Should we discuss some linked words?

By Ranjana S.

Linked words!

§  Accompanied by- People are accompanied by other people or living creatures.

»»» Samuel was accompanied by his wife and his son.

§  Accompanied with-Things are accompanied with other things.

»»» He accompanied his words with angry gestures. 

§  Agree to- People agree to a thing, a plan, a scheme, etc.

»»» We agree to your terms and conditions.

§  Agree with- Someone or something agrees with a person or people.

»»» We agree with you.

»»» The climate seems to agree with you.

Please note: We may also use agree on in connection with a plan: Our team agreed on a plan of action. 

§  Compare to- to liken one thing to another;to point out similarities.

»»»The enamored lover compared her eyes to the blue     Mediterranean.

§  Compare with-to examine and point out differences and similarities.

»»» The doctor compared her left eye with her right. 

§  Correspond to-to resemble in function or character.

»»» Part A in the diagram corresponds with this part of the piece.

»»» Man's hair corresponds to the fur of animals.

§  Correspond with- to exchange letters.

Amanda and I have corresponded with Carl. 

§  Differ from- to be different from, to be unlike.

»»» This brand differs from that in price, if nothing else.

§  Differ with-to disagree with in opinion.

»»» When it comes to politics, I differ with him completely.

»»» Whether you differ with his ideas or not, you must work together. 

§  Different from- This is the standard two-word combination.

»»» The outcome was different from what I had expected.

§  Different than-Though still considered unacceptable by some purists, this combination has gained credence. It is no longer considered "substandard."

»»» The outcome was different than I had expected.

§  Either......or- These words go hand in hand.

»»» Either you or your brother may go.

§  Neither.....nor- Neither you nor your brother may go.

»»» Neither the boy next door nor his sister can go with us.

§  Try and- acceptable in speech and informal writing.

»»» Try and open the drawer on the left.

§  Try to- the formal, standard usage.

»»» Try to open the drawer on the left.

§  Wait on- to serve.

»»» Kindly ask the man who waited on us to bring us the check.

§  Wait for- to await.

»»» I will be very late, so don't wait for me.