Coordinate adjective and cumulative adjectives are parts of speech that have different grammar rules. Grammar is the way in which language is structured, the rules that are the foundation of that structure and the study of those rules. Grammar is the way words are used together to form sentences. Grammar includes punctuation such as periods, commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons, quotation marks and parentheses; parts of speech such as nouns, pronouns, prepositions, verbs, conjunctions; … [Read more...]
Incomplete comparison
An incomplete comparison is an error in the use of English grammar. Grammar is the way in which language is structured, the rules that are the foundation of that structure and the study of those rules. Grammar is the way words are used together to form sentences. Grammar includes punctuation such as periods, commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons, quotation marks and parentheses; parts of speech such as nouns, pronouns, prepositions, verbs, conjunctions; modifiers such as adjectives and … [Read more...]
Subject vs object
Identifying the nouns and pronouns that are the subject and object of a sentence is an important facet of learning the parts of speech of English grammar. Grammar is the way in which language is structured, the rules that are the foundation of that structure and the study of those rules. At the most basic level, grammar is the way words are used together to form sentences. When a baby learns his native language, those grammar rules are absorbed effortlessly; languages learned later in life take … [Read more...]
Poetry vs prose
Poetry and prose are the two basic forms of writing in the English language. They are used at different times to achieve different goals. We will examine the difference between prose and poetry and when they are generally used. Poetry is a work of creative writing that adheres to a structured meter such as iambic pentameter, though that meter may not always be readily apparent in poetic forms such as free verse poetry. Meter is determined by the arrangement of syllables that are stressed and … [Read more...]
Writing numbers
The methods of how to write numbers varies widely, according to the style one chooses to follow. Style is a set of preferences in language and punctuation usage, it standardizes the output of a particular publisher or industry. There are many style guides. In order to know which style guide it is appropriate to use, consider your audience. We will look at some common conventions for writing numbers, and some variances according to the style one is following. Numbers under ten should be … [Read more...]
Use vs utilize
The words use and utilize are increasingly used interchangeably, but in truth, these two words do not mean exactly the same thing. Many people employ the word utilize instead of use because they think it sounds more important or more formal than the word use. However, using a word incorrectly is never a good idea. Choosing the correct words to use in the correct situation is a building block of grammar. Grammar is the way in which language is structured, the rules that are the foundation of that … [Read more...]
Analogy vs allegory
Analogy and allegory are two types of figures of speech that are often confused. The term figure of speech came into use at the turn of the eighteenth century. Figures of speech are rhetorical constructions in English grammar that are to be taken figuratively or non-literally. These literary devices are used to make a point in an emotional fashion or to make a point in a more vivid fashion in figurative language. Analogy and allegory are often used in poetry, poetic rhetoric, and other narrative … [Read more...]
I or me
I and me are pronouns that refer to the speaker or the self, and are used in different circumstances. Many people are confused as to when it is grammatically correct to use I and me. Pronouns take the place of nouns. Understanding the parts of speech such as verbs, nouns, pronouns, adverbs and adjectives and how they are used in grammar will improve your English communication skills. Grammar is the way in which language is structured, the rules of grammar are the foundation of that structure and … [Read more...]
Subject-verb agreement
Subject-verb agreement is an important part of English grammar. The concept of subject-verb agreement is simple, but complex sentences can cause confusion. We will examine the definition of subject-verb agreement, some rules that will help you construct sentences in English correctly and some examples. Subject-verb agreement means that the subject and the verb, known as the predicate verb, in a sentence must agree in number. If the subject is plural, the predicate verb must also be plural. It … [Read more...]
Neologism
Neologism is a term used in linguistics since the 1700s. We will examine the meaning of the word neologism, the origin of the word, and some examples of neologisms and the use of the word neologism in sentences. A neologism is a new, coined word or phrase. A neologism is a new word or phrase that has been newly constructed or invented, and is not in wide use. A neologism often begins as jargon or slang in a particular sphere of influence, usually to fill a need created by new technology or … [Read more...]