Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation Tips

Use these tips to help you understand the grammar notations on your returned class papers.

Transcript

1. Grammar, Spelling,
 and Punctuation It’s important. Do it right.
2. Always write drafts. Almost no one writes with 
 proper grammar all the time. Leave time to edit your work. When you edit, be on the lookout for these common mistakes.
3. Pronouns A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun.
4. Common pronouns I, me, he, she, herself, you, it, that, they, each, few, many, who, whoever, whose, someone, everybody, etc.
5. You might have the wrong pronoun if… You have a plural pronoun and a singular noun.
 Pronouns must agree with the nouns they replace.
6. If your noun is singular Your pronoun must be singular: it/its/him/her/his/hers
7. If your noun is plural Your pronoun must be plural: they/their/them
8. Company names are singular. Do NOT use the pronoun 
 “they” to refer to a company. Use the pronouns it or its. Example: Apple has made many successful products; many people have bought its iPhone and iPad.
9. People use the pronouns who/whom. Do NOT use the pronoun “that” 
 to refer to a person or group of people. Examples: Bob is the one who mowed my lawn. I thanked the people who took out my trash. Sally is the player whom they carried 
 off the field after she scored the winning goal.
10. Sometimes a singular noun has no gender. Do NOT use the plural pronoun “they” 
 to avoid using he/she or his/her. Instead, make the noun plural. A reporter is busy, so you should respect his/her time. Reporters are busy, so you should respect their time.
11. Replace passive verbs with active ones. While technically correct, the verb 
 “to be” leads to inefficient writing. Active verbs are more clear. Look for and replace these words: is, are, was, were
12. Examples: Bob planted the tree. The tree was planted by Bob. Dr. Strauss wrote the syllabus yesterday. The syllabus was written yesterday.
13. Examples: Bob planted the tree. The tree was planted by Bob. (More concise and active)
14. Examples: Dr. Strauss wrote the syllabus yesterday. The syllabus was written yesterday. (More active and clear
 because it identifies
 the writer of the syllabus)
15. Use commas and semicolons correctly. If you don’t know how to use a semicolon, don’t. Follow these rules for proper comma/semicolon use.
16. Use a comma when you have two independent clauses 
 and a connecting word I built this online lesson, and I hope it helps you improve your grammar.
17. Don’t use a comma when you have two dependent clauses 
 that share a subject I built this online lesson and designed a worksheet to go with it.
18. Use a semicolon when you have two independent clauses 
 and no connecting word I built this online lesson; I hope it helps you improve your grammar.
19. Use a comma and a semicolon when you join two independent clauses with a word such as however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless, thus I built this online lesson; consequently, you now have some valuable grammar tips.
20. Also use a comma when you have an introductory clause
 before the subject of the sentence Before building this online lesson, I compiled a list of common grammar mistakes.
21. Also use a semicolon when you have items in a list that 
 already involve commas I have lived in Columbia, MD; Durham, NC; Eugene, OR; and Cincinnati, OH.
22. When in doubt always consult the experts • That vs. which, from Grammar Girl • i.e. vs. e.g., from The Oatmeal • Who vs. whom, from Grammar Girl • What it means when you use “literally,” from The Oatmeal • Affect vs. effect, from the Grammarist