Data, memoranda, phenomena, strata, criteria, analyses. Foreign words such as these are plural. Notice particularly the spelling of each. Data is never used in the singular.
Correct: These (Not this) data are (Not is) reliable.
Correct: Distribute these three memoranda to the department managers.
Correct: Are the analyses ready on these stocks?
Date. A colloquialism for appointment or social engagement.
Colloquial: I have a date tonight.
Better: I have an appointment tonight.
Colloquial: Can I date you for the theater Saturday night?
Better: Will you go to the theater with me next Saturday night?
Correctly used as a verb or as a noun to designate a specified time.
Correct: How shall I date these letters?
Correct: What is the date of our next meeting?
Deal. Avoid this word when it is used as a vulgar substitute for agreement, arrangement, transaction.
Differ from, differ with. Differ used in the sense of exhibiting a difference is followed by from; in the sense of having a difference of opinion, it is followed by with.
Correct: My sales campaign differs from (is unlike) yours in three ways.
Correct: I differ with you (disagree with you) as to the advisability of buying in quantities.
Different from. This is the correct form (Not different than). Different indicates that the distinction is one of a kind (from), never one of degree (than).
Disinterested, uninterested. Disinterested means impartial. Uninterested means not interested.
Correct: The personnel manager maintained a disinterested (impartial) position during the hearing of the employee who was alleged to have stolen the merchandise.
Correct: The manager reprimanded the worker for appearing uninterested (not interested) in the training program.
Don't, doesn't. Don't, a contraction of do not, must not be used with he or other words in the singular number, except I or you.
Incorrect: He don't (do not) respond to our letters.
Correct: He doesn't (does not) respond to our letters.
Use only the contraction doesn't in the third person singular. He, she, or it doesn't means he, she, or it does not. Never say: he don't or she don't or it don't.
Each other, one another. Each other is preferably used in referring to only two persons, and one another is used in referring to more than two, but they are generally used interchangeably.
Correct: The two men faced each other.
Correct: Nearly all the typists were familiar with one another.
Effect, See affect.
Either, neither. Preferably used to designate one of two persons or things; occasionally used to indicate one of three or more. Or should be used correlatively with either, and nor with neither. Both correlatives should be placed immediately before the words they are intended to modify.
Correct: Neither of the two men is here.
Correct: Either John or Mary has the records.
Emigrant, immigrant. Emigrant refers to one who departs from a country; immigrant refers to one who comes into a land not his own.
Emigrate, immigrate. Emigrate means to go out from a country. Immigrate means to come into a country.
Enthused. A colloquialism. Instead, it is preferable to use enthusiastic.
Incorrect: The new summer collections enthused the fashionistas.
Correct: The new summer collections appealed to the fashionistas.
Correct: The fashionistas was enthusiastic about the new summer collections.
Equally as. A needless phrase; omit either equally or as.
Correct: This year's cars are as (Not equally as) well built as last year's.
Correct: Both makes of tires are equally durable.
Etc. The Latin abbreviation for et cetera, meaning "and other (items of things)." Redundant when used with and.
Incorrect: Use the odd numbers 1, 3, 5, and etc.
Correct: Use the odd numbers 1, 3, 5, etc.
Except. See accept.
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