GrammarTips.net RSS Feed http://www.grammartips.net/grammartipsnet.rss en GrammarTips.net 2006 120 Writing Better Emails http://www.grammartips.net/writing-better-emails Whether your emails are for your family, friends, work or business, it is always possible to improve your writing and make your emails more interesting to read and of a better quality.  Emails are often written very quickly and time isn’t taken to reflect on what you are trying to say or how you are saying it.  Certainly, you can get away with not having perfect grammar or spelling, but if you take the time and trouble to make your emails free from errors, then they are much easier to read: so ensure that you pass them through an online grammar and spell checker.

Don’t attempt to make your emails too witty or funny. If you want to tell a funny story, just tell it and hopefully the humour will just stand out: otherwise if you try too hard to be funny, you can end up killing off the humour.

Don’t use capitals because these are hard to read. Using capitals makes you seem poorly educated and it looks like you are ‘shouting’.  Stick to an appropriate blend of upper and lower case.

Do ask after the other person.  Everyone gets emails where people just go on about their day or their holiday, their work or how beastly their friends or colleagues are.  The emails that say all this, but also take the time to say ‘How are you?  How are you feeling today’ or similar, are the ones that simply stand out and make the reader more inclined to respond.
 
Finally, don’t be offensive in emails.  There is no need and since the other person cannot see whether or not you are joking or just having a laugh, it is really easy to cause serious offence.  So reserve the risqué jokes for when you are face to face.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Writing Better Emails]]> Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:28:38 +0200 http://www.grammartips.net/writing-better-emails http://www.grammartips.net/ What is hyperbole? http://www.grammartips.net/hyperbole-in-english-writing Hyperbole is a figure of speech that is a complete exaggeration and which denotes extremes. So to say, ‘I laughed so much I nearly died’ is an example of hyperbole. It denotes that something was very funny and that someone laughed a lot, but it is extremely unlikely that someone laughed so much that they almost died. However, the phrase gives us a sense of just how funny something was.

Hyperbole is very common in both everyday speech and in written English. In written English, it tends to be used within informal settings or for literary effect.  It is not, for example, regarded as good practice to use hyperbole within business English; it could be regarded as unprofessional. 

You would not use phrases such as, ‘bursting with rage’ with a client. You would instead, express your disappointment and frustration. However, if you were writing a story, a poem, or a simple informal email, then the use of hyperbole is perfectly acceptable and is actually a way of giving added depth and quality to your writing.

Hyperbole is therefore a literary tool or a very informal tool and it should not be used in formal settings. Be careful when using hyperbole that you use it in context and that it is not offensive. For example, do not use hyperbole to extremes, when someone may be offended by your graphic use of language.  To check the use of hyperbole, run an online punctuation application just to check if you have used an appropriate phrase.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - What is hyperbole?]]> Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:18:07 +0200 http://www.grammartips.net/hyperbole-in-english-writing http://www.grammartips.net/ Is Written English the Same as Spoken English? http://www.grammartips.net/written-english-and-spoken-english In theory, the answer to this question should be a resounding ‘Yes’. However, the reality is that there may well be differences between written and spoken English. As a language, spoken English is quite relaxed. This means that there may well be occasions where someone speaks and their English grammar is not quite correct.  Often people say things like, ‘If I was a millionaire’ which does not sound too grammatically incorrect, but in written form it looks slightly odd.  This is because ‘if’ is a ‘wishing word’ and, as such, needs the subjunctive tense to be used.  So the correct written form of this sentence is,  ‘If I were a millionaire….’. 

It is therefore easy when speaking English to get away with not having very good grammar, but this will show up when the same words are written down. If you are learning English, then try to make sure that you don’t let your grammar show you up.  So make sure that when you are speaking English you pay attention to grammar and grammatical issues. Then, when you are writing English, ensure that you always check your grammar, either using an online grammar checking package, or just by going through it. (But take note that the grammar checker will be much more reliable than simply thinking that you can self-correct your own grammar).

Always try to speak English as it is written and, in this way, you can make sure that you don’t allow your standard of grammar to slip. Eventually, your grammar, whether spoken or written, will probably be as good if not better than native English speakers.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Is Written English the Same as Spoken English?]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:10:44 +0200 http://www.grammartips.net/written-english-and-spoken-english http://www.grammartips.net/ What is a Split Infinitive? http://www.grammartips.net/split-infinitives-in-english An infinitive is split when the verb, which in English will have a ‘to’ accompanying it, is not placed next to the actual doing word. So we could say ‘I am going to wash my hair with a different shampoo.’ Here the infinitive is ‘to wash.’ However, if we split the infinitive then the sentence would read, ‘I am going to always wash my hair with a different shampoo.’ Here the word ‘to’ and the word ‘wash’ have been separated by the word ‘always’, which has effectively split the infinitive.

Within everyday spoken English the infinitive is split so often that most people don’t even notice, but within written English and particularly when writing business English, it is not best practice. As a golden rule to follow, check that when you use an infinitive, which in English has the ‘to’ attached to it, that it is next to the verb. An easy way of identifying a verb is to describe it as a ‘doing’ word. It is the word that conveys what is being done and it is active in the sentence.

It is actually quite easy to see if you have split an infinitive through thoroughly proofreading your work after you have finished it, then for added measure, utilising an online punctuation software application so that you can be absolutely sure that your infinitives are presented as they should be.  This is not really something to worry about in spoken English, but due care should be taken when writing to avoid splitting your infinitives.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - What is a Split Infinitive?]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:44:27 +0200 http://www.grammartips.net/split-infinitives-in-english http://www.grammartips.net/ How to Proofread Your Work http://www.grammartips.net/how-to-proofread-your-work Proofreading your work sounds terribly easy. All you have to do is to read through your work, identify any spelling mistakes and any grammatical errors or errors in punctuation, then correct the mistakes and change any words that do not seem to fit in and your written work is complete and correct. 

Certainly that sounds straightforward, but the reality is that proofreading your own work is actually quite difficult. The fact that you have written the work means that it will actually be more difficult for you to see any errors. You will therefore find that you can read it through and find that everything is in order and yet there are actually mistakes still there that you simply didn’t see.

Most people advise that in order to proofread your work effectively you need to leave it for a few minutes, take a quick break and then come back and have another look at it. You may find that it is easier to spot any mistakes this way.

However, the best way of checking your work is actually to use online proofreading software, such as a grammar checker or punctuation checking package.  This will highlight any errors and allow you the opportunity to rectify them. The fact that you are using an ‘online’ grammar and punctuation checking package is important, since these are constantly updated in a way that offline packages are not. So the online package will help you to acquire a very contemporary understanding of the language and help you to improve your written English.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - How to Proofread Your Work]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:42:02 +0200 http://www.grammartips.net/how-to-proofread-your-work http://www.grammartips.net/ Why is Syntax Important? http://www.grammartips.net/syntax-in-english-grammar Syntax is the grammatical tool that deals with how sentences are put together and the relationship between words.  It is a very methodical and logical sequence, ensuring that sentences are put together using subject, verb and object and that the words in the sentence all have agreement, so that the correct forms of words are used.

Without syntax to structure the language, it would simply be a string of words that makes no sense.

For example, correct syntax would state that, “The boy loves to eat sweets”.  This follows the syntax of subject, verb, object and agreement.  Without syntax, we could simply write, “Sweets loves to eat the boy”.  These are the same words, but they have a totally different meaning.  Yet we have a clue that something in that sentence is not right. The correct writing of that concept would be, ‘Sweets love to eat the boy”.  “Sweets loves” is not correct syntax, so it highlights that something is wrong.  Moreover, there can be no agreement in this sentence, because sweets are actually an inanimate object, so they cannot ‘perform’ a verb.

Even if you don’t think that you understand syntax and its rules, simply reading
“Sweets loves to eat the boy” should trigger some alarm bells that all is not well and that there is something wrong. So people can understand syntax even if they don’t think they do.

Syntax can always be checked using an online grammar check program and consistent use of the package will help increase your understanding of what is appropriate and when ‘agreement’ has been reached.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Why is Syntax Important?]]> Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:46:44 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/syntax-in-english-grammar http://www.grammartips.net/ What is a double negative? http://www.grammartips.net/double-negative-in-english A double negative is a sentence that contains two negatives (with a negative being a ‘not’ or a ‘no’ word). So the sentence, ‘I am not going to no party’ is a double negative and is an unfortunate use of language, since a double negative effectively cancels out the negative meaning of a sentence and gives it a positive meaning.  So to say, ‘I am not going to no party’ actually means, ‘I am going to a party.’

In written English the use of a double negative is very much regarded as a mistake and can lead to a great deal of confusion. In spoken English it can also lead to confusion, but often the double negative is used deliberately, particularly within the rap scene, where it will retain its negative meaning!

Thus the double negative can be extremely confusing for anyone learning the language and great care should be taken by anyone writing or speaking English, to avoid its use. It is also of critical importance to avoid the usage of double negatives when writing business English. In order to check that your writing does not contain any double negatives, it is a really good idea to carefully proofread your work and check that all the sentences are either positive (without any ‘no’ words) or, if they do contain ‘no’ words, that they contain only one ‘no’ or negative word.  As a rule, it is also best to check using some kind of online grammar check, so that you really can be sure that your meaning is clear.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - What is a double negative?]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:46:31 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/double-negative-in-english http://www.grammartips.net/ What is a Tense in English Grammar? http://www.grammartips.net/tense-in-english-grammar A tense is a means of putting a sentence into a timeframe. So if something is happening now we use the present tense. If something was happening, but it is not clear if it has finished, or something else happened whilst this was going on, then we use the imperfect tense.  If something happened in the past and is now over, then we use the past tense (sometimes referred to as the perfect tense).  If something happened some time ago and then something else took place after that, we would use the pluperfect tense.  The future tense is used to denote something which will happen.

So, if we use the following sentence as an example:

I wash my hands (present)
I was washing my hands (imperfect)
I washed my hands (past or perfect)
I had washed my hands (pluperfect).

All these have a different timeframe and need to be used consistently, otherwise it is hard to understand what is happening within a sentence.  So we would not say, “I cried tomorrow”, since cried is a past tense and the fact that tomorrow hasn’t happened yet means that we should actually be using the future tense.

English has a wide variety of verbs that are irregular, which is to say that when they take a past or future tense, they don’t follow any logical conclusion.  As a precaution, make sure that you check all the tenses in any piece of work (either doing the checking yourself, or by applying a grammar checking application) so that you can be sure you have got all the correct tenses used with the correct use of the verb.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - What is a Tense in English Grammar?]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:13:40 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/tense-in-english-grammar http://www.grammartips.net/ Parenthesis in English http://www.grammartips.net/parenthesis-in-english The word ‘parenthesis’ originates from the Greek: something placed in besides. Parenthesis is a phrase that will be qualifying, or in some way explanatory, which has been entered into a sentence with which it has no grammatical connection. To illustrate that this is the case, the phrase is enclosed in round brackets. The best way to demonstrate this is to use an example. ‘The boy arrived early, (he was always too scared of the consequences to arrive late) quickly took his place and hoped no one had noticed him.’ In this sentence, the parenthesis is obviously the phrase ‘he was always too scared of the consequences to arrive late’. We know that it is parenthesis because the brackets indicate that to the reader. The brackets serve to separate the phrase from the rest of the sentence. This allows the parenthesis to introduce something that is actually detached grammatically from the rest of the sentence but is usefully explanatory. This extra information about the boy is useful to the reader. 

The brackets are a clear signal to the reader that there is something contained within that is not strictly part of the sentence, but they usefully also indicate that they enclose very interesting information nevertheless; something that will add to the informative worth of that sentence. 

Brackets are also used in expressing algebraic equations on paper and in computer terminology, without the parenthesis being involved. There are times when it is hard to know if you have used brackets correctly; dashes are very similar in use. This can be easily rectified by the use of online grammar software, which can quickly check if you have used brackets correctly.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Parenthesis in English]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:54:51 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/parenthesis-in-english http://www.grammartips.net/ Using Grammar Worksheets http://www.grammartips.net/using-grammar-worksheets The use of grammar worksheets may not seem like the most exciting way to learn a  language, but in fact this is one of the best ways you can learn the structure of English and all its little rules and regulations, which are often simple in theory but complex in reality. 

The use and worth of grammar is often ignored. Yet grammar forms the foundations upon which any language is based.  It is the rock which supports the language and, as such, needs to be given careful consideration.

Grammar worksheets offer you the opportunity to practise grammar and to start to get a feel for what is appropriate and what is not good English - combine this with English writing software and you will be in good stead for quality writing.  You learn how to use different forms of tenses, verbs, verb endings, and so on.  This equips you with the skills to be able to apply the rules of grammar when away from your computer and will help you to make sense of the language. 

The worksheets can be supplemented with the use of an online package that can check your grammar in other work that you do, so you constantly have reinforcement about correct usage and when certain prepositions alter verbs, etc. Their use should be consistent and repetitive, so that the messages you are being given are reinforced and you learn slowly but surely.

Until you can master the grammar of any language, you are simply skimming the surface and not gaining an in-depth understanding, so you need to dig down and discover the structure that the language is built on. Grammar worksheets provide an excellent way of doing this.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Using Grammar Worksheets]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:22:23 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/using-grammar-worksheets http://www.grammartips.net/ How to Structure a Sentence http://www.grammartips.net/how-to-structure-a-sentence When we are having a conversation with another person we convey our message using not only words, but also gestures, facial expressions and body language.  When reading a message in a written sentence we do not of course have those useful aids to meaning available to us; the sentence therefore has to make complete sense, be grammatically correct and unambiguous. A sentence must always begin with a capital letter and end with a full stop or an equivalent punctuation mark.  Sentences can be questions, an instruction or a straightforward statement.

In written English, a sentence is structured in a set way, the subject always comes first, then the finite verb (a verb (action) that always has a subject) and finally the object. This is why English is classed as an SVO language. ‘SVO’ stands for Subject, Verb and Object.

When constructing a sentence the subject must come first. If for example we write about a cat cleaning its paw, then the cat is obviously the subject, the verb is the cleaning (action) and the paw is the object.

It can be difficult to know when you are splitting an infinitive (explained later) or using the wrong tense in a sentence. A very efficient way of checking whether or not you have got it right is to use an online grammar checker. This will help you to structure your sentences appropriately when you are producing your written work.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - How to Structure a Sentence]]> Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:53:35 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/how-to-structure-a-sentence http://www.grammartips.net/ Writing English to Impress http://www.grammartips.net/writing-english-to-impress English is a very fine language, which has a long history of literature and creativity.  Some of the English literary works are amongst the finest in the world; Shakespeare is still revered hundreds of years after his death.

English can therefore be used to impress an audience, whether the audience is made up of people who are your customers, your employers, potential employers or just people that you wish to be impressed by your command of the English language.

Most people, when they try to write to impress make the very common error of using long words and very complicated phrases.  This can make it very difficult to understand and your audience may be too busy trying to understand what you are saying rather than concentrating on what you are trying to say.  The trick is to stay with terms, words and phrases that you are comfortable with.  The use of words that you aren’t quite sure how to pronounce or spell will simply lead to confusion.  However, if it is a written message then using a spellchecker will assist.

Make sure that the grammar is correct, so that the content of your message stands out and makes it easy to understand.  A grammar checker can help to make sure that you have got it all correct.

Don’t patronise your audience, but make sure that you address them (whether written or verbally) in a tone that is appropriate, formal or informal, light hearted or serious, etc, depending on the situation that you find yourself in.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Writing English to Impress]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:50:03 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/writing-english-to-impress http://www.grammartips.net/ Using Online Grammar Checkers http://www.grammartips.net/online-grammar-checker Using an online grammar checker is actually very easy. The software requirements are minimal, if you have access to a computer and access to the internet, then you have all the basics in place to be able to download an online grammar or punctuation checker.

Sometimes people are wary of using an online grammar checker, since they feel that it may make them reliant on the checker as opposed to thinking for themselves; this is simply not true. The online grammar checker will quickly highlight any areas where you have made a mistake, point out why you have made the mistake and then allow you to rectify it. It is a bit like having a tutor or teacher looking over your shoulder. However, soon you will be able to pick up on any mistakes that you make repeatedly and you will be able to rectify them yourself, so you will actually learn from the grammar checker.

In addition, as the mistakes that you make become less frequent, it will allow you to feel more confident about your understanding of the English language. This will actually help you to be more fluent and will greatly assist with writing business English or letters for formal situations and even with spoken English. 

So don’t assume that an online grammar checker will simply stop you thinking for yourself. If used correctly it will actually dramatically improve your grammar and make your writing much better and more professional in appearance; it can do so within a very short space of time, thus giving you very speedy results.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Using Online Grammar Checkers]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:42:44 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/online-grammar-checker http://www.grammartips.net/ What is a Metaphor? http://www.grammartips.net/what-is-a-metaphor A metaphor is a descriptive term; basically, it is a way of expressing an understanding about something by using nouns to compare or even contrast this with something else, thereby giving a more descriptive sense to a passage. Remember that a metaphor, never uses the words ‘like’ or ‘as’, since the use of either of these would transform the figure of speech into a simile. So a metaphor might read, ‘His face was paler than a sheet.’ This uses the noun ‘sheet’ to illustrate just how pale that person was looking.

If we were to use a simile in this context, then the sentence would read, ‘His face was as pale as a sheet.’ The metaphor is the strongest descriptive term here, because it indicates that his face was actually paler than a sheet. The metaphor can give added depth and meaning and is usually more powerful than a simile.

The word, ‘metaphor’ is derived from the Greek, where it literally meant, ‘transferring something across.’ A metaphor is closely related to a simile and sometimes there is a good deal of confusion about the difference between the two.  When using metaphors be careful to use them appropriately, otherwise you can end up with mixed metaphors which can sometimes be amusing but are nevertheless incorrect.

When your writing is completed either proofread your work yourself or use some kind of online grammar checker (there is lots of software available) to ensure that your metaphors are appropriate and that they convey the appropriate message. When used in the correct sense they can really make your work come alive.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - What is a Metaphor?]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:48:22 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/what-is-a-metaphor http://www.grammartips.net/ English - Formal or Informal? http://www.grammartips.net/english-formal-informal English is a complicated language and strangely it is complicated by the lack of a very formalised grammar when it is being used on a day to day basis.  The rules of grammar are there, but they are so unspoken or unrecognised that to anyone learning the language it can all seem very illogical.

Added to this are different terms.  People use the terms ‘Formal English’ or ‘Informal English’ yet what do these terms mean?

In reality these terms mean more to people learning English than to native English speakers.  Native speakers use either formal or informal language without thinking about it.  So they never think about when it is appropriate to use either style.

Basically informal English is used when speaking the language, but more formal English is used when people are writing English within the context of business or when a formal letter is required.

Informal English is seen as a friendly means of communication between two people (or more) but it is not viewed as being appropriate within the formal business setting.  If you are not sure whether the type of English you are using is appropriate, then a quick grammar check can assist, since the grammar used in very informal English is more relaxed than used in the context of formal English.

Written English tends to be more formal and is less informal than conversational English, so whenever you are writing something, unless it is for your best friend or a family member, then it is always best to use formal structures and compositions to ensure that you are using the most suitable style.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - English - Formal or Informal?]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:34:13 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/english-formal-informal http://www.grammartips.net/ English Grammar - General Tips http://www.grammartips.net/english-grammar-general-tips The rules of English grammar are not as rigorous as some other languages, such as German or the dreaded Latin. However, there are still grammatical do’s and don’ts which you must become familiar with.

Every sentence needs a subject, a verb and an object. The subject is the person or thing which is doing something. The ‘doing’ part of the sentence is the verb and the object is someone or something involved in the sentence. So you can construct a sentence in the following way: Holly (subject) runs (verb) towards the dog (object). Tenses are also used in the English language. It is important to use the same tense throughout a piece when writing. In the sentence above, the event is happening in the present, so Holly runs. If it were to happen in the past, we would state that “Holly ran.”

Punctuation is also very important. The apostrophe, comma and full stop all have to be used in their appropriate place and in English this is crucial otherwise the whole meaning of the sentence can change. It is always best to check grammar on any piece of work, using some kind of grammar checker, at least until you feel more confident and are aware of the rules. English is littered with odd rules and various tenses that are invoked by certain propositions etc. Many people find the lack of systematic rules somewhat confusing and some simply assume that the language has only minimal grammar, but this is in fact not the case. It is simply a very unique grammar, which makes it slightly more difficult to learn.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - English Grammar - General Tips ]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:15:21 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/english-grammar-general-tips http://www.grammartips.net/ Creative Writing in English http://www.grammartips.net/creative-writing-in-english Creative writing gives you the opportunity to express yourself, to give your own unique slant on life and to express your innermost thoughts and ideas.  But it is also a way to learn communication tools.  To write creatively is not just about crafting a story or a poem, it is about trying to write in such a way that it engages your reader and makes them want to read on and find out how the story ends.  Once you can successfully draw in your reader and grab their attention then you have achieved a great deal.

In this way, you can start to use the same method to write more effectively in any type of situation, whether for work, more effective report or essay writing, personal letters or just for more interesting emails. Creative writing can be greatly aided with English grammar software, or any other program that will help you check for grammar, spelling, and style.

To write creatively you obviously need to get in touch with the creative part of yourself and allow yourself to simply write and write.  Let your imagination run riot, write short stories about anything that interests you and even attempt to write some poetry. Then go back and edit your work, take out any unnecessary parts, proofread it and check your grammar.  The proofreading, editing and grammar checks may seem at odds with the concept of writing creatively but in fact grammar acts as a way of holding your story and message together; the cement that holds in the bricks!  It is a fact that unless you strictly apply the rules of the language your writing will not be as effective as you would wish.

Keep practising writing creatively and soon you will find that you become much more adept and your skills will improve on a daily basis.  You will be able to communicate effectively through your writing in all sorts of different ways.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Creative Writing in English]]> Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:14:38 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/creative-writing-in-english http://www.grammartips.net/ How to Proofread Your English http://www.grammartips.net/proofread-your-english It may seem an impossible task to proofread your own English.  After all, if you do not know that you have made a mistake then how will you pick up on it when you proofread? 

Well, the chances are that you will be able to pick up on quite a few mistakes.  The key is to ensure that you leave your piece of writing for a few minutes then you can look at it with more refreshed eyes that are more likely to pick up on any mistakes made when you were writing.

There are various proofread and editing software programs available, and since these may ensure that your writing makes perfect sense and is grammatically sound, it may be worth investing in one of these.  These packages will pick up on even the smallest mistake, so you can be sure that it is really a good piece of writing.

However, whether you proofread your own work, or you get a friend or colleague to do it, or you use a package, then it is important that you pay attention to errors that are highlighted and ensure that they are rectified prior to information being sent out.  This may seem obvious, but sometimes people think they will not rectify something because it hardly seems worth the effort and yet this can make a big difference to how effectively you communicate.  What is more it can seem rude to whoever is reading your work, that you didn’t take the time to proofread it and make sure that it was error free.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - How to Proofread Your English]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:18:26 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/proofread-your-english http://www.grammartips.net/ Correct Use of the Hyphen in English http://www.grammartips.net/hyphen-use-in-english The correct use of the hyphen is something that is not commonly understood, and it is very typical to see words with a hyphen when they should not have one and vice versa.

Some people claim that it doesn’t really matter and is simply not important, whereas for others it is a sign of either good or poor use of English or a good or poor understanding of written English. However, there are times when it is a very important part of English grammar.

If we look at the phrase, ‘Thirty odd men,’ this can be read two ways. It may mean thirty men who are odd. Or it could mean around a total of thirty men, but that an exact count was not made. If we use a hyphen here, then the meaning is clear. ‘Thirty-odd men’ means around thirty men (it does not mean that they were odd). Thus the use of a hyphen can be important in expressing correct meaning. A hyphen should also be used when joining a prefix to a proper name. So we would use a hyphen to join together, ‘anti-Pope,’ meaning someone who is opposed to the Pope. ‘Anti’ is the prefix and ‘Pope’ is the proper name. Since the use of hyphens is difficult to get to grips with, particularly when learning English as a second language, it can be useful to use some kind of online grammar checking package. This helps you see if you have used a hyphen appropriately, or indeed if you need to insert a hyphen to give your writing a clearer meaning.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Correct Use of the Hyphen in English]]> Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:48:24 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/hyphen-use-in-english http://www.grammartips.net/ Acronyms - What They Are and How to Use Them http://www.grammartips.net/acronyms-in-english-vocabulary An acronym is a way of abbreviating a series of words by using the capital letters from each individual word. So, for example, the phrase ‘Chief Executive Officer’ may be abbreviated (and often is) to ‘CEO.’  Some words in common usage such as ‘AIDS’ are acronyms. The word ‘AIDS’ is therefore an abbreviation of the term ‘Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.’ This is then abbreviated to ‘AIDS’. The acronym is denoted by the use of the capital letters.

However, not all acronyms have capitalisation. Some words are now in such common usage that they are now always written in lower case. For example, ‘laser’ is an acronym and it stands for ‘light amplification (via) a source of emitted radiation.’  The word started off being expressed as an acronym and was then simply transferred into everyday usage.  There are quite a few acronyms that have entered the language in this way, but are now regarded as normal words, as opposed to acronyms.

The internet and computer technology have resulted in many new acronyms being introduced into the language and these may not be understood by offline punctuation checkers, but will be identifiable to most online grammar programs and punctuation applications.

Generally when using acronyms caution must be exercised, since the acronym may not be readily understood by everyone, particularly in written English. So, if you do want to use one, then use an online punctuation or grammar checker, just to ascertain if it is actually a known acronym that everyone will be able to understand. Otherwise, their use should generally be avoided.


This article belongs to GrammarTips.net - the original article can be viewed here - Acronyms - What They Are and How to Use Them]]> Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:23:04 +0300 http://www.grammartips.net/acronyms-in-english-vocabulary http://www.grammartips.net/