Are you making these English mistakes?

Confused about using 'comprise' or 'comprise of'?
Worried if people will judge you for saying 'anyways' instead of 'anyway'?
Anita Aikara leads the way...

English can be really confusing at times.

But we'll simply it for you.

Take a look at how you should be using these words.

1. Comprise vs comprise of

Very often people get confused on whether to add of after comprise.

The answer is no!

Comprise means 'consists of' or 'made up of'.

So there's no need for of after comprise.

Example: India comprises 29 states.

2. Anyway vs anyways

The use of both anyway and anyways is not wrong.

'Anyways' was the colloquial way of saying it.

But nowadays, people use 'anyway.'

It would be preferable if you use 'anyway' given you are speaking in the present day.

Example: Anyway, Deepa had decided to break up with Rohan.

3. Compare to vs compare with

The answer is not as crystal clear as you think.

Both words are right if used in the correct context.

The choice depends on two factors: Its meaning + the grammar.

In a general sense, you're comparing the similarity and differences between things, you can use 'compare with' and 'compare to'.

Example: You cannot compare Indian business schools to those in the US.

The schools in the area compared their board results with those of neighbouring schools.

But when you compare two different things, you will need to use 'compare to'.

Example: Ekta's amateur novel can't be compared to bestsellers.

4. Cannot vs can not

Several of us make this mistake regularly.

Can and not are not two separate words. It is just one word.

There is cannot and then there is can't; can not is wrong.

Example: You cannot pluck the flowers from this plant.

5. For sale vs on sale

How often we get excited when we hear of a sale!

But do you know when to use 'for sale' and 'on sale'.

When you're selling something, then your products are for sale.

Example: Pre-used clothing for sale.

When the prices of items are slashed, it goes on sale.

Example: Shoes on sale at half price.

6. Last name vs surname

Ever heard someone ask you for your last name?

Well! They're asking for your surname. It's also referred to as last name as it is placed at the end of the name.

The safest option is to stick to surname. After all, that's what they mean when they ask for your last name, right?

Example: Prakash's surname is Joshi.

7. Sick vs sic

Raise your hands if you have mistaken sic as the shorten form of sick!

Sic is used after a quote to show that the words are quoted exactly as it is from the source. It is used especially when the quote has a spelling mistake, typo, etc.

Example: I make me (sic).