Alaska, the growtng season Is as short that crops can't be raised.

(oc tmn ueat

Answer

The correct pattern is so + adjective + that clause.

Structure Sample

The glant squld Is s0 an elustve creature that at one tlme it was belleved to be
purely mythlcal.

Answer

Before an adjective + noun+ that clause, the word such should be used.

C) WRONG CHOICE OF ANOTHER OR OTHER

ans "one more, an additional one." It can be used before singular nou or
alone.
He needs another piece of paper.
L have one class in that bulding, and another in the building across the
quadrangle.

Section 2 Guide to Structure


196
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Other is used before a plural noun. Other is also used before a singular noun when
preceded by a determiner such as the, some, any. one, no, and so on.

There are other matters I'd like to discuss with you.


One of the books was a novel; the other was a collection of essays.
There's no other place I'd rather visit.
Other is also used in the expression other than, meaning except Jor.
Other than Kim, no one signed up for the table tennis tournament.

SAMPLE ITEMS

Structure Sample

willa Catheris knowm for My Antonia and another novels of the Amerlcan frontier.

Con rn Net
Answer

Before a plural noun, other must be used.

Structure Sample

An understudy is an actor who can substitute for other actor in case of an


emergency.

elp (ntvn Net


Answer

Other is used incorrectly in place of another.

D) WRONG CHOICE OF MUCH OR MANY AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS

Certain expressions can be used in phrases with plural nouns; others can be used
only in phrases with uncountable nouns.

Section 2 Guide to Structure 197


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