Study English Grammar » comma

What Is The Difference Between “That” And “Which”?

Study English Grammar — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 05:13:41 +0000

There are certain basic differences between different words that we use as parts of the sentence. With a proper knowledge we would know the difference on how to use them. We have to follow correct grammar in order for the sentence to sound distinct and right.

‘That’ and ‘Which’ are both relative clauses. Both these two relative clauses are used to refer to things as well as persons.

What is relative clause?

Relative clause is one which is used to give some additional information about the noun that we want to describe. The noun can be a person as well as a thing. There is a subtle difference between how these two relative clauses and how they are used in the sentence to describe different things and persons.

In grammar there is a term used frequently by grammarians called ‘restrictive’ and ‘non-restrictive’.

Restrictive Clause

‘Restrictive’ clause is one which identifies the exact word which is modifying and it does not require the use of any commas.

Non-Restrictive

‘Non-restrictive’ clause on the other ... Read more...

Do you know the meaning of “i.e.” and “e.g.” in a Sentence

Study English Grammar — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:08:21 +0000

Many of you might be surprised to know that the meanings of the two words, “e.g” and “i.e” are different from one another. There are many people who use these two words interchangeably but in reality they cannot be used in each others place. Hence one should be careful about the use of these words. It is important to know the meanings of these words.

The word “e.g’ means “for example” and it originates from the Latin word “exempli gratia”. On the other hand the word “i.e” means “that is” and is derived from the Latin word “id est”.

There are some suggestions with the help of which you can remember the meaning of these words. The meaning of the word, “e.g” can be remembered as the word “example” starts with “e” so “e.g” means for example.

As far as the use is concerned you can say that, “There are seven colors in the rainbow, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. This gives a complete list. On the other hand when you are giving an incomplete list you can use the word, “e.g”. It can be said, There are 7 colors in the rainbow, e.g., red, orange an... Read more...

How to Use the Quotation Marks Perfectly

Study English Grammar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:12:53 +0000

If you want to write English you must have to learn the perfect use of the quotation marks. The sign goes thus—”———”. These marks are always used to enclose a saying of someone or something that is borrowed from somewhere else.

Generally quotation marks can be used when we quote someone word by word. We use the marks so that the words uttered by the man are kept intact. There is no change in the saying. There is no way to extort the saying of the speaker.

We can use the direct quotation marks when a sentence is already going on. Or the marks may be used from the very beginning when the speaker is saying something.

While discussing on the Romantic poets our teacher suddenly expressed,” Above all the Romantic period is the best period in the history of English Literature, I think.”

Our English teacher all on a sudden declared,” Romantic period is the best period in the history of English literature, I think.”

We can use the quotation... Read more...

How to Use Proofreaders Marks

Study English Grammar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:09:28 +0000

Suppose you have been burdened with the work of marking up a document. What would you do then? I think you have no other way than to use the proofreader’s specific marks. Nowadays the use of proofreading on the hard copy is a rare mater, still if you have to do it for your own sake or to edit some writing of someone you have to be too cautious to use the marks in a very standard fashion.

It seems that if someone reads and you proofread it is beer for you. You may locate the mistakes when someone reads it aloud. Your eyes may miss the mistakes but your ears can never prove wrong. Generally the proofreader’s marks are used in publishing houses and the world of business.

When you proofread you must take care of some things that are available at hand:

*a pencil or a red pen

*the matter that you have to proofread

*the list where the marks are inscribed

Actually a pen with red ink or a pencil is necessary to highlight the wrongs on the white sheet of paper. In his way you can highlight the wrongs to the writer or the man who i... Read more...

Six common mistakes in English writing

Study English Grammar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:15:37 +0000

Better English writing is becoming difficult nowadays and this is mainly because of the dropping of the English writing standards among the people. Nowadays, abbreviations are being used in messages and this has spilled over to the other areas of communication making the standard of English writing more and more worse. Better English writing is in danger and every day we are able to spot blatant mistakes being made in radio, television, pamphlets, newspapers, e-mail, websites and other areas as well. Mistakes in written English are carried over to the spoken English and the same is happening vice versa. Therefore, it is better to see that the following six common mistakes, which are generally committed by people in written English, are avoided.

Capitals letters: For emphasizing words, people are using capital letters in the middle of the sentences. Instead of using capital letters in the middle, it is better to use bold letters or color differentiation or larger fonts for emphasizing purpose.

Commas: As we all know, comma is a kind of p... Read more...

Grammar: Dipping Delve into English Grammar

Study English Grammar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:58:35 +0000

When you are leaning a language, you must have the first hand knowledge of grammar. You can not avoid it; you must learn it at any cost. Similarly when you notice that you fail to construct a sentence, put commas here and there or write a preposition at the fag end of a sentence you must have to dip delve into English grammar to have a sound knowledge of it.

Grammar is a thing that is not easy to learn, easy to fall in love with. Still if you have no idea of grammar, you can never succeed in school; in college, in university and even your working place .Dipping delve into the matter you may find out the reason quite effectively. Generally we judge a man with the words he uses while speaking while writing something. The more accurate the use, the more accurate the construction the most attractive the creation is. The wrong use means nothing but destruction.

What you have to brood all the time is that it is the way of our talking and writing that reflects all the time your ability of communication, background and finally education. So if you are found misusing the proper grammatical uses you are sure to be regarded as a... Read more...

Usage of Linking Words English

Study English Grammar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:28:06 +0000

In English language, linking words are those which join clauses within the sentence. There are also linking words that join ideas across sentences and paragraphs. These are something called ‘text organizers’ because they make the organization of what we say or write. They are more common in writing or formal speech. Linking words are very much important for the writing to be clear and natural. Linking words are also called conjunctions. Generally, a sentence cannot begin with conjunction. The word ‘because’ is the well-known example for conjunction. From to a famous saying ‘A sentence cannot begin with the word because since it is a conjunction’. Only in rare cases a sentence will begin with these words. Linking words differ in three ways and they are as follows:

Position in the sentence: Some linking words generally form a link between the clauses and it is not good to start a sentence with these types of words. Example: because, such as, and, until. As said earlier, another type of linking words form a link between sentences and these words ... Read more...

English Grammar – The Colon and Semicolon

Study English Grammar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:29:30 +0000

The semicolon is probably the most sophisticated punctuation device and is, therefore, well worth adding to your repertoire. First, however, we need to establish the difference between a colon and a semicolon. As you might imagine, it is sometimes the case that in attempting to use one of these devices students opt for the wrong one.

The colon

We can dispose of the colon fairly quickly. Whereas a semicolon is like a heavy-duty comma or surrogate full stop, a colon has a narrower role in Introducing a clause or word or list that amplifies, interprets, explains or reveals what has gone before. The context in which you are most likely to encounter it, and want to use it, is essentially as a substitute for the words ‘us follows’ or ‘that is’. For example:

Dickens wrote two semi-autobiographical novels: David Copperfield and Great Expectations.

The new team of four has just been announced: Short, Parker, Abbott and Cosgrove.

It is also used in the manner that we used it a couple of lines above, to introduce an indented quotation when you are writing, and also to introduce a quota... Read more...