Fast, Fastly, but not Furiously

The word fast can function as both an adjective and an adverb. However, fastly is not a standard English word. Furiously is the correct adverb form of “furious.”

Adjective: “a fast car”
Adverb: “he runs fast”
Correct adverb: “he ran furiously”

(A) Little, (A) Few

Use a little with uncountable nouns to mean “some.” Use little (without “a”) to mean “not much.”

“I have a little money.” (enough)
“I have little money.” (not enough)

Use a few with countable nouns to mean “some.” Use few (without “a”) to mean “not many.”

“I have a few friends.” (enough)
“I have few friends.” (not many)

Second or Other

Use second for a specific item in a sequence. Use other for a different item. The phrase “second or other” is not standard. Instead, use another (an + other).

“This is the second time.”
“I’ll have another cup of tea.”

All that, all what, all which

Use all that to mean “everything that.” All what and all which are generally incorrect in this context. You may use all of which as a relative clause.

“He gave me all that he had.”
“He told me the whole story, all of which was very interesting.”

Both and Either

Use both to refer to two items. Use either to refer to one of two items.

“Both of them are coming.”
“Either of them can come.”

Freer or freer

Both freer and more free are correct, but freer is more common and sounds more natural.

“You can feel freer to express yourself.”

Classic or classical

Classic refers to something of enduring value. Classical refers to ancient Greco-Roman culture or a specific style of music or art.

“a classic novel” vs. “classical music”

“Sympathic”

The correct word is sympathetic. “Sympathic” is not a word in standard English.

“He was very sympathetic to my situation.”

Many/some/few (of)

Use of before a pronoun or a determiner (like ‘the’, ‘my’). Do not use ‘of’ when the word comes directly before a noun.

“many of them,” “some of the students” vs. “many people,” “some apples”

So/as fast as

Use as…as for positive comparisons. Use so…as for negative comparisons.

Positive: “She is as fast as her brother.”
Negative: “She is not so fast as her brother.”

Like more/better/most/best

Use more with the verb ‘like.’ Use better as the comparative form of ‘good.’ Use best as the superlative.

“I like coffee more than tea.”
“This is a better book.”
“This is the best movie I’ve seen.”

Look/smell/feel good/well

Good is an adjective describing a state. Well is usually an adverb describing an action, but it can also be an adjective to mean “in good health.”

“I feel good.” (state)
“I am feeling well.” (health)
“He did the job well.” (adverb)

A lot of/much/long time ago

A lot of is for quantity (countable/uncountable). Much is for uncountable nouns. A long time ago is a phrase for time.

“a lot of people,” “much money,” “We met a long time ago.”

More better

More better is incorrect. The correct word is better, which is already the comparative form of “good.”

“This is a better solution.”

Yet or already

Yet is for negative sentences and questions, indicating something hasn’t happened. Already is for affirmative sentences, indicating something has happened sooner than expected.

“Have you finished yet?” vs. “I have already finished.”