Grammar Rules!
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Grammar, English Language, Spelling, Word Choice Articles
Being a grammar nerd is just about my only claim to fame. I've worked as a writer, editor, and proofreader for... just about forever. Check out these articles on grammar rules for a quick English language refresher.
It all started in second grade when I talked my teacher into letting me stay in at recess to write letters to my mom. Since then I've loved writing and used to correct people's grammar when they spoke. I've learned it's easier to do it on paper when the person actually cares enough to pay me to do it. Otherwise, it's just being annoying.
These articles might solve some of the great mysteries of the English language. Or not. But hopefully some of these tips will help someone be a better writer.
Proofreading Image Credit: Peggy Hazelwood
It all started in second grade when I talked my teacher into letting me stay in at recess to write letters to my mom. Since then I've loved writing and used to correct people's grammar when they spoke. I've learned it's easier to do it on paper when the person actually cares enough to pay me to do it. Otherwise, it's just being annoying.
These articles might solve some of the great mysteries of the English language. Or not. But hopefully some of these tips will help someone be a better writer.
Proofreading Image Credit: Peggy Hazelwood
Hyphenation -- Use the Right Word and Use Hyphens Correctly
And Make Yourself Look Smart
Hyphenating words correctly makes you look smarter in your writing. Here are a few examples of when to hyphenate:
- re-create: this means to create again
- recreate: this means to take part in recreation activities
A word about adverbs. Adverbs are words that describe (or modify) an action. They are often used before or after a verb to describe action, like a adjective is used before a noun to describe the noun. An example of an adverb and a verb follows:
Her freshly baked bread was delicious.
The word "freshly" is an adverb describing the bread. Note that freshly baked (an adverbial phrase) is not hyphenated. Similar compound adjective phrases are hyphenated. (In this sentence, The bad-tempered boy had to go to time out, "bad-tempered" describes the boy and is hyphenated.) You'll look really smart if you hyphenate (or not) these phrases correctly.
- re-create: this means to create again
- recreate: this means to take part in recreation activities
A word about adverbs. Adverbs are words that describe (or modify) an action. They are often used before or after a verb to describe action, like a adjective is used before a noun to describe the noun. An example of an adverb and a verb follows:
Her freshly baked bread was delicious.
The word "freshly" is an adverb describing the bread. Note that freshly baked (an adverbial phrase) is not hyphenated. Similar compound adjective phrases are hyphenated. (In this sentence, The bad-tempered boy had to go to time out, "bad-tempered" describes the boy and is hyphenated.) You'll look really smart if you hyphenate (or not) these phrases correctly.
Use Proofreader's Marks
to correct your work
- How to Use Proofreaders Marks | eHow.com
- How to Use Proofreaders Marks. When you need to mark up a document, use proofreaders marks. The practice of proofreading and editing on hard copy is done less and less these days, but if you need to edit your own or someone else's writing, using standard proofreaders marks lets you easily communicate
Grammar Mistakes
Mistakes do not rule
Photo at my local post office. Can you find the grammar mistakes?
Celebrate National Grammar Day
March 4 every year
- National Grammar Day Is March 4: Celebrate Correct English Grammar by Speaking and Writing Well
- National Grammar Day is sponsored by SPOGG to bring awareness to good, clean English. The organization, founded in 2004, is dedicated to bringing correct grammar to all.
National Grammar Day is March 4. Don't miss it!
Countdown to National Grammar Day
National Grammar Day: March 4, 2013
Everybody Needs a Little (Grammar) Help Sometime
Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs
What's the difference?
Homonyms, homophones, homographs. What are these?
- Homonyms - What are Homophones and Homographs?: Spelling and Sound Distinguish These Similar Words
- Homophones and homographs are homonyms. Homophones sound the same but are spelled differently. Homographs are spelled the same but sound different.
- Homophones - Words That Sound the Same: Deciphering Homonyms That are Spelled Differently
- The English language can be a confusing one to learn. One reason is that some words sound the same but are spelled different.
- Words That Sound the Same - Homophones List
- Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelled differently. This homophones list has words that are used every day. Learn the correct spellings.
- Take A Bow Ring by PRODUKT on Etsy
- A homograph... hilarious!- - size 7 ring (although it can fit up to 7.5 because of the thin band) - - gold plated - - vintage PRODUKT CARE: this ring is suitable for
Writing in Active Voice
Let the subject do, instead of being done unto it.
- Active Voice Writing
- The boys pulled the tree limbs.
The tree limbs were pulled by the boys.
Which of these sentences was written in active voice? If you chose the first one, you're the big winner.
Word Choice
Using the correct word makes you look smart.
- Consider Word Choice for Correct English Grammar
- These tips can come in handy when a writer needs help with grammar and word choice when writing. This list can help writers use proper grammar.
Things Writers Love
Correlative Conjunctions
Either Or, Neither Nor, Both And, and More
- Grammar Tips -- Correlative Conjunctions
- These grammar tips cover correlative conjunctions, which are simply words that are used together to join parts of a sentence. Examples are either or, neither nor, and both and.
Do you correct people's grammar?
I was an annoying child, correcting people's grammar right and left. I've learned to cool it (somewhat).
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Online Publishing 101
My Examiner Articles about Correct Grammar Usage
I am the National Online Publishing Examiner and have written more than a few articles about basic grammar usage. Here are some of them:
- Use BBC Skillwise to review grammar - National Online Publishing | Examiner.com
- The BBC's Skillwise Web site allows online publishers and readers to review grammar usage and bone up on the basics. The Web site includes tips on using
- Among and between--Use the correct word - National Online Publishing | Examiner.com
- The words among and between have distinct meanings and times when it's appropriate to use each word. According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:
"There is - Spell under way correctly - National Online Publishing | Examiner.com
- Often words in the English language are confused or flat out used incorrectly. The words under way are two such words that are more often than not spelled as
- Then and than--Use the correct word in online publishing - National Online Publishing | Examiner.com
- Using the correct word in online writing allows the writing to be accurate, and the author will be a more respected writer. The words 'then' and 'than' are often confused in writing.
- Breath and breathe--Use the correct word in online publishing - National Online Publishing | Examiner.com
- Use the correct word in your writing and your work will be accurate, and you will be a more respected writer. The words breath; and breathe are often confused in writing.
- Loose and lose--Use the correct word in online publishing - National Online Publishing | Examiner.com
- Sometimes we write so fast, we use the wrong word entirely. Use the correct word in your writing and your work will be accurate, and you will be a more respected writer. The words 'loose' and 'lose' are often confused in writing.
- Online Publishing 101: Learn parts of speech for better writing - National Online Publishing | Examiner.com
- The English language can be a difficult one to get right all of the time. Brush up on grammar parts of speech to make online writing seamless. The main parts of speech
Grammar Mugs and Tees
Show you're (not your) smart about grammar!
Thesaurus Rex Dark T-Shirt
Price: $25.99 
Grammar Peeves Large Mug
Price: $15.99
Bumper Sticker
Price: $6.49
Punctuation Saves Lives Rectangle Magnet
Price: $5.99
Misspelled Words Suck
These 25 words are spelled incorrectly all the time.
- 25 of the Most Commonly Misspelled Words: Learn These Difficult Spelling Words to Rely Less on Spell Check
- Anyone who writes comes across words that are difficult to spell. Relying on spell check can lead to problems. Know commonly misspelled words to reduce spelling errors.
Copy Editing Jobs and More
Do you have your red pen in hand?
- Copy Editing Job Info
- Check out Copy Editing Forum for job info for copy editors, where to volunteer to gain copy editing experience, what freelance editing is all about, and more.
Heteronyms
Words that are spelled the same but sound different
A reader, dlcass, left this comment on my Grammar Rules! lens:My husband has a wicked fascination with Heteronyms...words that are spelled the same but sound differently depending on how you are using them. Examples are: lead (to guide or a metal), wind (a gust of air or to turn something...like a watch), wound (having turned something or an injury). We have a contest going to see who can come up with the longest list.
So, in honor of this great comment, here is a list of heteronyms:
dlcass:
lead (to guide or a metal)
wind (a gust of air or to turn something...like a watch)
wound (having turned something or an injury)
ScarlettOhairy (Me):
bow (as a noun: the forward part of a ship or an archery tool or an embellishment on a gift ; as a verb, to bend the body forward)
content (as an adjective: the baby looks so content; as a noun, the contents of my purse)
does (female deer or singular form of do, she does like carrots)
graduate (as a noun, a person who has graduated, and as a verb, the act of graduating)
live (to be alive, such as "We should live like there is no tomorrow." and having life, such as "It was a real live diamond.")
project (as a noun means a certain plan or design; as a verb, to throw or cast forward)
record (to set down in writing, as in "We should record the date to remember it." and something that emits sounds, such as "I used to have that record, but now I listen to it on my MP3 player.")
row (to move an oar and a fight)
tear (rip or cry)
LabKitty:
resume (to start again and curriculum vitae)
Please share yours in the comments section and I'll add it here with a link to your Squidoo (or other online) profile!
A Nice Volunteer Gig for Word Nerds
- Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic: Books on Tape for the Blind and Visually Challenged
- Learning Ally, formerly called Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, is a nonprofit organization that provides audio books for blind and dyslexic students as well as those with other print disabilities.
Are you a word nerd? Leave your tales (not your tails) of misspellings, grammar boo boos, and general comments here...
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LabKitty
Jul 9, 2011 @ 5:59 pm | delete
- Do resume (to start again) and resume (curriculum vitae) count as heteronyms?
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scarlettohairy Jul 12, 2011 @ 4:30 pm | delete
- Yes, I believe so! I'll add them to the Heteronyms list. Thanks, LabKitty!
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Harshitha
Jul 9, 2011 @ 7:34 am | delete
- Thank you so much for this grammar lens. I had an interview today and your lens helped me a lot.
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VKumar
Jul 7, 2011 @ 4:36 pm | delete
- I keep making mistakes. Your lens is useful for me.
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thesuccess
Jul 7, 2011 @ 3:15 am | delete
- I always think Misspelled is difficult to get right. If ever you correct someone online people go crazy if YOU make the slightest mistake!
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More Grammar and Writing Articles
by Peggy Hazelwood
About Me
by scarlettohairy
I'm a freelance writer and copy editor. I write articles at Squidoo on a variety of topics, which is handy since I have a variety of interests!
I h...
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