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Home : Ultimate Style : Common Errors : Nonexistent Words
 
 

Common Errors

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Nonexistent Words
Some words, even words that you’ll often hear people using, just don’t exist according to the rules of good grammar. Here are some of the most commonly heard nonexistent words.
acrossed
Unacceptable: How are we supposed to get acrossed this river?
Better: How are we supposed to get across this river?
alot
Unacceptable: Sondra has alot of Xbox games.
Better: Sondra has a lot of Xbox games.
alright
Unacceptable: Stop yelling at him, alright?
Better: Stop yelling at him, all right?
anyways
Unacceptable: Anyways, what do you care?
better: Anyway, what do you care?
a ways
Unacceptable: The bees live a ways toward the lake.
Better: The bees live a long way toward the lake.
drownded
Unacceptable: The ant drownded in the pool.
better: The ant drowned in the pool.
everywheres
Unacceptable: Everywheres Jack looks, he sees Meg’s face.
better: Everywhere Jack looks, he sees Meg’s face.
heighth
Unacceptable: In terms of breadth, depth, and heighth, Mr. Blunt has no equal.
Better: In terms of breadth, depth, and height, Mr. Blunt has no equal.
irregardless
Unacceptable: Colin decided to see the slasher flick irregardless of the terrible reviews it received.
Better: Colin decided to see the slasher flick regardless of the terrible reviews it received.
nowheres
Unacceptable: Loretta felt she had nowheres else to go.
better: Loretta felt she had nowhere else to go.
somewheres
Unacceptable: Nina said the shoelace must be somewheres around here.
Better: Nina said the shoelace must be somewhere around here.

 

Common Errors

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Neither . . . Nor
NEXT ►
One Another
 
 
 
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