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website versus web page

When referring to any web presence that contains more than one page or location, use website.

Web page should only be used to refer to a single page within a site, or a single-page site with no internal links.

> See also: computer terms

well (adv.)

Compounds formed with well plus a participle or an adjective are hyphenated before but not after a noun.

the child is well read

which

This word must have a definite antecedent in your sentence. Don't use which to refer to a whole idea, and NEVER use which as a conjunction.

We will hire him if he passes the drug test, but I doubt that he will.
NOT We will hire him if he passes the drug test, which I doubt. (ambiguous reference)
She wants to know whether he passed the test, but I have no idea.
NOT She wants to know whether he passed the test, which I have no idea.

> See also: that/who v. which/who

while

Usually refers to time. Avoid indiscriminate use of while as a substitute for and, but, and although.

Sherry toured Oxford while her friend waited in the car.
NOT While I disagree with you, your point is well taken.
BUT I disagree with you, but your point is well taken.

> See also: although | awhile

who, whom

With whom are you going to the dance? (Whom is the object of the verb "going.")

Who is that girl in the corner?

whoever, whomever

The form depends on the word's use in the sentence.

Whoever answers the phone will receive my exciting message. (Whoever is the subject of the verb answers, and the entire phrase 'whoever answers the phone' functions as the subject of the verb 'will receive.')
I will speak to whoever answers the phone. (This one is tricky. Whoever functions as the subject of the phrase answers the phone; the entire phrase 'whoever answers the phone' is the object of the preposition 'to.')
Repeat this story to whomever you see. (Here, whomever is the object of 'you see,' and 'whomever you see' is also the object of the preposition 'to.')

Hint: Try substituting anyone who or anyone whom; that might help you choose the correct form.

wide- (prefix)

Usually takes a hyphen: wide-eyed, wide-open.

Exception: widespread.

-wide (suffix)

Does not take a hyphen: worldwide, statewide, campuswide.

Exception: CMS says to hyphenate long, cumbersome words such as university-wide.

-wise (suffix)

Avoid this suffix whenever you can.

word breaks

Do not separate the elements within phrases such as

6 p.m., St. Catherine, Mrs. Worthy.

Exception: Class years can be broken away from alumni names.

words as words

Generally, put in italics: "Distinguishing between whoever and whomever always confounds me," he lamented.

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