Posts Tagged ‘punctuation’

Stay corrected the next time you speak wrong English! Okay, here’s how to proceed. First off, remember the thumb rule – Communication. The person who is keen to learn the nuances of the language should know that their writing should be correct grammatically.

Several word processing tools are equipped with programs for grammar correction, although since the rules governing the language are miscellaneous, there are actually a few programs that identify the grammatical errors. Moreover, if the program identifies the mistake, it cannot sugges... Read more...

Always remember ‘Hyphen’ is never a ‘dash’ or the vice versa.  Actually when we go on discussing on word processing applications we have to keep in mind the symbols, hyphens, em-dashes, en-dashes. These symbols may look alike but there is acute difference between the two when we actually take into consideration the perfect usages.

Hyphens are small lines that are horizontal in shape. En-dashes are a bit longer than the hyphens and are regarded the width of ‘n’. Where as ‘m’ dashes are a slightly larger than the ‘n’ dashes and are the width of the particular letter ‘m’. These symbols are used to join the parts of the sentence. It is specific that ‘hyphen’ joins adjectives and words. It is the en- dash that connects the ranges. Finally em dash connects thoughts that are related.

When we use numerical letters we use en dash. For example we write “4 – 6 months” Again when try to use a dash in the sense of parenthetical form of punctuation we may use the dash quite frequently.

When we try to use a dash we need to br... Read more...

What is a Run-on Sentence?

A simple sentence is the best way to express your thoughts. In the event when you think that there is too much going on in your head and you need to express it somehow. Then create two simple sentences and join them by using a conjugation. A run-on sentence is something, which looses its actual meaning because of its length. If your thoughts are coming to you in a hurry and you must write them down then it is better to jot down the main points in bullets and then think slowly as how to construct a simple sentence put of these thoughts so that it makes sense.

How to Identify a Run-on Sentence?

Before you set about fixing a run-on sentence it is important that you identify one. Sometimes you can understand that there is a problem but cannot do anything to fix it. Further the inability to use proper of punctuation marks also adds to the meaning being convoluted. If you feel that the conjugation word is inappropriate or the meaning is not quite as expected. Then it is better to try and analyze the sentence a bit further. I... Read more...

You must take into account that use of quotation mark is obviously vital in English language. In English grammar, it is one of the vital punctuation marks that are used to highlight whether the words can lead without being interrupted or with some interruption. You have to keep it in mind that if you bring an interruption while using quotation you have to place either a comma or nothing but a colon to specify the interruption.

My teacher says: “Try to be great.”

In this group of words you find the quotation at the very interrupting point. Hence it is up to you to use the colon. Remember in this particular case the use of colon is nothing but the end mark of the punctuation.

If such a case comes that you have to use the quotation marks as the quotation transition shows no interruption. In this particular case always avoid the quotation marks. When the interrupted quotation transition follows and you have to use the firs letter of the quoted text in the capital letter you have the sole right to make the firs letter a smaller one.

Now you have to maintain a f... Read more...

English writing and reading skills have a universal value since it is an international language. One should have a good knowledge of both written and spoken English to be able to communicate effectively in any country. Written English skills are closely associated with spoken English skills. If you have good written English skills, you will be able to express your views to the outside world effectively through your writing. Good written English skills will be useful for you in different situations.

Having excellent written English skill is very much essential for college students. Writing essays, assignments, reports and tests are part and parcel of the college life and the students will be able to earn good marks only when they have good written English. So, English writing skill is very much essential right from the very small age, even school students requires good written English skill.

Fortunately, English is an easy language to learn and there are many resources available nowadays to improve your English. Even a person without the basic knowledge of English, will be able to manage to learn the writing skills in a... Read more...

English corrector software is one of the widely used software these days. You can get this software as a trail version for free and you can buy the whole software as well. You can upgrade your free version to the registered version. There are various companies offering this type of English corrector software. There are various features involved in this software according to the developer who is providing the software.

You can use this software to develop your interpersonal skills and writing skills. This software will show you the errors made by you in typing so that you can rectify your errors.

You can use this English correcting software for checking vocabulary used by you in the document. This English correcting software keeps check on the words that you are using in your document. If any error occurs in your document, then it immediately warns you to check the error.

The basic conventional English checker is used to check the spellings of the words that are typed. The advanced English corrector checks over the spellings as well as the lines in your document and it checks the punctuations in your document and... Read more...

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.

  1. 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.
  2. Commas: As we all know, comma is a kind of p... Read more...

Having constructed your essay or exam answer, the job is not finished. Where possible, you need to edit, clarify, cut and polish your words. This doesn’t mean that you have to write, write again, rewrite and endlessly reconstruct an essay. The chance of it getting much better during such an assault is unlikely. The best written compositions tend to be the originals, and once heavy editing starts the original flavor can soon be lost. But there is always room for judicious pruning and clarification, and this depends on a careful re-reading of your work. Or rather two or three re-readings.

1. Re-read for sense, logic and coherence. Check that the facts are in order, the argument flows progressively, the conclusion is supported by the material in the middle, the detailed content, the facts.

2. Re-read and chop out all the unnecessary words, phrases or sentences that clutter up your meaning and intrude on clear thought. You will be amazed at how much superfluous verbiage you can edit out.

3. Check spelling, punctuation and presentation – the agreement of tense etc.

Check that your summary really d... Read more...

Punctuation is important. It is an essential part of the signaling system of language and is central to effective communication – as well as to the passing of exams. A lot of people, however, make an awful mess of punctuation, which means that their performance in essays suffers and that they fail to do themselves justice.

The question mark, unlike the exclamation mark, is essential, and something you must take care to include when it is required:

Did Napoleon represent a real threat to Britain?

Whenever you ask a direct question in your writing, you need to include a question mark: Can I borrow your bike? Is your name Marco? Does metal expand when heated? How long is a piece of string? It is sometimes a little Wore difficult to remember that you are asking a question if you construct a complex sentence with subordinate clauses that delay the arrival of the Question:

The question is, given British naval superiority and the fact that Britain is an island; did Napoleon represent a real threat to Britain?

It is all too easy to forget about the question mark at the end of a long Sentence like th... Read more...

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...