| Wrong: If I could of been there. |
| Right: If I could have been there. |
Only. Guard against the improper use of only after a negative. See §46.
| Wrong: There are not only four books on that subject. |
| Right: There are only four books on that subject. |
Outside of. Do not use outside of for aside from.
| Wrong: Outside of James, all had a good time. |
| Right: Aside from James, all had a good time. |
Over with. Do not use over with for over.
Wrong: I must write the letter and have it over with.
Pants. Do not use the word pants for trousers.
Photo. Do not use photo for photograph.
Piece. Do not use piece in the sense of way or distance.