Some years ago a young man of moderate attainments was very desirous of enlarging his vocabulary
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and of using words beyond the ordinary vernacular of his neighborhood.  To this end, he made a small vest-pocket lexicon his constant companion.

Having consulted it in the course of a conversation with a friend, he remarked, as he was about to return it to his pocket, “What a commodious book this is.”  His friend suggested that he again consult the “commodious” volume.  With a look of the utmost confidence he turned to the word, and exclaimed:  “There!  I knew I was right.  Commodious means convenient, and that is just what this little book is.”

It was useless to explain that smallness sometimes renders a thing inconvenient, and this young man, doubtless, still felicitates himself upon his intimate acquaintance with that commodious pocket dictionary.

Ability, Capacity

A fond mother was told by the principal of a boarding-school that her daughter would not be graduated, as she lacked capacity.  “Get her a capacity.  Her father don’t stand on the matter of expense.  Get her anything she wants.  He’ll foot the bill.”  But for once the indulgent mother was obliged to learn that there are some things money will not purchase.  The father had the financial ability, but the daughter lacked the necessary intellectual capacity.
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But we may have literary as well as financial ability.  Ability implies the power of doing; capacity the faculty of receiving.

About, Almost

“This work is about done.”  Use “almost done.”

Acceptance, Acceptation

These words cannot be used interchangeably.  “He wrote signifying his acceptance of the office.”  “According to the common acceptation of this term, he is a knave.”

Access, Accession

“He gained access to the fort.”  “The only accession, which the Roman empire received was the province of Britain.”

Accident, Injury

Accident is sometimes used incorrectly for injury. as “His accident was very painful.”

Mutual, Common

Some men seek to be great by copying great men’s faults.  Dickens may say “Our Mutual Friend,” but Dickens’s strong point was not grammar.  If you have a friend in common with Smith, in speaking of him to Smith, say our common friend.  The word mutual should always convey a sense of reciprocity, as “Happy in our mutual help and mutual love.”
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Myself

This word is generally used for emphasis, as “I myself will do it,” “I wrote it myself.”  It should not be used for the unemphatic pronouns I and me, as in “James and myself are going to town,” “He gave the books to James and myself.”  It is properly used with a reflexive verb without emphasis, as “I will defend myself.”