This blog will be devoted to some grammar. There is so much
to go over, and I would like to touch on most of it. The best way to work with
grammar, though, is too discuss it in pieces so the reader doesn’t get bored,
or worse -- lost.
The first part will cover similar words. The second will
discuss specifics and what happens when the writer is not specific. The third
will discuss verb tense inconsistency.
To/too/two
Believe it or not, many writers, and student writers, misuse
these three words all the time.
To is a preposition – I am going to the store.
(I am sure you remember the prepositional phrase. The phrase begins with a preposition and ends with a noun. Here we have the preposition to and then the article – the—and the noun, store.
(I am sure you remember the prepositional phrase. The phrase begins with a preposition and ends with a noun. Here we have the preposition to and then the article – the—and the noun, store.
Later, I will show you the use of to as the sign of the infinitive.
Too is an adverb – He hoped it wouldn’t take too long.
(Remember the adverb describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb or an entire sentence. Too usually shows amount or degree – I am too hot.)
(Remember the adverb describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb or an entire sentence. Too usually shows amount or degree – I am too hot.)
Two – the cardinal number
He has two
brothers.
***
Its/It’s
Its is a possessive pronoun.
We are
searching for items that belong to the cat so it can go to its new home.
It’s means it is.
It’s too
late to go to the store to buy a new bowl. We’ll get a new one in the morning.
***
Their/They’re/There
Their
is a possessive pronoun.
This is their house.
They’re
is a contraction meaning they are – pronoun they and the verb are.
They’re not at home right now.
They’re not at home right now.
There
is an adverb, indicating location.
They will be there around eight.
Always Be Specific
Back
when I was attending Cal State Univ, Long Beach, whenever anyone used the word
“they,” everyone would turn to stare at that person as if he or she had said
something really bad. Someone would then shout, “Who are They?” It was used so
often it almost became a joke.
Remember
this short lesson and when you are using “they” make sure everyone knows whom
you are talking about.
I guess this is as good a place as any to remind you of the use of who.
Who is a pronoun and is used as the
subject of a verb or the sentence.
Who is going to the
party?
Whom is the object of a verb or a
preposition.
He is going to the party
with whom?
I am going to the party
with Jason, Bob, and whomever else cares to come.
And this is the reason we write “To Whom It May Concern” on somebusiness letters.
And this is the reason we write “To Whom It May Concern” on somebusiness letters.
The
word “it” can also be the cause of confusion when the writer doesn’t stop to really
think about what he is writing.
Don’t say, “It is so complex.” What
is it?
Instead say, the method of resolving the problem is complex.
Instead say, the method of resolving the problem is complex.
Verb
Tense Inconsistency
In
English, the singular noun takes a singular verb, which then takes an s. The plural
noun takes an s, but the verb does not take an s.
Confused?
Let’s look at an example.
A boy plays alone but the boys in
the team play.
In a
research paper, a student wrote about scandals in the U.S. She wrote Scandals
has…
My
red antenna immediately went up. Ding, the first red check mark.
The
correct way to write this is
scandals
are ….and finish the sentence.
I
hope this little review in grammar will help in whatever you are writing. If
you have any questions, please post them here. I will have more coming soon.
Thank
you. And have a wonderful day.