The Brief Glossary of Correct Usage (L-M)

By: Musaadah


LATER (adj, adv), LATTER (pron, adj), LAST (adj)
Later is the comparative form of late; Latter refers to the second of two persons or things named; Last refers to the final person of thing.
Examples:
The movie began later than we expected.
Both Frank and Philip are likeable, but the latter is the more intelligent.
December is the last month of the year.

LAY, LIE (v)
Verb Lay, which means to put or place, can be active or passive and take an object. The verb Lie, which it means to repose, is never passive and never followed by an object.
Examples:
Lay (lay, laid, lying) He laid the book aside.
Lie (lay, lied, lying) He lay down on the bed.

LIE, LIE (v)
The verb Lie meaning to repose has differ to principal parts form the verb lie which means not to tell the truth.
Lie (lay, lain, lying) He lies in the bed until noon.
Lie (lied, lied lying) He lies, cheats, and steals.

LIKE (prep), SUCH AS (prep), AS IF (conj)
Like, which is followed by an object, means resembling; Such as means for example; as if means as though and introduces an adverb clause of manner.
Examples:
He looks like his father. (Resemblance = like +noun).
Fruits such as oranges and grapefruit grow in Texas. (Example = such as + noun).
He looks as if he is tired. (Manner = as if + clause).

LOOSE (adj), LOSE (v), LOSS (n), LOOSEN (v)
Examples:
I need a screwdriver to tighten the loose screws.
He is losing weight very quickly.
She was saddened by the loss of her wedding ring.
I am loosening the screws.

MAYBE (adv), MAY BE (v)
Maybe means possible or perhaps; may be is a verb form indicating that is possibility exists.
Examples:
Maybe you will find the wallet you lost.
She may be late.


Related Topics:
The Brief Glossary of Correct Usage (F-K)
The Brief Glossary of Correct Usage (C-D)
The Brief Glossary of Correct Usage (A-B)
The Kinds of Verbs (Part 2)