GRAMMARIST | Page 3 of 549 | English grammar, usage, and style blog

Writing in Third Person – Examples & Worksheet

The third-person narrative is often employed in narrative writing because it zooms in and out of character perspectives to describe actions, feelings, emotions, and thoughts. If you’re unsure how to use the 3rd person perspective in writing, here are some tips and examples. What is Third Person Narrative? The third person is one of three perspectives employed in speaking and writing. It’s used to describe the point of view of a third party and uses a variety of pronouns derived …

Demonstrative Pronouns – Definition & Examples (with Worksheet)

by Candace Osmond

This, that, these, and those are what we call demonstrative pronouns because they point to certain nouns depending on the distance. Keep reading as I explain the definition and even provide a complete list of demonstrative pronouns in English. This guide also explains the correct pronoun usage and then provides a practice worksheet to test your understanding. Demonstrative Pronoun Definition A demonstrative pronoun is a kind of pronoun used to point to something explicit in the same sentence. Remember that …

When to Use a Comma Before Which

by Danielle McLeod

Rules about commas can be confusing, especially when used with pronouns and adjectives. The word which is one such example that, although not commonly used, can create some questions concerning proper punctuation. Does which need a comma? It depends on how you are using it. I find the best way to introduce the use of commas in relation to a word is to explain to my students when and how to use a word in the first place when writing. …

Does the Comma Go Before or After Quotation Marks?

by Danielle McLeod

Punctuating quotations raises many questions, and when instructing a class on proper comma placement, I am often met with blank stares unless I first break down the elements involved: 1) rules of quotation and 2) rules of commas. Once students have reviewed both uses, they can more easily combine them into a properly punctuated, understandable piece of text. Let’s review both quotation mark use and commas to fully understand where to place commas both before and after a quote. Quotation …

How to Use Semicolons in a List – Worksheet & Examples

by Danielle McLeod

Semicolons are one of the most misunderstood and underused punctuation marks. Most of my students have never used one, nor do they recognize how it is used. I find it interesting they have never truly learned its use since it is such an easy element to include in their writing. One of the best ways to use this mark is to help clarify lists in complex sentences. Becoming comfortable with this use also makes it easier to use between clauses. …

10 Best Dissertation Editing Services

by Candace Osmond

A dissertation is likely to be the most challenging piece of work a postgraduate student has to complete. It definitely makes me grateful that my uni days are far behind me. A dissertation needs to be organized, coherent, and error-free for the researcher to clearly present their findings. Perfect your writing with the help of our list of the best dissertation editing services to hire. These awesome companies can increase your chances of getting published in scholarly journals and improve …

What is Editing? – Ultimate Guide

by Candace Osmond

If you’ve written a research paper, essay, resume, or book, you need to edit it. Editing is a complex process that entails fixing grammar issues, tightening your arguments, and correcting your document format. I deal with all sorts of editing daily, from working with editors to perfect my works of fiction to self-editing content creation and more. But what is editing in the writing process? Why is editing important? Keep reading, and I’ll show you the definition, types, and importance …

What is Line Editing? Definition & Examples (With Checklist)

by Candace Osmond

You have crafted your story chapter by chapter, ensuring that you have a strong plot with interesting characters. But have you checked if the lines are stringing next to each other? This task is called line editing. It’s the most tedious part of editing, in my opinion, and takes a special skill because you can’t let yourself get too lost in the story. But what is a line edit? I’ll show you everything you need to know about line editing. …

10 Tips to Help You With Punctuation

by Danielle McLeod

Communication is a powerful tool, and if you can speak and write properly, it is much more likely you will be taken seriously. These are the tenets of my classes, and when I have a group of students in front of me, I remind them constantly that proper grammar and punctuation (or otherwise) are likely the first things a future employer will see when they pick up their resume. This simple punctuation guide provides the tips you need to apply …

30 Dog Idioms and Phrases – Origins and Meanings

by Candace Osmond

Have you wondered why people say, “it’s raining cats and dogs”? Or why “every dog has its day”? Some phrases about dogs have been around for centuries, and we’ve integrated them into ordinary conversations. I actually use a ton of these phrases in writing, but I’ve also grown up hearing them used in various ways. Let’s discover more about the meaning and origin of the sayings with “dog” in them. Where Did Dog Idioms Come From? Like most animal idioms, …

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