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Advanced Grammer
Advanced Grammer
INTRODUCTION
Welcome
- [Judy] My son, when he was first learning to speak, said, "Kevin and me want to
play." My response, say Kevin and I want to play. Later, my son said, "Kevin gave
this book to I." My response, say Kevin gave this book to me. Do you see where this
is going? Do you ever feel that way? You learn a rule, apply it, and then
someone points out that what you said or wrote is incorrect. You decide you just don't
have that grammar gene.
Frustrating, isn't it? Some people just give up, but not you. Hi, I'm Judy and welcome
to Practicing Advanced Grammar. Maybe you just completed my Grammar
Fundamentals courseor maybe you completed a while ago, or perhaps you decided
to bypass the fundamentalsand start with this more advanced course. In this course,
we'll practice choosing correct wordsand locating incorrect grammar use in
sentences and paragraphs. Everyone makes grammar mistakes, everyone. But just
as with any skill, the more you practice the correct way, the more that correct way is
reinforced until it becomes a habit.
Even though Jim Ryan, an American track and field athlete who medaled in the 1968
Olympic Games, was referring to running with this quote, it certainly applies
here. Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. You are
definitely motivated, you've started the course. So let's get started on developing
good habits to keep you going.
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What you should know
- [Narrator] Have you ever thought that no one knows or cares what's grammatically
correct?As long as people understand you, that's all that counts. Those are
comfortable thoughts,wrong, but comfortable. So, before you begin the lessons in this
course, let's set the stage.The purpose of this advanced grammar course is to help
you become more aware of the howand the why it all works, and provide practice and
application. The more you practice the how's and why's to reinforce your
understanding, the closer you will be to your ultimate goal,using it correctly without
thinking about the how's and why's.
It just works automatically. Anything else to know before taking the advanced
grammar plunge? Certainly, first knowing rules, grammar terminology or jargon is not
the same as using correct grammar. I can memorize the entire glossary of car or
computer terminology and still wouldn't have a clue how to locate what was wrong
with the car or the computer. Merely knowing grammar rules and terms is a lot like
that. So, you've memorized all the categories of conjunctions, coordinating,
subordinating, correlative and adverbial, and you can list examples of each, but are
you sure you're using them correctly? Can you make corrections as you edit and
proofread your own writing? Something else to know is that for some of the advanced
rules, the apostrophe and prepositions for example, the experts don't always
agree, which adds to the confusion about grammar.
In these, the experts disagree areas, you may want to further examine the different
schools of thought until you decide which rule makes more sense to you so you can
decide which you will use. Third, understand that some people believe grammar rules
are archaic, that the wrong has become so common that's it's now correct. For
example, shall and will technically mean different things, but shall has disappeared
from our writing, at least for most of us, including mine. Periods didn't even exist until
the fourth century.
I'm glad that change became permanent, but grammar purists and progressives don't
always agree. The next thing to think about before you begin is that even our
location, whether we live in New York, California, or Britain may impact what we think
is correct. Do you wait on line or in line? You'll learn more about that in the
preposition lesson. The focus of this course is on standard common english. Ready
to look at advanced grammar? Let's begin.
PARTS OF SPEECH
Verb tense
- [Instructor] Every sentence must have a verb. The verb is so strong, it can be the
entire sentence, Go, Stop, Run. These commands, of course, have an
understood subject view, because all complete sentences must have a subject and a
verb. Verbs come in various categories. The four we'll discuss in this lesson
are Action, Linking, Mood, and Tense. First, the Action Verbs are the workhorse
verbs, Walk, Study, Laugh. Next are the linking or state of being.
They're called Linking Verbs because they link or connect the subject with a
word that either describes a subject, an adjective, such as She is pretty, or a word
that renames the subject,He is the winner. It's a pretty she, and he equals a
winner. Verbs can also have moods, Indicative, a fact of reality. The parking lot is
closed. Imperative, a command, visit the client.Interrogative, to question. Will you
have the report completed today? Conditional, a conditional state that will cause
something else to happen.
The meeting could be cancelled if anyone else calls in sick. Subjunctive, something
contrary to reality. If I were the CEO of the company, I'd increase employee
benefits. I'm not the CEO.These mood examples refer to the way the idea's
expressed, a question or a command for example. And verbs have tenses. Tense
refers to time. The rest of this lesson will focus on those what can be tricky
tenses. First, what does tense mean? Simply, a verb tense shows time, and six times
are possible.
Simple Present, He talks. And Simple Past, He talked. But we also need to
understand Present Perfect, They have talked. Past Perfect, They had talked. Future,
They will talk. And Future Perfect, They will have talked. Those perfect tenses are
generally the most confusing.Let's start with the Present perfect. It shows action that
began in the past but continues into the present, or the result is still ongoing.
Compare and contrast the Simple Past. Tyler worked for this company for 30
years, with the Present Perfect, Tyler has worked for this company for 30 years. The
Present Perfect implies that he still works for the company. The Present Perfect uses
a past participle, a helper, have or has, with the main verb. What about the Past
perfect? Just like the simple past, it shows action in the past, but in Past perfect, the
past action is completed before another action.
Look at this example. First, the Simple Past. Carolyn knitted blankets and gave them
to charity.Then Past Perfect. Carolyn gave blankets she had knitted to charity. The
blankets had to be knitted before they could be given away. And now, Future
perfect. Future perfect always shows action that will have been completed by some
future time. First, Simple Future. Next week I will complete the report. Now, Future
Perfect. By the end of next week, I will have completed the report.
That makes sense, sort of, right? Review it until it does before we add the next group
of verb tenses. Those Progressive Tenses, which show ongoing action in the
present, past, or future.Let's look at the sometimes slight shades of differences in
meaning. The Present progressive form often implies a process. Katelyn is driving
too fast around that corner. Is driving, happening now. But the driving too fast action
is in progress as she goes around the corner.
Now, what about Past progressive? It shows an action or state of being at a specific
time in the past with continuing action, it progresses. Kathy was rewriting the report
all day yesterday.Past progressive also is used to show that something took
place while something else was happening. While Lindsey was attending the
meeting, the other employees were planning the conference. Was attending and
were planning are in the progressive form of the past tense.Also, the Past
progressive can show an incomplete action.
Ted was completing the conference call when the rest of the committee arrived. The
conference call wasn't complete when the rest of the committee arrived. And finally,
the Past progressive can be used to criticize something that happens off and on, but
on a more or less regular basis. Trish was always arriving to work late on
Fridays. Now, Future progressive, the progressive version of future tense shows that
the action will be in progress at some time, or at a certain time in the future, such as
in this example.
Monday at 9 a.m. the employees will be attending a meeting. Do note that it's
important not to confuse the name of a verb tense with the way it's used to talk about
time. For example, I hope she wins the award tomorrow. Wins is present simple, but
it refers to tomorrow future.So a present tense verb doesn't always refer to present
time. If Mark had some extra time now, he could start the project. Had is past simple,
but refers to present now. And now let's examine the next group, one more tense.
The Continuous Tense is the last group. The Present continuous of any verb has two
parts,the present tense of the verb to be, is or are, for example, plus the present
participle of the main verb, which is the verb plus ing, walking and singing. Let's look
at a couple of its uses.It's used to describe an action that is happening at this
moment. You are listening to this lesson. It is also used to describe something which
has already been planned. You are going to dinner this evening.
The Past continuous describes something that happened in a time before now, it
began in the past and is still happening, but the action has not been completed. I was
having a good time at the conference when the fire alarm sounded. I was going to
complete the report, but I've decided to call a meeting first. And finally, the Future
continuous tense. It has three parts, will plus be, plus the present participle, which is
the root word plus ing, will be going, and will be sleeping are examples.
The Future continuous refers to something that is unfinished, that will be in
progress at a future time. The Future continuous has a variety of different
purposes but here are two of those. One, to project ourselves into the future. By this
time next year, I will be managing the company. And two, for predicting or guessing
about future events. You will be missing your co-workers after the promotion. Think
carefully about the tense. Don't shift tenses, your reader may be confused or even
misled.
You are taking, were taking, will be taking this advanced grammar course, and I will
be glad you are, or I am glad you are, or I have been glad, or let's just leave it with
present progressive tense. You are taking this advanced grammar course and I'm
glad.
Irregular verbs
- In grammar, the irregular verbs cause many more use problems than the regular
versions.Irregular verbs occasionally refer to as the strong verbs, over 100 of them
are verbs that don't follow the usual established rules for verb forms. The most
common are usually identified asBe, Do, See say Get Go Know Think Make,
Come and Take. And close to three-fourths of the time, 70% the verb we use is an
irregular one.
So what makes a verb irregular? It doesn't end with a conventional "-ed"
ending when referring to the past. Overall the irregular verbs may make no
sense because finding a pattern is hard. Okay, so we have ring and rang but not
think and thank. Instead, think and thought.And sing, sang but not sling, slang, but
sling, slung. Sound confusing? (light giggle) It is. So let's try to make some sense of
these pesky irregular verbs that have their own set of rules.
As I mentioned in the opening of the course, I am not a believer of memorizing
rules. But for irregular verbs, that's the only way to know what is correct. Memorizing
and then using the correct word over and over until it's use becomes
automatic. Knowing that go, went, gone is correct for example, has no sound that
would indicate it's correct. See, saw, seed, we just have to know that see, saw, seed
is not correct. And to add to the complication, British English and American English
have gone in noticeable different direction for a couple words.
Burn and learn for example, burn, burned or burn, burnt? Learn, learned versus
learn, learnt?And very rarely, but regular verb may become an irregular verb. Sneak,
sneaked, should be sneak, snuck, but the misuse of sneaked is making it close to
becoming acceptable. My vote goes for sneaked. In isolated cases such as
light, should lighted or lit be used? He lighted the fire, he lit the fire.
Whichever you choose, you're correct. Both are acceptable as the past tense for to
light. So, let the conjugation, memorization game begin. Let's look at Common
Irregular Verbs. Each will be conjugated, Present, Past, neither of which ever have a
helper, and Past Participle which must be used after a helper, has or have for
example. Do, did, done. You do it, you did it, you have done it. I go, Joe went, Joe
has gone.
Now look at these, the Past and the Past Participle are the same, say, said,
said. They say it will rain. They said it will rain. They have said it will rain. But in
another instance, the Presentand the Past Participle are the same. Come, came,
come. You come home. You came home.You have come home. And then there's a
group of irregulars that the word is the same in all three categories. I put the vase on
the table, I put the vase on the table yesterday, I have put the vase on the table every
day.
Even though read is also on that list, same spelling so it makes no difference when
we're writing. But it does change it's sound if we say it orally. I read everyday. I read
yesterday. I have read that book. We can group some of these irregular verbs, but
exceptions exist. So these are not rules, just common patterns. If the verb ends in D,
change to T. Examples, bend, bent and bent. And Spend, spent and spent.
But exceptions of course such as end, ended and ended. Here's a second pattern
with a long I sound, a couple examples in this category, drive, drove, driven, rise,
rose and risen.However, others change from long I to OU, such as find, found,
found and grind, ground, ground. Look also at the E, it changes from long to
short. Listen to the E's. Sleep, slept, slept.
Keep, kept, kept. So the definition of irregular is something that is different, which
certainly describes irregular verbs. They live by their own set of rules. But keep
practicing conjugating those irregular verbs, until they become habit. I hope this
lesson has taught, not teached, you about irregular verbs.
Conjunction overview
- [Female] Somehow I missed hearing and learning one of the most important songs
ever, the Conjunction Junction song. I'm not sure how that happened. The actual
song is quite long and you can find it at this website if you're excited to hear all of
it. For a quick review, there are four sub-categories of conjunctions. Coordinating,
subordinating, correlative, conjunctive adverbs, or sometimes called adverbial
conjunction. Coordinating think of FANBOYS, an acronym that will help you
remember the only seven words that are coordinating; For, And, Nor, But, or, Yet,
and So.
Co are the key letters to remember, the prefix co means together or with, think
coworkers.Subordinating, think of A WHITE BUS, an acronym that will help you
remember, no not all the subordinating conjunctions, there are at least 25, but A
WHITE BUS will help you remember examples of subordinating conjunctions; After,
When, How, If, Though, Even, Before, Until, and Since. Correlative, think pairs. No,
that's not an acronym, but correlative conjunctions have to be in pairs.
And each word of the pair is equal. Maybe remember the pairs of Rs in
correlative, examples are both-and. Not only-but also. Not-but. Either-or. And
Neither-nor. Now the conjunctive adverb. The best I can do for a memory hint is ICE
CARS to help you remember what conjunctive adverbs do. They Illustrate; for
example. Show Cause and effect; therefore. They Emphasize; certainly. They
Contrast; however.
They Add to; furthermore. They identify a Result; accordingly. And show Sequence;
finally.More than 50 words are in this category. So that's the review, now let's delve
more deeplyinto some of the areas that needs special care. First, what are the
special concerns for subordinating conjunctions? They have two jobs, to give the
necessary transition and to show a relationships. Time, place, cause and effect, for
example. They can be grouped into categories by what they do.
They concede. Even though, is an example. They show a condition; even if. They
can compare; whereas. Or show time; whenever. They can also indicate a reason;
because. And they can show the manner in which something was done; as if. They
can appear at the beginning or the middle of a sentence. Using one to start a
sentence may result in a sentence fragment if we're not careful because the
subordinating conjunction will always begin a dependent clause, one that can't stand
alone.
Look at these examples of how adding a subordinating conjunction completely
changes the sentences meaning. The new office building will be completed by the
end of the year. It will need to be inspected before we can move. Two sentences, no
conjunctions. Let's add one.Even though the new office building will be completed by
the end of the year. It will need to be inspected before we can move. By adding even
though, we created a sentence fragmentby putting a period at the end of the now
dependent clause.
So let's change that period to a comma, like this. Even though the new office building
will be completed by the end of the year, comma, it will need to be inspected before
we can move.Now the dependent clause is hooked to the independent one and is
correct. Next, the correlative conjunction joins similar elements. But that's also what
coordinating conjunctions do isn't it? So what's the difference? Perhaps the main
reason to use a correlative conjunctionrather than a coordinating conjunction is to
emphasize.
Look at these two examples. Paula is a dependable coworker and a trusted
friend. So we know two things about Paula. Here's the other version. Paula is not
only a dependable coworker but also a trusted friend. We still know two things about
Paula, but the second version with the correlative pair of conjunctions, not only-but
also, is that both of Paula's qualities are emphasized. Another caution is being
sure the subject and verb agree in numberwith subjects connected with the
correlative conjunction.
Neither the dog nor the cats were or was in the yard. Neither the cats nor the dog
were or was in the yard. Does the placement of cats and dog in the sentence change
the verb choice? Yes. Cat's were; dog was. The word closest to the verb
determines if the verb is singular or plural. Neither the dog nor the cats were in the
yard. Neither the cats nor the dog was in the yard. And one finally item on the beware
list when using correlative conjunctions,be sure to keep the connected items parallel.
Another lesson examines parallel issues in more depth. But look at this sentence. We
can either wait for Jon to arrive or we can call a cab. We can either wait for Jon to
arrive or call a cab. The second example is parallel. Either wait or call. The first
example changes the sentence structure by trying to connect the or to a complete
sentence. And finally, the conjunctive adverbs. Even though the word conjunctive
describes these words, they really aren't conjunctions used as the other three
categories.
These are adverbs used as transition. But in one way, they do connect ideas as the
other conjunctions do and show relationships. We'll discuss them here but work on
them some more in the adverb lesson. Listen to these two sentences. Mary is
retiring; therefore, Clark will be promoted to Mary's job. Mary is retiring;
however, Clark will not be promoted to Mary's job.The ideas connect but changing
the conjunctive adverb changes the relationship of Mary's retiring and Clark's future.
So now may be the time to learn that Conjunction Junction song. Conjunction
Junction how's that function? What's their function? Now you know the how, and the
what, of their function.
Coordinating conjunctions
- [Instructor] Coordinating Conjunctions. The acronym to help you remember these
seven words is FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. They connect equals and
those equals can be words: desk and chair. Phrases. On the desk and in the
chair. Dependent clauses. After the meeting was over, but while we were still at the
office. Or independent clauses. The meeting was over, but we were still
working. Depending on which list you use, the word and is number four or number
five on the most frequently used words in the English language.
To be used so frequently suggests that it must have a variety of uses. Let's examine
six of those possibilities, as we delve more deeply into the coordinating
conjunctions. And can be used to show a sequence. We arrived at the meeting and
waited for the speaker to arrive. Two verbs, arrived and waited, show the
sequence. Arrived before we waited. Another relationship that and can show is cause
and effect. The employees heard the news that layoffs would begin and promptly
began interviewing at other companies.
Heard and began, again, two verbs. Even though but is usually used to show
contrast, and can can also. Look at this example. Office building number three is
painted blue, and office building number five is painted green. The writer could be
contrasting the two colors. What about an unexpected result? Yet is typically used,
but and is also a possibility. Lynn is highly qualified for the position and never seems
to get the promotion. Here's the fifth possibility.
Even though a subordinating conjunction's purpose is to show a dependency of
ideas, a coordinating conjunction can also. Look at how and does that in this
example. Be late for work three times, and employee attendance points will be
deducted on your evaluation. And the sixth is that and can also be used to show
emphasis. Max was promoted instead of Andrew and that shocked everyone. What
about the next most commonly used coordinating conjunction, but? Even though it is
in the 20's or 30's on the most commonly used overall word list, but is usually the
best choice to contrast words or ideas.
Frieda had to move to a temporary office, but she still seems to be meeting her
quotas. But can also be used to support another idea in the sentence. Look at how
but does that in this example. Randa never arrived late for an interview, but always
relied on MapQuest. And another way but can support an idea: no one but Torrey
knew the answer. Here, but means "except." Let's look at or next. Or is used to link,
present, or identify alternatives.
Every day they clean the picnic area or the break room. Or can also be used to
stress, clarify, or counter a previous statement. No layoffs are projected, or so
management is telling us now. Now what about for? It's in the top 20 of the most
commonly used English words. For is also one of the common prepositions and it
functions in that capacity more than it does as a coordinating conjunction. As a
coordinating conjunction, it shows a sequence.
Because and since, which are subordinating conjunctions, are also used to show a
sequence.But for tends to be used when the connection needs a serious word to
connect the reason clause. Maybe these examples will help show when for, as a
coordinating conjunction, would be the best choice. Linda believed she would be
selected for the honor, for her three best friends were on the committee. Or, most of
the new employees were content with the new office arrangements, for at least they
no longer had to share desks.
That's the technical use of for as a coordinating conjunction. Honestly, I think
because works better than the conjunctions, and usually leave for as a
preposition. So is certainly not as common as the other coordinating conjunctions
we've examined. So can connect these independent clauses, just like and and but.
We are carpooling to the meeting, so we can't leave until Toni gets off work. Notice in
that example that the two events also show a cause and effect, which means
therefore, the conjunctive adverb, could also be used correctly, like this: we are
carpooling to the meeting; therefore, we can't leave until Toni gets off work.
So can also be used to mean "as well" or "in addition." Gail isn't the only person
being considered for the award, so are Dot, Mary, and Sami. Another use of so is to
summarize. So, in summary, the three building sites all meet the
requirements. Adding the so in this example is more common in spoken grammar
than in written. In summary would be sufficient. Another coordinating conjunction to
examine is yet. Yet probably wants a coordinating conjunction award for having the
most uses other than and.
Yet means in addition. As in, yet another coordinating conjunction to examine. Or it
can mean "still." He is is still, or yet, on probation. Or even, yet more
expensive. Eventually, they may yet be hired. Show time, she hasn't arrived yet. It
can be used much the same way as but, or as the conjunctive adverb,
nevertheless. Yet may be a stronger coordinating conjunction than but. Miley is a
computer expert, yet her favorite job is teaching. Yet is sometimes combined with
and.
Nelson had worked at the same company for 10 years, and yet had received no
promotions.And finally, the little used nor is used to show a negative connection of
ideas. I will not vote for Jane nor Sally. Nor is also part of the corelative pair
neither/nor. Karen is neither arrogant nor controlling. I know that is neither what she
said nor what she meant. Generally, when nor is used, it connects negative ideas.
Do be certain to look at your intended relationship or connection to choose the
correct conjunction to show your reader that relationship. FANBOYS: seven little
letters, but certainly more than seven choices when deciding which coordinating
conjunction to use.
Pronouns
- [Instructor] When you see those words, do you think I'm arrogant that I just lose
all my credibility of knowing grammar, or did you chuckle? I so hope you
chuckled. Let's do that quick review before we tackle some of the more weighty
pronoun issues. A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun but not all the pronoun
categories can be easily placed under that broad definition. First personal pronouns,
that's the group most people think of when they hear the word pronoun. Personal
pronouns have gender, he, masculine, she, feminine, it, neutral, number, it, she
singular, they, plural, person, I, first, you, second person, they, third,and case,
subjective, I, he, they, objective, me, her, and possessive, its and their.
In addition to personal pronouns, there's more groups. Demonstrative, those and
these,interrogative, which one, indefinite, some, somebody, reciprocal, each
other, relative, who, which, that, reflective and intensive, myself. That completes the
review of what pronouns areand how they function, but let's do another quick
review. The agreement of number error is so common that the rule needs to be
emphasized again. The rule, the pronoun must agree in number with its antecedent
and with its verb.
Indefinite pronouns are singular, somebody, everybody, anybody. Everyone should
sign their name on the roster has an agreement of number error. Their is third person
plural personal pronoun, so everyone equals singular, their equals plural creating the
grammar error. Let's correct it. Everyone should sign the roster, eliminate the
pronoun or make both plural. All attendees should sign their names on the roster or
the often cumbersome, everyone should sign his or her name on the roster.
And a quick review of one more major error, I, he, she, they, and me, him, her,
them. Even though the rule applies to all the words in each category, let's use he and
him to illustrate.Ellie and he, not him, are on the committee. Choose the subjective
case when the pronoun is used as a subject. Maria said she would send the
reports to Ellie and him, not he. Choose from the objective case when the pronoun is
the object of a preposition. A reminder that my Grammar Fundamentals course
delves deeply into those rules.
Now let's focus on some more advanced pronoun issues, a pronoun needs a clear
reference called an antecedent. Both Nancy and Caroline liked her new office. Her is
a singular possessive case pronoun, so either Nancy or Caroline could be the
antecedent, the name to whom her is referring. So how does the reader know if the
office is Nancy's or Caroline's? The reader doesn't know, only the writer knows the
actual meaning. Writing Both Nancy and Caroline liked Nancy's new office now
clarifies that it's Nancy's office.
Also, the pronoun needs to refer to a specific word in the sentence. It has been found
that half the employees prefer the new insurance plan. What has been found? It? To
what does it refer? Nothing. This is an easy fix. Half the employees prefer the new
insurance plan and at the same time, the sentence becomes more concise. Or if how
the data were collected is important, then the survey revealed that half the
employees prefer the new insurance plan.What about this example, Whether we like
Plan A or Plan B, it won't make any difference.
What won't make any difference? It? What's it? One way we could correct it would
be Whether we like Plan A or Plan B makes no difference. Let's switch to
demonstrative pronouns. Those, these, this, that. Four words that may be used as
pronouns or as adjectives and are rarely misused. Those are my reports, those
reports are mine. A pronoun in the first example, an adjective in the second
example. Those and these refer to plural items, these papers, and this and that refer
to singulars, this report, that paper.
Another antecedent situation is called the Anticipatory Reference. If the pronoun
comes before the noun of which it refers, the reader is left not knowing and has to
anticipate the antecedent. Look at this example, If they arrive today, please let me
know when I can open the supplies. Only after we get to the end of the sentence and
see supplies do we know what they is replacing. Writing If the supplies arrive
today, please let me know when I can open them doesn't keep the reader in
suspense, the antecedent before the pronoun makes the sentence meaning easier to
understand.
And no pronoun discussion would be complete without the who, whom, and
that. First, that refers to things, The vases that are broken will be replaced, that's not
the problem. The vases who are broken will be replaced would probably never be
used. The problem is if that is used referring to people. The employees that are on
the conference committee will meet today.That's incorrect. Employees are people
and people are referred to as who or whom. The employees who are on
the conference committee will meet today.
So who and whom both refer to people, but how are they used correctly? Who and
whom are relative case pronouns but need to be thought on just like any of the
other objective and subjective case pronouns. Who is subjective and whom is
objective. In the example, The employees who are on the conference committee will
meet today. Who is the subject of the verb are, so the subjective case pronoun who
is correct. Selected grammarians believe that whom must sound so formal that it
should not be used.
To whom should I address this package is correct. To is a preposition and
prepositions take objects, so the objective case whom is correct.
3-PUNCTUATION
Commas
- [Instructor] Life is a series of commas, not periods, a quote from Matthew
McConaughey. So think about commas as pauses that give us time to slow down but
not to come to a final end.That tiny little mark has so many uses so let's delve
into how and when to use it correctly.We've discussed in other lessons in this
course, and certainly in the Grammar Fundamentals course, the main uses of the
comma. In this lesson, for each rule, we'll first review then consider possible
exceptions, and finally, cautions.
So, the first review. Two complete sentences with a coordinating conjunction. A
comma is placed before that coordinating conjunction. The meeting will start late, but
it will still last two hours. Consider the same rule except if those independent
clauses are brief, the comma may be omitted. I ran and Matt drove. If in doubt, add
the comma. But remember, the comma comes before the conjunction, not after
it. The second review. Use a comma to separate the elements in series, three or
more things.
We will attend the sessions on teamwork, on transparent communication, and on
leadership styles. But consider, the experts don't always agree on the use of the
serial comma or Oxford comma. If in doubt, use it, although understand that some
will say it should be deleted.However, it is optional. We will attend the sessions on
teamwork, on transparent communication and on leadership styles. Remember, as
you consider the Oxford or serial comma, that last comma, using it or not, may
actually result in confusion.
How many items were on the buffet table in this sentence? Five. Adding the comma
makes macaroni and cheese two different items when it was probably only one
item. Third review.Use a comma to set off introductory phrases or clauses. Because
he was trying to get the amendment passed, he called all the team leaders. But
consider, you may omit the comma after a brief introductory element if the meaning is
still clear.
While in the store I bought three loaves of bread. But remember, omitting that comma
may create confusion. Look at this sentence. All along certainly qualifies as a brief
introductory element but all along, the production line employees have
wanted updated equipment is not the same as all along the production
line, employees have wanted updated equipment. So the comma is placed after both
introductory clauses but the meaning is different in each one.
Also, if the clause comes at the end, it generally should not be set off with the
comma. He called all the team leaders because he was trying to get the amendment
passed. However, that clause that comes at the end may be set off if reading without
it would be confusing. A fourth review. Use a comma to set of parenthetical elements
or appositives, those non-essential or non-restrictive words or clauses that can be
removed without changing the sentence's meaning.
This example has a non-essential element. Highway 33, which was repaved last
week, has four rest stops. The fact that it was repaved has nothing to do with the fact
that it has four rest stops. The appositive renames. Look at this example. Fred, my
boss for 10 years, will retire next year. The fact that Fred has been your boss for 10
years can certainly be deleted without losing anything crucial in the sentence. Now
let's change the word order of Fred in the boss sentence.
My boss Fred will retire next year. We could argue that Fred is
parenthetical assuming the writer has one boss. But if the writer has more than one
boss, then Fred should not be surrounded by commas. Also, short appositives
generally need not be set off with commas.Another review. The comma is used to
separate two or more elements in dates, addresses, and titles. The conference on
May 12, 2015, was held in Santa Barbara, California.
If the day is not included then no commas are required. Our new branch office will
open in May 2018. But do consider, when the state name is part of a possessive or
compound structure, the second comma is not used. Santa Barbara, California's
conference will last three days. Remember the comma between a name and suffix is
no longer considered necessary by most writers, as in George Brown Jr. or George
Brown III. Both of those would be correct without commas.
And no commas are used in international or military format. George Washington
became president on 4 February 1789. A sixth review. The nouns of direct
address. Look at this example. I will arrive, Paula, some time in the afternoon. I'm
writing to Paula but consider that a comma should not be used if writing about
Paula. I told Paula that I would arrive some time in the afternoon. Remember, those
direct address commas should not be confused with the appositive.
A seventh rule is to use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives. A review. The
report was well written, visually appealing, and mechanically correct. All three of
those adjectives are equal and should be separated by commas. You can replace a
comma with the word and and it still makes sense. But consider that not all adjectives
are equal. Look at these sentences.The short October meeting will be to plan the
project. To say the short and October meeting doesn't make sense.
Let's look at this example with two equal adjectives separated by the
comma. However, each adjective is also compound so it should be hyphenated. My
friend decided to buy all the dirt-cheap, run-down houses on the block. The eighth
review is to set off quoted elements. The news article quoted our CEO as
saying, "Within the next five years, we will be the premierehealth care facility." If the
quote comes in the middle, then two commas are necessary.
"Within the next five years," our CEO said, "we will be in the premiere health care
facility." But if the word that is used, the quote becomes indirect and no commas are
needed. Our CEO said that we will be the premiere health care facility within the next
five years. However, a colon is used to set off quoted information that is either formal
or long, more than a sentence.Look at this example. Another rule, number nine on
our list, is to use a comma to set off contrasting elements.
Those beginning with which, but, and not. She was promoted for her work ethic, not
for how long she'd worked for the company. The new equipment is necessary, but
very confusing to use. Consider though that some writers will leave out the
comma that sets off a contrasting phrase beginning with but. We were eager but also
anxious. Remember that even though the comma is used before but in both of these
examples, be sure to recognize that but serves a different purpose in each.
The new equipment is necessary, but very confusing to use. The new equipment is
necessary, but it won't arrive until next month. The but in the second sentence is a
coordinating conjunction between two independent clauses. The tenth review is that
commas may be used with interjections or exclamations. Yes, no, well, oh, wow. Yes,
I plan to update my programs tomorrow. However, when the interjection comes at the
start of the sentence, it can be followed by an exclamation mark to show that the
writer is excited or irritated.
Interjections, although not typically used in most business writing, might be used in
an informal email or text to a colleague. And finally, a catch all rule. Use a comma to
avoid confusion. Is a comma necessary in this sentence? If yes, where? Without a
comma, for most the month has been difficult, the sentence makes no sense. With a
comma, with a pause, the meaning becomes clear. For most, the month has been
difficult.
The rule that applies, use a comma to avoid confusion. But never use a comma
between a subject and a verb, even though they may be separated by several
words and a reading pause might have been necessary. Understanding the new
policies and being able to implement them are both necessary for success. Even
though you might pause after them, no comma should be used between them and
are. One final comma note. Overuse may be the biggest misuse problem with
commas.
Just because the comma has so many uses, and we haven't discussed nearly all of
them,some people get comma happy. Don't use a comma unless you know
exactly why you are choosing to insert one.
Apostrophes
- [Voiceover] That infamous apostrophe, or air comma as I've heard it called. What is
it? A little mark that serves multiple purposes. It replaces letters to form a
contraction. Does not, doesn't.It is, it's. It also replaces numbers as in '15, replacing
the 20 for 2015. And it can help avoid confusion. Look at these two sentences. "She
used three I's in the sentence" with the apostrophe.
"She used three is in the sentence" without the apostrophe. In the second sentence,
it looks like the word is, but in this example, "Do you have any DVDs that I could
buy?" is correct.There's no confusion, just plural. So the apostrophe isn't
needed. And although it's called a single quote mark rather than an apostrophe, it
looks like an apostrophe when it's used in quotes like this. According to
CareerBuilder.com, "When applying for a job, there are few faster ways "to get your
resume and cover letter thrown "out of contention than by making a 'glaring
grammatical error'." That single quote mark is to show a quote within a quote.
Probably its most common use is to show possession, both singular and plural. But
before we decide where to place the apostrophe for a singular and plural
possession, let's take a step back and analyze if the word is even possessive. Maybe
it's just plural and doesn't even need the apostrophe. Look at these examples. Which
is correct? They all are.
Let's analyze each. "The birds were in the tree." Birds, no ownership, just plural,
more than one bird. Next, "The bird's tree was in the back yard." Now we have
ownership. Reword it: The tree belonging to the bird. The bird, only one bird, that's
called singular possessive. And the third sentence, "The birds' tree was in the back
yard." Reword it again: The tree belonging to the birds. The birds, plural, more than
one bird, that's plural possessive.
So what's an easy way to determine whether the apostrophe should be before or
after the s?Is the word before the apostrophe, in our examples bird and birds,
singular or plural? The answer to that question is the answer to the
question, "Between what letters should the apostrophe be placed?" One bird only? B-
I-R-D apostrophe S. What comes before the apostrophe is that one bird. Multiple
birds? B-I-R-D-S apostrophe. What comes before the apostrophe? Birds, plural.
Sounds simple, right? Now let's take it to the next level. Which of these is
correct? Both are correct, even though in both the apostrophe is before the
s. Why? Because woman doesn't add an s to change to plural, the word changes to
women. Child and children, man to men are other examples. So look at what is
before the apostrophe. Woman singular, women plural.
Would this be correct? It couldn't be, because the word before the apostrophe is not
a word.If what is before the apostrophe is not a word, then the apostrophe is not in
the correct place.Charles's, s apostrophe s, or Charles', s apostrophe? I'll give you
differing thoughts, but you will need to supplement this discussion with a more in
depth discussion: The Chicago Manual of Style, or the Associated Press. According
to the CMOS, Charles's, C-H-A-R-L-E-S apostrophe S would be correct, but the AP
would use C-H-A-R-L-E-S apostrophe.
So why the debate? Many common and proper nouns end in the letter s. In addition
to Charles and Thomas, we have bus, class, canvas, boss, Jones, and Texas. So, C-
L-A-S-S apostrophe s or C-L-A-S-S apostrophe? A case could be made for
either, but most stylebooks agree that the rule for forming the possessive of a single
noun ending in s by adding apostrophe s is preferred.
What about names? Thomas's car, s apostrophe s, or Thomas' car, s
apostrophe? Even the Chicago Manual of Style has changed its rules. Now it
indicates that all proper names ending in s form the possessive by adding
apostrophe s. So, based on that, T-H-O-M-A-S apostrophe S would be correct. But
hold the press, because the Associated Press stylebook indicates to use a single
apostrophe for all proper names ending in s.
So T-H-O-M-A-S apostrophe would be correct. About now, you're probably
wondering how you are supposed to know what is right and wrong if the rules conflict
from one style manual to another. Personally, I usually go with the AP rules, and by
how the word sounds. Does the s apostrophe s give the unnecessary z-z-z sound, as
in the Williams's? It does to me, so I use Williams', W-I-L-L-I-A-M-S apostrophe.
Who would think that the rules for that one little mark, the apostrophe, could be so
polarizing?Punctuation is supposed to help readers, so help your reader by showing
if the word is plural, singular possessive, or plural possessive. Those are always
rules, and then keep working on those advanced apostrophe rules until you decide
which school of thought to follow, or be sure you know your employer's preference.
4-SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Review sentence structure
- [Instructor] Buildings, organizations, and the government all have structures, but
each type of structure is different. That's also true when we talk about sentence
structure. Using different sentence structures can make an important difference in
your writing. By sentence structure, do we mean the type of sentence, simple,
compound, complex, and compound/complex? Or do we mean what is emphasized
and de-emphasized by the way the sentence is structured?Maybe we mean passive
or active structure, or maybe loose or periodic, or the normal sentence order versus
the inverted sentence structure.
Or do we mean whether the sentence is declarative, interrogative, rhetorical,
exclamatory, or imperative? That's a lot of different ways to analyze a sentence's
structure. Before we begin analyzing those structure categories, let's analyze this
question. What difference does structure make? A sentence is a sentence,
right? Analyzing sentence structure is important for at least three reasons. It provides
variety for your reader.
You may be familiar with the Dick and Jane, along with their dog Spot, reading
books, which were used from the 1930s to the 1970s to help children learn to
read. The words were something like this. See Spot run. Dick and Jane see Spot
run. Spot can see Dick and Jane. I think you get the point. Simple sentences are
certainly easy to read and comprehend but choppy, redundant, and boring. A second
way that understanding sentence structure and sentence placement in a paragraph
or document helps is that it lets you emphasize or de-emphasize certain elements for
your reader.
The same combination of facts can be packaged in a variety of ways. Business
Writing Fundamentals and Business Writing Strategies thoroughly discuss emphasis
techniques, but here's a quick review. Even though she said she would get the report
to us on time, we still don't have it. The main sentence clause, we still don't have
it, emphasizes that we are still waiting and are doubtful. This version, even though we
still don't have the report, she said she would get it to us on time, emphasizes that we
believe she will provide the report on time.
And a third reason to focus on sentence structure is to help with the writing flow, how
easy our ideas are for the reader to follow. Earlier in the lesson, we identified the
short sentence structures being choppy and boring. Let's give it some praise here. If
all the other sentences are the 20-word average length, a short sentence can
emphasize. It draws attention to itself.The committee asked us to submit our
revisions, along with reasons for the changes, by noon tomorrow.
We were reminded that Sections 12, 15, and 27 were unclear, and that Sections
three and nine were repetitive. All the other sections were accepted. Having that six-
word sentence follow those 17 and 19-word sentences gets our attention. So now
that we know how sentence structure can impact our writing, let's begin with a review
of clauses. Dependent and independent, those grammar terms that are the basis of
understanding a simple, compound, complex, and compound/complex structure.
To be a clause, the word group must have a subject and a verb. That clause may be
dependent or independent. The marketing department will submit a justification
report.Department is the subject, will submit is the verb. So that's a clause. It can
stand alone as a complete thought, which makes it an independent clause. Even
though the marketing department will submit a justification report. Department is the
subject, will submit is the verb.So it's still a clause, but adding the words even
though, those subordinating conjunctions,makes the clause dependent.
The reader is waiting for the rest of the thought. Even though the marketing
department will submit a justification report comma, the manager wants other
departments also to submit their ideas. Those two examples lead us into the rest of
the sentence structure review. The first, that independent clause, is a simple
sentence structure, one clause. The marketing department will submit a justification
report. The second example shows the complex sentence structure, two clauses, the
dependent clause and the independent clause.
Even though the marketing department will submit a justification report, the manager
wants other departments to also submit their ideas. The third example also has two
clauses, but both are independent, joined with a coordinating conjunction, making it a
compound sentence. The marketing department will submit a justification
report comma, but the manager wants other departments also to submit their
ideas. One more structure in this category, three clauses, two independent and one
dependent.
The dependent, beginning with a subordinating conjunction, and the two independent
clauses, joined by a coordinating conjunction, equals a compound/complex
sentence. Even though the marketing department will submit a justification report, the
manager wants other departments to also submit their ideas; and she wants those by
the end of the week. In the third clause, she is the subject and wants is the verb, and
it is independent. Both those subordinating and coordinating conjunctions help the
writer tie together the idea's meaning in the sentences and to show the reader the
relationship.
The two clauses in a compound sentence show that the ideas are closely
connected. We were in the break room. We heard the announcement. Two
completely different ideas, short, unconnected sentences. Look at these four
sentences combining the ideas in those two short sentences. While we were in the
break room, we heard the announcement. We heard the announcement even
though we were in the break room. Even though we were in the break room, we
heard the announcement. And we were in the break room, but we heard the
announcement.
A different point is being made in each of those versions. The first is the time element
of the two events. The second and third show a time and location connection, but
each has a different emphasis. Location is emphasized in the first and hearing the
announcement in the second. And the fourth, with the coordinating conjunction
but, shows a contrast. Which of the four is correct? Certainly, they all are, but each
sentence structure sends a different message.
Components of a sentence
FromAdvanced Grammar
- [Narrator] Yes, the sentence structure can add variety, can emphasize and
deemphasize certain ideas, and can connect the ideas so that your writing flows. But
now, let's look at other sentence structure possibilities to consider. Do you want your
sentence to have a passive or active structure? Most grammar checkers will flag
passive structure, but not all passive's bad.My Business Writing Fundamentals and
Business Writing Strategies courses have an in depth discussion. But the short
answer for whether you should use active or passive is it depends.
Active, when the subject is acting, is stronger. Passive, when the subject receives the
action,is considered a weaker structure. But look at these two sentences. First, the
passive. Cell phone use is permitted only in Corridors A and C. Or, active. You can't
use your cell phone any place except A and C. I don't know about you, but if the first
warning I received, especially if I didn't know the rule, was the active structure, I
might be offended and defensive. The passive version is much more tactful.
Or maybe the action is more important than the action doer. Or maybe the doer is
unknown.The main door was left unlocked all night. Here, the passive sounds more
serious than,someone left the main door unlocked all night. Another structure to
consider is whether to use the loose or periodic structure. A loose, or sometimes
called a cumulative sentence, is one that has your main point or idea at the beginning
of the sentence. I'm willing to drive an hour each day to work at Ryal, Inc., because
the benefits are generous, my coworkers are great people, and the management staff
makes me feel valued.
The main point of this sentence is that the writer likes working at Ryal, Inc. Once that
main point is made the beginning, everything that follows is support. How does that
loose sentence structure differ from a periodic, or also called climactic sentence
structure? The opposite, the main point is at the end of a long sentence, and is
sometimes called backing into a sentence.A periodic sentence can have more of a
dramatic effect, but it's usually more difficult to follow the flow. Because the benefits
are generous, my coworkers are great people, and the management staff makes me
feel valued, I'm willing to drive an hour each day to work at Ryal, Inc.
The main point is still that the writer likes working at Ryal, but the reader doesn't
know that is the main point until the end. All the support information has to be
read without knowing the conclusion. Using a periodic structure occasionally can
serve as a persuasive, suspenseful element. If I think you might disagree with
me, then I'll provide the support first. What about the normal sentence order versus
the inverted sentence structure? And let's add to this discussion front shifting.
The normal structure is subject, verb, object. The customers, subject. Refused,
verb. The shipments, object. Inverted sentences are sentences with an irregular verb
placement of the verb before the subject. Not only did, that's the irregular verb, the
customers refuse the shipments, but they also were boycotting our company. How do
you decide if the normal or inverted sentence structure should be used? Generally,
an inverted sentence emphasizes the situation and begins with a negative idea.
Now, how does the inverted structure differ from the front shifting arrangement? The
word order is sort of unexpected, and the emphasis is reversed. Very similar to the
inverted structure. Look at this example. Some friendships you cherish, but some you
think take too much effort. The emphasis is on friendship differences, cherish and too
much effort. In this structure. You cherish some friendships, but you think some take
too much effort, has a different focus. The focus is on the active subject, you.
Sentence structure can also refer to whether the sentence is declarative,
interrogative,rhetorical, exclamatory, or imperative. The declarative sentence states a
fact and ends with a period. The weather forecast predicted rain. The interrogative
sentence asks a direct question and ends with a question mark. Did the weather
forecaster predict rain? The direct question differs from the rhetorical question. If I
ask you about the weather forecaster's prediction of rain, I expect an answer. But
with the rhetorical question, I really don't expect you to answer.
The question is being asked more as transition into a discussion, or, we both already
know the answer. Used occasionally, it can be effective. Early in this lesson, I
asked, Do you want your sentence to have a passive or active structure? I didn't
expect an answer. I used the rhetorical question as a segue to begin talking about
the difference in those two structures.The exclamatory sentence is more forceful than
a declarative one. It shows excitement, but rarely are these used in business
writing, although I might email a colleague with,congratulations on the award! And
then the imperative sentence.
This one gives a command and actually may be a one word sentence with an
understood subject of you. Get that report ready in five minutes. So, as you consider
sentence structure,keep thinking about the message you're sending, by where you
place your words and the punctuation used.
Parallel structure
- [Instructor] Do you like a predictable rhythm? Do you like symmetrical patterns? You
order a flat of 36 marigolds and when the flat is delivered, it contains 34
marigolds and two yellow pansies. All 36 are yellow flowers, but something is just
different, a little askew. Well, grammatical parallel structure is sort of like that. The
reader gets into your writing flow, is expecting a pattern, and then all of a sudden the
structure or pattern changes. Something's just not right.
A writer may mistakenly believe that constantly varying the wording for variety to
avoid redundancy is always a good idea. While that theory may be true, effective
writers should pay special attention to parallel structure. Let's start with the simplest
possible parallel structure,articles and prepositions. The letters, the memos, and
email all need to be professional. Or,The letters, the memos, and the email all need
to be professional. Adding that one little article makes the sentence parallel.
And notice the little preposition in these two examples. Whether in the yard, the
house, or in the park, the dogs liked to run and play. Or, Whether in the yard, in the
house, or in the park,the dogs liked to run and play. Yes, I agree, that "the" and
"in" don't cause major problems,but keep that flow of rhythm in mind as we look at
other examples. When your writing includes a series, whether it's nouns, adjectives,
prepositions, or participial phrases or clauses, each part of the series must: one, use
the same grammatical form, and two, serve the same grammatical purpose.
If those two criteria aren't met, then you have a non-parallel construction. Once you
discover a non-parallel issue, then you have to change something and sometimes
you will have a couple choices. Here's a simple example. Reading, exercising, and to
go to the lake are my favorite activities. Reading, exercising, so far parallel, two
gerunds for subjects and then the switch, an infinitive to go. So the choices
are: reading, exercising and going, all gerunds, Or to read, to exercise, and to go, all
infinitive phrases, both versions are equally correct.
Now, looking at an example of unparallel structure that might be harder to see. The
supervisor called a meeting not only to discuss the new company policies but also
wanted to present the employee-of-the-month award. Not only, joins a direct object,
meeting, with a verb, wanted, but what is joined must be equal, so let's make the
sentence parallel this way.The supervisor called a meeting, not only to discuss the
new company policies, but also to present the employee-of-the-month award.
Now, to discuss and to present, are both objects of why the meeting was
called. Next, let's look at this non-parallel structure. When Ted saw Ellie's
recommendation, he asked to see what secondary research she had collected and
her primary survey results. In this sentence, the two things that Ted wanted are
objects of the infinitive, to see. Here we need noun clauses. So let's make it
parallel. When Ted saw Ellie's recommendation, he asked to seewhat secondary
research she had collected and how she had collected her primary survey results.
Now the two noun clauses, what and how, are parallel. Are these adverbs
parallel? The supervisor needed to write the report accurately, thoroughly, and in a
quick manner. No.Accurately, thoroughly, and quickly. Sometimes you may want to
revise the sentence to make it both more concise and parallel. It was both a long
meeting and very boring. Why not, The meeting was both long and
boring. Sometimes lack of parallel wording when comparing things sounds, well,
strange.
My work fringe benefits are larger than my sister. Not sure how you compare your
sister's sizeand your benefits' size. Let's revise that to, My work fringe benefits are
larger than my sister's work fringe benefits are. My work fringe benefits, my sister's
work fringe benefits. Parallel possessive structure. And finally, the principle of parallel
construction applies not only to items in a series but also to items in a list, whether a
vertical list, or after a colon in a sentence,whether single words, phrases or clauses.
The following supplies are required: food, first aid kit, and be sure to pack warm
clothing. Let's make it parallel. The following supplies are required: food, first aid kit,
and warm clothing.Look at this bulleted list. The risks of this plan are: That enough
customers won't visit the website An increase of sales won't happen Doesn't really
promote the new products We will risk alienating our current customers This non-
parallel list can be made parallel in several ways.
Let's look at a couple. The risks of this plan are: customers won't, sales won't, new
products won't, current customers will, all clauses. Or, the risks of this new plan
are: all complete sentences, our customers won't visit the website, our sales won't
increase, our new products won't be promoted, our current customers will be
alienated. And one final example of a parallel situation, major and minor points of an
outline, and the document headings in a report.
Use either all complete sentences or all phrases of the same grammatical
structure. Do you see the non-parallelism in these headings? Enhancing the
Experience Through Omnichannel Strategies. Use of OmniChannel Technology to
Appeal to William's Main Customers. Allot a Time Frame and Budget for
Implementation. Any one of those forms is acceptable, but all three can't be used for
them to be parallel. Enhance, use, allot, all verbs, or enhancing, using, allotting, all
gerunds, or enhancement of, use of, allotment of, participial phrases.
Parallel structure helps the reader recognize a pattern, a likeness, rather than
noticing something that seems to be out of place, that yellow pansy among the yellow
marigolds. It's similar, but it needs to be identical, just like all parts of your writing
need to be identical in the same parallel arrangement.
Dangling modifiers
- [Narrator] While studying dangling and misplaced modifiers, the phone rang. The
grammar exercise are being returned to the group, which have some major
errors. Are those sentences clear? I hope not. Did you find yourself muttering, I think
I know what those are supposed to mean. Let's look at what those sentences where
really intended to mean, rather than your having to determine what you think the
writer was trying to say. The phone probably wasn't studying dangling and misplaced
modifiers, and the grammar exercises, rather than the group, probably had the major
errors.
So, what's the problem? Each of those examples has a dangling or misplaced
modifier. What exactly does that mean? The simplest explanation is that a word, or
group of words is placed in the wrong location. It's not placed by the words it actually
describes or tells more about,which is what a modifier does. So, even though the first
examples we looked at are grammatically incorrect, we may know what the writer
was trying to say. Sometimes, we really don't know the intended meaning.
Look at this sentence. I saw her yesterday. Makes sense, right? Now, let's add the
word only,a modifier, in that sentence. Where should it be placed, before I, before
saw, or before her?Maybe before or after yesterday. Exactly, any place only is placed
in the sentence is grammatically correct, but each location results in a different
meaning. Only I saw her, nobody else saw her.
I only saw her, didn't speak or wave to her, just saw her. I saw only her, not all those
other people, she was the only person I saw. I saw her only yesterday, the recency of
having seen her. And I saw her yesterday only, yesterday was the only time I've seen
that person. In this example, your reader has no way of knowing your intended
meaning. Almost, already, even, just, nearly, merely, and always are other words that
could be added in various places, but each placement results in a different meaning.
Either way, whether the reader probably knows what you meant or has no idea your
meaning,you as the writer have a responsibility of making your sentence's meaning
exact. The examples we've looked at area really in two groups, dangling modifiers
and misplaced modifiers. A dangling modifier is just there, it has nothing logically to
describe, so something needs to be added to the sentence. Dangling modifier errors
can be corrected two ways.First, change the subject of the independent clause, like
this, while studying dangling and misplaced modifiers, I heard the phone ring.
Or, add a subject to the dependent clause like this, while I was studying dangling and
misplaced modifiers, the phone rang. In both revisions, I was added as the
subject. The misplaced modifier, on the other hand, is just in the wrong place in the
sentence. Let's move the clause, which have some major errors, to a different
location. The grammar exercises are being returned to the group, which have some
major errors should be, the grammar exercises, which have some major errors, are
being returned to the group.
Whether it dangles or it's misplaced, we have a grammar problem, so be sure all the
words are in the correct place in the sentence so your reader knows exactly what you
mean. We often see a list of funny modifier errors, here's a link to one of those, and a
couple examples.While doing the dishes, a mouse ran across the floor. Flying
overhead, I saw the geese pass by in a V-formation. Yeah, sometimes those
misplaced modifiers result in funny sentences, but having someone laugh at our
writing is usually not our intended our goal.
I hope this pastry store's ad was soon changed. Covered in whipped cream, you will
enjoy the pumpkin pie.
CONCLUSION
Next steps
- [Instructor] I have learned that not everyone appreciates have his or her errors
noted,whether it's a spouse, an employee, or a student. I probably shouldn't share
this but my family makes sure I have no Sharpie markers with me when we go to a
public place. They once caught me using my Sharpie to correct a sign that had
except when the word should've been accept, as in "we no longer accept checks". I
see it as being helpful. Not everyone agrees. So what's next? Take your time.
Let each of the new habits sink in for a while. Identify two or three, maybe four of
your reoccurring grammar mistakes. Maybe you'll want to delve into those areas with
more vigor.Maybe if other have mentioned an error that you make, either speaking or
writing, take time to write the error category and delve more deeply into that
topic. Learn how to recognize and correct the error. Keep this list on a pice of
paper or in a separate document on your computer. Take time to write five or more
sentences, practicing how to correct the error.
Take the time to really think about the mistake when practicing. Chances are, you'll
never make the mistake again. Once you understand the common mistake, start
listening to other people or reading their documents. Can you spot common mistakes
they make? You might also take the key points in each lesson and identify the
concepts in others' or your own writing. For example, parallel structure. Go through
your own writing, or others' writing, even newspapers articles, and circle the
coordinating conjunctions and the correlative conjunctions.
Then look at each. Check to see if the structures are grammatically parallel and
punctuated correctly. One important thing that needs to be emphasized one more
time, sometimes more than one way to punctuate something is correct. The Oxford
comma, for example. In those situations, do decide which you think is better and
follow that rule consistently. Being able to discuss intelligently the different
views adds credibility to your choice.
Another point that needs to be made is even those who pride themselves on using
correct grammar occasionally make mistakes. One television news person repeatedly
uses myself incorrectly. "My colleagues and myself will have a panel discussion with
our next guest."Nope, "my colleagues and I will have". So, just because someone is
important, does not necessarily guarantee 100% perfect spoken grammar or error
free written documents.
Dozens of online grammar and punctuation diagnostic tests and exercises are
available. For example, check out this website from Forbes, introduced as
"Grammarly, quickly and easilymakes your writing better as identifying critical
errors." So it could be one device to help. But certainly don't count on it to resolve all
of your mechanical issues. Which is also true of the built-in grammar check in word
processing programs. It too may give bad advice, such as telling me my
sentence should be changed to active voice rather than passive.
You have to know the difference, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and
say "thanks or thanks but no thanks." Your final step is to keep working on the
laborious process until using correct mechanics become second nature to you. Like
riding that bicycle or playing the piano. Who knows, you may decide to carry a
Sharpie marker with you too. H.G. Wells understood when he said "no compulsion in
the world is stronger than the urge to edit someone else's document." But your goal
from following all these next steps should be to edit correctly your own
documents before someone else does.