English

🔤 Grammar Tip: Use a Comma of Semicolon

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Semicolon vs. comma

Generally, I prefer two short sentences to one long one. Still, if you must use a semicolon, you’ll know you’re doing it right if the two parts of the sentence can be independent thoughts, or two complete sentences.

The hack: Think of the semi-colon as a super comma. Maybe inside your head say “Semicolon! Super Comma!” in the voice you’d use for “Super Man!” or “Wonder Woman!” FYI, this hack comes from a super hero copy editor pal who prefers to wield her powers under the cloak of privacy.

🔤 Grammar Tip ~ They’re Meant To Be Together

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A Noun and a Verb – True Love – LOL

A complete sentence involves a noun and a verb.
“He runs.” It is a short sentence, but it is a complete sentence.

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Grammar Tip: Find the Right Word

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Make sure your verbs are strong—avoiding overuse of what I call the Terrible Twenty, (was, had, did, saw etc.—everybody has their own Terrible Twenty) the one size fits all verbs that are used again and again… Like a one-size fits all t shirt, it looks good on nobody. Try to be as specific as you can, take the time to find the absolutely right word.

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🔤 Grammar Tip: Rx For Run on Sentences

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Fixing a run-on sentence or a comma splice can be accomplished in one of five different ways:

  • Separate the clauses into two sentences.
  • Replace the comma with a semi-colon.
  • Replace the comma with a coordinating conjunction–and, but, for, yet, nor, so, or.
  • Replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction–after, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while.
  • Replace the comma with a semi-colon and transitional word–however, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result.

For example: Incorrect: Rachel is very smart, she began reading when she was three years old. 

Correct: Rachel is very smart. She began reading when she was three years old. Correct: Rachel is very smart; she began reading when she was three years old. Correct: Rachel is very smart, for she began reading when she was three years old. Correct: Because Rachel is very smart, she began reading when she was three years old. 

Correct: Rachel is very smart; as a result, she began reading when she was three years old.

Source: YourDictionary

🔤 Grammar Tip: Forego Fish Breath

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Misspelling “bated breath.” If you write baited breath, everyone will suspect fishing is your favorite hobby. The word should be spelled bated, which comes from abated, meaning held.

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🔤 Grammar Tip: Are You Better “Then” or “Than”?

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Then & Than

Then is a description of time—”I wrote the sales letter and then I wrote the advertisement”—while than is used when making a comparison—”I am more sick of this picky client than you are!”

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🔤 Grammar Tip: Is It Better to “Resign” or “Re-sign”?

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Resign and Re-sign

Resign — without the hyphen — means to quit your job and the “s” is pronounced like a “z.”

Example: My boss didn’t want to increase my salary so I decided to resign. This will be my last week of work.

Re-sign — with the hyphen — means to sign a contract again and it usually also means that you’ve decided to stay in your current job! In re-sign, the “s” is pronounced as an “s,” and you emphasize the first syllable.

Example: I love my current job, so I happily re-signed for another year.

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🔤 Grammar Tip: Are You “Very” Late or “Too” Late?

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How Are Very and Too Different?

A: It is very hot.
B: It is too hot.

A is a simple statement- It’s HOT!

But B shows some difficulty, like maybe because it is so hot, I feel terrible. Or because it is so hot, no one is happy.

Here are some more…

C: Lisa is very tall.
D: Lisa is too tall.

C is a simple statement. Wow! Lisa is a tall girl.

But D has a negative feeling. Perhaps because Lisa is tall, she hits her head on the ceiling. Or maybe she is so tall, she can’t get a date or has no friends.

So remember, using too shows that there is a problem with the situation.

5 Minute English

🔤 Grammar Tip: Are You Thinking “Of” or “About” Something?

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Think of /Think about

This tricky pair is more nuanced. One choice suggests a specific choice and the other suggests pon- dering over something for a while.

He was thinking of a number between one and ten. (specific choice)

He was thinking about going to law school. (pondering)

Here is my trick to remember which is which for this pair: Of is short, like making a quick decision. About is longer, like pondering options.

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🔤 Grammar Tip: Did “Both” or “Neither” of You Dislike Dinner?

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Incorrect: Both did not come.
Correct: Neither came.

Incorrect: Both of them did not pass the test.
Correct: Neither of them passed the test.

In negative clauses, we use ‘neither’ not both.

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