29 AVOID AT ALL COSTS It doesn’t matter how often they are used, the words (and usages) mentioned in this rule
are not considered standard English and should never be used.
acrrosed/acrost: the adverb and preposition across has only one form; it never
ends in the letter t alot: incorrect spelling of a lot; often seen in informal writing, but should not
be used in an essay or any other formal writing
alright: incorrect spelling of all right anyways: speech dialect form not acceptable in written English; use anyway anywheres: see anyways arguably: considered vague and overused; often appears as a dangling
modifier
brang/brung: often seen masquerading as the past tense of bring; brought is
the only correct past tense of bring
conversate: an unacceptable back-formation of conversation; use converse instead
