This is a guide to help learners to communicate easily in both speech and writing through a better understanding of the English language.
All of
When ‘all’ is used before a pronoun it must be followed by ‘of.’
All of them are dishonest people.
When ‘all’ is followed by a noun, ‘of’ is usually omitted.
All the girls in my school wear uniforms.
Allow of
The meaning of this phrase is restricted to ‘leave room for.’
The rules do not allow of any exceptions.
All right / alright
‘All right’ means ‘satisfactory, but not excellent.’
Arthur: How’s the food Ben?
Ben: It’s all right, but the food at the seaside hotel is better.
‘Alright’ is another spelling of ‘all right,’ but some people think it is incorrect.
Allusion / illusion
An allusion is something said or written that mentions a subject indirectly.
The committee made no allusion to the Bribery Commission.
An illusion is an idea or opinion that is wrong, especially about yourself.
Bob suffers from the illusion that he cannot solve his problems.
Alternate / alternative
‘Alternate’ means ‘following each in succession.’
The two security guards worked on alternate days.
‘Alternative’ means ‘affording a choice between one of two or more things.’
When there is a roadblock, drivers use alternative routes.
Altogether / all together
‘Altogether’ means ‘wholly, entirely or completely.’
Susan did not altogether like her new school.
‘All together’ means ‘all at the same time or the same place.’
The guest assembled all together in the main hall.
Ambiguous / ambivalent
Something that is ambiguous is unclear, confusing, or not certain, especially because it can be understood in more than one way.
The language used in the press communiqué is highly ambiguous.
‘Ambivalent’ means ‘not sure whether you want or like something or not.’
Sam and his wife are both ambivalent about having another child.
Amend / emend
‘Amend’ means ‘to improve or make better.’
The teacher asked Rama to amend his ways.
‘Emend’ means ‘to remove errors or to correct and is used only in connection with manuscripts or printer matter.’
The professor emended the document in several places.
Amiable / amicable
‘Amiable’ is used only when referring to people and means ‘having a good-natured disposition.’
The driver who took us to Sigiriya was an amiable man.
An amicable agreement or relationship is one in which people feel friendly towards each other and do not want to quarrel.
My relationship with her has always been amicable.
Amid / amidst
‘Amid’ means ‘while noisy, busy, or confused events are happening’
Demonstrators ripped up the national flag amid shouts of ‘Death to the tyrant.’
‘Amidst’ is a literary word used as in ‘amidst the darkness.’
Among / amongst
‘Among’ means ‘in or through the middle of a group of people or things’
The thief disappeared among the crowd.
‘Amongst’ has the same meaning but ‘among’ is the preferred form.