English Almost Outline Syllables

Table of Contents

 Writing Basics
 Sentence Structure
 Choice of Words and Appropriateness
 Use of Capitals and First and Second Person Pronouns:
 Active and Passive Voice
 Complete Guide to Style
 Good Usage: The Split Infinitive and English Rules and
 Principles
 Punctuation and Use of Capitals
 Parts of Speech
 Phrases, Clauses, and Sentences
 Linking Phrases, Transitions, Coherence, and Unity
 Writing Basics
Writing is a fundamental skill that allows individuals to communicate effectively.
Whether it's crafting an email, drafting a report, or composing an essay, understanding
the basics of writing is essential. At its core, writing involves conveying ideas, thoughts,
and information in a structured and coherent manner. It encompasses various
elements such as sentence structure, choice of words, grammar, punctuation, and
style.

Basic Rules of Writing

1. Clarity: Write in a clear and concise manner.
2. Grammar: Follow the rules of grammar, including verb tenses, subject-verb
agreement, and pronoun usage.
3. Punctuation: Use punctuation marks correctly, such as commas, periods, and
semicolons, to separate clauses and sentences.
4. Spelling: Ensure that words are spelled correctly.
5. Consistency: Maintain consistency in formatting, headings, and styling throughout
the text.
6. Active Voice: Use active voice instead of passive voice, making the subject perform
the action.
7. Show, Don't Tell: Use descriptive language to show the reader what's happening,
rather than simply telling them.
8. Conciseness: Use few words to convey your message, avoiding unnecessary
words and phrases.
9. Tone: Use an appropriate tone, considering the audience and purpose of the writing.
10. Proofreading: Always proofread your writing to catch errors and improve clarity.
Importance of Writing Basics
 They help you get your message across clearly
 They make you look professional and credible
 They help you communicate your ideas effectively
 They help you engage and persuade your readers
 They're essential for success in school and at work
 They help you build trust with your audience
 They help you reach a wider audience
 They save you time and effort in the long run
 They let you focus on creativity and ideas
 Sentence Structure:
Sentence structure refers to the arrangement of words to form meaningful sentences.
A well-structured sentence typically consists of a subject, a verb, and sometimes an
object. It's important to vary the length and complexity of sentences to maintain reader
engagement. Additionally, using transitions and conjunctions can help link ideas and
improve the flow of writing.
1. Subject and Verb: Every sentence needs a subject (who or what the sentence is
about) and a verb (the action or state of being). For example, "Sara sings." (Subject:
Sara, Verb: sings)
2. Complete Thought: A sentence must express a complete thought. It should make
sense on its own. For example, "The cat sat on the mat."
3. Punctuation: Use punctuation marks like periods (.), question marks (?), and
exclamation points (!) to indicate the end of a sentence or to convey tone. For example,
"Are you coming?" or "I'm so excited!"
4. Capitalization: Start each sentence with a capital letter. Also, capitalize proper nouns
(specific names of people, places, and things) and the first letter of sentences. For
example, "John went to New York."
5. Word Order: Generally, in English, sentences follow a subject-verb-object order, but
this can vary depending on the sentence structure. For example, "She ate the apple."
(Subject: She, Verb: ate, Object: apple)
6. Modifiers: Place modifiers (words that describe or give more information) close to the
words they modify. For example, "The big, brown dog barked loudly." (Modifiers: big,
brown, loudly)
7. Conjunctions: Use conjunctions (words like and, but, or, so) to connect ideas and
make longer, more complex sentences. For example, "I like tea, but she prefers
coffee."
importance of Sentence Structure
 It helps you express your ideas clearly
 It makes your writing easy to understand
 It shows your readers that you're organized and thoughtful
 It helps you communicate your message effectively
 It makes your writing more engaging and interesting
 It helps you build strong relationships with your readers
 It shows that you're professional and credible
 It helps you achieve your goals, whether it's persuading, informing, or
entertaining
 Choice of Words and Appropriateness
Choosing the right words is crucial for effective communication. Writers should
consider their audience, purpose, and tone when selecting words. Clear, precise
language enhances understanding and conveys the intended message accurately.

Choose the Right Words

 Be clear and easy to understand
 Use words that fit your message and tone
 Consider who you're writing for
 Use words that are appropriate for the situation
 Be aware of the emotions and associations that words evoke
 Use language that is respectful and inclusive of all people
 Avoid using confusing or unclear words
 Use technical terms only when necessary and explain them clearly

Remember
 The right words can make your message shine
 The wrong words can confuse or offend
 Choose words that fit your purpose and audience
 Be mindful of the impact of your words

Why Choose the Right Words?

 Clear communication: Right words help convey your message clearly
 Effective expression: Right words help express your ideas and feelings effectively
 Build trust: Appropriate words build trust and credibility with your audience
 Avoid misunderstandings: Right words avoid confusion and misinterpretation
 Show respect: Appropriate words show respect for your audience and their feelings
 Make an impact: Right words make your message more impactful and memorable
 Build relationships: Appropriate words help build strong relationships with your
audience
 Professional image: Right words project a professional and positive image
 Use of Capitals and First and Second Person Pronouns:
Capitals are used to denote proper nouns, the first word of a sentence, and certain
titles. First-person pronouns (I, me, my) refer to the speaker or writer, while second-
person pronouns (you, your) address the reader directly. Using pronouns appropriately
helps maintain clarity and consistency in writing.

Rules to Use of Capitals

1. Start of Sentences: Always capitalize the first letter of the first word in a sentence. For
example, "The sun is shining brightly."
2. Proper Nouns: Capitalize proper nouns, which are the names of specific people,
places, or things. For example, "Mary went to Paris."
3. Titles and Headings: Capitalize the first letter of each main word in titles and
headings. For example, "The Importance of Education."
4. Days, Months, and Holidays: Capitalize the names of days, months, and holidays.
For example, "Monday, January, Christmas."
5. Names of Companies and Organizations: Capitalize the names of companies,
organizations, and institutions. For example, "Microsoft Corporation."
6. Geographical Names: Capitalize names of countries, cities, states, and landmarks.
For example, "United States, New York City, Eiffel Tower."
7. Titles of Books, Movies, and Songs: Capitalize the main words in titles of books,
movies, songs, etc. For example, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

Rules for First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns

 Use "I" and "me" to refer to yourself: "I am going to the store." / "My friend
and I are going to the movies."
 Use "my" and "mine" to show possession: "My car is red." / "This book is
mine."
 Use "we" and "us" to include yourself in a group: "We are going on a trip." /
"My family and I are going on vacation."
 Use "you" to address the reader or audience: "You are going to love this new
restaurant."
 Use "your" and "yours" to show possession: "Your car is very nice." / "This
book is yours."
 Use "he", "she", and "it" to refer to a person or thing: "He is going to the
store." / "She is a doctor." / "It is a beautiful day."
 Use "him", "her", and "it" as object pronouns: "I gave the ball to him." / "She
gave the book to her."
 Use "his", "hers", and "its" to show possession: "His car is red." / "Hers is
the biggest house on the block." / "The cat chases its tail."
 Use "they" and "them" to refer to a group of people or things: "They are
going on a trip." / "I gave the toys to them."
  Use "their" and "theirs" to show possession: "Their car is very nice." / "This
book is theirs."

Importance of Using Capitals and First and Second Person Pronouns

Use of Capitals:

 Makes your writing clear and easy to read

 Shows professionalism and attention to detail
 Respects people, places, and organizations
 Helps readers quickly understand your message
 Follows basic grammar rules

First and Second Person Pronouns:

 Helps you communicate clearly and directly

 Engages the reader and creates a sense of inclusion
 Sets the tone for your writing (personal or instructional)
 Clarifies your perspective and point of view
 Enables effective expression of your ideas and thoughts

Types of Punctuation
1. Full Stop (.)
2. Comma (,)
3. Question Mark (?)
4. Exclamation Mark (!)
5. Colon (:)
6. Semicolon (;)
7. Dash (-)
8. Parentheses ()
9. Quotation Marks ("")
10. Apostrophe (')
11. Ellipsis (...)
12. Hyphen (-)

Rules for Using Punctuation

Full Stop (.)

 Use at the end of a sentence.

 Use after abbreviations (e.g., Dr., Mr., Mrs.).

Comma (,)
 Separate items in a list (e.g., apples, bananas, oranges).
 Separate clauses in a sentence (e.g., I went to the store, and I bought milk).
 Use after an introductory phrase (e.g., After breakfast, I went to school).

Question Mark (?)

 Use at the end of a question (e.g., What is your name?).

Exclamation Mark (!)

 Use to indicate strong emotions or emphasis (e.g., I love ice cream!).

Colon (:)

 Use to introduce a list (e.g., I have three favorite foods: ice cream, pizza, and sushi).
 Use to separate hours and minutes (e.g., 3:30 PM).

Semicolon (;)

 Use to separate two independent clauses that are closely related (e.g., I have a lot of work to do; therefore, I
will stay up late).

Dash (-)

 Use to indicate a break in thought (e.g., I went to the store - but they were closed).
 Use to set off a parenthetical remark (e.g., I went to the store - which was closed - and came home).

Parentheses ()

 Use to set off information that's not essential to the sentence (e.g., I went to the store (but they were closed)).

Quotation Marks ("")

 Use to set off direct quotations or dialogue (e.g., "I love ice cream," said John).

Apostrophe (')

 Use to indicate possession (e.g., the cat's toy).

 Use to form contractions (e.g., don't, won't).

Ellipsis (...)

 Use to indicate a pause or omission of words (e.g., I like ice cream... but not too much).

Hyphen (-)

 Use to join two or more words together (e.g., self-made)

 Use to indicate a range (e.g., Monday-Friday)
 Importance of Puncation
 Helps readers understand you better
 Makes reading easier
 Clarifies your message
 Shows feeling and emphasis
 Separates ideas
 Indicates pauses
 Supports good grammar
 Makes writing look professional
 Helps readers understand quickly
 Is crucial for clear communication

Active and Passive Voice:

Active voice emphasizes the doer of an action, making sentences more
direct and engaging. Passive voice, on the other hand, focuses on the
receiver of the action and is often used when the doer is unknown or less
important. While both voices have their place, active voice is generally
preferred for its clarity and simplicity.
Rules to Change Active Voice into Passive Voice
1. Replace Obj into sub
2. Replace sub into Obj
3. V (3) +by
4. Replace ing into being
5. Changes
 If Sentence Contain V (1), Do, Does Then Replace into is, am,
are
 If Sentence Contain V (2), Did Then Replace into was, were
 If Sentence Contain has, have, had Then Replace into has been,
have been, had been
 If Sentence Contain will, will have Then Replace into will be be,
will have been
Note:
  If Sentence Contain is, am, are ------No Change
 If Sentence Contain was, were ------No Change

Difference Between Active and Passive Voice

Active Voice:

 The subject (person or thing) does the action.

 Emphasizes the doer (who is performing the action).
 More direct and clear.

Example: "John throws the ball."

Passive Voice:

 The subject (person or thing) receives the action.

 Emphasizes the action (what is happening).
 Less direct and more subtle.

Example: "The ball is thrown by John."

Remember:

 Active Voice: "Someone does something."

 Passive Voice: "Something is done by someone."

Complete Guide to Style:

Style encompasses the overall tone, voice, and manner in which writing is
presented. It reflects the writer's personality and influences how the
message is perceived by readers. Developing a unique style involves
considering factors such as sentence structure, word choice, and sentence
length. Whether formal, informal, academic, or creative, consistency is key
to establishing a cohesive style.
What is a split infinitive?
A split infinitive is a grammatical construction where an adverb or
another word is placed between the two parts of an infinitive phrase,
such as "to boldly go" instead of "to go boldly".
Examples
 To boldly go where no one has gone before. (Split infinitive)
 To go boldly where no one has gone before. (Not split)

Split Infinitive Rules

1. Allow split infinitives: Modern English usage accepts split infinitives for clarity and
emphasis.
2. Use for emphasis: Split infinitives can add emphasis or nuance to a sentence.
3. Avoid awkwardness: Split infinitives can sometimes sound more natural than unsplit
alternatives.
4. Follow style guides: Check specific style guides (e.g., AP, MLA, APA) for guidance on
split infinitives.

General English Rules and Principles

1. Verb Tense Consistency: Maintain consistent verb tense throughout a sentence or

paragraph.
2. Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the subject and verb agree in number (singular or
plural).
3. Modifier Placement: Place modifiers close to the word they modify.
4. Parallel Structure: Use similar grammatical structures for parallel ideas.
5. Active and Passive Voice: Use active voice instead of passive voice for clearer meaning.
6. Show, Don't Tell: Use descriptive language to show rather than tell.
7. Clear and Concise Language: Use simple and straightforward language.
8. Avoid Ambiguity: Ensure sentences have only one possible meaning.
9. Pronoun Reference: Ensure pronouns clearly refer to a specific noun or phrase.
10.Grammar and Punctuation: Follow standard grammar and punctuation rules.
 A Short Grammar of Current English

Parts of Speech
Nouns:
Nouns are words that denote people, places, things, or ideas. They can be concrete (e.g., dog,
house) or abstract (e.g., love, freedom).

Pronouns:
Pronouns are used to replace nouns to avoid repetition. Common pronouns include I, you, he, she,
it, we, they, me, him, her, us, and them.

Adjectives:
Adjectives modify or describe nouns and pronouns by providing more information about their qualities
or characteristics (e.g., beautiful, tall, intelligent).

Determiners:
Determiners are words that introduce and modify nouns (e.g., articles: a, an, the; demonstratives:
this, that; possessives: my, your, his, her, its, our, their).

Verbs:
Verbs express actions, states, or occurrences. They are the core of sentences and can be
conjugated to indicate tense, mood, aspect, and voice (e.g., run, eat, sleep).

Adverbs:
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs by providing information about time, place,
manner, degree, or frequency (e.g., quickly, beautifully, very).

Articles:
Articles (a, an, the) are a type of determiner used to specify or limit a noun's scope.

Prepositions:
Prepositions show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence (e.g.,
in, on, at, by, with, for, to).

Conjunctions:
Conjunctions are words used to connect clauses, phrases, or words (e.g., and, but, or, so, yet).

Interjections:
Interjections are words or phrases that express strong emotions or feelings (e.g., wow, ouch, bravo).
 PhrASeS, ClAuSeS, And SentenCeS
Phrases:
Phrases are groups of words that function as a single unit in a
sentence but do not contain both a subject and a verb (e.g., noun
phrases, prepositional phrases, verb phrases).
Clauses:
Clauses are groups of words that contain a subject and a verb and
express a complete thought. They can be independent (main
clauses) or dependent (subordinate clauses).
Sentences:
Sentences are complete grammatical units that express a complete
thought. They consist of one or more clauses and can be simple,
compound, complex, or compound-complex.
Linking Phrases:
Linking phrases or transitional words and phrases are used to
connect ideas within a sentence or between sentences. They
improve the flow of writing and help maintain coherence and unity.
Transitions:
Transitions signal shifts between ideas, paragraphs, or sections of
a text. They guide readers through the logical progression of the
content and ensure smooth transitions between different parts of
the text.
Coherence:
Coherence refers to the clarity and logical organization of ideas
within a text. Coherent writing flows smoothly from one point to the
next, with clear connections between sentences and paragraphs.
Unity:
Unity refers to the focus and consistency of a text. A unified piece
of writing maintains a clear central theme or topic throughout and
avoids unnecessary digressions or unrelated content.
In conclusion, mastering punctuation, understanding the parts of
speech, recognizing phrases, clauses, and sentences, and utilizing
linking phrases, transitions, coherence, and unity are essential
components of effective writing. By honing these skills, writers can
communicate their ideas clearly and cohesively, ultimately
achieving success in academic and professional contexts.