Post by That Cute Moogle on Nov 14, 2008 0:34:11 GMT -6
*Note* This addresses American English. I understand there some grammatical differences between England's English and American English (which I only know of one).
This section is a basic English lesson. As simple as it looks, the fact is this section is here for a reason. That reason is all up to you. At the end of this section will be links to other spell checkers and also online dictionaries. Now, let’s get this started.
English Must:
Writing a Complete Sentence & It’s Meaning
As mentioned before a sentence can express a statement, question, or request. Since this is only small lesson, we will be starting small.
This is a statement. The reader can see the man isn’t doing anything else but walking to the department store. Now, this sentence can change just by modifying one thing.
The question mark changes the sentence entirely and opens up speculation that leaves the reader second guessing. Modifying the sentence again, a different reaction comes to mind.
Once read, the reader is thinking that something’s wrong and that the man shouldn’t be going to the department store for one reason or another.
By modifying a simple sentence like this, the overall meaning of the sentence changes and directs the way the reader is thinking. Also, by doing small things like capitalizing the beginning of the sentence gives the reader an idea of where this statement begins and the ending punctuation is the point where the statement ends. This can be better explained with two examples.
The first example is empty of any sort of grammar and punctuation while the second example has grammar and punctuation. The first example should represent one cohesive thought since it doesn’t have anything stopping it, but it’s a lot more than that. The man is going to the store, picking up stuff, and he goes to a café where he is meeting a friend. The flow of it is very rough and not many readers would appreciate how sloppy it is. The second example maybe not the best, but it should show how this man is doing this and then he’s doing that. It should show who he is as a person. He goes to the store to buy stuff and on a whim he buys a video. This man has priorities and now you know he’s going to was a home video. This is why grammar and punctuation is necessary because it sends a clear message to the reader.
Using a Comma
Definition (Taken from Dictionary.com)
*Note* I also understand that in England, when listing subjects/nouns, a comma is not added on the last word/phrase before “and”. [Example: Beef, chicken, pork and fish]
Examples
Comma vs. Hyphen
If you consider both a comma and hyphen as a literary pause, and confused on when or where to use them, hopefully this will dispel any doubts. Since I already explained how to use a comma above, I will explain what and how to use a hyphen. A hyphen signifies an abrupt pause, interruption, a space to show separation, or a change of events.
Examples
Dictionary & Spell Checker Links
Dictionary.com
SpellChecker.net
*End Note* Please ask me for permission if you would like to use this on other forums.
TCM's English 101
This section is a basic English lesson. As simple as it looks, the fact is this section is here for a reason. That reason is all up to you. At the end of this section will be links to other spell checkers and also online dictionaries. Now, let’s get this started.
English Must:
- Capitalization of the first letter of named nouns, titles, and at the beginning of sentences.
- - Example: My brother, Bill works for the National Guard as a computer engineer.
- Appropriate punctuation at the end of the sentence using a period (.), question mark (?), or exclamation (!).
- Paragraphs are about 5 to 7 sentences long or related sentences that embody a complete idea, thought, or scenario.
- Sentences either express a statement, question, or request.
Writing a Complete Sentence & It’s Meaning
As mentioned before a sentence can express a statement, question, or request. Since this is only small lesson, we will be starting small.
The man is walking to the department store.
This is a statement. The reader can see the man isn’t doing anything else but walking to the department store. Now, this sentence can change just by modifying one thing.
The man is walking to the department store?
The question mark changes the sentence entirely and opens up speculation that leaves the reader second guessing. Modifying the sentence again, a different reaction comes to mind.
The man is walking to the department store!
Once read, the reader is thinking that something’s wrong and that the man shouldn’t be going to the department store for one reason or another.
By modifying a simple sentence like this, the overall meaning of the sentence changes and directs the way the reader is thinking. Also, by doing small things like capitalizing the beginning of the sentence gives the reader an idea of where this statement begins and the ending punctuation is the point where the statement ends. This can be better explained with two examples.
Example 1 - the man is walking to the department store where hes going to get medicine canned food and refrigerator magnets he gets a video before he comes back home he visits a café and meets a friend
Example 2 - The man is walking to the department store where he will buy medicine, canned food, and refrigerator magnets. He also decides to get a video. Before he gets back home, he visits a café where he runs into a friend.
The first example is empty of any sort of grammar and punctuation while the second example has grammar and punctuation. The first example should represent one cohesive thought since it doesn’t have anything stopping it, but it’s a lot more than that. The man is going to the store, picking up stuff, and he goes to a café where he is meeting a friend. The flow of it is very rough and not many readers would appreciate how sloppy it is. The second example maybe not the best, but it should show how this man is doing this and then he’s doing that. It should show who he is as a person. He goes to the store to buy stuff and on a whim he buys a video. This man has priorities and now you know he’s going to was a home video. This is why grammar and punctuation is necessary because it sends a clear message to the reader.
Using a Comma
Definition (Taken from Dictionary.com)
the sign (,), a mark of punctuation used for indicating a division in a sentence, as in setting off a word, phrase, or clause, esp. when such a division is accompanied by a slight pause or is to be noted in order to give order to the sequential elements of the sentence. It is also used to separate items in a list, to mark off thousands in numerals, to separate types or levels of information in bibliographic and other data, and, in Europe, as a decimal point.
*Note* I also understand that in England, when listing subjects/nouns, a comma is not added on the last word/phrase before “and”. [Example: Beef, chicken, pork and fish]
Examples
- Beef, chicken, pork, and fish.
- When I was young, I lived in an area that was like a dream.
- You believe me, right?
- 1,000 ,000
Comma vs. Hyphen
If you consider both a comma and hyphen as a literary pause, and confused on when or where to use them, hopefully this will dispel any doubts. Since I already explained how to use a comma above, I will explain what and how to use a hyphen. A hyphen signifies an abrupt pause, interruption, a space to show separation, or a change of events.
Examples
- Marge Wilson-Stephens
- ”I can’t believe- how can you let him get away?!”
- ”If I can direct your ate-”
Dictionary & Spell Checker Links
Dictionary.com
SpellChecker.net
*End Note* Please ask me for permission if you would like to use this on other forums.