How to Avoid Writing Incomplete Comparisons
When you are writing comparisons, you have to compare at least two things. Something has to be compared to something else otherwise it is not complete. That might sound confusing. But read this sentence [more…]
How to Avoid Writing Illogical Comparisons
Not all comparisons make sense. Some comparisons seem complete, but if you are not careful you can ask your readers to compare apples with oranges. You can avoid writing these illogical comparisons by [more…]
How to Avoid Common Errors in Your Comparisons
The grammar police will arrive, warrant in hand, if your comparisons aren’t parallel. There are lots of pitfalls when making comparisons in English. You can avoid common errors, by watching out for the [more…]
Using English Language Verb Moods
Verbs in modern English have three moods: indicative, imperative, and subjunctive. Indicative is the most common; almost all verbs are in the indicative mood. The two other moods — imperative and subjunctive [more…]
Using the Subjunctive Mood in English
Although uses for the subjunctive mood in English are rare, they are difficult enough to make a grown man cry. You can form subjunctives with were, had [more…]
Knowing When to Use Who and Whom
Even native English speakers have trouble knowing when to use who versus whom. These words are pronouns. Whois the subject pronoun and whom is the object pronoun. The rule for knowing when to use [more…]
How to Write Balanced Sentences
In art class, you draw parallels. In math class, you plot them on a graph. In grammar, you create parallel constructions. Parallel constructions in grammar, aren’t about lines that look like train tracks [more…]
Tricky Grammar: Is It Singular or Plural?
Usually, it's pretty clear whether a noun is singular or plural. Some words, however, can be tricky — and figuring out if you should pair a singular or plural verb or pronoun with them is essential. Follow [more…]
Possessive Rules of English Grammar
Who owns what? An apostrophe helps answer that question. Here's how to place an apostrophe in the right spot to show possession: [more…]
What Are Parts of Speech in the English Language?
Languages are made up of separate parts of speech, which all work together to create meaningful conversations. Here’s a list of the top eight parts of speech, with examples to show you how you use them [more…]
How to Use Pronouns in English Grammar
Pronouns are important for many reasons, as outlined by the following tips. You can use pronouns to stand in as subjects or objects, or to show possession. Here are some tips for getting your head around [more…]
Tips for English Language Subject–Verb Agreement
Matching the right subject to your verb can be tricky when you're writing in English. Here are some basic tips to help you work out which verbs are singular and which verbs are plural. [more…]
How to Use Endmarks, Apostrophes and Commas in Written English
Punctuation makes a huge difference in the meaning of a sentence, so it’s vital that you understand how to use it correctly. Endmarks, apostrophes and commas are all key to clear communication in English [more…]
