Couldn't help but notice... » Incorrect word usage

I am doubtless we can drop those two characters

canproofread — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 06:00:21 +0000

use doubtless, not doubtlessly
the -ly ending is not necessary

Beware strange dogs and be aware of the signs

canproofread — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 06:00:27 +0000

to beware means to use caution, to pay attention, be on one’s guard

to be aware means to know about, to be informed, to be knowledgeable about

Better tweak that grammar a little

canproofread — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:00:40 +0000

tweak means a slight adjustment
He tweaked the controls to bring in a better signal

tweek is not a word

A bow hunter must be a stalker to be successful

canproofread — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 06:00:18 +0000

to stalk means to sneak up on something or follow someone constantly
He would stalk his victims for weeks.

to stock means to fill grocery store shelves with products
He would stock the shelves at night.

We asked them to give the book to us

canproofread — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 06:00:16 +0000

We and us are pronouns. We is used as a subject. Us is used as an object.

Confusion can occur when either one is next to a noun that describes it.
We humans are often very emotional beings. (Test it out by dropping humans.)
There was no weathering the hurricane but us fools. (Test it out by dropping fools.)

For more information see Everything Language and Grammar.

I will borrow your car if you will lend it to me

canproofread — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 06:00:40 +0000

borrow means to take something temporarily with the intention of returning it
I will borrow his lawn mower since mine is broken.
I can borrow money for the car from the bank.

lend means to give something temporarily with the intention of getting it back
I will lend you my lawn mower since yours is broken.
The bank can lend me money for the car.

There is only one contraction here

canproofread — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:00:01 +0000

there is means something exists in a particular place

there are means some things exist in a particular place

is there? and are there? are the question forms

only there is can be a contracted: there’s

Did someone say no one showed up?

canproofread — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 06:00:50 +0000

anyone means any person

everyone means every person

someone means some person

no one means not one person

Note that no one is two words, unlike the other three.

There is more information in this previous post.

I will go into the kitchen and give in to dessert

canproofread — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 06:00:21 +0000

Into means going inside
Into is a preposition
I went into the house.

In to has no meaning by itself
In is an adverb and to is a preposition
He gave in to their demands.

Onto means upon
Onto is a preposition
I jumped onto the platform.

On to has no meaning by itself
On is an adverb and to is a preposition
He held on to his hat during the gust of wind.

Run Forrest, run!

canproofread — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 06:00:07 +0000

I run every day.

I ran a marathon.

I will run five miles today.

I have run into resistance.

I had run far enough I thought.

I will have run seven miles.

I would run further if I wasn’t so tired.

I would have run further that day if I hadn’t snowed.

(ran is only used for the past tense)