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Post by eyolf on Jan 20, 2009 5:36:37 GMT
Yes, this is one of those things that irritate me: improper use of grammar. I apologize for my grammar natzi-ness, but I do think it is founded. All posts-- all roleplays look better, read better, and are more enjoyable to write and read when they are written properly. I did not write this to waste my time. Actually read it and follow it, please.
This is an extremely long guide (over 2000 words), I realize, so only read the things you need to, I guess. Unless you're bored and have nothing better to do, like me while I was writing it.
1. It's and Its:
Now, this is the one I see most often, and I'd say it's is the most common of the two.
It's: This is an abbreviation for it is, so when ever you use this apostrophe in it's, you're basically saying it is. It could also be it has. It's been a tiresome day = it has been a tiresome day.
Its: According to the dictionary, it's the possessive form of it, but to put it simply, when ever you're talking about a creature or an object that you do not use hers or his for, you would use its. That stick is for its nest. Or whatever...
Example: ...and turned it's head at an angle... would be like saying... and turned it is head at an angle. Instead, say, and turned its head at an angle.
TIP: How do I quickly know which one to use? Just say it is in your head while you're typing the sentence. If it makes sense, then you know you have to use it's. Otherwise, it's its.
2. You're and Your:
Also fairly common in writing, especially conversations. You're is probably the most common, I find. And it is very similar to the case of Its VS. It's.
You're: The abbreviation for you are. When ever you write you're, you're saying you are. You're welcome... You're wicked. Etc, etc.
Your: The dictionary says it's the possessive form of you. Basically, when ever you use yours instead of his or hers. Your favorite music... That's yours, isn't it?'.
Example: Your going to need you're jacket. Looks right, doesn't it? Well, that would be like saying, you going to need you are jacket. Now, instead, write, you're going to need your jacket.
TIP: When writing a sentence, say you're in your head, and if it makes sense, then you'll know that's the one you gotta use. Otherwise, it's your(s).
3. 's and s:
This is gonna be a difficult one to write for... apostrophe verses the regular s.
's: This is usually shown to represent something possessive. I mean, here, I'll give an example: Lan's coat... sun's rays Also, you would need to use it whenever you're saying is. For example there's is an apostrophe because it's the shortened form of there is.
s: And this is to show that there's more than one. Again, sun's rays would be a good example for this since it has both. Rays wouldn't have an apostrophe because it's expressing multiple.. rays. Ok.. I didn't explain that very well, but hopefully I'll clear this up in the example below:
Example: The sun's rays provided light for the small town. Ok, so you may notice that this sentence is already in its proper form. Didn't want to confuse you or me anymore than I probably already have. Sun has an apostrophe because it's the sun's rays. There aren't multiple suns in that sentence, so you'd be needing an apostrophe. And ray only has an S cause there are more than one ray. Hopefully that clears up some stuff for ye... If not, well, sorry... I dunno. This is difficult to explain.
TIP: Say is in your head while you're writing. Now, in the sun's rays cause, is wouldn't work. So how would you know where to put that damn apostrophe? Well, you'd only use it for the first S (as in only for the sun bit), since there isn't more than one sun. Like, in the example for Lan's coat, you'd have the apostrophe because there isn't more than one Lan (since Lan is a character).
4. To, Too and Two:
This is a bit elementary, but might as well throw it in there. Usually, you'd probably be using just the regular to...
To: And the dictionary says: used for expressing motion or direction toward a point, person, place, or thing approached and reached, as opposed to from. So basically, it's saying it's the opposite of from. They came to the house verses they came from the house. See the difference? They're opposites.
Too: Meaning also, in addition (Me, too), more than it should be (too close to the fire), extremely or very (she wasn't too please).
Two: Hopefully you know what this means... it's 2 in word form...
Example: "I want to go two!" "But only too can come.." If you've figured out that this isn't right, you are absolutely correct. I want to come two. The first to is right, but as for the second, you'd need to be changing it to a too. But only two can come is the correct form of this sentence, since they are saying 2.
"I want to go too!" "But only two can come.."
TIP: Just use your head. I find the most difficult ones to figure are too and to, since most people get it mixed up, and say to when they're supposed to be saying too. I find the definition of too could really help you if you're having trouble with that.
5. We're and Were:
Yep. Another one of those common ones people get mixed up.
We're: Abbreviation for we are. When you write this, you're basically saying we are. We're going... we're in trouble.. yadda yadda.
Were: Now, in the dictionary (cause I'm not too sure what this means either) it says past-tense of 'be'. I dunno about you, but that's good enough for me. So, here's some examples: The books were on the floor... Where were you going? Yeah.. Don't as how I come up with these.
Example: Were going to need that for where we are going. Again, this looks right, eh? Well, it isn't. The proper form of this sentence would be we're going to need that for where we're going. Notice that I've changed were to we're since we are is needed in that sentence.
TIP: Again, like the above ones, just say it in your head. If we are makes sense, then it's we're. Otherwise, were.
6. Then and Than:
Another common one. You may not realize, but these are two completely different words.
Then: Dictionary says: immediately or soon after (he began to run, then slowed down), next in order of time (standing beside Charlie is my uncle, then my cousin, then my brother...), that time (until then, g'bye), in addition (there's those rocks you have to move, and then pull out the weeds), after but to provide balance to a sentence (he was nervous, but then (again), he usually is when alone). I think I pretty much covered it...
Than: is much easier than then. You usually use it when comparing two things in a sentence. I'm taller than you. Dictionary: (used after some adverbs and adjectives expressing choice or diversity, such as other, otherwise, else, anywhere, or different): I had no choice other than that.... I'd rather walk than drive. Also used to replace when: We had barely arrived than we had to leave again. That sounds a bit strange, though...
Example: and then he went for the throat <-- Correct form. This would be using then as in soon after or next in order of time. I was good bit smaller then him. Now, this is what people usually do. Replace than with then. It should be than because it is comparing two things.
TIP: When you're thinking of time, it's usually then. Actually, it almost is always then for most people. But when you're comparing, you know it odda be than.
Few Examples in Grammar Overall:
Disclaimer: these examples are all from my old posts on another site, so there's no need to get pissed if you think it's yours, because... well, it isn't.
1. Though, it seems his usual wanderings cause him a hassle, meeting with other wolves and all.
Ok. First of all, I wouldn't use though or although in the beginning of a sentence like that. The proper usage of it would be: Though he sounded completely serious, I had doubts. See where the comma has been moved? Instead of being right after the word, it's near the middle/end. Now in this case:
Though, it seems his usual wanderings cause him a hassle, meeting with other wolves and all.
I would move though to the end of the sentence. Like so,
It seems his usual wanderings caused him a hassle, though... Meeting with other wolves and all.
You will also see that I changed cause to caused, and changed the second part of the sentence. Although it may not seem like the best sentence, since this is when I was just coming out of my n00b days, it is now properly grammared... sorta.
2. It seems his emotions takes control, his mind having no effect against his actions.
Now.. you see, when reading that.. it doesn't really sound right. I'm going to fix it, and I'll bold the parts I fixed.
It seems when his emotions take control, his mind has no effect against his actions.
I was missing when, take didn't need that S and having should have been changed to has.
3. This habit, nor will any others, change, for he does not have the potential to accomplish change for himself, unless he were to acquire a massive brain injury, causing him to have a blank memory, which he doesn't plan on.
Ok. Wow. This sentence it way too friggin' long.
This habit - nor will any others - change, since he doesn't have the potential to accomplish it.
There's the first sentence. I put those dashes instead of commas, changed for to since, because for isn't meant to be used that way. Just use because, since, or considering instead. Sortened does not to doesn't. It doesn't need to be expanded, and took off most of the last part of the sentence, because I was basically just repeating myself.
Second Part:
Unless, of course, he were to lose his memory due to a massive brain injury, which he doesn't plan on.
I didn't bother bolding that sentence. I basically changed everything around. There were too many commas, first of all, which is what made it seem so long. It has all the same information, just in a different form. So, if you have a sentence that seems too long, try breaking it into two sentences and switching around the words. It really helps, as you can see:
This:
This habit, nor will any others, change, for he does not have the potential to accomplish change for himself, unless he were to acquire a massive brain injury, causing him to have a blank memory, which he doesn't plan on.
To This:
This habit - nor will any others - change, since he doesn't have the potential to accomplish it. Unless, of course, he were to lose his memory due to a massive brain injury, which he doesn't plan on.
4. Both enraged and horrified, Shant gave Zylem's flank a strong shove.
In this sentence, flank is used improperly. I know a lot of people do this, so I'm not targeting anyone, but words like flank for side, dial for face (which is really the face of a clock, so I have no idea why you'd be using it on wolves), orb for eye, crown for head (this is really the head of a tree, not a wolf), cranium for head (which is only a small part of the skull, located at the back of your head), auds (or anything else like it) for ears (this isn't even a word), brute for male (anyone brutal can be called a brute, even females), fae and the like for female (again, aren't even words)... and, well, that's all I can think of right now. But those are all improper usage for words.
Anyway, back to my sentence. Flank, according to wiki, is the side of a horse or military unit (ex. flanking maneuver in military tactics). Now, I'm not criticizing anyone. Only enlightening you.
5. Here, Zylem understood his brother's wishes and mindlessly ran, struggling to regain his footing, and keeping a hold on his yelps, attempting not to give his brother an even greater scare than he already had.
Another freakishly long sentence. I'm gonna do some different things with this one than the first freakishly long one.
Now, Zylem understood his brother's wishes and struggled to regain proper footing.
There's the first sentence. I put things in the order of time. Zylem couldn't mindlessly run when he isn't even standing.
Keeping a hold on his yelps, Zylem attempted not to give his brother a greater scare than he already had.
You see, this sentence had a lot of potential, and only needed to be worded differently to make it sound better. Long sentences was one of my bigger problems (and still is) so that's why I'm... able to give many examples of it.
Finished sentence:
Now, Zylem understood his brother's wishes and struggled to regain proper footing. Keeping a hold on his yelps, he attempted not to give his brother a greater scare than he already had and mindlessly ran.
6. Both of these fuel him to go, but, really it comes down to one thing: revenge.
Too many commas again. It should be:
Both of these fuel him to go, but really, it comes down to one thing: revenge.
See where I moved the comma? Instead of having it before really, I moved it behind, so now it's but really.
7. Zylem's head immediately shot up in alarm, awakened by another's voice, and he shifting from his side, swiftly regaining his footing.
I have no idea what I was thinking in this sentence.. doesn't make sense, yadda yadda.
Awakened by a voice nearby, Zylem's head shot up in alarm. He shifted from his side, realizing that it was another of his kind, and was swift to regain his footing.
Again, switched around the first sentence. Took out immediately, since it wasn't needed (usually, if someone's head shots up in alarm, it's immediate... stupid me). Added a new sentence, along with why he had stood so quickly. There. Now isn't that much better?
8. His eyes narrowed as he carefully watched her through them, the pupils almost unseen within the pool of dull colouring.
This is good.. descriptive. Just could use some better sentence structure.
He watched her through narrowed eyes, his pupils almost unseen within the pool of dull colouring.
Again, all I did was switch the sentence around.
Tip: Using different words in you post can be a good way to make it more interesting to read. Like, foliage or growth for grass and leaves. Forest floor for ground.. etc.
Ok.. I'm gonna stop now... I may add more, but.. Wow. It's already long enough. If I managed to forget anything, or you need help, post below. Comments are encouraged. |
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