{Revised 2.24.07}

CONTENTS

10 Most Common AIP Errors

Complete Listing of AIP Errors

 

10 Most Common AIP Errors

 

1. got, get: avoid--use synonyms: received, bought, became, etc.

avoid: I got home and got into the shower.

preferable: I arrived home and jumped into the shower.

 

2. you: avoid 2nd-person "you" and "your" constructs; instead, use 1st-person "I" (see "9" point-of-view error)

avoid: You see the sun rising over the mountain.

preferable: I see the sun rising over the mountain.

 

3. it: avoid beginning sentences with "it" when the referent is to follow (the "empty it")

avoid: It is a nice tree.

preferable: The tree is nice.

 

4. thing: (also something) don't use in place of a more substantial word

avoid: The thing is that I'm bored.

preferable: The reason is that I'm bored.

 

5. rhetorical question (RQ): avoid when a statement is more effective

avoid: Should we allow the terrorists to go free?

Preferable: We should not allow the terrorists to go free.

 

6. so: don't use in place of "thus," "therefore," or "very")

avoid: I was tired, so I went to bed.

preferable: I was tired; thus, I went to bed.

avoid: The campus was so nice.

preferable: The campus was very nice.

 

7. there: avoid beginning sentences with "there" when the referent is to follow (the "empty there"); also, don't confuse "there" with "they're" or "their"

avoid: There were four students in the room.

preferable: Four students were in the room.

avoid: Their nice people.

preferable: They're nice people.

 

8. that: use with restrictive clauses; do not set off with commas

avoid: The house, that is on the corner, is haunted.

preferable: The house that is on the corner is haunted.

 

9. which: use with non-restrictive clauses; set off with commas

avoid: The house which is haunted is famous.

preferable: The house, which is haunted, is famous.

 

10. fellow classmate: (also classmate of mine) redundant

avoid: I interviewed my fellow classmate.

preferable: I interviewed my classmate.

 


 

AIP or "6" Errors; Style Errors

Complete Listing

 


The following is a list of "AIP" (Avoid If Possible) style errors.  They are marked "6" in your drafts.  Remember, these forms should be avoided if possible; however, when they are logically necessary, use them.

 

across: include "from" (across from) when necessary

avoid: My home is across John's.

preferable: My home is across from John's.

 

alot: two words--"a lot"

avoid: I make alot of errors.

preferable: I make a lot of errors.

 

alright: Two words--"all right"

avoid: It's alright to leave your shoes on.

preferable: It's all right to leave your shoes on.

 

and then: Use "and" or "then", but not both

avoid: I ate, and then I slept.

preferable: I ate, and I slept.

 

another one: Wordy--"another" is usually sufficient

avoid: I wanted another one soon after the first.

preferable: I wanted another soon after the first.

 

as: Avoid when "because" or "since" is appropriate; also, avoid overuse as a device to dramatize a narrative

avoid: I'm tired as I studied all night.

preferable: I'm tired because I studied all night.

 

ashamed: not the same as "embarrassed"

avoid: He was ashamed that he forgot her name.

preferable: He was embarrassed that he forgot her name.

 

aunty: see mom

 

began to: (also started to, tried to) avoid when the simple past tense will do

avoid: I began to walk down the aisle.

preferable: I walked down the aisle.

 

bring: Not the same as "take"

avoid: Bring this with you to the party.

preferable: Take this with you to the party.

 

came back: "Returned" is more economical

avoid: I came back from Los Angeles.

preferable: I returned from Los Angeles.

 

car drove: A car can't drive

avoid: The car drove in the wrong lane.

preferable: The officer drove in the wrong lane.

 

classmate of mine: see friend of mine and fellow classmate

 

dad: see mom

 

dates: When dates are written out, use the day-month-year format, e.g., 27 September 2002. Note that there are no commas in this construct.

 

dates in research papers: Abbreviate months in research papers, e.g., 27 Sep. 2002. All months should be abbreviated to three characters, except for May, June, and July, which should be written out

 

days in dates: If the "th" as in "27th" is used, then the day must precede the month, e.g., 27th of September.

avoid: September 27th, 2002

preferable: 27th of September 2002.

 

dilemma: means to be torn between two equally strong choices; not the equivalent of "problem"

avoid: The dilemma was that she wasn't hungry.

preferable: She faced a dilemma: eat and feel good right now, or starve and feel good later.

 

due to the fact that: (also the fact that) wordy--"because" is preferable

avoid: I'm tired due to the fact that I stayed up all night.

preferable: I'm tired because I stayed up all night.

 

each individual (also each and every one or each one): Redundant--"each" is usually sufficient

avoid: She stared at each individual person.

preferable: She stared at each person.

 

ever so: Don't use in place of "very"

avoid: He was ever so slow.

preferable: He was very slow.

 

fellow classmate: (also classmate of mine) redundant

avoid: I interviewed my fellow classmate.

preferable: I interviewed my classmate.

 

first of all: wordy--"first" will do

avoid: First of all, I'm happy. Second of all, I'm proud.

preferable: First, I'm happy. Second, I'm proud.

 

firstly: see secondly

 

for: Avoid when "because" or "since" is appropriate

avoid: I'm tired for I worked all day.

preferable: I'm tired because I worked all day.

 

for me (also I feel, to me, in my opinion, I think): In an essay, the writer's views are assumed; don't qualify unnecessarily

avoid: For me, the governor was right.

preferable: The governor was right.

 

found out: Wordy--"found" or "learned" is usually sufficient

avoid: I found out that the exam had been canceled.

preferable: I found that the exam had been canceled.

 

friend of mine: Avoid when "friend" will suffice

avoid: I had lunch with a friend of mine.

preferable: I had lunch with a friend.

 

got, get: Avoid--use synonyms: received, bought, became, etc.

avoid: I got home and got into the shower.

preferable: I arrived home and jumped into the shower.

 

grandma (also grandpa): Use "grandmother" instead

avoid: My grandma visited me at home.

preferable: My grandmother visited me at home.

 

ground: not the same as "floor"

avoid: The room was so clean that I could eat off the

 

        ground.

preferable: The room was so clean that I could eat off the

 

        floor.

 

hard: Use "difficult" when appropriate

avoid: The problem was hard.

preferable: The problem was difficult.

 

have to have: Use "need" or "must have" instead

avoid: I have to have coffee in the morning.

preferable: I need coffee in the morning.

 

he/she (or he or she): After the first occurrence of the pronoun, use one or the other, but not both

avoid: I talked with him/her because he/she was sad.

preferable: I talked with him/her because he was sad.

 

humans: Use "human beings" instead

avoid: Humans are the most intelligent creatures.

preferable: Human beings are the most intelligent creatures.

 

it: Avoid beginning sentences with "it" when the referent is to follow (the "empty it")

avoid: It is a nice tree.

preferable: The tree is nice.

 

it is said: see they say

 

last but not least: trite--"finally" is usually sufficient

avoid: And last but not least, I'd like to thank my mother.

preferable: Finally, I'd like to thank my mother.

 

like: Avoid when "for example," "such as," or "as though" is appropriate

avoid: I love sports like basketball and football.

preferable: I love sports such as basketball and football.

 

little, few: These are not interchangeable

avoid: She had only a little coins.

preferable: She had only a few coins.

 

mad: Don't confuse "mad" with "angry"; remember that mad means insane

avoid: I was so mad that I could scream.

preferable: I was so angry that I could scream.

 

mom: (also ma, mama, dad, daddy, pop, pa, sis, bro, aunty, grandma, granny, grandpa, etc.) use "mother" instead

avoid: Mom drove the car.

preferable: My mother drove the car.

 

more happy: "Happier" is preferable

avoid: She was more happy when she won the money.

preferable: She was happier when she won the money.

 

my: avoid the overuse of "my" when a neutral word (such as "the") will suffice

avoid: I started my car and pulled out of my garage.

preferable: I started the car and pulled out of the garage.

 

myself: don't use in place of "me"

avoid: If that is for myself, thank you.

preferable: If that is for me, thank you.

 

now: a possible time frame (TF) problem

avoid: I arrived on time. Now I felt relieved.

preferable: I arrived on time. I felt relieved.

 

often times: don't use these in tandem; instead, use either "often" or "at times"

avoid: I am often times late for class.

preferable: I am often late for class.

 

on the one hand: see on the other hand

 

on the other hand: be sure it is preceded by "on the one hand"

avoid: I'm happy. On the other hand, I'm sad.

preferable: On the one hand, I'm happy. On the other, I'm sad.

 

one: use "a" when appropriate

avoid: I would prefer one doughnut.

preferable: I would prefer a doughnut.

 

one time: use "once" instead, when possible

avoid: I went to Disneyland one time.

preferable: I went to Disneyland once.

 

onomatopoeia: avoid the transcription of sounds such as "ring" for the telephone or "plop" for a drip

avoid: The police officer pounded on the door, "Bang! Bang!"

preferable: The police officer pounded on the door.

 

opnion: see for me

 

secondly: wordy; omit the "ly"

avoid: Secondly, the team practiced very hard.

preferable: Second, the team practiced very hard.

 

started to: see began to

 

suppose to: Use "supposed to" instead

avoid: I was suppose to meet her at noon.

preferable: I was supposed to meet her at noon.

 

tried to: see began to

 

over and over (also closer and closer, more and more, faster and faster, darker and darker, around and around, on and on): Once is enough.

avoid: I told her over and over that he is innocent.

preferable: I said repeatedly that he is innocent.

avoid: The night grew darker and darker.

preferable: The night grew increasingly darker.

 

plus: use "furthermore" if possible

avoid: I was tired; plus, I was hungry.

preferable: I was tired; furthermore, I was hungry.

 

pop, pa: see mom

 

pondered over (also pondered on): Omit "over" or "on"; "pondered" is sufficient

avoid: I pondered over her failure.

preferable: I pondered her failure.

 

prejudism: No such word; use prejudice instead

avoid: The case was clearly one of prejudism.

preferable: The case was clearly one of prejudice.

 

real: Don't use when you mean "really"

avoid: The exam was real hard.

preferable: The exam was really hard.

 

reason why is because: Redundant.  To avoid this problem, don't begin a sentence with "The reason . . ."

avoid: The reason why I won is because I persisted.

preferable: I won because I persisted.

 

rhetorical question (RQ): avoid when a statement is more effective

avoid: Should we allow the terrorists to go free?

Preferable: We should not allow the terrorists to go free.

 

right hand side: Omit "hand" and/or "side" when "right" is sufficient

avoid: The house is on the right hand side.

preferable: The house is on the right.

 

scared: Not the same as "afraid"

avoid: I was scared to enter the room.

preferable: I was afraid to enter the room.

 

schiz: Avoid separating your self from a part of you

avoid: My mind began to think of all the possibilities.

preferable: I began to think of all the possibilities.

 

secondly (also thirdly): Instead, use "second", "third", etc.

avoid: Firstly, we should plan our next move.

preferable: First, we should plan our next move.

 

should of: Often a mistake for "should have" or "should've"

avoid: We should of won the game.

preferable: We should have won the game.

 

sis: (see mom)

 

slowed down (also sit down): Delete "down" if possible

avoid: The train slowed down before the crossing.

preferable: The train slowed before the crossing.

 

so: Don't use in place of "thus" or "therefore",

avoid: I was tired, so I went to bed.

preferable: I was tired; thus, I went to bed.

avoid: The campus was so nice.

preferable: The campus was very nice.

 

some more: Omit "some" when not necessary

avoid: Buy some more.

preferable: Buy more.

 

something: see thing

 

started to (also began to, tried to): Avoid when the simple past tense will do

avoid: I started to dress.

preferable: I dressed.

 

still yet but: Avoid in combinations of two or more—redundant

avoid: I studied, still yet I failed.

preferable: I studied, yet I failed.

 

suddenly (also all of a sudden): Avoid overuse as a device to dramatize a narrative

avoid: Suddenly, she turned to me and smiled.

preferable: She turned to me and smiled.

 

suppose to: Use "supposed to" instead

avoid: He was suppose to arrive early.

preferable: He was supposed to arrive early.

 

t-shirt: It's T-shirt, with an upper-case T

avoid: He wore a t-shirt to work.

preferable: He wore a T-shirt to work.

 

talked to (also spoke to): Use "talked with" when referring to a conversation

avoid: John talked to Mary.

preferable: John talked with Mary.

 

that: Use with restrictive clauses; do not set off with commas

avoid: The house, that is on the corner, is haunted.

preferable: The house that is on the corner is haunted.

 

then: Avoid overusing as a transition in narratives

avoid: Then we knocked. Then we entered.

preferable: We knocked and entered.

 

there: avoid beginning sentences with "there" when the referent is to follow (the "Empty There"); also, don't confuse with "they're" or "their"

avoid: There were four students in the room.

preferable: Four students were in the room.

avoid: Their nice people.

preferable: They're nice people.

 

they say: (also it is said) avoid vague references

avoid: They say that Bill is a liar.

preferable: John and Mary say that Bill is a liar.

 

thing: (also something) don't use in place of a more substantial word

avoid: The thing is that I'm bored.

preferable: The reason is that I'm bored.

 

thirdly: see secondly

 

till: Use "until" instead, or "'til" in a quote

avoid: Wait till midnight.

preferable: Wait until midnight.

 

 

told her/told him/told me: use "said" or "asked" instead

avoid: I told her to wait.

preferable: I asked her to wait.

 

 

tone of voice: Often, "voice" is enough

avoid: Her tone of voice was mellow.

preferable: Her voice was mellow.

 

towards: "Toward"–-without the "s" is preferable

avoid: He walked towards the barn.

preferable: He walked toward the barn.

tried to (also started to, began to): Avoid when the simple past tense will do

avoid: I tried to walk down the aisle.

preferable: I walked down the aisle.

 

two times: Use "twice" if possible

avoid: I called her two times.

preferable: I called her twice.

 

very unique: "very" in this case is meaningless since "unique" means one of a kind

avoid: She had a very unique voice.

preferable: She had a unique voice.

 

very very: Once is enough

avoid: He had a very very nice car.

preferable: He had a very nice car.

 

which: Use with non-restrictive clauses; set off with commas

avoid: The house which is haunted is famous.

preferable: The house, which is haunted, is famous.

 

worse/worst: Distinguish between the two

avoid: He is the worse general in the army.

preferable: He is the worst general in the army.

avoid: His voice is worst than mine.

preferable: His voice is worse than mine.

 

would: if possible, avoid the would-trap -- structures that require the awkward, frequent repetition of "would"

avoid: I would sit, and I would watch.

preferable: I sat, and I watched.

 

years of age: Often "of age" can be omitted; "old" in "years old" can also be omitted

avoid: John is eighteen years of age.

preferable: John is eighteen.

 

you: avoid 2nd-person "you" and "your" constructs; instead, use 1st-person "I"; see "9" point-of-view error

avoid: You see the sun rising over the mountain.

preferable: I see the sun rising over the mountain.