Tricky Rules

Bad is an adjective. It describes nouns or pronouns. It is often used with descriptive linking verbs like look, feel, sound, or to be. Incorrect: She felt badly about missing the date. Correct: She felt bad about missing the date. (Bad describes the pronoun she.) Incorrect: Things looked badly for the Mudville nine. Correct: Things

Could of does not exist. Neither do should of, will of, or would of as verbs. Write could have, should have, will have, or would have. If you want to emphasize the pronunciation, write it as a verb contraction: could’ve, should’ve, will’ve, or would’ve.

Unequivocal means “leaving no doubt.” Unequivocable does not exist. Equivocal, equivocally, and unequivocally are all legitimate words with the same root. Similarly, equivocable, equivocably, and unequivocable do not exist.

Do not use because after the reason. Use the reason plus that, or else rewrite the sentence. The word because starts adverb clauses, but the noun reason needs an adjective modifier. The word that introduces adjective clauses which modify nouns. Incorrect: The reason he left is because he was frustrated. Correct: The reason he left

Credible is believable. It could refer either to a story or a person. The adverb form is credibly. The noun form is credibility. The opposite is incredible, not able to be believed. Credulous is gullible. A credulous person is apt to believe nearly anything even with little evidence. The noun form is credulity. The opposite