Quote of the Day
August 31, 2015
“Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very;’ your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.” ― Mark Twain
Month: August 2015
Quote of the Day
August 30, 2015
“To be stupid, and selfish, and to have good health are the three requirements for happiness – though if stupidity is lacking, the others are useless.”–Julian Barnes
Gerunds and Participles
August 30, 2015
It is important to understand the difference between gerunds and participles. A present participle is a verbal form (derived from a verb) that ends in –ing and functions as an adjective because it modifies or describes nouns and pronouns. Look at these sentences: Strangling an iguana, Susan smiled.* The young woman strangling an iguana … More Gerunds and Participles
Questions About Grammar and Usage
August 29, 2015
Here are some questions about grammar I got from readers of my grammar column together with my answers: Q. Which of these is correct: “cannot” or “can not”? A. Both are acceptable, but “cannot” is more common. The two-word version can be used for emphasis: No, you can not eat the salamander. Q. Which … More Questions About Grammar and Usage
Quote of the Day
August 29, 2015
“It is very useful, when one is young, to learn the difference between “literally” and “figuratively.” If something happens literally, it actually happens; if something happens figuratively, it feels like it is happening. If you are literally jumping for joy, for instance, it means you are leaping in the air because you are very happy. … More Quote of the Day
Pet Peeves in Grammar and Usage
August 29, 2015
Here is a potpourri of pet peeves that readers sent me when I was writing a grammar column. Using hopefully to mean “it is hoped” or “I hope” as in “Hopefully, the burglars will get caught.” Some grammarians and others argue that this usage is incorrect because hopefully means “full of hope” and doesn’t make … More Pet Peeves in Grammar and Usage
Pronoun Reference
August 28, 2015
Pronoun reference is an important grammatical concept. Pronouns always refer to nouns or to other pronouns. Without pronouns, we would have to monotonously repeat nouns all the time. The pronouns in the following sentences are in bold type: When I met Jan, she was walking her dog, which she had just bought. Albert’s cousin, … More Pronoun Reference
Quote of the day
August 28, 2015
“Autobiography is only to be trusted when it reveals something disgraceful. A man who gives a good account of himself is probably lying, since any life when viewed from the inside is simply a series of defeats.”–George Orwell
George Orwell’s Six Rules of Writing
August 28, 2015
George Orwell’s Six Rules of Writing Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. Never use a long word where a short one will do. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. Never use the passive where you can … More George Orwell’s Six Rules of Writing
About Prepositions-Quizzes
August 28, 2015
PREPOSITIONS Choose the correct word: Colbart divided the vodka (between/among) all his friends. After accidentally shooting his friend in the face, The Vice-President didn’t feel (like/as if) he needed to tell anyone. The vodka bottle fell (off of/off) the table and broke. Has she been (into/in to) see you today? The three stooges walked (into/in … More About Prepositions-Quizzes
No Harm Spilt 