Just Ask Google
If
you're unsure about how to spell a certain term, even a very common
phrase, look it up. If it's a multi-word phrase that may not show up in
a dictionary, just Google the phrase using both possible spellings, and
see how many times each of them comes up. Most of the time, this will
point you to the correct answer. At least you'll know how common the
usage is. (Tip: use quotes around the phrase when you search so you
make sure it finds instances of those exact words in that exact order.)
Make Due vs. Make Do
Incorrect: I'm out of Dotto adhesive, so I'll just make due with a cheap glue stick.
Correct: I'm out of Dotto adhesive, so I'll just make do with a cheap glue stick.
I
see this used incorrectly all the time. "Make due" indicates that
you're imposing a due date. I will make that assignment due at 4:00 on
Friday. I have just made due. "Make do" is the acceptable form of the
phrasal verb, which means "to manage to get along with the means
available." Incidentally, a Google search for make do yields 7.5 million results, while a search for make due yields 678,000 results. A clear victory.
Note: A certain competitor to Simple Scrapbooks
magazine (R.I.P.) has used this term incorrectly twice in recent
issues, and it was not used as a pun. Once, it even showed up in a
headline.
Self-Depreciating vs. Self-Deprecating
Incorrect: She makes so many self-depreciating remarks. (Really, her remarks are losing value as they age?)
Correct:
She makes so many self-deprecating remarks. (Oh, I see. She's
excessively modest and she makes remarks that tend to undervalue
herself.)
A Google search for "self-depreciating" yields 83,000 results, while a
search for "self-deprecating" yields 1.2 million results. Another clear
winner.
Could Of vs. Could Have
Incorrect: He could of called to say he was going to be late!
Correct: He could have called to let me know I had 10 more minutes to scrapbook.
A
Google search for "could of" yields a staggering 5.5 million results,
while "could have" brings up 262 million instances. That's what we call
a slam dunk.
Now, go forth and sound smart!
