Conventions of Composition Rule 220 Practice

1. Wrong: My teacher found alot of mistakes in my paragraph, but she read farther then I thought she would.

Better: My teacher found a lot of mistakes in my paragraph, but she read further than I thought she would.

Explanation: Alot isn't a word. Farther measures distance while further speaks of elaboration. Than creates a comparison while then speaks to a time later.

2. Wrong: Hopefully, he didn't just infer something mean to me.

Better: I hope he didn't just imply something mean to me.

Explanation: Hopefully is an adverb explaining in what manner somebody does something. Infer is to guess at a meaning while imply is to hint one.

3. Wrong: We have less hours to get threw this activity, but if you loose track of time, than we can explain how we use to do things.

Better: We have fewer hours to get through this activity, but if you lose track of time, then we can explain how we used to do things.

Explanation: Use fewer for items that can be counted. Threw would involve a projectile. Loosemeans not tight. Then shows time. The correct form of the expression is used to do.

4. Wrong: I just need to jump in the shower then lay down for ten minutes before I'll be ready to go.

Better: I need to jump into the shower then lie down for ten minutes before I'll be ready to go.

Explanation: In shows a location while into shows the direction of movement. Lay needs an object while lie is intransitive.

5. Wrong: I should of told Caleb and Sophie about the mistake I made rather then try and cover it up.

Better: I should have told Caleb and Sophie about the mistake I made rather than try to cover it up.

Explanation: Should (as well as could and would) go with have. The comparison should be than. People try to do things.