Writing 101

[Emily!]

Writing Tips

English is a very difficult language, but we've taken the time to write up a guide that will, hopefully, help us all out with our writing. Enjoy!

[/size]grammar errors;;

01. The Double Negative
Using double negatives (don't know nothing) in english is improper grammar, although it is very commonly seen.

This is incorrect:
I am not speaking to nobody in this class.

This is correct:
I am not speaking to anybody in this class.

02. Its and It's
"It's" means "it is", while "its" means "belonging to it"

These are correct:
It's sunny outside today. (It is sunny...)
This marker will dry out; where is its cap? (The cap belongs to the pen)

03. There, Their, and They're
"There" represents either a place or a fact/the existence of something.
"Their" is possessive.
"They're" is short for "they are".

All of them together:
They're looking for their cat and they are searching over there. (They are looking for the cat that belongs to them and they are searching by the park.

04. Your and You're
"You're" is "you are."
"Your" is possessive, usually referring to an object that belongs to someone.

These are correct:
You're a wonderful person. (You are...)
Your marbles are over there. (The marbles that belong to you...)

05. To, Too, and Two
"To" is used along with a verb in the infinitive, when travelling to a place, when giving something, when describing a ratio, etc:
"Too" is used when describing an excess, a degree or an addition:
"Two" is how "2" is spelt. (I was taught to spell out all number up to one hundred.)

A plethora of correct examples:
I am going to the store.
He wanted to run down the hill..
She gave it to the dog.
They won twenty to eleven.

There were too many.
She wasn't too happy with him.
I want to go, too.

I had two pancakes for breakfast.

06. Than and Then
"Than" is a comparison
"Then" is a description of time.

These are incorrect:
She is so much better then I.
Than out of nowhere, she started to dance.

These are correct:
She is so much better than I.
Then out of nowhere, she started to dance..

07. Lay and Lie
Present Tense
"Lay" means "to place something down." It is something you do to something else. It is a transitive verb.

Incorrect: Lie the book on the table.
Correct: Lay the book on the table. (It is being done to something else.)

"Lie" means "to recline" or "be placed." It does not act on anything or anyone else. It is an intransitive verb.

Incorrect: Lay down on the couch.
Correct: Lie down on the couch. (It is not being done to anything else.)

Past Tense
The past tense of "lay" is "laid."
The past tense of "lie" is "lay."

Incorrect: I lay it down here yesterday.
Correct: I laid it down here yesterday. (It is being done to something else.)

Incorrect: Last night I laid awake in bed.
Correct: Last night I lay awake in bed. (It is not being done to anything else.)

Past Participle
The past participle of "lie" is "lain." The past participle of "lay" is like the past tense, "laid."

These are correct: I could have lain in bed all day.
They have laid an average of 500 feet of sewer line a day.

"Layed" is a misspelling and does not exist. Use "laid."

synonyms for over-used words;;

Person: Being, body, character, creature, customer, gal, guy, human, identity, individual, individuality, life, man, mortal, party, personage, self, somebody, soul, specimen, spirit, woman

Said: Added, stated, continued, announced, asserted, commented, declared, observed, remarked, reported, answered, explained, replied, responded, retorted, countered, exclaimed, proposed, proclaimed, hinted, implied, suggested, insinuated, barked, bellowed, cackled, cried, croaked, joked, drawled, mumbled, murmured, muttered, roared, shouted, scolded, shrieked, wailed, whispered, sighed, sobbed, gasped, stammered, hissed, stuttered, wept, screamed

Smiled: Grinned, beamed, smirked, radiated, leered,

Happy: Glad, ecstatic, pleased, cheerful, blissful, joyful, delighted, cheery, jovial, content, exultant, exuberant, lively, vivacious

Sad: Depressed, unhappy, miserable, gloomy, down, wretched, dejected, despondent, desolate, forlorn, sorrowful, woeful, distressing,

Laughed: Giggled, joked, chuckle, chortled, guffawed, sniggered, hooted, snorted, tittered, doubled up, snickered, teased

Stopped: Halted, braked, rested, discontinued, hindered, ended, finished, ceased

Friendly: Amicable, good-natured, harmonious, kindly, politely, cordially, affably, welcoming, approachable, outgoing, openly, pleasantly, sociably

transitions;;

Transitions are phrases or words used to connect one idea to the next. Transitions also show the relationship within a paragraph (or even within a sentence) between the main idea and the support the author gives for those ideas. Transitions are used by the author to help the reader progress from one significant idea to the next.

Illustration: Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as.

Contrast: On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless,
in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true.

Addition: And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus, therefore, otherwise.

Time: After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally, in order to, subsequently, previously, in the meantime, immediately, eventually, concurrently, simultaneously.

Space: At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side, along the edge, on top,
below, beneath, under, around, above, over, straight ahead, at the top, at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear, at the front, in front of, beside, behind, next to, nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront, in the foreground, within sight, out of sight, across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the background.

Concession: Although, at any rate, at least, still, thought, even though, granted that, while it may be true, in spite of, of course.

Similarity or Comparison: Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to.

Emphasis: Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in addition.

Details: Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain, to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including.

Examples: For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular.

Consequence or Result: So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then.

Summary: Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly.

Suggestion: For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind, therefore.

Feel free to PM us with any questions, comments, additions, or concerns,
your admins,
Emily and Amira
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