Tricky Rules

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

Solid means “firm” or “not liquid or gas.” When applied to a person’s character it implies reliability. Stolid normally refers to character and means “stoic, unemotional.”

Maybe, the compound word, is an adverb meaning “perhaps” or “possibly.” May be is a verb phrase meaning “might be” or “could be.” Examples: Maybe I will go out tonight. I may be going out tonight.