agree to / agree with
When you agree to something, you are "giving consent."
I agree to a road test of the new model by August 1.
When you agree with something (or someone), you are "in accord" with it.
I agree with the recommendations of the advisory board.
ain't
Ain't is generally considered nonstandard usage and should be avoided in writing (unless used for special effect, as in dialogue).
alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds, especially at the beginnings of words. Common in poetry, it is also used occasionally in prose but can easily be overdone.
O say can you see ... ?
Pearl Prynne is a paradox, both foane and fcalm . . .
all right/alright
All right is always written as two words; alright is incorrect.
The car was a total loss, but the driver was alright.( all right) .
However, all right is informal as well as vague; try to find a more specific word or phrase.
The car was a total loss, but the driver was all right.(Not injured)
all together/altogether
All together means "collectively" or "gathered in one place."
All together, the various taxes Calypso pays amount to 50 percent of income.
Altogether means "wholly" or "completely."
Gardening stops altogether here in the winter.
allusion
Allusion promotes economical writing because it is a shorthand way of referring to a large body of material in a few words or of helping to explain a new and unfamiliar idea in terms of one that is familiar. Be sure, however, that your reader is familiar with the material to which you allude. In the following example, the writer brings her point to life by alluding to a popular film hero.
I notice what's going on around me in a special way because I'm a writer. It's like radar, the keen listening and looking of Indiana Jones when he walks into the jungle loud with parrots and monkeys.
— Pat Mora, "A Letter to Gabriela, A Young Writer"
(See also analogy and figures of speech.)
almost/most
The use of most to mean almost is colloquial and should be avoided in writing (unless used for special effect, as in dialogue).
New shipments arrive most (almost) every day.
If you can substitute almost for most in a sentence, almost is the word you need.
a lot/alot
The correct form is two words: a lot.
already/all ready
Already means "by or before a specified time."
We had already mailed her present when she arrived for a visit.
All ready means "wholly prepared."
Laurie was all ready for the seminar by Tuesday morning.
a.m./p.m. (or A.M./P.M.)
The abbreviation a.m. stands for ante meridiem, which means "before noon." The abbreviation p.m. stands for post meridiem, which means "after noon." These abbreviations should be used only with figures and may be written in capital or lowercase letters.
The party is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m.
