Tricky Rules

If you think about it, the word irregardless is a double negative. It does not exist in standard English. Use regardless instead. That is what is meant.

Literal comes from the Latin word meaning “letter.” It means “according to a specific word or definition, not figurative or metaphorical.” It can also mean “following the exact words,” “made up of letters,” or “exact in fact or detail.” The adverb form is literally. A literal translation is a translation that is word-for-word, following the

The word orient as a noun means “east.” It may be capitalized when referring to the geographical location of the Far East. Example: Hong Kong is located in the Orient. Orient as a verb means to “find direction” or “give direction.” The noun form of this kind of orienting is orientation. Sometimes people in their

Renown means “fame.” Renowned is the adjective form meaning “famous.” Reknown does not exist in English. Apparently it is drawn from confusion with known.

The word little can be used in two different senses–meaning “small in size” or “small amount of.” Examples: He was still a little boy. (small in size) Please give me a little milk. (small amount of) This becomes trickier in the comparative and superlative because little has two different forms. If little means “small in