CONJUNCTIONS

Never use like as a conjunction. John may look like James or act like James or speak like James, but he never looks, acts or speaks like James looks, acts or speaks; he never looks like he wanted to do something, nor conducts himself like he thought he owned the earth, or like he was crazy. Like (as in the first example) may be followed by an objective case of a substantive, with which the construction is completed: You are like me in this; You, like me, believe this; He conducted himself like a crazy man. When a clause is demanded, as if should be used: He looks as if he wanted something; he acts as if he were crazy.

Do not use if for whether in introducing indirect questions: I doubt whether (not if) this is true; I asked whether (not if) he would go.

Do not use as for that. Not I do not know as this is so, but I do not know that this is so.

Do not use without for unless. We cannot go unless (not without) he comes.

Do not use but what for but that or that. I do not doubt that (or but that) he will come, not but what he will come; They did not know but that (not but what) they might accept it.

Do not use while for although, as, while it is probable. While refers to time.