Afterall or after all?

You are likely to have been coming across the two spellings: ‘afterall’ and ‘after all’. Which do you prefer? Or you are among those who write either depending on how the spirit directs you? Note that although both do appear in different writings, only one is correct, which is ‘after all’. The expression should be written as two words, not one. In other words, it is a grammatical blunder to join them:

I will not join the Wizkid-Davido controversy. Afterall, they are only indirectly promoting their works. (Wrong)

I will not join the Wizkid-Davido controversy. After all, they are only indirectly promoting their works. (Correct)

Governor Fubara believes he will win the battle. Afterall, some godsons have defeated their godfathers in other states. (Wrong)

Governor Fubara believes he will win the battle. After all, some godsons have defeated their godfathers in other states. (Correct)

Inspite?

This is another term sometimes so erroneously spelt by some folks. Whether in London or New York, there are two words in ‘in spite’. Perhaps, the reason some conjoin the expression is that ‘despite’, which means the same thing as ‘in spite of’, is one word:

He is here again inspite of the bad experience he had last year. (Wrong)

He is here again in spite of the bad experience he had last year. (Correct)

He is here again despite the bad experience he had last year. (Correct)

Inspite of Klopp’s departure from Liverpool,  the players are doing well in the EPL. (Wrong)

In spite of Klopp’s departure from Liverpool,  the players are doing well in the EPL. (Correct)

Between a lot and  alot?

Here is another common term that should not be dragged into any unholy matrimony. There are two words in ‘a lot’:

I need alot of water because I’m very thirsty. (Wrong)

I need a lot of water because I’m very thirsty. (Correct)

Alot of the people complained bitterly about the rise in fuel price. (Wrong)

A lot of the people complained bitterly about the rise in fuel price. (Correct)

Can not?

Interestingly, there are some words meant to be written together but which are sometimes wrongly separated. ‘Cannot’ is one of them – though should not, will not, shall not and must not are separate elements:

John can not carry the bag alone. (Wrong)

John cannot carry the bag alone. (Correct)

I can not predict what will happen if the chairman resigns. (Wrong)

I cannot predict what will happen if the chairman resigns. (Correct)

John should not carry the bag alone. (Correct)

John must not carry the bag alone. (Correct)

Nevertheless, notwithstanding

Note that each of both words is a single element:

She was not among those invited. Never the less, the organisers lavishly entertained her. (Wrong)

She was not among those invited. Nevertheless, the  organisers lavishly entertained her. (Correct)

The principal’s position not with standing, the proprietor sent home the two debtors. (Wrong)

The principal’s position notwithstanding, the proprietor sent home the two debtors (Correct)