Bill Moore
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Really Easy Grammar – No. 39: Their His Pronoun Troubles
Everyone should be sure of the rules when they use an indefinite pronoun. Or, maybe, everyone should be sure of the rules when he uses an indefinite pronoun. Or else, when he or she uses. . . And that’s the problem. For many years, the Mavens of Grammar have stated , unequivocally, that indefinite pronouns (that includes all the pronouns with "-one," “-body," and “-thing" at the end as well as... (posted by Bill 5 years 111 days ago.)
Everyone should be sure of the rules when they use an indefinite pronoun. Or, maybe, everyone should be sure of the rules when he uses an indefinite pronoun. Or else, when he or she uses. . . And that’s the problem. For many years, the Mavens of Grammar have stated , unequivocally, that indefinite pronouns (that includes all the pronouns with "-one," “-body," and “-thing" at the end as well as... (posted by Bill 5 years 111 days ago.)
Homograph, Homonym, or Homophone?
The answer to the simple question, "What is a homonym?" seems to be, "It depends on whom you ask." The very fact that there are three words made me suppose that there were three different meanings. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. As Wikipedia says: I n practice there is a noticeable difference in the precise meaning of these words and a variety of other interpretations may be encountered. That’s putting it mildly. But... (posted by Bill 5 years 278 days ago.)
The answer to the simple question, "What is a homonym?" seems to be, "It depends on whom you ask." The very fact that there are three words made me suppose that there were three different meanings. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. As Wikipedia says: I n practice there is a noticeable difference in the precise meaning of these words and a variety of other interpretations may be encountered. That’s putting it mildly. But... (posted by Bill 5 years 278 days ago.)
Really Good Word Usage – No. 23: Writing Isn’t Talking Unless You’re Writing Talking
You’d probably never write a sentence like this unless it was a direct quotation: “Well, I mean, you know, we just kind of, you know, kicked it around some until Mel goes he won’t, like, support the campaign." People speak like that. It’s called speaking “colloquially," which, technically, means as in informal spoken language or conversation. If that’s how we speak and... (posted by Bill 5 years 285 days ago.)
You’d probably never write a sentence like this unless it was a direct quotation: “Well, I mean, you know, we just kind of, you know, kicked it around some until Mel goes he won’t, like, support the campaign." People speak like that. It’s called speaking “colloquially," which, technically, means as in informal spoken language or conversation. If that’s how we speak and... (posted by Bill 5 years 285 days ago.)
Words Used Right – No. 5: An Accurate Quote Can Be a Misquote
Shakespeare didn’t want to kill all the lawyers, and Robert Frost didn’t think that good fences make good neighbors. Sometimes, people use famous lines by famous people to support their arguments. And, too often, the words they quote not only weren’t intended to support what they’re saying, they actually mean the opposite. Quoting out of context is no doubt as old as speaking out of turn.... (posted by Bill 5 years 285 days ago.)
Shakespeare didn’t want to kill all the lawyers, and Robert Frost didn’t think that good fences make good neighbors. Sometimes, people use famous lines by famous people to support their arguments. And, too often, the words they quote not only weren’t intended to support what they’re saying, they actually mean the opposite. Quoting out of context is no doubt as old as speaking out of turn.... (posted by Bill 5 years 285 days ago.)
Really Easy Grammar – No. 37: Pronouns Used to Sound Right
Does the correct choice of her/she bar you from being a good writer? Well, we’re going to break the her/she bar and give you a sound method of using these and other pronouns accurately. Of all the little words in the language, none causes as many problems as the simple pronoun. The next paragraph is what you need to remember if you want to know the rules of usage you have to follow for correct... (posted by Bill 5 years 291 days ago.)
Does the correct choice of her/she bar you from being a good writer? Well, we’re going to break the her/she bar and give you a sound method of using these and other pronouns accurately. Of all the little words in the language, none causes as many problems as the simple pronoun. The next paragraph is what you need to remember if you want to know the rules of usage you have to follow for correct... (posted by Bill 5 years 291 days ago.)
Really Easy Grammar - No. 35: Don't Let Your Participle Dangle
If the rules of English grammar are carved anywhere, they’re carved only in butter. A lot of the rules are arbitrary at best and sometimes even silly. And it’s possible that you can violate many of them and still be considered a good writer. But should you? Like everything else, the rules come into and go out of fashion. Shakespeare could use double negatives, but we’re not supposed to.... (posted by Bill 5 years 297 days ago.)
If the rules of English grammar are carved anywhere, they’re carved only in butter. A lot of the rules are arbitrary at best and sometimes even silly. And it’s possible that you can violate many of them and still be considered a good writer. But should you? Like everything else, the rules come into and go out of fashion. Shakespeare could use double negatives, but we’re not supposed to.... (posted by Bill 5 years 297 days ago.)
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