BETTER ENGLISH
For You
Stephen Lau
For You
Stephen Lau
WHAT IS EFFECTIVE WRITING?
Effective writing is made up of effective sentences that must show some of the following characteristics:
Accuracy
An effective sentence must be grammatically correct. This includes observing the rules of grammar with respect to using the right parts of speech, agreement between subjects and verbs, between pronouns and antecedents, and correct spelling.
Emphasis
The arrangement of words in a sentence can determine which idea receives the most emphasis. To stress a word, place it at the end of a sentence or at the beginning of a sentence. A word or phrase receives the least emphasis when it is placed in the middle of a sentence.
e.g. For many families, foreclosure is the only option. (least emphatic)
e.g. Foreclosure, for many families, is the only option. (emphatic)
e.g. There is only one option for many families: foreclosure. (emphatic)
The use of inversion (reversing the normal order of words in a sentence) is another way of emphasizing an idea.
e.g. Parents who give their children a good moral education are wise. (normal order)
e.g. Wise are the parents who give their children a good moral education. (inversion)
e.g. Those who live without worries of daily problems are happy. (normal order)
e.g. Happy are those who live without worries of daily problems. (inversion)
Remember, not all sentences need special emphasis; effective writing generally contains a mix of some sentences in natural order and others re-arranged for special effects.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Effective writing is made up of effective sentences that must show some of the following characteristics:
Accuracy
An effective sentence must be grammatically correct. This includes observing the rules of grammar with respect to using the right parts of speech, agreement between subjects and verbs, between pronouns and antecedents, and correct spelling.
Emphasis
The arrangement of words in a sentence can determine which idea receives the most emphasis. To stress a word, place it at the end of a sentence or at the beginning of a sentence. A word or phrase receives the least emphasis when it is placed in the middle of a sentence.
e.g. For many families, foreclosure is the only option. (least emphatic)
e.g. Foreclosure, for many families, is the only option. (emphatic)
e.g. There is only one option for many families: foreclosure. (emphatic)
The use of inversion (reversing the normal order of words in a sentence) is another way of emphasizing an idea.
e.g. Parents who give their children a good moral education are wise. (normal order)
e.g. Wise are the parents who give their children a good moral education. (inversion)
e.g. Those who live without worries of daily problems are happy. (normal order)
e.g. Happy are those who live without worries of daily problems. (inversion)
Remember, not all sentences need special emphasis; effective writing generally contains a mix of some sentences in natural order and others re-arranged for special effects.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
A prepositional phrase is a combination of a verb with a preposition. Such a combination may give different meanings to the same verb with different prepositions. For example, the verb “argue” may result in different meanings with different prepositions:
Argue about: dispute or quarrel with someone over.
e.g. They often argue about racial injustice over the dinner table.
Argue against: make a case against someone or something.
e.g. The police discovered new evidence that argued against the criminal charge.
Argue back: answer back.
e.g. I wish he would not argue back so much.
Argue down: defeat someone in a debate.
e.g. He tries to argue down everyone who has opposite views.
Argue for: make a case for someone.
e.g. My lawyer will argue for me in court.
Argue into: convince someone to do something.
e.g. I could not argue myself into helping you in this project.
Argue with: challenge someone or something.
e.g. I won’t argue with what you do; after all, it is your choice.
Therefore, learn more prepositional phrases and find out how they are different in meaning with different prepositions.
TALK
Talk back: answer impolitely.
e.g. It's rude to talk back to your parents like that.
Talk over: discuss.
e.g. We'll talk over the matter before we see your parents.
BACK
Back down: retreat from a position in an argument.
e.g. Knowing that he did not have a valid point, he backed down.
Back out: desert; fail to keep a promise.
e.g. You said you would help us, but you backed out.
Back out of: fail to keep a promise.
e.g. We cannot back out of the contract; we are legally obligated to do what we are supposed to do.
Back up: support
e.g. Are you going to back me up if I decide to go ahead with the project?
TOUCH
Touch on: mention briefly.
e.g. The professor barely touched on the subject of Civil War.
Touch up: repair.
e.g. Can you touch up the scratches on the door?
APPEAL
Appeal against: ask a court to cancel something.
e.g. The lawyer appealed against the court’s decision.
Appeal for: demand as a right.
e.g. I think we should appeal for justice.
e.g. They are appealing for our help.
Appeal to: attract or please someone.
e.g. The proposal appealed to many of us.
e.g. Her personality appeals to everybody around her.
e.g. Does this food appeal to your taste?
PREPOSITIONAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
**************************************
Learning a language takes time and effort, especially if it is not your first language. Even if it is your mother tongue, you still need time and effort to master it because almost every language has its own slang and colloquial expressions, and the English language is no exception.
Language is forever changing. What is currently acceptable or popular may be replaced by something else in years to come, and the use of slang is a strong testament to that. Slang is just an alternative way of saying something. It is sometimes hard to identify what is slang and what is not. Slang and colloquial expressions are often acceptable in informal writing because they are used in communication in movies, newspapers, radio, television, and other mass media The more you learn, the more you will know when to use or not to use them in your formal writing. No matter what, knowing these common everyday expressions is a plus for all ESL learners.
Also, read my other book on American Idioms.
Stephen Lau
**************************************
THE USE OF TENSES
To write well, you need to know how to use English tenses correctly. Tenses are difficult to many because in many languages tenses are not used to express "time" or the "relationship of sequence"; instead, adverbs, such as "yesterday", "tomorrow", "soon" etc. are used.
To learn how to use English tenses correctly, you must have a perception of the "time" element.
Let's take a look at present tense, present continuous tense, present perfect tense, past tense, and past perfect tense with the following examples:
PAST<----------------------------------------------------->PRESENT
e.g. I am a U.S. citizen. (present tense)
e.g. I haven been a U.S. citizen for many years. (present perfect tense-I was and still am)
e.g. I live in the United States. (present tense-a fact)
e.g. I am living in the United States. (present continuous tense-sometimes I live in other places, but right now I am living in the United States)
e.g. I lived in the United States. (past tense-a fact in the past)
e.g. I had lived in the United States for many years, but now I no longer do. (past perfect tense-an action that took place for some time in the past)
Can you now tell the differences between the following sentences?
e.g. I am still a student in this community college.
e.g. I was a student in this community college last year.
e.g. I have been a student in this community college since 2016.
e.g. I had been a student in this community college between 2010 and 2013.
Hopefully, the above examples have demonstrated how you should use some of the English tenses correctly.
Read my book Effective Writing Made Simple.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
**************************************
HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVELY
Many people have to write, yet they don’t really like to write; some even hate it! Despite their aversion to writing, they may have to write letters, memos, proposals, reports, or e-mails in their work. Whether they like it or not, writing may be a part of their daily task. Are you one of them? If yes, why not make a virtue out of necessity, and learn the basic skill of effective writing?
Writing is about the written word. Not only is the written word part and parcel of daily life, but also has continued to hold its place in the contemporary world-just as Byron, the famous English poet, once said:
But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew, upon a thought produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions
Think.
According to Byron, words are all powerful. But you have to make them powerful, and this is what effective writing is all about. Writing is basically a communication skill-just like any other life skills. Why not master it to give yourself personal satisfaction in being able to communicate your ideas effectively so others will understand exactly what is on your mind?
Is writing such a difficult and daunting task? Not really. Is writing skill learnable? Absolutely!
Today, many books on how to write effectively are readily available. If you walk into any bookstore, you will find a collection of books on how to write well.
What separates EFFECTIVE WRITING Made Simple from other books on how to improve your writing skill?
First, this book is presented in a simple and easy-to-follow format: basic it is easy to read and understand. Second, this book is comprehensive: it covers every aspect of good writing-from grammar, correct sentences, effective use of words, paragraph development, to style and usage. With many examples and illustrations, this book is like a handy manual at your fingertips for easy reference. Effective writing is an essential communication skill in inter-personal relationships and in almost every profession.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
**************************************
Learn Some Catch Phrases
The English language is rich in catch phrases, which have caught on with the public. Learn some catch phrases to enrich your use of the language.
There’s blood for breakfast: someone’s temper is very bad this morning.
e.g. Your Mom got off on the wrong side of the bed. So behave yourself: there’s blood for breakfast!
Mum's the word
Not a word of the pudding: say nothing about it; Mum’s the word! (don’t say a word; keep it a secret!).
e.g. It’s just between us; Mom’s the word!
And that’s that: that’s the end of the matter.
e.g. I’m not going, and that’s that! (i.e. the matter is closed; no more discussion)
Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do: giving a piece of good advice.
e.g. Bye now! And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! (i.e. be good)
Go up one: excellent; good for you.
e.g. Good job! Well done! Go up one!
Not if you don’t: a responder to “do you mind?”-i.e. I do mind!
e.g. “Do you mind if I use yours?” “Not if you don’t!”
He thinks he holds it: conceited and vain.
e.g. I don’t like his attitude: he thinks he holds it.
Don’t I know it: how well I know it.
e.g. You don’t have to tell me! Don’t I know it!
Back to the kennel: go way (in a contemptuous way); get back into your box!
e.g. You’re annoying me! Get back into your box!
Don’t pick me up before I fall: don’t criticize prematurely.
e.g. I don’t want to hear a word from you. Don’t pick me up before I fall!
That’s playing it on the heart-strings: that’s being sentimental instead of realistic.
e.g. Falling head over heals for that girl is more like playing it on the heart-strings.
A snake in your pocket: reluctant to buy his friends a round of drinks or to pay the bill
e.g. Now it's your turn to foot the bill! Have you got a snake in your pocket or something?
Spare a rub: let me have some.
e.g. Don’t take everything: spare me a rub!
Every barber knows that: that’s common gossip.
e.g. That is no longer a secret: every barber knows that.
Easy as you know how: it’s easy-if you know how.
e.g. There is nothing to this: it’s easy as you know how!
I see, said the blind man: a humorous way of saying “I understand!”
e.g. You’re telling me! I see, said the blind man.
I’ll take a rain check: I’ll accept, another time, if I may.
e.g. “Come over to my place for a drink.” “Some other time; I’ll take a rain check.”
Where’s the fire?: what’s all the rush?
e.g. What’s the matter with you? Where’s the fire?
Where’s the body?: why look so sad?
e.g. That’s not the end of the world! Where’s the body?
You must hate yourself!: don’t be so conceited!
e.g. The way you talked to her just now-you must hate yourself for doing that.
Head I win-tail you lose: I’m in a win-win situation.
e.g. It’s mine! Head I win-tail you lose!
Like a red rag to a bull: something that provokes annoyance or anger.
e.g. His very presence was like a red rag to a bull-immediately she looked sullen and sulky.
It’ll all come out in the wash: It’ll be OK; it doesn’t really matter.
e.g. Don’t worry about these minor details; they’ll all come out in the wash!
It’s boloney: it’s utter nonsense.
e.g. To do this is in the wrong order is like putting the cart before the horse-it’s boloney!
A fiasco: a complete failure of organization or performance.
e.g. The government’s bailout of the banks was a fiasco.
Hot from the mint: something “brand new” (mint is a place where money is coined).
e.g. The concept is innovative; it’s hot from the mint!
Straight from the horse’s mouth: first-hand news.
e.g. The story is v
ery reliable-it’s straight from the horse’s mouth.
No second prize: used for someone making an unoriginal suggestion
e.g. I must say there’s no second prize for your proposal!
Nothing to do with the case: it’s a lie
e.g. What you're telling me has nothing to do with the case!
CATCH PHRASES AND COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSIONS
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
A prepositional phrase is a combination of a verb with a preposition. Such a combination may give different meanings to the same verb with different prepositions. For example, the verb “argue” may result in different meanings with different prepositions:
Argue about: dispute or quarrel with someone over.
e.g. They often argue about racial injustice over the dinner table.
Argue against: make a case against someone or something.
e.g. The police discovered new evidence that argued against the criminal charge.
Argue back: answer back.
e.g. I wish he would not argue back so much.
Argue down: defeat someone in a debate.
e.g. He tries to argue down everyone who has opposite views.
Argue for: make a case for someone.
e.g. My lawyer will argue for me in court.
Argue into: convince someone to do something.
e.g. I could not argue myself into helping you in this project.
Argue with: challenge someone or something.
e.g. I won’t argue with what you do; after all, it is your choice.
Therefore, learn more prepositional phrases and find out how they are different in meaning with different prepositions.
TALK
Talk back: answer impolitely.
e.g. It's rude to talk back to your parents like that.
Talk over: discuss.
e.g. We'll talk over the matter before we see your parents.
BACK
Back down: retreat from a position in an argument.
e.g. Knowing that he did not have a valid point, he backed down.
Back out: desert; fail to keep a promise.
e.g. You said you would help us, but you backed out.
Back out of: fail to keep a promise.
e.g. We cannot back out of the contract; we are legally obligated to do what we are supposed to do.
Back up: support
e.g. Are you going to back me up if I decide to go ahead with the project?
TOUCH
Touch on: mention briefly.
e.g. The professor barely touched on the subject of Civil War.
Touch up: repair.
e.g. Can you touch up the scratches on the door?
APPEAL
Appeal against: ask a court to cancel something.
e.g. The lawyer appealed against the court’s decision.
Appeal for: demand as a right.
e.g. I think we should appeal for justice.
e.g. They are appealing for our help.
Appeal to: attract or please someone.
e.g. The proposal appealed to many of us.
e.g. Her personality appeals to everybody around her.
e.g. Does this food appeal to your taste?
PREPOSITIONAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
**************************************
Learning a language takes time and effort, especially if it is not your first language. Even if it is your mother tongue, you still need time and effort to master it because almost every language has its own slang and colloquial expressions, and the English language is no exception.
Language is forever changing. What is currently acceptable or popular may be replaced by something else in years to come, and the use of slang is a strong testament to that. Slang is just an alternative way of saying something. It is sometimes hard to identify what is slang and what is not. Slang and colloquial expressions are often acceptable in informal writing because they are used in communication in movies, newspapers, radio, television, and other mass media The more you learn, the more you will know when to use or not to use them in your formal writing. No matter what, knowing these common everyday expressions is a plus for all ESL learners.
Also, read my other book on American Idioms.
Stephen Lau
**************************************
THE USE OF TENSES
To write well, you need to know how to use English tenses correctly. Tenses are difficult to many because in many languages tenses are not used to express "time" or the "relationship of sequence"; instead, adverbs, such as "yesterday", "tomorrow", "soon" etc. are used.
To learn how to use English tenses correctly, you must have a perception of the "time" element.
Let's take a look at present tense, present continuous tense, present perfect tense, past tense, and past perfect tense with the following examples:
PAST<----------------------------------------------------->PRESENT
e.g. I am a U.S. citizen. (present tense)
e.g. I haven been a U.S. citizen for many years. (present perfect tense-I was and still am)
e.g. I live in the United States. (present tense-a fact)
e.g. I am living in the United States. (present continuous tense-sometimes I live in other places, but right now I am living in the United States)
e.g. I lived in the United States. (past tense-a fact in the past)
e.g. I had lived in the United States for many years, but now I no longer do. (past perfect tense-an action that took place for some time in the past)
Can you now tell the differences between the following sentences?
e.g. I am still a student in this community college.
e.g. I was a student in this community college last year.
e.g. I have been a student in this community college since 2016.
e.g. I had been a student in this community college between 2010 and 2013.
Hopefully, the above examples have demonstrated how you should use some of the English tenses correctly.
Read my book Effective Writing Made Simple.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
**************************************
HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVELY
Many people have to write, yet they don’t really like to write; some even hate it! Despite their aversion to writing, they may have to write letters, memos, proposals, reports, or e-mails in their work. Whether they like it or not, writing may be a part of their daily task. Are you one of them? If yes, why not make a virtue out of necessity, and learn the basic skill of effective writing?
Writing is about the written word. Not only is the written word part and parcel of daily life, but also has continued to hold its place in the contemporary world-just as Byron, the famous English poet, once said:
But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew, upon a thought produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions
Think.
According to Byron, words are all powerful. But you have to make them powerful, and this is what effective writing is all about. Writing is basically a communication skill-just like any other life skills. Why not master it to give yourself personal satisfaction in being able to communicate your ideas effectively so others will understand exactly what is on your mind?
Is writing such a difficult and daunting task? Not really. Is writing skill learnable? Absolutely!
Today, many books on how to write effectively are readily available. If you walk into any bookstore, you will find a collection of books on how to write well.
What separates EFFECTIVE WRITING Made Simple from other books on how to improve your writing skill?
First, this book is presented in a simple and easy-to-follow format: basic it is easy to read and understand. Second, this book is comprehensive: it covers every aspect of good writing-from grammar, correct sentences, effective use of words, paragraph development, to style and usage. With many examples and illustrations, this book is like a handy manual at your fingertips for easy reference. Effective writing is an essential communication skill in inter-personal relationships and in almost every profession.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
**************************************
Learn Some Catch Phrases
The English language is rich in catch phrases, which have caught on with the public. Learn some catch phrases to enrich your use of the language.
There’s blood for breakfast: someone’s temper is very bad this morning.
e.g. Your Mom got off on the wrong side of the bed. So behave yourself: there’s blood for breakfast!
Mum's the word
Not a word of the pudding: say nothing about it; Mum’s the word! (don’t say a word; keep it a secret!).
e.g. It’s just between us; Mom’s the word!
And that’s that: that’s the end of the matter.
e.g. I’m not going, and that’s that! (i.e. the matter is closed; no more discussion)
Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do: giving a piece of good advice.
e.g. Bye now! And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! (i.e. be good)
Go up one: excellent; good for you.
e.g. Good job! Well done! Go up one!
Not if you don’t: a responder to “do you mind?”-i.e. I do mind!
e.g. “Do you mind if I use yours?” “Not if you don’t!”
He thinks he holds it: conceited and vain.
e.g. I don’t like his attitude: he thinks he holds it.
Don’t I know it: how well I know it.
e.g. You don’t have to tell me! Don’t I know it!
Back to the kennel: go way (in a contemptuous way); get back into your box!
e.g. You’re annoying me! Get back into your box!
Don’t pick me up before I fall: don’t criticize prematurely.
e.g. I don’t want to hear a word from you. Don’t pick me up before I fall!
That’s playing it on the heart-strings: that’s being sentimental instead of realistic.
e.g. Falling head over heals for that girl is more like playing it on the heart-strings.
A snake in your pocket: reluctant to buy his friends a round of drinks or to pay the bill
e.g. Now it's your turn to foot the bill! Have you got a snake in your pocket or something?
Spare a rub: let me have some.
e.g. Don’t take everything: spare me a rub!
Every barber knows that: that’s common gossip.
e.g. That is no longer a secret: every barber knows that.
Easy as you know how: it’s easy-if you know how.
e.g. There is nothing to this: it’s easy as you know how!
I see, said the blind man: a humorous way of saying “I understand!”
e.g. You’re telling me! I see, said the blind man.
I’ll take a rain check: I’ll accept, another time, if I may.
e.g. “Come over to my place for a drink.” “Some other time; I’ll take a rain check.”
Where’s the fire?: what’s all the rush?
e.g. What’s the matter with you? Where’s the fire?
Where’s the body?: why look so sad?
e.g. That’s not the end of the world! Where’s the body?
You must hate yourself!: don’t be so conceited!
e.g. The way you talked to her just now-you must hate yourself for doing that.
Head I win-tail you lose: I’m in a win-win situation.
e.g. It’s mine! Head I win-tail you lose!
Like a red rag to a bull: something that provokes annoyance or anger.
e.g. His very presence was like a red rag to a bull-immediately she looked sullen and sulky.
It’ll all come out in the wash: It’ll be OK; it doesn’t really matter.
e.g. Don’t worry about these minor details; they’ll all come out in the wash!
It’s boloney: it’s utter nonsense.
e.g. To do this is in the wrong order is like putting the cart before the horse-it’s boloney!
A fiasco: a complete failure of organization or performance.
e.g. The government’s bailout of the banks was a fiasco.
Hot from the mint: something “brand new” (mint is a place where money is coined).
e.g. The concept is innovative; it’s hot from the mint!
Straight from the horse’s mouth: first-hand news.
e.g. The story is v
ery reliable-it’s straight from the horse’s mouth.
No second prize: used for someone making an unoriginal suggestion
e.g. I must say there’s no second prize for your proposal!
Nothing to do with the case: it’s a lie
e.g. What you're telling me has nothing to do with the case!
CATCH PHRASES AND COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSIONS
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Find out more about Stephen Lau:
Better English Speaking and Writing for All
Having problems with some English words and phrases that may look similar but are different in meaning?
Learn some everyday American idioms, especially if you are an ESL learner.
Learn some English slang and colloquial expressions, not only to use them but also to understand what they mean.
To write effectively, you need to know the essentials of grammar, the correct choice of words, the different types of sentences, the development of paragraphs, the use of style and strategy to achieve your writing purpose.
Most importantly, you learn how to write by writing to overcome your fear of writing.
So, make your writing easier and more effective.
Most importantly, you learn how to write by writing to overcome your fear of writing.
So, make your writing easier and more effective.
Learn common prepositional English words and phrases that are daily used.
SELECTED POSTS
Learn Some American Idioms
Learn Some Slang and Colloquial Expressions
Learn Some Confusing Words and Phrases
Learn Some Slang and Colloquial Expressions
Learn Some Confusing Words and Phrases
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Pick out the incorrect sentences from groups containing both correct and incorrect sentences. You will be given the explanation why they are correct or incorrect.
Correcting the incorrect helps you avoid sentence errors in your writing.
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ESSENTIALS OF BETTER ENGLISH
Good writing means trying to avoid the overuse of clichés (overused catch phrases and figures of speech)
e.g. busy NOT busy as a bee
e.g. confront the truth NOT face the music
e.g. everyone NOT each and every one
e.g. finally NOT last but not the least
e.g. firstly NOT first and foremost
e.g. gentle NOT gentle as a lamb
e.g. infrequent or seldom NOT few and far between
e.g. obviously NOT it goes without saying
e.g. seldom NOT once in a blue moon
Avoid weakling modifiers. Most of the following weakling modifiers can be removed without changing the meaning of a sentence:
e.g. actually
e.g. both
e.g. certainly
e.g. comparatively
e.g. definitely
e.g. herself, himself, itself, themselves
e.g. needless to say
e.g. particularly
e.g. per se
e.g. really
e.g. relatively
e.g. very
To use these weakling modifiers occasionally is permissible, but to use them frequently makes your writing ineffective.
Figures of speech add life and vividness to writing. Figures of speech compare one thing abstract with another thing, which is usually literal or concrete.
Metaphors
Metaphors are implied comparisons.
e.g. After listening to the speech of the senator, I was a volcano within although I was still calm without.
e.g. He is a hog at mealtime.
Similes
Similes are direct comparisons to bring out the imagination of the readers.
e.g. After listening to the speech of the senator, I was like a volcano about to erupt although I was still calm on the outside.
e.g. He eats like a hog.
Similes always use words as or like.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
THE 8 PARTS OF SPEECH
There are eight parts of speech in the English language: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
(1) Nouns are names of things (book, chair, pen), people (boy, David, policeman)
(2) Pronouns stand for nouns: I (me); we (us); he (him); she (her); it (it); they (them); who (whom). The words in brackets are object pronouns.
e.g. I like him.
e.g. We like it.
e.g. He likes her.
e.g. She likes him.
e.g. It likes them.
e.g. They like it.
e.g. Who likes it?
e.g. Whom do you like?
(3) Verbs are words that show being:
e.g. I am a student.
e.g. You are happy.
e.g. He is poor.
e.g. We are doctors.
e.g. They are nurses.
Verbs are also words that describe an action:
e.g. I love you.
e.g. You go away!
e.g. She cries a lot.
e.g. We sleep at night.
e.g. They work in the office.
Some verbs are transitive: they need an object; some verbs are intransitive: they do not need an object; some verbs are both transitive and intransitive.
e.g. Please bring a chair. (transitive)
e.g. The sun rises. (intransitive)
e.g. He sings a song. (transitive)
e.g. He sings every morning. (intransitive)
(4) Adjectives describe nouns: e.g. a heavy chair; e.g. a pretty dress; e.g. You are happy.
(5) Adverbs describe verbs or adjectives: e.g. He eats slowly. e.g. You look very pretty.
(6) Prepositions are words that show the relationship between words.
e.g. I depend on you.
e.g. Give this to him.
e.g. We live in the United States.
e.g. They go with you.
(7) Conjunctions join sentences: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.
e.g. Get up and go to bed.
e.g. You like him, but he does not like you.
e.g. Put it here, or put it there.
e.g. I do not eat this, nor do I drink that.
e.g. You can stay, for it is raining.
e.g. I am tired, so I lie down.
e.g. You are tired, yet you do not want to go to bed.
(8) Interjections are words used to express different levels of emotions, such as surprise: e.g. Wow! My goodness!
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
FREQUENTLY CONFUSED WORDS
Observable / Observant
Observable: can be seen or noticed; observant: quick to pay attention.
e.g. The solution to the problem is observable to many scientists.
e.g. To be a good scientist, you must be observant of all the relevant details and data.
Pretense / Pretension
Pretense is to make believe; pretension is a claim
e.g. She makes no pretense to like her mother-in-law. (She does not pretend that she likes her mother-in-law.)
e.g. He made no pretension to that award. (He never claimed that he received that award.)
Ingenious / Ingenuous
Ingenious is clever; ingenuous is natural, free from deceit.
e.g. I must say that was an ingenious way to fund the project.
e.g. The Mayor's response to the questions from the reporter was sincere and ingenuous.
Noteworthy / Noticeable
Noteworthy means deserving attention; noticeable means easily seen.
e.g. The candidate's accomplishments are noteworthy.
e.g. The flaws in the Governor's character are easily noticeable to the public.
Foul / Fowl
Foul means dirty or offensive.
e.g. The smoke from that factory fouls the air. (as a verb)
e.g. He always speak foul language, even in the presence of ladies. (as an adjective)
Fowl is a bird, such as hen.
e.g. We are going to have a roast fowl for Thanksgiving.
Providing that / Provided that
Providing that is incorrect.
e.g. You can go out to play provided (that) you have finished your homework. (meaning: on condition that)
e.g. You can keep the book for another week providing that no one has reserved it (incorrect: provided that should be used instead)
e.g. The millionaire has helped the poor, providing many of them with food and shelter. (correct; meaning: giving or offering)
Welcome / Welcomed
Welcome is an adjective or a verb; welcomed is a participle.
e.g. You are most welcome. (adjective)
e.g. This is a welcome party for all newcomers. (adjective)
e.g. I like to welcome all of you. (verb)
e.g. The guests were welcomed by all of us in front of the house.(participle)
USE OF PREPOSITIONS
A prepositional phrase is a combination of a verb with a preposition. Such a combination may give different meanings to the same verb with different prepositions.
LOSE
Lose oneself in: be completely absorbed in.
e.g. If you lose yourself in your work, time just flies by.
Lose out: lose in competition.
e.g. I lost out in the race yesterday, but I did try my best to win.
Lose one’s head over: do something foolish.
e.g. Don’t lose your head over your accomplishment; it may not last.
e.g. Don’t lose your head over your new girlfriend.
TALK
Talk back: answer impolitely.
e.g. It's rude to talk back to your parents like that.
Talk over: discuss.
e.g. We'll talk over the matter before we see your parents.
BACK
Back down: retreat from a position in an argument.
e.g. Knowing that he did not have a valid point, he backed down.
Back out: desert; fail to keep a promise.
e.g. You said you would help us, but you backed out.
Back out of: fail to keep a promise.
e.g. We cannot back out of the contract; we are legally obligated to do what we are supposed to do.
Back up: support.
e.g. Are you going to back me up if I decide to go ahead with the project?
LONG
Long for: desire or pine for.
e.g. We all long for a holiday on these exotic islands.
e.g. A family with loving children is what most married couples long for.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
LEARN THESE EVERYDAY EXPRESSIONS
Learning a language takes time and effort, especially if it is not your first language. Even if it is your mother tongue, you still need time and effort to master it because almost every language has its own slang and colloquial expressions, and the English language is no exception.
Ask me another: I don't know.
e.g. "Does your daughter want a baby?" "Ask me another!"
Fork out: pay
e.g. Well, everybody has to fork out $30 for the farewell present to the boss.
In the picture: informed.
e.g. Thank you for putting me in the picture; now I know what's really going on.
Beat: broke, no money.
e.g. Without a job, we are beat, no copper and no bread.
Go: attempt.
e.g. Have a go at doing this on your own.
All the rage: fashionable.
e.g. Wearing a big hat will be all the rage this summer.
Answer is a lemon: no!
e.g. "Can I come with you? "The answer is a lemon!"
How goes it?: what has happened lately?
e.g. “How goes it?” “I just got married!”
In the same boat: in the same difficult situation.
e.g. I just got fired from my job; now we're in the same boat.
e.g. We're now in the same boat: flat broke (meaning having no money).
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Good writing means trying to avoid the overuse of clichés (overused catch phrases and figures of speech)
e.g. busy NOT busy as a bee
e.g. confront the truth NOT face the music
e.g. everyone NOT each and every one
e.g. finally NOT last but not the least
e.g. firstly NOT first and foremost
e.g. gentle NOT gentle as a lamb
e.g. infrequent or seldom NOT few and far between
e.g. obviously NOT it goes without saying
e.g. seldom NOT once in a blue moon
Avoid weakling modifiers. Most of the following weakling modifiers can be removed without changing the meaning of a sentence:
e.g. actually
e.g. both
e.g. certainly
e.g. comparatively
e.g. definitely
e.g. herself, himself, itself, themselves
e.g. needless to say
e.g. particularly
e.g. per se
e.g. really
e.g. relatively
e.g. very
To use these weakling modifiers occasionally is permissible, but to use them frequently makes your writing ineffective.
Figures of speech add life and vividness to writing. Figures of speech compare one thing abstract with another thing, which is usually literal or concrete.
Metaphors
Metaphors are implied comparisons.
e.g. After listening to the speech of the senator, I was a volcano within although I was still calm without.
e.g. He is a hog at mealtime.
Similes
Similes are direct comparisons to bring out the imagination of the readers.
e.g. After listening to the speech of the senator, I was like a volcano about to erupt although I was still calm on the outside.
e.g. He eats like a hog.
Similes always use words as or like.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
THE 8 PARTS OF SPEECH
There are eight parts of speech in the English language: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
(1) Nouns are names of things (book, chair, pen), people (boy, David, policeman)
(2) Pronouns stand for nouns: I (me); we (us); he (him); she (her); it (it); they (them); who (whom). The words in brackets are object pronouns.
e.g. I like him.
e.g. We like it.
e.g. He likes her.
e.g. She likes him.
e.g. It likes them.
e.g. They like it.
e.g. Who likes it?
e.g. Whom do you like?
(3) Verbs are words that show being:
e.g. I am a student.
e.g. You are happy.
e.g. He is poor.
e.g. We are doctors.
e.g. They are nurses.
Verbs are also words that describe an action:
e.g. I love you.
e.g. You go away!
e.g. She cries a lot.
e.g. We sleep at night.
e.g. They work in the office.
Some verbs are transitive: they need an object; some verbs are intransitive: they do not need an object; some verbs are both transitive and intransitive.
e.g. Please bring a chair. (transitive)
e.g. The sun rises. (intransitive)
e.g. He sings a song. (transitive)
e.g. He sings every morning. (intransitive)
(4) Adjectives describe nouns: e.g. a heavy chair; e.g. a pretty dress; e.g. You are happy.
(5) Adverbs describe verbs or adjectives: e.g. He eats slowly. e.g. You look very pretty.
(6) Prepositions are words that show the relationship between words.
e.g. I depend on you.
e.g. Give this to him.
e.g. We live in the United States.
e.g. They go with you.
(7) Conjunctions join sentences: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.
e.g. Get up and go to bed.
e.g. You like him, but he does not like you.
e.g. Put it here, or put it there.
e.g. I do not eat this, nor do I drink that.
e.g. You can stay, for it is raining.
e.g. I am tired, so I lie down.
e.g. You are tired, yet you do not want to go to bed.
(8) Interjections are words used to express different levels of emotions, such as surprise: e.g. Wow! My goodness!
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
FREQUENTLY CONFUSED WORDS
Observable / Observant
Observable: can be seen or noticed; observant: quick to pay attention.
e.g. The solution to the problem is observable to many scientists.
e.g. To be a good scientist, you must be observant of all the relevant details and data.
Pretense / Pretension
Pretense is to make believe; pretension is a claim
e.g. She makes no pretense to like her mother-in-law. (She does not pretend that she likes her mother-in-law.)
e.g. He made no pretension to that award. (He never claimed that he received that award.)
Ingenious / Ingenuous
Ingenious is clever; ingenuous is natural, free from deceit.
e.g. I must say that was an ingenious way to fund the project.
e.g. The Mayor's response to the questions from the reporter was sincere and ingenuous.
Noteworthy / Noticeable
Noteworthy means deserving attention; noticeable means easily seen.
e.g. The candidate's accomplishments are noteworthy.
e.g. The flaws in the Governor's character are easily noticeable to the public.
Foul / Fowl
Foul means dirty or offensive.
e.g. The smoke from that factory fouls the air. (as a verb)
e.g. He always speak foul language, even in the presence of ladies. (as an adjective)
Fowl is a bird, such as hen.
e.g. We are going to have a roast fowl for Thanksgiving.
Providing that / Provided that
Providing that is incorrect.
e.g. You can go out to play provided (that) you have finished your homework. (meaning: on condition that)
e.g. You can keep the book for another week providing that no one has reserved it (incorrect: provided that should be used instead)
e.g. The millionaire has helped the poor, providing many of them with food and shelter. (correct; meaning: giving or offering)
Welcome / Welcomed
Welcome is an adjective or a verb; welcomed is a participle.
e.g. You are most welcome. (adjective)
e.g. This is a welcome party for all newcomers. (adjective)
e.g. I like to welcome all of you. (verb)
e.g. The guests were welcomed by all of us in front of the house.(participle)
USE OF PREPOSITIONS
A prepositional phrase is a combination of a verb with a preposition. Such a combination may give different meanings to the same verb with different prepositions.
LOSE
Lose oneself in: be completely absorbed in.
e.g. If you lose yourself in your work, time just flies by.
Lose out: lose in competition.
e.g. I lost out in the race yesterday, but I did try my best to win.
Lose one’s head over: do something foolish.
e.g. Don’t lose your head over your accomplishment; it may not last.
e.g. Don’t lose your head over your new girlfriend.
TALK
Talk back: answer impolitely.
e.g. It's rude to talk back to your parents like that.
Talk over: discuss.
e.g. We'll talk over the matter before we see your parents.
BACK
Back down: retreat from a position in an argument.
e.g. Knowing that he did not have a valid point, he backed down.
Back out: desert; fail to keep a promise.
e.g. You said you would help us, but you backed out.
Back out of: fail to keep a promise.
e.g. We cannot back out of the contract; we are legally obligated to do what we are supposed to do.
Back up: support.
e.g. Are you going to back me up if I decide to go ahead with the project?
LONG
Long for: desire or pine for.
e.g. We all long for a holiday on these exotic islands.
e.g. A family with loving children is what most married couples long for.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
LEARN THESE EVERYDAY EXPRESSIONS
Learning a language takes time and effort, especially if it is not your first language. Even if it is your mother tongue, you still need time and effort to master it because almost every language has its own slang and colloquial expressions, and the English language is no exception.
Ask me another: I don't know.
e.g. "Does your daughter want a baby?" "Ask me another!"
Fork out: pay
e.g. Well, everybody has to fork out $30 for the farewell present to the boss.
In the picture: informed.
e.g. Thank you for putting me in the picture; now I know what's really going on.
Beat: broke, no money.
e.g. Without a job, we are beat, no copper and no bread.
Go: attempt.
e.g. Have a go at doing this on your own.
All the rage: fashionable.
e.g. Wearing a big hat will be all the rage this summer.
Answer is a lemon: no!
e.g. "Can I come with you? "The answer is a lemon!"
How goes it?: what has happened lately?
e.g. “How goes it?” “I just got married!”
In the same boat: in the same difficult situation.
e.g. I just got fired from my job; now we're in the same boat.
e.g. We're now in the same boat: flat broke (meaning having no money).
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
ONENESS
WITH ALL LIFE
Find out how to connect with others to avoid human conflicts and confrontations.
WITH ALL LIFE
Find out how to connect with others to avoid human conflicts and confrontations.
CORRECT THE INCORRECT
Which of the following sentences are incorrect?
(1) The woman reported to the police that the man stole her car with long white hair.
(2) Does this pair of trousers come in a different color?
(4) Two-thirds of the congregation have left before the meeting even begins.
(5) My dog often scratches it’s own fleas.
(6) Hurry up! It’s getting late.
(7) She is Charles’s girlfriend.
(8) Twenty dollars to buy this is outrageous!
(9) With who are you going to the concert?
(10) Each of the dogs needs their carrier to board the plane.
Incorrect Sentences:
(1) The woman reported to the police that the man stole her car with long white hair.
(4) Two-thirds of the congregation are leaving before the meeting even begins.
(5) My dog often scratches it’s own fleas.
(9) With who are you going to the concert?
(10) Each of the dogs needs their carrier to board the plane.
Once again, go through the sentences above to see if you know why they are incorrect.
The Explanation
(1) The woman reported to the police that the man stole her car with long white hair. (The woman reported to the police that the man with long white hair stole her car -- correct)
(4) Two-thirds of the congregation are leaving before the meeting even begins. (The subject is “congregation”, not “two-thirds.” In sentence 2, “pair” is the subject, not “trousers”, and therefore a singular verb is used. In sentence 8, “buying” is outrageous.)
Always form the possessive of singular nouns and abbreviations by adding an apostrophe and an s. This rule applies even if the noun or abbreviation ends in s. The exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names, such as Jesus and Moses, and such forms as for conscience’ sake (sentence 3), and for righteousness’ sake.
(5) My dog often scratches it’s own fleas. (“It’s” means “it is”, while “its” is a possessive.).
(9) With who are you going to the concert? (“with whom” is the object; compare: “who is going to the concert with you?)
(10) Each of the dogs needs their carrier to board the plane. (Each of the dogs needs its carrier to board the plane -- correct.)
CORRECT THE INCORRECT
Double Negatives
e.g. I didn’t see nobody. (incorrect)
e.g. I didn’t see anybody. (correct)
e.g. We are not going nowhere. (incorrect)
e.g. We are not going anywhere. (correct).
e.g. There isn't no money left. (incorrect)
e.g. There isn't any money left. (correct)
Omission of Key Verbs
e.g. The room was cleaned, and the curtains washed. (incorrect)
The room was cleaned, and the curtains were washed. (correct)
e.g. I never have, and never will do such a thing. (incorrect)
e.g. I never have done, and never will do such a thing. (correct)
Omission of Words in Comparison
e.g. His performance was better. (incorrect)
His performance was better than that (i.e. the performance) of the other candidates. (correct)
e.g. Your hands are bigger than any man that I know of. (incorrect)
e.g. You hands are bigger than those (i.e. the hands) of any man that I know of. (correct)
Dangling Participles
e.g. Walking down the street, the City Hall could be seen. (incorrect)
Walking down the street, we could see the City Hall. (correct)
e.g. By exercising every day, your health will improve. (incorrect)
By exercising every day, you will improve your health. (correct)
Misuse of Dependent Clause
e.g. Because he had no money was the reason he stayed at home. (incorrect)
He stayed at home because he had no money. (correct)
Because he had no money, he stayed at home. (correct)
Having no money was the reason he stayed at home. (correct)
Which of the following sentences are incorrect?
(1) The Bible tells us to follow Jesus’ teachings.
(2) Follow William Bates’s methods of good vision.
(3) You must do this for your own conscience’s sake.
(4) The Old Testament explains in detail Moses’ Ten Commandments.
(5) A wise dog scratches it’s own fleas.
(6) Hurry up! It’s getting late.
(7) She is Charles’s girlfriend.
Incorrect
You must do this for your own conscience’s sake.
A wise dog scratches it’s own fleas.
Explanation
Always form the possessive of singular nouns and abbreviations by adding an apostrophe and an s. This rule applies even if the noun or abbreviation ends in s. The exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names, such as Jesus and Moses, and such forms as for conscience’ sake, and for righteousness’ sake.
“It’s” means “it is”, while “its” is a possessive.
Which of the following sentences are incorrect?
(1) Coming home from school yesterday, I met my cousin who came to see me.
(2) My cousin is older than I. An undergraduate of Harvard University who is studying medicine.
(3) The man was screaming for help. No response.
(4) I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours, I felt completely exhausted.
Incorrect
My cousin is older than I. An undergraduate of Harvard University who is studying medicine.
Explanation
“An undergraduate of Harvard University who is studying medicine” is a subordinate clause, which has to be attached to a complete sentence.
My cousin, who is older than I, is an undergraduate studying medicine at Harvard University. (improved)
My cousin is older than I. He is an undergraduate studying medicine at Harvard University. (improved)
Incorrect
I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours, I felt completely exhausted.
Explanation
Never join two independent sentences with a comma. Instead, use a period (full-stop). You may use a colon for explanation, a semi-colon to replace a conjunction, a coordinate conjunction (e.g. and, but, or, nor, for, so yet), or simply use a full-stop to have two independent sentences.
e.g. I felt completely exhausted: I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours. (improved: the colon explaining why I was exhausted)
e.g. I felt completely exhausted: I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours. (improved: the semi-colon replacing the subordinate conjunction “because” or “for”)
e.g. I felt completely exhausted because I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours.(improved)
e.g. I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours, and I felt completely exhausted. (improved)
e.g. I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours. I felt completely exhausted. (improved)
Which of the following sentences are incorrect?
(1) He is one of those few students who get into an elite college.
(2) She is the only one of the students who get into Harvard University.
(3) Everybody thinks they are smart.
(4) None of us is perfect.
(5) None are so wrong as those who think they are always right.
(6) In the burglary, every window, door, and mirror were smashed.
(7) The long and the short of this proposal are that it is easy but costly.
(8) Give and take is important to a healthy marriage.
(9) Politics are something that many like to pursue.
(10) The police are coming.
Incorrect
(2),(3),(6), (7), and (9)
Explanation
(2) She is the only one of the students who gets into Harvard University. (improved: there are many students, and she is the only one student who gets into Harvard University. In sentence (1), a few students get into an elite college, and he is one of them.)
(3) Everybody thinks he or she is smart. (improved: “everybody” is singular. A singular verb is used when “none” means “no one” or “not one”(4); a plural verb is used when “none” suggests more than one, as in (5).
(6) In the burglary, every window, door, and mirror was smashed. (improved: “every” is singular.
(7) The long and the short of this proposal is that it is easy but costly.(improved: certain common compounds are often considered singular, requiring a singular verb, e.g. “bread and butter”, “give and take” (8); and “the long and the short.”
(9) Politics is something that many like to pursue. (improved: some nouns, although appearing plural, such as “economics” and “politics” (9), require a singular verb. Likewise, some nouns, appearing singular, such as “police” (10), may require a plural verb.
e.g. If he were the president, he would do it. (He is not the president, and therefore he will not do it.)
e.g. If you worked hard now, you would pass the exam. (You are not working hard now, and so you will not pass the exam; it is merely an assumption. Compare: “If you work hard, you will pass the exam.” Here, it becomes a condition, and therefore there is a probability that you will pass the exam.)
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Omission of Key Verbs
e.g. The room was cleaned, and the curtains washed. (incorrect)
The room was cleaned, and the curtains were washed. (correct)
e.g. I never have, and never will do such a thing. (incorrect)
e.g. I never have done, and never will do such a thing. (correct)
Omission of Words in Comparison
e.g. His performance was better. (incorrect)
His performance was better than that (i.e. the performance) of the other candidates. (correct)
e.g. Your hands are bigger than any man that I know of. (incorrect)
e.g. You hands are bigger than those (i.e. the hands) of any man that I know of. (correct)
Dangling Participles
e.g. Walking down the street, the City Hall could be seen. (incorrect)
Walking down the street, we could see the City Hall. (correct)
e.g. Turning off the music, the room was quiet. (incorrect)
Turning off the music, you could make the room quiet.
e.g. By exercising regularly, your health will improve. (incorrect)
By exercising regularly, you will improve your health. (correct)
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS
In English, there are many singular nouns that represent a group; that is, you do not add an “s” to them, even though they are plural in number. In addition, their pronouns are usually singular.
e.g. You must talk to the committee and its members about this issue.
Some of the most common singular nouns representing many components are as follows:
anger, appreciation, baggage, concentration, confusion, consideration, corruption, cost, devotion, energy, entertainment, envy, equipment, evidence, furniture, frustration, gossip, help, homework, humanity, humility, imagination, independence, jewelry, justice, knowledge, luggage, mail, offspring, proof, recovery, respect, sleep, slang, software, violence, waste
Remember, they do not need an “s” and their respective pronouns are also singular.
GOOD WRITING
Good writing means trying to avoid the overuse of clichés (overused catch phrases and figures of speech)
e.g. busy NOT busy as a bee
e.g. confront the truth NOT face the music
e.g. everyone NOT each and every one
e.g. finally NOT last but not the least
e.g. firstly NOT first and foremost
e.g. gentle NOT gentle as a lamb
e.g. infrequent or seldom NOT few and far between
e.g. obviously NOT it goes without saying
e.g. seldom NOT once in a blue moon
Avoid weakling modifiers. Most of the following weakling modifiers can be removed without changing the meaning of a sentence:
e.g. actually
e.g. both
e.g. certainly
e.g. comparatively
e.g. definitely
e.g. herself, himself, itself, themselves
e.g. needless to say
e.g. particularly
e.g. per se
e.g. really
e.g. relatively
e.g. very
To use these weakling modifiers occasionally is permissible, but to use them frequently makes your writing ineffective.
Figures of speech add life and vividness to writing. Figures of speech compare one thing abstract with another thing, which is usually literal or concrete.
Metaphors are implied comparisons.
e.g. After listening to the speech of the senator, I was a volcano within although I was still calm without.
e.g. He is a hog at mealtime.
Similes
Similes are direct comparisons to bring out the imagination of the readers.
e.g. After listening to the speech of the senator, I was like a volcano about to erupt although I was still calm on the outside.
e.g. He eats like a hog.
Similes always use words as or like.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Which of the following sentences are incorrect?
(1) The woman reported to the police that the man stole her car with long white hair.
(2) Does this pair of trousers come in a different color?
(4) Two-thirds of the congregation have left before the meeting even begins.
(5) My dog often scratches it’s own fleas.
(6) Hurry up! It’s getting late.
(7) She is Charles’s girlfriend.
(8) Twenty dollars to buy this is outrageous!
(9) With who are you going to the concert?
(10) Each of the dogs needs their carrier to board the plane.
Incorrect Sentences:
(1) The woman reported to the police that the man stole her car with long white hair.
(4) Two-thirds of the congregation are leaving before the meeting even begins.
(5) My dog often scratches it’s own fleas.
(9) With who are you going to the concert?
(10) Each of the dogs needs their carrier to board the plane.
Once again, go through the sentences above to see if you know why they are incorrect.
The Explanation
(1) The woman reported to the police that the man stole her car with long white hair. (The woman reported to the police that the man with long white hair stole her car -- correct)
(4) Two-thirds of the congregation are leaving before the meeting even begins. (The subject is “congregation”, not “two-thirds.” In sentence 2, “pair” is the subject, not “trousers”, and therefore a singular verb is used. In sentence 8, “buying” is outrageous.)
Always form the possessive of singular nouns and abbreviations by adding an apostrophe and an s. This rule applies even if the noun or abbreviation ends in s. The exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names, such as Jesus and Moses, and such forms as for conscience’ sake (sentence 3), and for righteousness’ sake.
(5) My dog often scratches it’s own fleas. (“It’s” means “it is”, while “its” is a possessive.).
(9) With who are you going to the concert? (“with whom” is the object; compare: “who is going to the concert with you?)
(10) Each of the dogs needs their carrier to board the plane. (Each of the dogs needs its carrier to board the plane -- correct.)
CORRECT THE INCORRECT
Double Negatives
e.g. I didn’t see nobody. (incorrect)
e.g. I didn’t see anybody. (correct)
e.g. We are not going nowhere. (incorrect)
e.g. We are not going anywhere. (correct).
e.g. There isn't no money left. (incorrect)
e.g. There isn't any money left. (correct)
Omission of Key Verbs
e.g. The room was cleaned, and the curtains washed. (incorrect)
The room was cleaned, and the curtains were washed. (correct)
e.g. I never have, and never will do such a thing. (incorrect)
e.g. I never have done, and never will do such a thing. (correct)
Omission of Words in Comparison
e.g. His performance was better. (incorrect)
His performance was better than that (i.e. the performance) of the other candidates. (correct)
e.g. Your hands are bigger than any man that I know of. (incorrect)
e.g. You hands are bigger than those (i.e. the hands) of any man that I know of. (correct)
Dangling Participles
e.g. Walking down the street, the City Hall could be seen. (incorrect)
Walking down the street, we could see the City Hall. (correct)
e.g. By exercising every day, your health will improve. (incorrect)
By exercising every day, you will improve your health. (correct)
Misuse of Dependent Clause
e.g. Because he had no money was the reason he stayed at home. (incorrect)
He stayed at home because he had no money. (correct)
Because he had no money, he stayed at home. (correct)
Having no money was the reason he stayed at home. (correct)
Which of the following sentences are incorrect?
(1) The Bible tells us to follow Jesus’ teachings.
(2) Follow William Bates’s methods of good vision.
(3) You must do this for your own conscience’s sake.
(4) The Old Testament explains in detail Moses’ Ten Commandments.
(5) A wise dog scratches it’s own fleas.
(6) Hurry up! It’s getting late.
(7) She is Charles’s girlfriend.
Incorrect
You must do this for your own conscience’s sake.
A wise dog scratches it’s own fleas.
Explanation
Always form the possessive of singular nouns and abbreviations by adding an apostrophe and an s. This rule applies even if the noun or abbreviation ends in s. The exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names, such as Jesus and Moses, and such forms as for conscience’ sake, and for righteousness’ sake.
“It’s” means “it is”, while “its” is a possessive.
Which of the following sentences are incorrect?
(1) Coming home from school yesterday, I met my cousin who came to see me.
(2) My cousin is older than I. An undergraduate of Harvard University who is studying medicine.
(3) The man was screaming for help. No response.
(4) I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours, I felt completely exhausted.
Incorrect
My cousin is older than I. An undergraduate of Harvard University who is studying medicine.
Explanation
“An undergraduate of Harvard University who is studying medicine” is a subordinate clause, which has to be attached to a complete sentence.
My cousin, who is older than I, is an undergraduate studying medicine at Harvard University. (improved)
My cousin is older than I. He is an undergraduate studying medicine at Harvard University. (improved)
Incorrect
I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours, I felt completely exhausted.
Explanation
Never join two independent sentences with a comma. Instead, use a period (full-stop). You may use a colon for explanation, a semi-colon to replace a conjunction, a coordinate conjunction (e.g. and, but, or, nor, for, so yet), or simply use a full-stop to have two independent sentences.
e.g. I felt completely exhausted: I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours. (improved: the colon explaining why I was exhausted)
e.g. I felt completely exhausted: I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours. (improved: the semi-colon replacing the subordinate conjunction “because” or “for”)
e.g. I felt completely exhausted because I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours.(improved)
e.g. I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours, and I felt completely exhausted. (improved)
e.g. I had worked at the computer for more than ten hours. I felt completely exhausted. (improved)
Which of the following sentences are incorrect?
(1) He is one of those few students who get into an elite college.
(2) She is the only one of the students who get into Harvard University.
(3) Everybody thinks they are smart.
(4) None of us is perfect.
(5) None are so wrong as those who think they are always right.
(6) In the burglary, every window, door, and mirror were smashed.
(7) The long and the short of this proposal are that it is easy but costly.
(8) Give and take is important to a healthy marriage.
(9) Politics are something that many like to pursue.
(10) The police are coming.
Incorrect
(2),(3),(6), (7), and (9)
Explanation
(2) She is the only one of the students who gets into Harvard University. (improved: there are many students, and she is the only one student who gets into Harvard University. In sentence (1), a few students get into an elite college, and he is one of them.)
(3) Everybody thinks he or she is smart. (improved: “everybody” is singular. A singular verb is used when “none” means “no one” or “not one”(4); a plural verb is used when “none” suggests more than one, as in (5).
(6) In the burglary, every window, door, and mirror was smashed. (improved: “every” is singular.
(7) The long and the short of this proposal is that it is easy but costly.(improved: certain common compounds are often considered singular, requiring a singular verb, e.g. “bread and butter”, “give and take” (8); and “the long and the short.”
(9) Politics is something that many like to pursue. (improved: some nouns, although appearing plural, such as “economics” and “politics” (9), require a singular verb. Likewise, some nouns, appearing singular, such as “police” (10), may require a plural verb.
e.g. If he were the president, he would do it. (He is not the president, and therefore he will not do it.)
e.g. If you worked hard now, you would pass the exam. (You are not working hard now, and so you will not pass the exam; it is merely an assumption. Compare: “If you work hard, you will pass the exam.” Here, it becomes a condition, and therefore there is a probability that you will pass the exam.)
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Omission of Key Verbs
e.g. The room was cleaned, and the curtains washed. (incorrect)
The room was cleaned, and the curtains were washed. (correct)
e.g. I never have, and never will do such a thing. (incorrect)
e.g. I never have done, and never will do such a thing. (correct)
Omission of Words in Comparison
e.g. His performance was better. (incorrect)
His performance was better than that (i.e. the performance) of the other candidates. (correct)
e.g. Your hands are bigger than any man that I know of. (incorrect)
e.g. You hands are bigger than those (i.e. the hands) of any man that I know of. (correct)
Dangling Participles
e.g. Walking down the street, the City Hall could be seen. (incorrect)
Walking down the street, we could see the City Hall. (correct)
e.g. Turning off the music, the room was quiet. (incorrect)
Turning off the music, you could make the room quiet.
e.g. By exercising regularly, your health will improve. (incorrect)
By exercising regularly, you will improve your health. (correct)
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS
In English, there are many singular nouns that represent a group; that is, you do not add an “s” to them, even though they are plural in number. In addition, their pronouns are usually singular.
e.g. You must talk to the committee and its members about this issue.
Some of the most common singular nouns representing many components are as follows:
anger, appreciation, baggage, concentration, confusion, consideration, corruption, cost, devotion, energy, entertainment, envy, equipment, evidence, furniture, frustration, gossip, help, homework, humanity, humility, imagination, independence, jewelry, justice, knowledge, luggage, mail, offspring, proof, recovery, respect, sleep, slang, software, violence, waste
Remember, they do not need an “s” and their respective pronouns are also singular.
GOOD WRITING
Good writing means trying to avoid the overuse of clichés (overused catch phrases and figures of speech)
e.g. busy NOT busy as a bee
e.g. confront the truth NOT face the music
e.g. everyone NOT each and every one
e.g. finally NOT last but not the least
e.g. firstly NOT first and foremost
e.g. gentle NOT gentle as a lamb
e.g. infrequent or seldom NOT few and far between
e.g. obviously NOT it goes without saying
e.g. seldom NOT once in a blue moon
Avoid weakling modifiers. Most of the following weakling modifiers can be removed without changing the meaning of a sentence:
e.g. actually
e.g. both
e.g. certainly
e.g. comparatively
e.g. definitely
e.g. herself, himself, itself, themselves
e.g. needless to say
e.g. particularly
e.g. per se
e.g. really
e.g. relatively
e.g. very
To use these weakling modifiers occasionally is permissible, but to use them frequently makes your writing ineffective.
Figures of speech add life and vividness to writing. Figures of speech compare one thing abstract with another thing, which is usually literal or concrete.
Metaphors are implied comparisons.
e.g. After listening to the speech of the senator, I was a volcano within although I was still calm without.
e.g. He is a hog at mealtime.
Similes
Similes are direct comparisons to bring out the imagination of the readers.
e.g. After listening to the speech of the senator, I was like a volcano about to erupt although I was still calm on the outside.
e.g. He eats like a hog.
Similes always use words as or like.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau