The rules of grammar are many and we will go over some tips as well as tricky rules. Grammar begins at the sentence level. Good sentence structure depends on the words you use. Grammar checkers allow you to check aspects of your grammar. Grammar correction can be easier to put together. While making a diagram of sentences is no longer used as often as a means of teaching grammatical structure, to an extent this can help you learn better. When you diagram a sentence, you begin with an understanding that all sentences have a subject and a predicate. The structure of a sentence determines the way a piece will be put together. One rule of good writing is that the flow of the writing should not be interrupted by sentence structure mistakes such as veering off-topic. Sentences are divided into two types, the simple sentence and the complex sentence. A complex sentence is longer than a simple sentence. Complex sentences also have a subject and a predicate. The subject is made up of the nouns and adjectives while the predicate is made up of verbs, adverbs, or adjectives. A direct object is not a verb but an object such as “Jerry needs a pencil.” When a compound sentence requires a comma, this is called an apposition. The apposition will separate the action described in the sentence. Direct address is another sentence pattern that does not have any direct relation to any part of the sentence. There is always a comma. Grammar in the English language is complex but worth knowing to enhance your writing quality.
Month: December 2011
The Importance of Grammar in Finding a Job
While today, more than any other time, people are communicating via the written word via text messages and instant messaging, it seems instead of improving the overall grammar of the population it has in fact led to its deterioration. Perhaps overuse of anything leads to diminishing its importance. But, when it comes to landing a job during an economic downturn, the importance of proper grammar cannot be stressed enough.
Many people with an excellent education, exceptional qualifications, and good references do not understand why they are not hearing back from employers after submitting their resume or an online application. There is a good chance that their written communication skills are lagging due to their frequent use of modern shortened communication. It is equally likely that these applicants are not even aware of this deficit on their part.
One way to make sure that written errors are not keeping one out of job is to have several people look over one’s resume and cover letter for errors and ensure that one is using proper grammar. Additionally, although it may seem like an elementary point, it is important to use the grammar checker software that comes with the word processor program used to create the resume.
While it is true that today people are much more accustomed to written communications than perhaps ever before, it is equally true that people of today are less likely to follow the traditional rules of the English language. Yet, employers, when looking for their perfect employee, value proper written communication skills perhaps now more than ever.
Homophones Made Easy
Have you ever seen sentences such as these, perhaps on a social networking website?
“Hope your having a good day!”
“There little boy is so cute!”
“I here you got a promotion. Congrats!”
Among the most common grammatical errors seen in the written word today, the above examples represent the three most commonly misused homophones in the English language. With all the technology at our fingertips, as long as the word is spelled correctly, no grammar checker can detect the error. It is up to the writer to know what he or she is trying convey and the proper words to use.
Your: a pronoun, used to replace a noun.
You’re: a contraction, short form of “you are”
When using one of these words ask yourself if you mean to indicate possession of another person (e.g., your book) or shortening you are. In the above example, “you’re” should have been used.
There: a direction or state of being
Their: pronoun, used to replace a group and indicates possession
They’re: a contraction, short form of “they are”
There and their are the most commonly misused of this group.
Please put the books over there.
Joe was there for six hours.
Their little boy is so cute!
A friend of theirs came by for a visit.
Hear: present tense, as in one of the five senses
Here: a direction or state of being
I hear you were given a promotion.
Here are the receipts you needed.
Similarly, the past tense of hear also is confused.
Heard: Past tense of hear
Herd: A large group of animals such as cows or horses
She heard the car rumble in the night.
The herd moved closer to water and food.
Grammar checking when proofreading is the best way to spot these errors. When reading, the mind may overlook the flow of the sentence because it sounds correct. By looking at each word singly you may find a stray homophone or two before it is too late.