For many writers, especially those still starting out, the rules governing grammar and punctuation may seem esoteric and strange. Also, if you’ve ever had the displeasure of coming across a stickler for the rules, you are always left with the impression that those who don’t follow grammar rules to the letter might as well not …
Marcel Iseli
Commas can be confusing for many. The rules aren’t always clear, and a lot of the times putting a comma becomes a matter of judgment. It becomes a matter of whether a comma will enhance the meaning or improve the legibility of the text. However, even when there are clear cut rules, these can be …
Using commas with words is quite a pain in the neck. We think we know what to do, yet at times we don’t. This very dilemma happens to be true with the word “sometimes,” an adverb of frequency that also means “occasionally.” This article, however, would like to focus only on when to use a …
Let’s have a look at the word “genuine.” If we wanted to turn it into a noun, should we use the suffix “-ness,” giving us “genuineness,” or should we use the suffix “-ity” to produce the word “genuinity”? Well, let’s find out! Is it “genuinity” or “genuineness”? The correct answer is “genuineness.” That’s the …
Here is a nugget of valuable, albeit blunt, advice: don”t believe people who claim grammar isn’t important — because the opposite is true. Poor diction and writing mechanics can rob you of job opportunities and even limit your social circles. Because despite the best of intentions, we humans harbor heaps of unconscious judgment about how …
Building your vocabulary is an important part of learning any language, and Japanese is no exception. There are many vocabulary-building strategies, ranging from rote memorization to attempts at learning new words “naturally” by listening to whole sentences. All have their proponents, and a balanced learning plan incorporates elements of multiple strategies. It’s also a good …
People wonder whether we can contract “there are” to “there’re,” or would that be plain wrong? Let’s try to answer that question right about now. Table of Contents What does “there’re” mean? Choosing between “there’re” or “there are” Using “there’re” in a sentence The correct way of pronouncing “there’re” “There’re” …
Everyone knows their address, but it’s a fact that many people experience anxiety when asked to enter that address into a form or write it on an envelope. What should be a simple matter of putting in a street name, a street number and possibly apartment or suite number becomes unnecessarily complicated by arcane …
The above sentence might seem trivial to you, but there is actually more to it than meets the eye. Obviously, people laugh at funny things. Yet, there is something odd about laughter itself. We laugh before we can even speak, and it is a unique way for us to bond with other people. Books have …