Except. Do not use except for unless. See §85.
Wrong: I can not sleep except it is quiet.
Expect. Do not use expect in the sense of suppose or think.
| Wrong: I expect you have read that book. |
| Right: I suppose you have read that book. |
Fine. Do not use fine in place of some more definite word. Fine is a much over-worked word.
| Wrong: The book is fine for class-room work. |
| Right: The book is well adapted for class-room work. |
Firstly. Firstly should never be used. Say first. See §40.
First-rate. Do not use first-rate as an adverb in the sense of very well.
| Wrong: That does first-rate. |
| Right: That does very well. |
| Right: He is a first-rate fellow. |
Former. Do not use former when more than two are referred to. Say first. See §41.