Tricky Rules

Manic, an adjective, is a clinical term having to do with a psychological affliction. Maniac, a noun, is a crazy person. The adjective form is maniacal, with the accent on the second syllable. Examples: He takes lithium for manic depression. She started acting like a maniac when she heard the news.

A person is convinced by evidence or argument made to the intellect. A person is persuaded by appeals made to the will, moral sense, or emotions. A person is convinced of a doctrine, belief, or duty. A person is convicted of a crime, sin, or personal wrongdoing. The noun form of both words is conviction.

Single means “one” or “individual.” When applied to people, it usually means “unmarried.” It can be a verb meaning “to call attention to.” Sometimes an unmarried person is referred to as “a single.” The state of being single is singleness. Singular is a related word meaning “unique” or “distinctive” or “standing alone in some way.”

Can as an auxiliary verb means “to be able to.” May as an auxiliary verb means “to be permitted to.” Incorrect: Can we talk? (Well, if you can say it, you are able to talk!) Correct: May we talk? Correct: We may talk if you can listen to my side.

The word preposition was coined because such words normally precede the position of their objects in a prepositional phrase. Some people then took this definition to mean that a preposition always had to come before its object and, surely, could never end a sentence. This “rule” does not always apply when a subordinate clause comes