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Here’s what you need in a sentence, according to the rules of Standard English:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Complete thought: </strong>Don’t leave the reader hanging, wondering what comes next. Long or short, the sentence must express at least one complete idea.</li>\n<li><strong>Subject–verb pair: </strong>The verb expresses action or state of being, and the subject is the person or thing performing that action or existing in that state of being. The pair must match: <em>Gene is marching </em>(subject = <em>Gene, </em>verb = <em>is marching) </em>matches, but <em>Gene marching </em>doesn’t.</li>\n<li><strong>Endmark:</strong> A period, question mark, or exclamation point must appear at the end of your sentence.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>And here&#8217;s what to avoid:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Run-ons and comma splices: </strong>Don&#8217;t jam together two or more subject-verb expressions with no punctuation or just a comma. Link them with a conjunction (<em>and, or, but, nor, for, since, although, because, </em>and similar words) or a semicolon (  ;  ).</li>\n<li><strong>Fragments: </strong>Don&#8217;t spool out a string of ideas with no matching subject-verb pair or complete thought, as this fragment does: <em>Because Pete, moving sheets of paper on his desk, everyone thinking he was working. </em>Looks important and official, right? It’s a fragment, though. The correct version: <em>Because Pete was moving sheets of paper on his desk, everyone thought he was working. </em></li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Adding style","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>How boring life would be if all you had was the essentials! The same is true for sentences. To liven things up, consider these elements:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Descriptions: </strong>Add some adjectives (describing nouns and pronouns) or adverbs (describing verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs). Throw in some single-word descriptions (<em>solid, slowly), </em>a few phrases (<em>by the sea, in the sky), </em>and maybe a longer, subject-verb statement (<em>that Henry wrote, where Julie paddles). </em>Take your descriptive powers to the next level with verb forms that also act as descriptions (<em>running around in circles, having joined the circus).</em></li>\n<li><strong>Complements:</strong> Objects (nouns or pronouns that receive the action of a verb) and subject complements (nouns, pronouns or adjectives that complete the linking verb statement) allow you to <em>scold the dog </em>(<em>dog = </em>direct object) and notice that the room is <em>bright (bright = </em>subject complement).</li>\n<li> <strong>Active voice:</strong> When you can, opt for active voice (<em>Juliet spoke from her balcony)</em>, which is generally stronger and more fluid than passive (<em>Romeo was spoken to by Juliet). </em></li>\n<li><strong>Parallelism: </strong>In Standard English, everything performing the same function in a sentence or list must have the same grammatical identity (all nouns, all phrases, and so forth). Parallel elements have the same degree of importance — a quality you can exploit when you wish to emphasize equality.</li>\n<li><strong>Sentence length and pattern: </strong>Have you ever read a paragraph in which all the sentences are long and boring, following the same pattern (usually subject-verb-complement) without a single change? Snooze fest! Play around with long and short sentences. Move some elements around to create interest (<em>All day and all night worked Luke</em> instead of the more common <em>Luke worked all day and all night</em>).</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Texting, tweeting, presenting","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>How did we ever function without electronic media? No email, no tweets, no posts, no presentation software. With new (well, relatively new) media come new problems with grammar and style. The rules are still evolving, but most people agree that you should avoid these mistakes:</p>\n<ul>\n<li> <strong>Unclear abbreviations:</strong> Especially when you’re typing on a keyboard the size of a fingernail, it’s tempting to abbreviate. Go for it, as long as you’re sure the person reading your message will understand what you’re trying to say. Your safest bet is <em>CAO. </em>(See what I mean? I just made up an abbreviation for “common abbreviations only.” )</li>\n<li><strong>Omitting elements essential to your meaning: </strong>Don’t drop a word or punctuation mark that adds an important fact. <em>Dinner 8 p.m. </em>may be a command or an assumption. <em>Dinner 8 p.m.? </em>is an invitation.</li>\n<li><strong>Inappropriate level of formality:</strong> Powerful people can break as many grammar rules as they wish, as long as the meaning is clear. If you’re writing or presenting information to someone with more power, however, be careful. Bulleted lists should be parallel, capital letters should be in their proper place, and punctuation should be inserted as needed.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Checklist for grammatical perfection","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>How did we ever function without electronic media? No email, no tweets, no posts, no presentation software. With new (well, relatively new) media come new problems with grammar and style. The rules are still evolving, but most people agree that you should avoid these mistakes:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Unclear abbreviations:</strong> Especially when you’re typing on a keyboard the size of a fingernail, it’s tempting to abbreviate. Go for it, as long as you’re sure the person reading your message will understand what you’re trying to say. Your safest bet is <em>CAO. </em>(See what I mean? I just made up an abbreviation for “common abbreviations only.” )</li>\n<li><strong>Omitting elements essential to your meaning: </strong>Don’t drop a word or punctuation mark that adds an important fact. <em>Dinner 8 p.m. </em>may be a command or an assumption. <em>Dinner 8 p.m.? </em>is an invitation.</li>\n<li><strong>Inappropriate level of formality:</strong> Powerful people can break as many grammar rules as they wish, as long as the meaning is clear. If you’re writing or presenting information to someone with more power, however, be careful. Bulleted lists should be parallel, capital letters should be in their proper place, and punctuation should be inserted as needed.</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-01-28T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":207758},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:56:42+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-05-02T21:04:45+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:42+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & 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skills, in general.","description":"This handy Cheat Sheet will help you grapple with English grammar problems, clear up confusion caused by similar-sounding words, and improve your writing skills, in general.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33688,"title":"Grammar & Vocabulary","slug":"grammar-vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":252134,"title":"How to Climb the Ladder of Language 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Grammar Workbook For Dummies with Online Practice","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"8977\">Geraldine Woods</b> has taught every level of English from 5th grade through AP. Her more than 50 books include <i>English Grammar For Dummies</i> and many children's books. At www.grammarianinthecity.com, Woods blogs about current language trends and amusing signs she spots around New York City. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119455394&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3e6c365\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" 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Grammar","slug":"sorting-out-the-finer-points-of-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193222"}}],"content":[{"title":"Punctuating sentences correctly","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Here are some quick tips and handy hints for when and how to use the grammatical marks that most often trip people up when they’re writing, plus some guidance on improving your writing.</p>\n<p>Comma:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To set apart the name of a person being addressed</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">After an introductory expression</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To separate extra, nonessential statements from the rest of the sentence</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Following the <i>Dear Sir or Madam</i> line in a business letter</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Semicolon:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To join two complete sentences without using <i>and, but</i> and similar words</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To separate items in a list when at least one item contains a comma</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Colon:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To introduce a long quotation</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To introduce a list</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Dash:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To separate and add emphasis to an extra comment in a sentence</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To show a range (<i>numbers 1 – 64</i>)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Apostrophe:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To show possession (<i>Herman’s </i>hermit, <i>the girls’</i> gym class)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To substitute for missing numerals (<i>’07</i>)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To substitute for missing letters in contractions (<i>i</i><i>sn’t, what’s</i><i> </i>and<i> he&#8217;s</i>)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Hyphens:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To divide words or syllables at the end of a line</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To link two descriptions of one word (<i>second-string </i><i>violinist</i>)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To attach prefixes to words that start with capital letters (<i>anti-</i><i>Nazi</i>)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Add interest to your writing with these tricks:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Start with a description (<i>Dangling over the cliff</i>, Martha considered her options)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Combine sentences by inserting one idea into another (Martha, <i>who hated heights</i>, looked at the ground)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Occasionally reverse the usual subject-verb order (<i>On</i><i>to</i><i> the valley floor</i> thumped Martha)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Cut unnecessary words (The mountain was 3,000 feet high <b><i>in altitude</i><i>. </i></b>No need for <i>in altitude</i>.)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Look for strong verbs (<i>Strolled</i> or <i>rushed</i> instead of <i>went</i>, for example)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Commonly confused words and descriptions","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>It’s easy to mix up similar sounding words. Refer to this handy list when you need a helpful reminder of the most commonly confused words:</p>\n<p><b>Affect:</b> Generally a verb meaning &#8220;to influence&#8221;<br />\n<b>Effect:</b> Usually a noun meaning &#8220;result&#8221;</p>\n<p><b>Good:</b> Describes a person, place, thing or idea<br />\n<b>Well:</b> Describes an action</p>\n<p><b>Lie:</b> As a verb, &#8220;to rest or recline&#8221;<br />\n<b>Lay:</b> As a verb, &#8220;to place in a certain position&#8221;</p>\n<p><b>Its:</b> Shows possession<br />\n<b>It’s:</b> Contraction of &#8220;it is&#8221;</p>\n<p><b>There:</b> Indicates a position or place<br />\n<b>Their:</b> Shows possession<br />\n<b>They’re:</b> Contraction of &#8220;they are&#8221;</p>\n<p><b>Like:</b> As a preposition, means &#8220;similar to&#8221;<br />\n<b>As:</b> Precedes a subject/verb statement</p>\n<p><b>That:</b> Preceding a subject/verb statement, usually introduces <i>essential</i> information and isn’t preceded by a comma<br />\n<b>Which:</b> Preceding a subject/verb statement, indicates extra information and is preceded by a comma</p>\n<p><b>Between:</b> For two choices<br />\n<b>Among:</b> For a group of three or more</p>\n<p><b>Farther:</b> Used for distance<br />\n<b>Further:</b> Used for time or intensity</p>\n<p><b>Who’s:</b> A contraction meaning &#8220;who is&#8221;<br />\n<b>Whose:</b> A possessive pronoun (belonging to who)</p>\n<p>You can’t really compare words that express absolute states. Take the following, for example:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Unique</b> (not <i>really unique</i> or <i>very unique</i>)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Round</b> (never <i>rounder</i> or <i>the </i><i>roundest</i>)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Perfect</b> (not <i>more perfect</i> or <i>extremely perfect</i>)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>True</b> (stay away from <i>most true</i>)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Dead</b> (<i>deader</i> or <i>deadest</i>? Neither!)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Sorting out the finer points of English grammar","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>The finer points of English grammar can be tricky to get your head around, but use the following reminders to brush up your writing skills.</p>\n<p>Tricky singular/plural situations:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Companies are singular; they take a singular verb and pronoun (<i>it</i>, not <i>they</i> or <i>their</i>).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">In sentences that contain <i>neither/nor</i> or <i>either/or</i>, match the verb to the closest subject.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>What to capitalize:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Proper names</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The first word in a sentence</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Titles before and attached to names</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Titles used as substitutes for names</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The first word and all other important words in a title or subtitle</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Each letter in an acronym</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Some abbreviations</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>What to put in lower case:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Years in school (<i>primary 4</i>, <i>second year</i>, and so forth)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">School subjects, except for languages (<i>history, science</i> and <i>algebra</i>, for example)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Titles not attached to or used as names (she’s a<i> professor</i>)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Directions (<i>north, south, inward, up</i> and so on)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">General terms for geographical features (<i>canyon, river, mountain</i> and the like)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Academic degrees (<i>a</i> <i>master’s</i>, a<i> bachelor’s </i>degree)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>To use possessive nouns and pronouns properly, follow these rules:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Make a possessive noun by adding an apostrophe and the letter <i>s </i>to a singular noun</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Add an apostrophe to a plural noun that ends in the letter <i>s</i> to create a possessive</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">To show possession, add an apostrophe and the letter <i>s</i> to a plural noun that doesn’t end in the letter <i>s</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Possessive pronouns (<i>my, his, theirs, whose</i> and so forth) never contain apostrophes</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Place a possessive noun or pronoun in front of an <i>-ing</i> verb form used as a noun (<i>her</i> drawing, <i>Kate’s </i>running, and the like)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-05-02T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209125},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:56:46+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-12T18:13:01+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:36+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Language & Language Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33687"},"slug":"language-language-arts","categoryId":33687},{"name":"Grammar & Vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"},"slug":"grammar-vocabulary","categoryId":33688}],"title":"Copyediting and Proofreading For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"copyediting and proofreading for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"copyediting-and-proofreading-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Refer to this Cheat Sheet for references copyeditors and proofreaders should access, as well as helpful websites and proofreading symbols.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"As a copyeditor or proofreader, you can’t possibly remember everything, so you need outside resources and references, and lots of them. Although most resources are available online, it’s still helpful to have certain books on hand. And, of course, you need to know your proofreading symbols so that you can make changes and understand other editors’ changes.","description":"As a copyeditor or proofreader, you can’t possibly remember everything, so you need outside resources and references, and lots of them. Although most resources are available online, it’s still helpful to have certain books on hand. And, of course, you need to know your proofreading symbols so that you can make changes and understand other editors’ changes.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10425,"name":"Suzanne Gilad","slug":"suzanne-gilad","description":" <p><b>Suzanne Gilad</b> has proofread or copyedited over 1,200 titles for more than 20 prominent publishing imprints.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10425"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33688,"title":"Grammar & Vocabulary","slug":"grammar-vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33711,"title":"Writing","slug":"writing","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33711"}},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":200819,"title":"Proofreading for Common Errors","slug":"proofreading-for-common-errors","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200819"}},{"articleId":200551,"title":"Debunking Some Myths about Copyediting and Proofreading","slug":"debunking-some-myths-about-copyediting-and-proofreading","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200551"}},{"articleId":199511,"title":"Committing a Few Number-Editing Rules to Memory","slug":"committing-a-few-number-editing-rules-to-memory","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199511"}},{"articleId":199475,"title":"Copyediting for Political Correctness","slug":"copyediting-for-political-correctness","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199475"}},{"articleId":199035,"title":"Using Em Dashes and En Dashes Properly","slug":"using-em-dashes-and-en-dashes-properly","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199035"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":252134,"title":"How to Climb the Ladder of Language Formality","slug":"climb-ladder-language-formality","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252134"}},{"articleId":252131,"title":"How to Match Your Message to the Situation","slug":"match-message-situation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252131"}},{"articleId":252128,"title":"How to Choose the Correct Verb for Negative Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282116,"slug":"copyediting-and-proofreading-for-dummies","isbn":"9780470121719","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470121718/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0470121718/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0470121718-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470121718/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0470121718/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/copyediting-and-proofreading-for-dummies-cover-9780470121719-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Copyediting and Proofreading For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"10425\">Suzanne Gilad</b> has proofread or copyedited over 1,200 titles for more than 20 prominent publishing imprints. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":10425,"name":"Suzanne Gilad","slug":"suzanne-gilad","description":" <p><b>Suzanne Gilad</b> has proofread or copyedited over 1,200 titles for more than 20 prominent publishing imprints.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10425"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780470121719&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3856a80\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780470121719&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3857536\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":193233,"title":"Must-Have References for Copyediting and Proofreading","slug":"must-have-references-for-copyediting-and-proofreading","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193233"}},{"articleId":193232,"title":"Web Sites for Proofreaders and Copyeditors","slug":"web-sites-for-proofreaders-and-copyeditors","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193232"}},{"articleId":193234,"title":"The Proofreading Symbols","slug":"the-proofreading-symbols","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193234"}}],"content":[{"title":"Must-have references","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If you’re a copyeditor or proofreader, you know the importance of good reference sources. Much of the information in desk references can be found online, but a good copyeditor or proofreader should have hard-copy references as well. (You never know when your internet connection may slow to a crawl.)</p>\n<p>The following list contains five references you can’t live without:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>House style sheet:</b> You get this reference from the company you work for or, if you freelance, the person who hires you. When you question how something is presented in a document, it’s the first reference you check.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Style manual:</b> Your employer or client is likely to have a favored style manual, which may be <i>The Chicago Manual of Style</i><i>, </i><i>The Associated Press Stylebook,</i> or<i> The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage.</i> If the house style sheet doesn’t answer your question, check the style manual. And make sure you know which edition of the style manual is being used.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Dictionary:</b> Don’t copyedit or proofread without one. <i>Merriam</i><i>&#8211;</i><i>Webster’s </i><i>Collegiate Dictionary,</i> 11th Edition is preferred by many professionals, but you must use whatever dictionary your employer or client prefers. Get the latest edition; language changes quickly, especially in the technical realm.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Grammar and usage guide:</b> Some examples are <i>Garner’s </i><i>Modern American Usage</i>, <i>The Elements of Style</i>, <i>Words Into Type</i>, and <i>The Merriam-Webster Usage Dictionary</i><i>.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Specialty references:</b> Some books that may be helpful include <i>The Synonym Finder</i> by Rodale,<i> Merriam-Webster’s Geographical Dictionary</i><i>,</i><i> </i><i>Wired Style</i><i>,</i> and<i> </i><i>Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations</i><i>.</i> Depending on the types of projects you work on, your bookshelf may soon sport specialty references you never imagined needing.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Websites for copyeditors and proofreaders","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Whether you’re a copyeditor or a proofreader, you probably do a lot of your work electronically. And the internet is a great place to find helpful and interesting resources, such as those in the following list:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><a href=\"http://www.bartleby.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Bartleby.com</b></a><b>:</b> Letting the resource speak for itself, “Bartleby.com combines the best of both contemporary and classic reference works into the most comprehensive public reference library ever published on the web.”</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><a href=\"http://www.google.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Google</b></a> will be your gracious fact-checking workhorse.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Merriam-Webster OnLine</b></a> provides the 10th edition of <i>Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary</i> for free and the 11th edition for a subscription fee as well as a host of other resources.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b></b><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/navigator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i>T</i><i>he </i><i>New York Times’</i> Newsroom Navigator</b></a> is a fact-checking launchpad for its reporters.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Proofreading symbols","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>As copyeditor or proofreader, you need to become familiar with the proofreading symbols so that you can make your edits understood. The following tables list proofreading symbols every proofreader and copyeditor should know.</p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/184824.image0.jpg\" alt=\"image0.jpg\" width=\"315\" height=\"500\" /></p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-12T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209131},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:57:32+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-03-18T18:41:59+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:28+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Language & Language Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33687"},"slug":"language-language-arts","categoryId":33687},{"name":"Grammar & Vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"},"slug":"grammar-vocabulary","categoryId":33688}],"title":"Vocabulary For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"vocabulary for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"vocabulary-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Are you a sesquipedalian (someone who likes big words)? Wanna become one? Improve your vocabulary with these easy tips.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"If you use word games and flashcards, improving your vocabulary can be not only fun but key to increasing your general knowledge. Knowing the parts of speech and the meanings of prefixes and suffixes can help you understand English and some foreign words.","description":"If you use word games and flashcards, improving your vocabulary can be not only fun but key to increasing your general knowledge. Knowing the parts of speech and the meanings of prefixes and suffixes can help you understand English and some foreign words.","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33688,"title":"Grammar & Vocabulary","slug":"grammar-vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":252134,"title":"How to Climb the Ladder of Language Formality","slug":"climb-ladder-language-formality","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252134"}},{"articleId":252131,"title":"How to Match Your Message to the Situation","slug":"match-message-situation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252131"}},{"articleId":252128,"title":"How to Choose the Correct Verb for Negative Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b307cc47\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b307d6ce\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":194366,"title":"How to Identify the Parts of Speech","slug":"how-to-identify-the-parts-of-speech","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194366"}},{"articleId":194381,"title":"Vocabulary Tip: Prefixes that Mean \"Not\"","slug":"vocabulary-tip-prefixes-that-mean-not","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194381"}},{"articleId":194370,"title":"Common Vocabulary Prefixes — Co-, De-, and In-","slug":"common-vocabulary-prefixes-co-de-and-in","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194370"}},{"articleId":194369,"title":"Common Vocabulary Suffixes","slug":"common-vocabulary-suffixes","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194369"}},{"articleId":194380,"title":"Web Sites for Building Your Vocabulary","slug":"web-sites-for-building-your-vocabulary__trashed","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194380"}},{"articleId":194383,"title":"How to Make Vocabulary Word Flash Cards","slug":"how-to-make-vocabulary-word-flash-cards","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194383"}},{"articleId":194382,"title":"Reading Tips to Improve Your Vocabulary","slug":"reading-tips-to-improve-your-vocabulary","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194382"}}],"content":[{"title":"How to identify the parts of speech","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p class=\"SortTitle\">If you’re increasing your vocabulary and adding new words to your repertoire, you need to know the part of speech the words belong to so that you can use them correctly. The following list shows the eight parts of speech in English. Note that some words, like <i>open</i> or <i>yellow,</i> can be used as more than one part of speech.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Nouns:</b> Words that name a person, place, thing, or idea <i>(sofa, democracy)</i></p>\n<p class=\"child-para\"><i>Proper nouns</i> — specific names of people and places, such as Peyton Manning and Indianapolis — are capitalized.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Pronouns:</b> Words that take the place of a noun or another pronoun <i>(I, you, me, he, she, it, we, who, they)</i></p>\n<p class=\"child-para\"><i>Possessive pronouns</i> show ownership: <i>my</i><i>/</i><i>mine, </i><i>your/</i><i>yours, </i><i>their/</i><i>theirs, </i><i>our/</i><i>ours.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Adjectives:</b> Words that describe nouns and pronouns <i>(red, more, second, several)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Verbs:</b> Words that name an action or describe a state of being <i>(run, seem)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Adverbs:</b> Words that describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs <i>(yesterday, below, happily, partly)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Conjunctions:</b> Words that connect words or groups of words and show how they are related <i>(and, or, for, but, after, although, because)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Prepositions:</b> Words that link a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence <i>(by, about, behind, above, across, at, with</i>)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Interjections:</b> Words that show strong emotion <i>(Oh! Wow!)</i></p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Prefixes that mean \"not\"","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p class=\"SortTitle\">Expanding your vocabulary is made a little easier with tips that help you understand the meaning of new words. A prefix can often offer a clue to a word’s meaning, and in the case of the prefixes in the following list, the prefix makes the word mean the opposite of the root. All of the prefixes in the list mean &#8220;not&#8221; sometimes; a few of them have additional meanings:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>A-:</b> <i>Atypical</i> means not the usual.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Anti-:</b> <i>Antipathy</i> means not with love.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Dis-:</b> <i>Disagree</i> means not in harmony with.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Il-:</b> <i>Illegible</i> means not readable.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Im-:</b> <i>Immodest</i> means not shy.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>In-:</b> <i>Individuality</i> means not divided.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Ir-:</b> <i>Irremediable</i> means not able to be corrected.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Un-:</b> <i>Unhappy</i> means not content.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Common vocabulary prefixes — co-, de-, and in-","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p class=\"SortTitle\">Adding to your vocabulary is easier if you know meaning of common prefixes, which help you understand the meaning of words. The following list contains three common prefixes and their meanings:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>Co-</i> means &#8220;with.&#8221; Variations include <i>col-, com-,</i> and <i>con-.</i> (<i>cofounder, commemorate, concussion</i>)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>De-</i> can mean “reduce,” “remove,” and “to get off of.” (<i>decaffeinate, decapitate, deplane)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>In-</i> and its variations — <i>em</i><i>&#8211;</i><i>, en</i><i>&#8211;</i><i>, il-, im-, </i>and <i>ir- — </i>can mean &#8220;not,&#8221; &#8220;in,&#8221; &#8220;within,&#8221; &#8220;put into,&#8221; and &#8220;surround.&#8221; (<i>incapable</i><i>, enrage, impassioned</i>)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Common vocabulary suffixes","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p class=\"SortTitle\">When you’re stretching your vocabulary, pay attention to the endings of new words (their <i>suffixes</i>) for clues to their meaning. The following table lists common suffixes and their meanings:</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Suffix</th>\n<th>Meaning</th>\n<th>Examples</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>able/ible</td>\n<td>capable or worthy of, fit for; tending to, causing, given to,<br />\nor liable to</td>\n<td>commendable, edible, impressionable</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>d/ed</td>\n<td>indicates past tense of a verb</td>\n<td>baffled, flummoxed, wasted</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>ence/ance</td>\n<td>quality or state; an action or process</td>\n<td>clearance, reference, remembrance</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>ing</td>\n<td>indicates the present-perfect tense of a verb (such verbs are<br />\ncalled <i>gerunds</i>)</td>\n<td>admiring, discussing, perplexing</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>ion</td>\n<td>act, result of an act, or state or condition</td>\n<td>integration, obsession, possession</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>ment</td>\n<td>an action, process, or act of a specified kind</td>\n<td>bereavement, merriment, movement</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>s/es</td>\n<td>indicates the plural form of a noun</td>\n<td>analyses, arguments, results</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n"},{"title":"How to make vocabulary word flash cards","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p class=\"SortTitle\">The simple act of writing down a new word and its definition can help you remember it. Vocabulary word flash cards are pretty easy to make and serve you and anyone else interested in building their vocabulary — just use the following steps:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Buy a stack of 3-by-5 index cards.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Write new words on the front of a card (one word per card).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Write the definition, part of speech, and pronunciation on the back of the card.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Take your cards with you and study them.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n"},{"title":"Reading tips to improve your vocabulary","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p class=\"SortTitle\">You can build your vocabulary using flash cards, word games, and plain, old, everyday reading. Whether you’re reading cereal boxes, the newspaper, Web articles, office memos, or research papers, use the tips in the following list to improve your vocabulary as you read:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Read slowly.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Read confusing text over again.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Look at the pictures.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Create your own mental picture.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Summarize the main idea of the text in your own words.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Look up definitions of words you&#8217;re not familiar with or are uncertain about.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-03-18T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209288},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:46:55+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-02-24T17:22:40+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:13+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Language & Language Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33687"},"slug":"language-language-arts","categoryId":33687},{"name":"Grammar & Vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"},"slug":"grammar-vocabulary","categoryId":33688}],"title":"Basic English Grammar For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"basic english grammar for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"basic-english-grammar-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn the rules of Standard English so you can express yourself and communicate with confidence.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"English grammar is not a mystery; it's a set of traditions and patterns of language handed down through the ages. With a little practice, you can learn the rules of Standard English so you can express yourself confidently and correctly.","description":"English grammar is not a mystery; it's a set of traditions and patterns of language handed down through the ages. With a little practice, you can learn the rules of Standard English so you can express yourself confidently and correctly.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33688,"title":"Grammar & Vocabulary","slug":"grammar-vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":252134,"title":"How to Climb the Ladder of Language Formality","slug":"climb-ladder-language-formality","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252134"}},{"articleId":252131,"title":"How to Match Your Message to the Situation","slug":"match-message-situation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252131"}},{"articleId":252128,"title":"How to Choose the Correct Verb for Negative Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b21a9d99\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b21aa6b1\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":141022,"title":"Sorting Pronouns","slug":"sorting-pronouns","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/141022"}},{"articleId":141026,"title":"Dealing with Verb Tenses","slug":"dealing-with-verb-tenses","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/141026"}},{"articleId":141024,"title":"Elements of a Complete English Sentence","slug":"elements-of-a-complete-english-sentence","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/141024"}},{"articleId":141020,"title":"When to Use Capital Letters","slug":"when-to-use-capital-letters","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/141020"}}],"content":[{"title":"Sorting pronouns ","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Pronouns are handy words that take the place of the names of people, places, and things. Be sure to give every pronoun a proper job. Here is what you need to know about pronouns:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Singular subject pronouns (when one person or thing does the action or exists in the state of being): <i>I, you, he, she, it, who, whoever.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Plural subject pronouns (when more than one person or thing does the action or exists in the state of being):<i> we, you, they, who, whoever.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Singular object pronouns (one person or thing receiving the action): <i>me, you, him, her, it, whom, whomever.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Plural object pronouns (more than one person or thing receiving the action): <i>us, you, them, whom, whomever.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Singular possessive pronouns (showing ownership by one person or thing): <i>my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, whose.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Plural possessive pronouns (showing ownership by more than one person or thing): <i>our, ours, your, yours, their, theirs, whose.</i></p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Dealing with verb tenses","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>In English grammar, verbs change in form to tell the time period, or <i>tense</i>. You use different verbs to indicate whether an action has already happened, is currently happening, will happen in the future, and several different variations. Remember these tenses:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Present:</b> happening at the current time <i>(I talk, he talks, they talk)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Present progressive:</b> in the process of happening <i>(I am talking, he is talking, they are talking)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Past:</b> happened before now (<i>I talked, he talked, they talked)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Past progressive:</b> happened over a period of time before now <i>(I was talking, he was talking, they were talking)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Future: </b>will happen after the present time (<i>I will talk, he will talk, they will talk)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Future progressive:</b> will happen over a period of time, after the present time (<i>I will be talking, he will be talking, they will be talking)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Present perfect: </b>started in the past and continues in the present (<i>I have talked, he has talked, they have talked)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Past perfect: </b>happened in the past before another event in the past (<i>I had talked, he had talked, they had talked)</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Future perfect: </b>will happen in the future before a deadline (<i>I will have talked, he will have talked, they will have talked)</i></p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Elements of a complete English sentence","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Learning to write in complete sentences is a necessary skill. In order to fully understand the construction of a complete sentence, we need to define what a sentence actually is.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Sentences serve as a framework for people to clearly express their ideas in writing. There are several characteristics that must be met in order for a written thought to be considered a complete sentence. A complete sentence must: begin with a capital letter, end with a punctuation mark (period, question mark, or exclamation point), and contain at least one main clause. A main clause includes an independent subject and verb to express a complete thought.</p>\n<p>As any English grammar teacher will tell you, a complete sentence has at least one main clause, or subject-verb pair. They’re a pair because they match. They match because, well, they work smoothly as a team. One half of the pair (the verb) expresses action or being, and the other half (the subject) is whatever or whoever does the action or exists in the state of being. Here are subject-verb pairs that match:</p>\n<blockquote><p>Eggworthy scrambled.</p></blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>Ms. Drydock has repaired.</p></blockquote>\n<p>Just for comparison, here is one mismatch:</p>\n<blockquote><p>Eggworthy scrambling</p></blockquote>\n<p class=\"Tip\">When you’re texting or IMing (instant messaging), space is tight. Every character counts, including spaces. Therefore, many people opt for “sentences” that contain only verbs, when the meaning is clear. Check out this text: Went home. Fed cow. Cleaned barn.</p>\n<p>Complete sentences may also include more than one subject-verb pair:</p>\n<blockquote><p>Dorothy fiddled while the orchestra pit burned. (<i>Dorothy</i> = subject of the verb <i>fiddled,</i> <i>orchestra pit</i> = subject of the verb <i>burned</i>)</p></blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>Not only did George swim, but he also sipped the pool water. (<i>George</i> = subject of the verb <i>did swim, he</i> = subject of the verb <i>sipped</i>)</p></blockquote>\n<p>Complete sentences may also match one subject with more than one verb, and vice versa:</p>\n<blockquote><p>The lizard with a British accent appeared in three commercials but sang in only two. (<i>lizard</i> = subject of verbs <i>appeared, sang</i>)</p></blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>Alice and Archie will fight endlessly over a single birdseed. (<i>Alice, Archie</i> = subjects of the verb <i>will fight</i>)</p></blockquote>\n<p>Complete sentences that give commands may match an understood subject (you) with the verb:</p>\n<blockquote><p>Visit Grandma, you little creep! (<i>you-understood</i> = subject of the verb <i>visit</i>)</p></blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"tab1\">What’s an incomplete sentence?</h2>\n<p>Simply put, an incomplete sentence is one that does not express a full thought (also referred to as sentence fragments which usually do not include both a subject and a verb). It’s the moment in the television show just before the last commercial. You know what I mean. <i>The hero slowly edges the door open a few inches, peeks in, gasps, and . . . FADE TO DANCING DETERGENT BOTTLE.</i> You were planning to change the channel, but instead you wait to see if the villain’s cobra is going to bite the hero’s nose. You haven’t gotten to the end, and you don’t know what’s happening.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>A complete sentence is the opposite of that moment in a television show. You have gotten to the end, and you do know what’s happening. In other words, a complete sentence must express a complete thought.</p>\n<h2 id=\"tab2\">Complete sentence examples and context</h2>\n<p>Check out these complete sentences. Notice how they express complete thoughts:</p>\n<blockquote><p>Despite Eggworthy’s fragile appearance, he proved to be a tough opponent.</p></blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>I can’t imagine why anyone would want to ride on top of a Zamboni.</p></blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>Did Lola apply for a job as a Zamboni driver?</p></blockquote>\n<p>For comparison, here are a few incomplete<b><i> </i></b>thoughts:</p>\n<blockquote><p>The reason I wanted a divorce was</p></blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>Because I said so</p></blockquote>\n<p>Yes, in context those incomplete thoughts may indeed express a complete thought:</p>\n<blockquote><p>Sydney: So the topic of conversation was the Rangers’ season opener?</p></blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>Alice: No! “The reason I wanted a divorce” was!</p></blockquote>\n<p>and</p>\n<blockquote><p>Sydney: Why do I have to do this dumb homework?</p></blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>Alice: Because I said so.</p></blockquote>\n<p>Fair enough. You can pull a complete thought out of the examples. However, the context of a conversation is not enough to satisfy the complete thought/complete sentence rule. To be “legal,” your sentence must express a complete thought.</p>\n<p class=\"Warning\">In deciding whether you have a complete sentence or not, you may be led astray by words that resemble questions. Consider these three words: <i>who knits well. </i>A complete thought? Maybe yes, maybe no. Suppose those three words form a question:</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<blockquote><p>Who knits well?</p></blockquote>\n<p>This question is understandable and its thought is complete. Verdict: legal. Suppose these three words form a statement:</p>\n<blockquote><p>Who knits well.</p></blockquote>\n<p>Now they don’t make sense. This incomplete sentence needs more words to make a complete thought:</p>\n<blockquote><p>The honor of making Fido’s sweater will go to the person who knits well.</p></blockquote>\n"},{"title":"When to use capital letters ","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>In English grammar, you need to know when to capitalise words. Sometimes the capital letter signifies the part of a sentence or simply indicates someone&#8217;s name (proper nouns). Use capital letters for the following:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Specific names: </b>Capital letters are used for the names of people, places, and brands. <i>(</i><i>Bill, Mrs. Jones, River Dee, Burberry). </i>Lowercase letters are for general names <i>(</i><i>girls, mountains, clothing).</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>First word: </b>The first word in a sentence, a title, or a subtitle is always capitalised.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Personal pronoun:</b> The pronoun <i>I, </i>referring to the speaker or writer, should be capitalised.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Titles of full-length literary works: </b>The first word in the title of a book, play, newspaper, or magazine, plus all the important words, should be capitalised. <i>(</i><i>God Save the Queen, The Times, A Tale of Two Cities). </i>If you have a subtitle, capitalise only the first word, specific names, and the personal pronoun <i>I.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Titles of songs, poems, and articles: </b>Capitalise the first word, proper names, and the personal pronoun <i>I.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Titles for people:</b> When a title comes before a name, capitalise it <i>(</i><i>Reverend Ames). </i>After the name, capitalise titles only when they refer to very important positions <i>(</i><i>Prime Minister, Secretary General of the United Nations).</i></p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-02-24T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":207450},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:57:27+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-01-19T20:17:35+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Language & Language Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33687"},"slug":"language-language-arts","categoryId":33687},{"name":"Grammar & Vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"},"slug":"grammar-vocabulary","categoryId":33688}],"title":"English Grammar For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"english grammar for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"english-grammar-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Use this handy Cheat Sheet to remind you of sentence structure, proper punctuation, verb tenses, and other aspects of English grammar.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Whether you’re engaging in everyday speech or writing the perfect paper, you need to be familiar with the various parts of English grammar. Knowing how to correctly use nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, prepositions, and punctuation as well as how to properly structure a sentence can make or break a good grade or a professional presentation.","description":"Whether you’re engaging in everyday speech or writing the perfect paper, you need to be familiar with the various parts of English grammar. Knowing how to correctly use nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, prepositions, and punctuation as well as how to properly structure a sentence can make or break a good grade or a professional presentation.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33688,"title":"Grammar & Vocabulary","slug":"grammar-vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":243219,"title":"Illogical Comparisons in English Grammar","slug":"illogical-comparisons-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243219"}},{"articleId":243216,"title":"Incomplete Comparisons in English Grammar","slug":"incomplete-comparisons-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243216"}},{"articleId":243213,"title":"Conjunction Pairs","slug":"conjunction-pairs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243213"}},{"articleId":243210,"title":"Using and Maintaining the Right \"Person\" in English Grammar","slug":"using-maintaining-right-person-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243210"}},{"articleId":243207,"title":"Subordinate and Independent Clauses in English Grammar","slug":"subordinate-independent-clauses-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243207"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":252134,"title":"How to Climb the Ladder of Language Formality","slug":"climb-ladder-language-formality","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252134"}},{"articleId":252131,"title":"How to Match Your Message to the Situation","slug":"match-message-situation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252131"}},{"articleId":252128,"title":"How to Choose the Correct Verb for Negative Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282174,"slug":"english-grammar-for-dummies-3rd-edition","isbn":"9781119376590","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119376599-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/english-grammar-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119376590-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"English Grammar For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"8977\">Geraldine Woods</b> has more than 35 years of teaching experience. She is the author of more than 50 books, including <i>English Grammar Workbook For Dummies</i> and <i>Research Papers For Dummies</i>. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119376590&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b1677551\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119376590&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b1677e13\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":194274,"title":"Parts of Speech in English Grammar","slug":"parts-of-speech-in-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194274"}},{"articleId":194272,"title":"English Grammar Basics: Parts of a Sentence","slug":"english-grammar-basics-parts-of-a-sentence","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194272"}},{"articleId":194268,"title":"Pronoun Tips for Proper English Grammar","slug":"pronoun-tips-for-proper-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194268"}},{"articleId":194269,"title":"English Grammar Tips for Subject-Verb Agreement","slug":"english-grammar-tips-for-subject-verb-agreement","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194269"}},{"articleId":194267,"title":"Placing Proper Punctuation","slug":"placing-proper-punctuation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194267"}},{"articleId":194273,"title":"Verb Tense Tips in English Grammar","slug":"verb-tense-tips-in-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194273"}}],"content":[{"title":"Parts of speech in English grammar","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Every time you write or speak, you use nouns, verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and other parts of the English language. Knowing how to use these parts of speech can help you speak more eloquently, write more clearly, and feel more confident when communicating with others.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Noun:</strong> names a person, place, thing, idea (<em>Lulu, jail, cantaloupe, loyalty</em>, and so on)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Pronoun:</strong> takes the place of a noun (<em>he, who, I, what</em>, and so on)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Verb:</strong> expresses action or being (<em>scrambled, was, should win</em>, and so on)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Adjective:</strong> describes a noun or pronoun (<em>messy, strange, alien</em>, and so on)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Adverb:</strong> describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb (<em>willingly, woefully, very</em>, and so on)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Preposition:</strong> relates a noun or a pronoun to another word in the sentence (<em>by, for, from</em>, and so on)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Conjunction:</strong> ties two words or groups of words together (<em>and, after, although</em>, and so on)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Interjection:</strong> expresses strong emotion (<em>yikes! wow! ouch! </em>and so on)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Parts of a sentence","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>After you get a good grip on the different parts of speech, it’s time to put them all together to form the proper sentence. The right words and punctuation in the right order can make all the difference in good communication. Keep in mind that you need a minimum number of parts to make a complete sentence: subject/predicate/endmark.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Verb (also called the predicate):</b> expresses the action or state of being</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Subject:</b> the person or thing being talked about</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Complement:</b> a word or group of words that completes the meaning of the subject-verb pair</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Types of complements:</b> direct and indirect objects, subject complement, objective complement</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Pronoun tips for proper English grammar","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>The Beatles sang of “I, Me, Mine,” but understanding pronouns takes a little practice. Pronouns can be objective or subjective, and can show possession. You, me, him, her, them, us . . . everyone can speak and write more clearly by understanding pronouns.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Pronouns that may be used only as subjects or subject complements:</b> I, he, she, we, they, who, whoever.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Pronouns that may be used only as objects or objective complements:</b> me, him, her, us, them, whom, whomever.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Common pronouns that may be used as either subjects or objects:</b> you, it, everyone, anyone, no one, someone, mine, ours, yours, theirs, either, neither, each, everybody, anybody, nobody, somebody, everything, anything, nothing, something, any, none, some, which, what, that.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Pronouns that show possession:</b> my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, their, theirs, whose.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Tips for subject-verb agreement","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Someone or something must be present in a sentence, and that someone or something doing the action or being talked about is the <i>subject.</i> Verbs are the words that express the action the subject is doing or the state of being the subject is in. Subjects and verbs must agree if you’re going to get your point across as clearly as possible. Otherwise, you end up with an incomplete sentence or a sentence that makes no sense.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Match singular subjects with singular verbs, plural subjects with plural verbs (I run, she runs, they run).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Amounts of time and money are usually singular (ten dollars <i>is</i>).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>Either</i><i>/</i><i>or</i> and <i>neither</i><i>/</i><i>nor</i>: Match the verb to the closest subject (neither the boys nor the girl <i>is)</i>.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>Either</i> and <i>neither</i>, without their partners <i>or</i> and <i>nor,</i> always take a singular verb (<i>either </i>of the apples <i>is</i>).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">All subjects preceded by <i>each</i> and <i>every</i> take a singular verb (each CD <i>is</i> mine; every one of the cheeses <i>is</i> different).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i>Both, few, several,</i> and <i>many</i> are always plural (both/many <i>are</i> qualified; few <i>want</i> the job; several <i>were</i> hired).</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Placing proper punctuation","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Can you imagine what a sentence without any punctuation would be like? Without proper punctuation, it would be unreadable. Knowing when and how to use the period, comma, colon, semicolon, and other punctuation marks will make your writing smoother and more understandable.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Endmarks:</b> All sentences need an endmark: a period, question mark, exclamation point, or ellipsis. Never put two endmarks at the end of the same sentence.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Apostrophes:</b> For singular ownership, generally add<i>’s</i>; for plural ownership, generally add <i>s’</i>.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Commas:</b> In direct address, use commas to separate the name from the rest of the sentence. In lists, place commas between items in a list, but not before the first item. Before conjunctions, when combining two complete sentences with a conjunction, place a comma before the conjunction. If you have one subject and two verbs, don’t put a comma before the conjunction.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Hyphens:</b> If two words create a single description, put a hyphen between them if the description comes before the word that it’s describing. Don’t hyphenate two-word descriptions if the first word ends in <i>-ly.</i></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Colon:</b> Use a colon after an independent clause that precedes a list and to separate an explanation, rule, or example from a preceding independent clause.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Semicolon:</b> Use a semicolon to join independent clauses in compound sentences that do not have coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet) and commas as connectors. Words like <i>however, moreover, thus,</i> and <i>therefore,</i> are often used as connectors in these sentences. You can also use semicolons to separate long or complicated items in a series that already includes commas, and to separate two long or complex independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if confusion would result from using a comma.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Verb tense tips","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Besides showing the action or state of being in the sentence, the verb also indicates the time the action or “being” took place. By learning about the different kinds of simple, perfect, past, and present tenses, your speaking and writing will be clear and concise.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Simple present tense:</b> tells what is happening now</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Simple past tense:</b> tells what happened before now</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Simple future:</b> talks about what has not happened yet</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Present perfect tense:</b> expresses an action or state of being in the present that has some connection with the past</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Past perfect tense:</b> places an event before another event in the past</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Future perfect tense:</b> talks about something that has not happened yet in relation to another event in the future</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-01-19T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209272},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T21:01:32+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-10-21T19:20:53+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:18:42+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Language & Language Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33687"},"slug":"language-language-arts","categoryId":33687},{"name":"Grammar & Vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"},"slug":"grammar-vocabulary","categoryId":33688}],"title":"How to Use Commas in Addresses and Dates","strippedTitle":"how to use commas in addresses and dates","slug":"how-to-use-commas-in-addresses-and-dates","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Make sure you don't throw off the postal service (or your reader) by using commas incorrectly. Master all the basics here.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Learning how to write an address on an envelope is a good skill to master. However, often times, people incorrectly use commas and other punctuation in addresses and dates, which can throw things off, including the postal service! While commas are good, all-purpose separators, they should be used properly for an accurate and professional piece of writing or envelope. Use commas especially when items that are usually placed on individual lines are put next to each other on the same line.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >How to write an address</h2>\r\nWriting an address with proper punctuation on a traditional envelope can be accomplished by completing the steps below:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Write the recipient’s name on the first line.</li>\r\n \t<li>Write the street address or post office (P.O.) box number on the second line.</li>\r\n \t<li>Write the city, state, and ZIP code on the third.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nTo put this into use, let’s use an example of two characters communicating with addresses and dates in their writing. Jill is from Mars. Belle is from a small town called Venus. Here’s her (fictional) address the way you see it on an envelope using the steps provided above:\r\n<blockquote>Ms. Belle Planet</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>223 Center Street</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Venus, New York 10001</blockquote>\r\nIn the body of a letter, you can also write an address in envelope form like this:\r\n<blockquote>Please send a dozen rockets to the following address:</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote> Ms. Belle Planet</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote> 223 Center Street</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote> Venus, New York 10001</blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"Tip\">The introductory words (<i>Please send a dozen </i><i>rocke</i><i>ts to the following address</i>) end with a colon ( : ) if they express a complete unit of thought. If the introductory words leave you hanging (<i>Please send a dozen rockets to</i>, for example), don’t use a colon.</p>\r\nIf you put Belle’s address into a sentence, you have to separate each item of the address, as you see here:\r\n<blockquote>Belle Planet lives at 223 Center Street, Venus, New York 10001.</blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"Tip\">Commas in addresses can be tricky — notice that the house number and street are not separated by a comma, nor are the state and ZIP code.</p>\r\nIf the sentence continues, you must separate the last item in the address from the rest of the sentence with another comma:\r\n<blockquote>Belle Planet lives at 223 Center Street, Venus, New York 10001, but she is thinking of moving to Mars in order to be closer to her friend Jill.</blockquote>\r\nIf there is no street address — just a city and a state — put a comma between the city and the state. If the sentence continues after the state name, place a comma after the state.\r\n<blockquote>Belle Planet lives in Venus, New York, but she is thinking of moving to Mars.</blockquote>\r\nCommas also separate countries from the city/state/province:\r\n<blockquote>Roger lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, near a large body of water. His brother Michael just built a house in Zilda, Wisconsin.</blockquote>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >How to punctuate written dates</h2>\r\nThe rules for placing commas in dates aren’t very stable these days. What was once carved into stone is now sometimes viewed as old-fashioned. To make matters even more complicated, writers from different areas (science, literature, and the like) favor different systems. If you’re writing for publication, check with your editor about the publisher’s preferred style.\r\n\r\nIf the date is alone on a line (perhaps at the top of a letter), these formats are fine:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>September 28, 2060 (traditional)</li>\r\n \t<li>Sept. 28, 2060 (traditional)</li>\r\n \t<li>28 September 2060 (modern in the United States, traditional in many other countries)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhen dates appear in a sentence, the format changes depending upon how traditional you want to be and how much information you want to give:\r\n<blockquote>On September 28, 2060, Lulu ate several thousand gummy candies. (Traditional: commas separate the day and year and the year from the rest of the sentence.)</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>In October, 2060, Lulu gave up sugary snacks. (Traditional: a comma separates the month from the year and the year from the rest of the sentence.)</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Lulu pigs out every October 31. (Timeless: both the traditional and modern camp omit commas in this format.)</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>In October 2060 Lulu suffered from severe indigestion. (Modern: no commas appear.)</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Lulu visited a nutritionist on 20 October 2060. (Modern: no commas appear.)</blockquote>","description":"Learning how to write an address on an envelope is a good skill to master. However, often times, people incorrectly use commas and other punctuation in addresses and dates, which can throw things off, including the postal service! While commas are good, all-purpose separators, they should be used properly for an accurate and professional piece of writing or envelope. Use commas especially when items that are usually placed on individual lines are put next to each other on the same line.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >How to write an address</h2>\r\nWriting an address with proper punctuation on a traditional envelope can be accomplished by completing the steps below:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Write the recipient’s name on the first line.</li>\r\n \t<li>Write the street address or post office (P.O.) box number on the second line.</li>\r\n \t<li>Write the city, state, and ZIP code on the third.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nTo put this into use, let’s use an example of two characters communicating with addresses and dates in their writing. Jill is from Mars. Belle is from a small town called Venus. Here’s her (fictional) address the way you see it on an envelope using the steps provided above:\r\n<blockquote>Ms. Belle Planet</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>223 Center Street</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Venus, New York 10001</blockquote>\r\nIn the body of a letter, you can also write an address in envelope form like this:\r\n<blockquote>Please send a dozen rockets to the following address:</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote> Ms. Belle Planet</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote> 223 Center Street</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote> Venus, New York 10001</blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"Tip\">The introductory words (<i>Please send a dozen </i><i>rocke</i><i>ts to the following address</i>) end with a colon ( : ) if they express a complete unit of thought. If the introductory words leave you hanging (<i>Please send a dozen rockets to</i>, for example), don’t use a colon.</p>\r\nIf you put Belle’s address into a sentence, you have to separate each item of the address, as you see here:\r\n<blockquote>Belle Planet lives at 223 Center Street, Venus, New York 10001.</blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"Tip\">Commas in addresses can be tricky — notice that the house number and street are not separated by a comma, nor are the state and ZIP code.</p>\r\nIf the sentence continues, you must separate the last item in the address from the rest of the sentence with another comma:\r\n<blockquote>Belle Planet lives at 223 Center Street, Venus, New York 10001, but she is thinking of moving to Mars in order to be closer to her friend Jill.</blockquote>\r\nIf there is no street address — just a city and a state — put a comma between the city and the state. If the sentence continues after the state name, place a comma after the state.\r\n<blockquote>Belle Planet lives in Venus, New York, but she is thinking of moving to Mars.</blockquote>\r\nCommas also separate countries from the city/state/province:\r\n<blockquote>Roger lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, near a large body of water. His brother Michael just built a house in Zilda, Wisconsin.</blockquote>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >How to punctuate written dates</h2>\r\nThe rules for placing commas in dates aren’t very stable these days. What was once carved into stone is now sometimes viewed as old-fashioned. To make matters even more complicated, writers from different areas (science, literature, and the like) favor different systems. If you’re writing for publication, check with your editor about the publisher’s preferred style.\r\n\r\nIf the date is alone on a line (perhaps at the top of a letter), these formats are fine:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>September 28, 2060 (traditional)</li>\r\n \t<li>Sept. 28, 2060 (traditional)</li>\r\n \t<li>28 September 2060 (modern in the United States, traditional in many other countries)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhen dates appear in a sentence, the format changes depending upon how traditional you want to be and how much information you want to give:\r\n<blockquote>On September 28, 2060, Lulu ate several thousand gummy candies. (Traditional: commas separate the day and year and the year from the rest of the sentence.)</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>In October, 2060, Lulu gave up sugary snacks. (Traditional: a comma separates the month from the year and the year from the rest of the sentence.)</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Lulu pigs out every October 31. (Timeless: both the traditional and modern camp omit commas in this format.)</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>In October 2060 Lulu suffered from severe indigestion. (Modern: no commas appear.)</blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Lulu visited a nutritionist on 20 October 2060. (Modern: no commas appear.)</blockquote>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33688,"title":"Grammar & Vocabulary","slug":"grammar-vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"How to write an address","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"How to punctuate written dates","target":"#tab2"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":243219,"title":"Illogical Comparisons in English Grammar","slug":"illogical-comparisons-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243219"}},{"articleId":243216,"title":"Incomplete Comparisons in English Grammar","slug":"incomplete-comparisons-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243216"}},{"articleId":243213,"title":"Conjunction Pairs","slug":"conjunction-pairs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243213"}},{"articleId":243210,"title":"Using and Maintaining the Right \"Person\" in English Grammar","slug":"using-maintaining-right-person-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243210"}},{"articleId":243207,"title":"Subordinate and Independent Clauses in English Grammar","slug":"subordinate-independent-clauses-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243207"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":252134,"title":"How to Climb the Ladder of Language Formality","slug":"climb-ladder-language-formality","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252134"}},{"articleId":252131,"title":"How to Match Your Message to the Situation","slug":"match-message-situation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252131"}},{"articleId":252128,"title":"How to Choose the Correct Verb for Negative Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282174,"slug":"english-grammar-for-dummies-3rd-edition","isbn":"9781119376590","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119376599-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/english-grammar-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119376590-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"English Grammar For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"8977\">Geraldine Woods</b> has more than 35 years of teaching experience. She is the author of more than 50 books, including <i>English Grammar Workbook For Dummies</i> and <i>Research Papers For Dummies</i>. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119376590&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b02ba771\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119376590&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b02bb1a9\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Solve","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-09-13T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":190442},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T21:03:24+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-09-13T14:37:25+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:18:37+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Language & Language Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33687"},"slug":"language-language-arts","categoryId":33687},{"name":"Grammar & Vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"},"slug":"grammar-vocabulary","categoryId":33688}],"title":"Past and Past Participles of Common Irregular English Verbs","strippedTitle":"past and past participles of common irregular english verbs","slug":"past-and-past-participles-of-common-irregular-english-verbs","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Dozens of English verbs have irregular past tense forms, as well as irregular past participles. Here's a list of the most common ones.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Dozens and dozens of English verbs have irregular past tense forms, as well as irregular past participles. If you are studying English grammar, you may want to memorize the common irregular past and past participles listed here. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but these are common verbs English speakers use every day.\r\n\r\nLucky for you, <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/education/language-arts/grammar/how-to-form-present-and-past-participles-of-regular-english-verbs/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">English present participles</a>, except for the occasional change from the letter <i>y</i> to the letter <i>i</i>, are fairly straightforward. Just add <i>ing</i>.\r\n\r\nIf you have questions about a particular verb, check your dictionary. In the following table, the first column is the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/education/language-arts/grammar/how-to-avoid-dangling-infinitives/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">infinitive form</a> of the verb. (The infinitive is the “to + verb” form — to laugh, to cry, to learn grammar, and so on.) The second column is the simple past tense. The third column is the past participle, which is combined with <i>has </i>(singular) or <i>have </i>(plural) to form the present perfect tense. The past participle is also used with <i>had</i> to form the past perfect tense.\r\n<table><caption>Forms of Irregular Participles</caption>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Verb</th>\r\n<th>Past</th>\r\n<th>Past Participle</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>bear</td>\r\n<td>bore</td>\r\n<td>borne</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>become</td>\r\n<td>became</td>\r\n<td>become</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>begin</td>\r\n<td>began</td>\r\n<td>begun</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>bite</td>\r\n<td>bit</td>\r\n<td>bitten</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>break</td>\r\n<td>broke</td>\r\n<td>broken</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>bring</td>\r\n<td>brought</td>\r\n<td>brought</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>catch</td>\r\n<td>caught</td>\r\n<td>caught</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>choose</td>\r\n<td>chose</td>\r\n<td>chosen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>come</td>\r\n<td>came</td>\r\n<td>come</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>do</td>\r\n<td>did</td>\r\n<td>done</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>drink</td>\r\n<td>drank</td>\r\n<td>drunk</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>drive</td>\r\n<td>drove</td>\r\n<td>driven</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>eat</td>\r\n<td>ate</td>\r\n<td>eaten</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>fall</td>\r\n<td>fell</td>\r\n<td>fallen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>feel</td>\r\n<td>felt</td>\r\n<td>felt</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>fly</td>\r\n<td>flew</td>\r\n<td>flown</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>freeze</td>\r\n<td>froze</td>\r\n<td>frozen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>get</td>\r\n<td>got</td>\r\n<td>got or gotten</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>go</td>\r\n<td>went</td>\r\n<td>gone</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>know</td>\r\n<td>knew</td>\r\n<td>known</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lay</td>\r\n<td>laid</td>\r\n<td>laid</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lead</td>\r\n<td>led</td>\r\n<td>led</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lend</td>\r\n<td>lent</td>\r\n<td>lent</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lie</td>\r\n<td>lay</td>\r\n<td>lain</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lose</td>\r\n<td>lost</td>\r\n<td>lost</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>ride</td>\r\n<td>rode</td>\r\n<td>ridden</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>ring</td>\r\n<td>rang</td>\r\n<td>rung</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>rise</td>\r\n<td>rose</td>\r\n<td>risen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>run</td>\r\n<td>ran</td>\r\n<td>run</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>say</td>\r\n<td>said</td>\r\n<td>said</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>see</td>\r\n<td>saw</td>\r\n<td>seen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>set</td>\r\n<td>set</td>\r\n<td>set</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>shake</td>\r\n<td>shook</td>\r\n<td>shaken</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>sing</td>\r\n<td>sang</td>\r\n<td>sung</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>sink</td>\r\n<td>sank or sunk</td>\r\n<td>sunk</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>sit</td>\r\n<td>sat</td>\r\n<td>sat</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>sleep</td>\r\n<td>slept</td>\r\n<td>slept</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>speak</td>\r\n<td>spoke</td>\r\n<td>spoken</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>steal</td>\r\n<td>stole</td>\r\n<td>stolen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>swim</td>\r\n<td>swam</td>\r\n<td>swum</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>take</td>\r\n<td>took</td>\r\n<td>taken</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>throw</td>\r\n<td>threw</td>\r\n<td>thrown</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>wear</td>\r\n<td>wore</td>\r\n<td>worn</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>win</td>\r\n<td>won</td>\r\n<td>won</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>write</td>\r\n<td>wrote</td>\r\n<td>written</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>","description":"Dozens and dozens of English verbs have irregular past tense forms, as well as irregular past participles. If you are studying English grammar, you may want to memorize the common irregular past and past participles listed here. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but these are common verbs English speakers use every day.\r\n\r\nLucky for you, <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/education/language-arts/grammar/how-to-form-present-and-past-participles-of-regular-english-verbs/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">English present participles</a>, except for the occasional change from the letter <i>y</i> to the letter <i>i</i>, are fairly straightforward. Just add <i>ing</i>.\r\n\r\nIf you have questions about a particular verb, check your dictionary. In the following table, the first column is the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/education/language-arts/grammar/how-to-avoid-dangling-infinitives/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">infinitive form</a> of the verb. (The infinitive is the “to + verb” form — to laugh, to cry, to learn grammar, and so on.) The second column is the simple past tense. The third column is the past participle, which is combined with <i>has </i>(singular) or <i>have </i>(plural) to form the present perfect tense. The past participle is also used with <i>had</i> to form the past perfect tense.\r\n<table><caption>Forms of Irregular Participles</caption>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Verb</th>\r\n<th>Past</th>\r\n<th>Past Participle</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>bear</td>\r\n<td>bore</td>\r\n<td>borne</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>become</td>\r\n<td>became</td>\r\n<td>become</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>begin</td>\r\n<td>began</td>\r\n<td>begun</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>bite</td>\r\n<td>bit</td>\r\n<td>bitten</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>break</td>\r\n<td>broke</td>\r\n<td>broken</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>bring</td>\r\n<td>brought</td>\r\n<td>brought</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>catch</td>\r\n<td>caught</td>\r\n<td>caught</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>choose</td>\r\n<td>chose</td>\r\n<td>chosen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>come</td>\r\n<td>came</td>\r\n<td>come</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>do</td>\r\n<td>did</td>\r\n<td>done</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>drink</td>\r\n<td>drank</td>\r\n<td>drunk</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>drive</td>\r\n<td>drove</td>\r\n<td>driven</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>eat</td>\r\n<td>ate</td>\r\n<td>eaten</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>fall</td>\r\n<td>fell</td>\r\n<td>fallen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>feel</td>\r\n<td>felt</td>\r\n<td>felt</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>fly</td>\r\n<td>flew</td>\r\n<td>flown</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>freeze</td>\r\n<td>froze</td>\r\n<td>frozen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>get</td>\r\n<td>got</td>\r\n<td>got or gotten</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>go</td>\r\n<td>went</td>\r\n<td>gone</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>know</td>\r\n<td>knew</td>\r\n<td>known</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lay</td>\r\n<td>laid</td>\r\n<td>laid</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lead</td>\r\n<td>led</td>\r\n<td>led</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lend</td>\r\n<td>lent</td>\r\n<td>lent</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lie</td>\r\n<td>lay</td>\r\n<td>lain</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>lose</td>\r\n<td>lost</td>\r\n<td>lost</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>ride</td>\r\n<td>rode</td>\r\n<td>ridden</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>ring</td>\r\n<td>rang</td>\r\n<td>rung</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>rise</td>\r\n<td>rose</td>\r\n<td>risen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>run</td>\r\n<td>ran</td>\r\n<td>run</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>say</td>\r\n<td>said</td>\r\n<td>said</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>see</td>\r\n<td>saw</td>\r\n<td>seen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>set</td>\r\n<td>set</td>\r\n<td>set</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>shake</td>\r\n<td>shook</td>\r\n<td>shaken</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>sing</td>\r\n<td>sang</td>\r\n<td>sung</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>sink</td>\r\n<td>sank or sunk</td>\r\n<td>sunk</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>sit</td>\r\n<td>sat</td>\r\n<td>sat</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>sleep</td>\r\n<td>slept</td>\r\n<td>slept</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>speak</td>\r\n<td>spoke</td>\r\n<td>spoken</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>steal</td>\r\n<td>stole</td>\r\n<td>stolen</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>swim</td>\r\n<td>swam</td>\r\n<td>swum</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>take</td>\r\n<td>took</td>\r\n<td>taken</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>throw</td>\r\n<td>threw</td>\r\n<td>thrown</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>wear</td>\r\n<td>wore</td>\r\n<td>worn</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>win</td>\r\n<td>won</td>\r\n<td>won</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>write</td>\r\n<td>wrote</td>\r\n<td>written</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33688,"title":"Grammar & Vocabulary","slug":"grammar-vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":243219,"title":"Illogical Comparisons in English Grammar","slug":"illogical-comparisons-english-grammar","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/243219"}},{"articleId":243216,"title":"Incomplete Comparisons in English 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Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282174,"slug":"english-grammar-for-dummies-3rd-edition","isbn":"9781119376590","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119376599-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119376599/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/english-grammar-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119376590-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"English Grammar For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"8977\">Geraldine Woods</b> has more than 35 years of teaching experience. She is the author of more than 50 books, including <i>English Grammar Workbook For Dummies</i> and <i>Research Papers For Dummies</i>. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119376590&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221afd41119\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119376590&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221afd41bca\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Solve","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-09-13T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":190723},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2018-05-02T18:53:04+00:00","modifiedTime":"2018-05-02T18:53:04+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:16:28+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Language & Language Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33687"},"slug":"language-language-arts","categoryId":33687},{"name":"Grammar & Vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"},"slug":"grammar-vocabulary","categoryId":33688}],"title":"How to Climb the Ladder of Language Formality","strippedTitle":"how to climb the ladder of language formality","slug":"climb-ladder-language-formality","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Proper English is important. The only problem with that statement is the definition of “proper.” Language has many levels of formality, all of which are “proper","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Proper English is important. The only problem with that statement is the definition of “proper.” Language has many levels of formality, all of which are “proper” at times and completely unsuitable at others. Many gradations of formality exist, but to make things easier, divide English into three large categories: “friendspeak” (the most casual), “conversational” (one step up), and “formal” (the equivalent of wearing your best business attire). Take a look at these examples:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">c u in 10 (friendspeak)</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">There in ten minutes. (conversational)</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I will arrive in ten minutes. (formal)</p>\r\nAll three statements say the same thing in very different ways. Here’s the deal:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Friendspeak</strong> breaks some rules of formal English on purpose, to show that people are comfortable with each other. Friendspeak shortens or drops words and often includes slang and references that only close friends understand. No one has to teach you this level of English. You learn it from your pals, or you create it yourself and teach it to your buddies.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Conversational English</strong> sounds relaxed, but not too relaxed. It’s the language equivalent of jeans and a T-shirt. Conversational English is filled with contractions (<em>I’m</em> instead of <em>I am, would’ve</em> instead of <em>would have,</em> and so forth). Not many abbreviations appear in conversational English, but you may confidently include those that are well established and widely understood (<em>etc., a.m., p.m.,</em> and the like). You may also see acronyms, which pluck the first letter from each word of a name (<em>NATO</em> for the <em>North Atlantic Treaty Organization</em> or <em>AIDS</em> for <em>Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,</em> for example). Conversational English may drop some words and break a few rules. The example sentence for conversational English at the beginning of this article, for instance, has no subject or verb, a giant no-no in formal writing but perfectly acceptable at this level of language.</li>\r\n \t<li>Formal <strong>English</strong> is the pickiest location in Grammarland. When you speak or write in formal English, you follow every rule (including some you never heard of), avoid slang and abbreviations, and trot out your best vocabulary.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThink about your audience when you’re selecting friendspeak, conversational English, or formal English. What impression are you trying to give? Let your goals guide you. Also consider the situation. At work you may rely on conversational English when you run into your boss at the coffee machine, but not when you’re submitting a quarterly report. At school, choosing conversational English is okay for a teacher-student chat in the cafeteria, but not for homework. More on situation and language appears in the next section, “Matching Message to Situation.”\r\n\r\nCan you identify levels of formality? Check out this example:\r\n\r\n<strong>EXAMPLE:</strong> Place these expressions in order of formality, from the most formal to the least. Note: Two expressions may tie. For example, your answer may be A, B and C — in which case expression A is the most formal and expressions B and C are on the same, more casual level.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>A.</strong> sketchy block</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>B.</strong> That is a dangerous neighborhood.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>C.</strong> Where gangs rule.</p>\r\n<strong>ANSWER: B, C, A.</strong> Expression B is the most formal because it follows all the conventions of English. Every word is in the dictionary, and the sentence is complete. Expression C, on the other hand, is an incomplete sentence and is therefore less formal. Also, in Expression C the verb <em>rule</em> has an unusual meaning. Your readers or listeners probably understand that gangs aren’t official authorities but instead wield a lot of unofficial power. The statement is more conversational than formal. Expression A employs slang (<em>sketchy</em> means “slightly dangerous”), so it’s closer to friendspeak than to formal English.","description":"Proper English is important. The only problem with that statement is the definition of “proper.” Language has many levels of formality, all of which are “proper” at times and completely unsuitable at others. Many gradations of formality exist, but to make things easier, divide English into three large categories: “friendspeak” (the most casual), “conversational” (one step up), and “formal” (the equivalent of wearing your best business attire). Take a look at these examples:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">c u in 10 (friendspeak)</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">There in ten minutes. (conversational)</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I will arrive in ten minutes. (formal)</p>\r\nAll three statements say the same thing in very different ways. Here’s the deal:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Friendspeak</strong> breaks some rules of formal English on purpose, to show that people are comfortable with each other. Friendspeak shortens or drops words and often includes slang and references that only close friends understand. No one has to teach you this level of English. You learn it from your pals, or you create it yourself and teach it to your buddies.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Conversational English</strong> sounds relaxed, but not too relaxed. It’s the language equivalent of jeans and a T-shirt. Conversational English is filled with contractions (<em>I’m</em> instead of <em>I am, would’ve</em> instead of <em>would have,</em> and so forth). Not many abbreviations appear in conversational English, but you may confidently include those that are well established and widely understood (<em>etc., a.m., p.m.,</em> and the like). You may also see acronyms, which pluck the first letter from each word of a name (<em>NATO</em> for the <em>North Atlantic Treaty Organization</em> or <em>AIDS</em> for <em>Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,</em> for example). Conversational English may drop some words and break a few rules. The example sentence for conversational English at the beginning of this article, for instance, has no subject or verb, a giant no-no in formal writing but perfectly acceptable at this level of language.</li>\r\n \t<li>Formal <strong>English</strong> is the pickiest location in Grammarland. When you speak or write in formal English, you follow every rule (including some you never heard of), avoid slang and abbreviations, and trot out your best vocabulary.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThink about your audience when you’re selecting friendspeak, conversational English, or formal English. What impression are you trying to give? Let your goals guide you. Also consider the situation. At work you may rely on conversational English when you run into your boss at the coffee machine, but not when you’re submitting a quarterly report. At school, choosing conversational English is okay for a teacher-student chat in the cafeteria, but not for homework. More on situation and language appears in the next section, “Matching Message to Situation.”\r\n\r\nCan you identify levels of formality? Check out this example:\r\n\r\n<strong>EXAMPLE:</strong> Place these expressions in order of formality, from the most formal to the least. Note: Two expressions may tie. For example, your answer may be A, B and C — in which case expression A is the most formal and expressions B and C are on the same, more casual level.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>A.</strong> sketchy block</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>B.</strong> That is a dangerous neighborhood.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>C.</strong> Where gangs rule.</p>\r\n<strong>ANSWER: B, C, A.</strong> Expression B is the most formal because it follows all the conventions of English. Every word is in the dictionary, and the sentence is complete. Expression C, on the other hand, is an incomplete sentence and is therefore less formal. Also, in Expression C the verb <em>rule</em> has an unusual meaning. Your readers or listeners probably understand that gangs aren’t official authorities but instead wield a lot of unofficial power. The statement is more conversational than formal. Expression A employs slang (<em>sketchy</em> means “slightly dangerous”), so it’s closer to friendspeak than to formal English.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33688,"title":"Grammar & Vocabulary","slug":"grammar-vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":252131,"title":"How to Match Your Message to the Situation","slug":"match-message-situation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252131"}},{"articleId":252128,"title":"How to Choose the Correct Verb for Negative Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}},{"articleId":252119,"title":"How to Form Noun Plurals","slug":"form-noun-plurals","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252119"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":252131,"title":"How to Match Your Message to the Situation","slug":"match-message-situation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252131"}},{"articleId":252128,"title":"How to Choose the Correct Verb for Negative Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}},{"articleId":252119,"title":"How to Form Noun Plurals","slug":"form-noun-plurals","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252119"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282175,"slug":"english-grammar-workbook-for-dummies-with-online-practice-3rd-edition","isbn":"9781119455394","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119455391/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119455391/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119455391-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119455391/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119455391/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/english-grammar-workbook-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119455394-204x255.jpg","width":204,"height":255},"title":"English Grammar Workbook For Dummies with Online Practice","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"8977\">Geraldine Woods</b> has taught every level of English from 5th grade through AP. Her more than 50 books include <i>English Grammar For Dummies</i> and many children's books. At www.grammarianinthecity.com, Woods blogs about current language trends and amusing signs she spots around New York City. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119455394&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221a7c353b9\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119455394&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221a7c35bfa\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":252134},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2018-05-02T18:46:12+00:00","modifiedTime":"2018-05-02T18:46:12+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:16:28+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Language & Language Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33687"},"slug":"language-language-arts","categoryId":33687},{"name":"Grammar & Vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"},"slug":"grammar-vocabulary","categoryId":33688}],"title":"How to Match Your Message to the Situation","strippedTitle":"how to match your message to the situation","slug":"match-message-situation","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"When you’re listening or reading, you probably note the difference between formal and informal language constantly — maybe unconsciously. Knowing levels of lang","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"When you’re listening or reading, you probably note the difference between formal and informal language constantly — maybe unconsciously. Knowing levels of language, however, isn’t enough. You also need to decide what level of formality to employ when you’re speaking and writing. Before you choose, consider these factors:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Your audience.</strong> If your message is going to a person with more power or higher status than you (an employee writing to a boss or a student to a teacher, for example), you should probably be more formal. If you’re speaking or writing to someone with less power or lower status than you, conversational English is fine. In a higher-to-lower situation, however, the person with more authority may wish to employ formal English in order to serve as a role model or to establish a professional atmosphere. When you’re dealing with peers, conversational English is a good bet. Only your closest friends rate — and understand — friendspeak.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>The situation.</strong> At the company picnic or in the cafeteria, most people opt for less formal speech. Similarly, at get-togethers with family and friends, formal language may sound stiff and unfriendly. When you’re in an official meeting with a client or teacher, however, formal English is safer.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>The format.</strong> When you’re speaking you have more leeway than when you’re writing. Why? Unless you’re reading prepared remarks, you probably can’t produce perfect sentences. Not many people can! The writing in texts, tweets, and instant messages tends to be in conversational English or, with your buddies, in friendspeak. Exceptions occur, though. A text to a client should be more formal than one to a friend, and journalists or officials often tweet in formal English. Email can go either way. Because it’s fast, the dropped or shortened forms of conversational English are generally acceptable, but if you think the reader expects you to honor tradition (the written equivalent of a curtsy or a hat-tip), go for formal English. Always employ formal English for business letters, school reports, and similar paper-based communication.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nListen to those around you or read others’ work that appears in the same context you’re navigating. Unless you want to stand out, aim for the same level of formality you hear or see.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Think about the audience, situation, and format. In the following example, decide whether the writing or speech is appropriate or inappropriate.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Text from a department head to the CEO requesting a salary increase:</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">greenlight $20K or I walk</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong> Inappropriate.</strong> Think about the power ladder here. The CEO is on the top rung, and the department head somewhere farther down. Even though texts tend to be informal, this one is about money. When you ask for money, be polite! To be polite in Grammarland is to use formal, correct language. The department head should have written something like “If you cannot raise my salary by $20,000, I will seek employment elsewhere.”</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Practice questions</h2>\r\nThink about the audience, situation, and format. In the following two questions, decide whether the writing or speech is appropriate or inappropriate.\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Cover letter from a job applicant to a potential employer, a tech start-up: Attached please find my resume, pursuant to your advertisement of July 15th.</li>\r\n \t<li>Tweet from the president to the members of the local garden association: Meeting tonight at 8 p.m. #springplanting</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Answers to practice questions</h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong>Inappropriate.</strong> Surprised? Job applicants should be formal, but they should also avoid outdated expressions and overly stuffy language, especially for a tech start-up where innovation and rule-breaking are valued. “Attached please find” should be “Attached is.” “Pursuant to” would be better as “in response to.”</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Appropriate.</strong> Tweets may have no more than 280 characters, so the number of spaces, letters, and symbols can't go above that number. Dropping words is fine in this format, as is directing people who are interested in attending the meeting to other tweets about spring planting.</li>\r\n</ol>","description":"When you’re listening or reading, you probably note the difference between formal and informal language constantly — maybe unconsciously. Knowing levels of language, however, isn’t enough. You also need to decide what level of formality to employ when you’re speaking and writing. Before you choose, consider these factors:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Your audience.</strong> If your message is going to a person with more power or higher status than you (an employee writing to a boss or a student to a teacher, for example), you should probably be more formal. If you’re speaking or writing to someone with less power or lower status than you, conversational English is fine. In a higher-to-lower situation, however, the person with more authority may wish to employ formal English in order to serve as a role model or to establish a professional atmosphere. When you’re dealing with peers, conversational English is a good bet. Only your closest friends rate — and understand — friendspeak.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>The situation.</strong> At the company picnic or in the cafeteria, most people opt for less formal speech. Similarly, at get-togethers with family and friends, formal language may sound stiff and unfriendly. When you’re in an official meeting with a client or teacher, however, formal English is safer.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>The format.</strong> When you’re speaking you have more leeway than when you’re writing. Why? Unless you’re reading prepared remarks, you probably can’t produce perfect sentences. Not many people can! The writing in texts, tweets, and instant messages tends to be in conversational English or, with your buddies, in friendspeak. Exceptions occur, though. A text to a client should be more formal than one to a friend, and journalists or officials often tweet in formal English. Email can go either way. Because it’s fast, the dropped or shortened forms of conversational English are generally acceptable, but if you think the reader expects you to honor tradition (the written equivalent of a curtsy or a hat-tip), go for formal English. Always employ formal English for business letters, school reports, and similar paper-based communication.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nListen to those around you or read others’ work that appears in the same context you’re navigating. Unless you want to stand out, aim for the same level of formality you hear or see.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Think about the audience, situation, and format. In the following example, decide whether the writing or speech is appropriate or inappropriate.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Text from a department head to the CEO requesting a salary increase:</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">greenlight $20K or I walk</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong> Inappropriate.</strong> Think about the power ladder here. The CEO is on the top rung, and the department head somewhere farther down. Even though texts tend to be informal, this one is about money. When you ask for money, be polite! To be polite in Grammarland is to use formal, correct language. The department head should have written something like “If you cannot raise my salary by $20,000, I will seek employment elsewhere.”</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Practice questions</h2>\r\nThink about the audience, situation, and format. In the following two questions, decide whether the writing or speech is appropriate or inappropriate.\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Cover letter from a job applicant to a potential employer, a tech start-up: Attached please find my resume, pursuant to your advertisement of July 15th.</li>\r\n \t<li>Tweet from the president to the members of the local garden association: Meeting tonight at 8 p.m. #springplanting</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Answers to practice questions</h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong>Inappropriate.</strong> Surprised? Job applicants should be formal, but they should also avoid outdated expressions and overly stuffy language, especially for a tech start-up where innovation and rule-breaking are valued. “Attached please find” should be “Attached is.” “Pursuant to” would be better as “in response to.”</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Appropriate.</strong> Tweets may have no more than 280 characters, so the number of spaces, letters, and symbols can't go above that number. Dropping words is fine in this format, as is directing people who are interested in attending the meeting to other tweets about spring planting.</li>\r\n</ol>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33688,"title":"Grammar & Vocabulary","slug":"grammar-vocabulary","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33688"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Practice questions","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"Answers to practice questions","target":"#tab2"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":252134,"title":"How to Climb the Ladder of Language Formality","slug":"climb-ladder-language-formality","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252134"}},{"articleId":252128,"title":"How to Choose the Correct Verb for Negative Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}},{"articleId":252119,"title":"How to Form Noun Plurals","slug":"form-noun-plurals","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252119"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":252134,"title":"How to Climb the Ladder of Language Formality","slug":"climb-ladder-language-formality","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252134"}},{"articleId":252128,"title":"How to Choose the Correct Verb for Negative Expressions","slug":"choose-correct-verb-negative-expressions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252128"}},{"articleId":252125,"title":"How to Question with Verbs","slug":"how-to-question-with-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252125"}},{"articleId":252122,"title":"How to Properly Add Helping Verbs","slug":"properly-add-helping-verbs","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252122"}},{"articleId":252119,"title":"How to Form Noun Plurals","slug":"form-noun-plurals","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/252119"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282175,"slug":"english-grammar-workbook-for-dummies-with-online-practice-3rd-edition","isbn":"9781119455394","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","language-language-arts","grammar-vocabulary"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119455391/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119455391/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119455391-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119455391/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119455391/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/english-grammar-workbook-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119455394-204x255.jpg","width":204,"height":255},"title":"English Grammar Workbook For Dummies with Online Practice","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"8977\">Geraldine Woods</b> has taught every level of English from 5th grade through AP. 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At www.grammarianinthecity.com, Woods blogs about current language trends and amusing signs she spots around New York City. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":8977,"name":"Geraldine Woods","slug":"geraldine-woods","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8977"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;language-language-arts&quot;,&quot;grammar-vocabulary&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119455394&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221a7c2d9be\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" 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Grammar & Vocabulary Articles

Become a real-live grammarian with dozens of articles on the English language and its many quirks. Get help with helping verbs, master the verb tenses, punctuate like a pro, and more.

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205 results
Grammar & Vocabulary Grammar: 1001 Practice Questions For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-13-2022

As the old saying goes, "practice makes perfect," and while you're on the road to grammar perfection, a quick glance at the rules for proper grammar usage may help. Review some basic — and important — points related to sentence creation, common errors in new media communication, and overall polished grammar.

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Grammar & Vocabulary English Grammar Workbook For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-02-2022

This handy Cheat Sheet will help you grapple with English grammar problems, clear up confusion caused by similar-sounding words, and improve your writing skills, in general.

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Grammar & Vocabulary Copyediting and Proofreading For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-12-2022

As a copyeditor or proofreader, you can’t possibly remember everything, so you need outside resources and references, and lots of them. Although most resources are available online, it’s still helpful to have certain books on hand. And, of course, you need to know your proofreading symbols so that you can make changes and understand other editors’ changes.

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Grammar & Vocabulary Vocabulary For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-18-2022

If you use word games and flashcards, improving your vocabulary can be not only fun but key to increasing your general knowledge. Knowing the parts of speech and the meanings of prefixes and suffixes can help you understand English and some foreign words.

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Grammar & Vocabulary Basic English Grammar For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-24-2022

English grammar is not a mystery; it's a set of traditions and patterns of language handed down through the ages. With a little practice, you can learn the rules of Standard English so you can express yourself confidently and correctly.

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Grammar & Vocabulary English Grammar For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 01-19-2022

Whether you’re engaging in everyday speech or writing the perfect paper, you need to be familiar with the various parts of English grammar. Knowing how to correctly use nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, prepositions, and punctuation as well as how to properly structure a sentence can make or break a good grade or a professional presentation.

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Grammar & Vocabulary How to Use Commas in Addresses and Dates

Article / Updated 10-21-2021

Learning how to write an address on an envelope is a good skill to master. However, often times, people incorrectly use commas and other punctuation in addresses and dates, which can throw things off, including the postal service! While commas are good, all-purpose separators, they should be used properly for an accurate and professional piece of writing or envelope. Use commas especially when items that are usually placed on individual lines are put next to each other on the same line. How to write an address Writing an address with proper punctuation on a traditional envelope can be accomplished by completing the steps below: Write the recipient’s name on the first line. Write the street address or post office (P.O.) box number on the second line. Write the city, state, and ZIP code on the third. To put this into use, let’s use an example of two characters communicating with addresses and dates in their writing. Jill is from Mars. Belle is from a small town called Venus. Here’s her (fictional) address the way you see it on an envelope using the steps provided above: Ms. Belle Planet 223 Center Street Venus, New York 10001 In the body of a letter, you can also write an address in envelope form like this: Please send a dozen rockets to the following address: Ms. Belle Planet 223 Center Street Venus, New York 10001 The introductory words (Please send a dozen rockets to the following address) end with a colon ( : ) if they express a complete unit of thought. If the introductory words leave you hanging (Please send a dozen rockets to, for example), don’t use a colon. If you put Belle’s address into a sentence, you have to separate each item of the address, as you see here: Belle Planet lives at 223 Center Street, Venus, New York 10001. Commas in addresses can be tricky — notice that the house number and street are not separated by a comma, nor are the state and ZIP code. If the sentence continues, you must separate the last item in the address from the rest of the sentence with another comma: Belle Planet lives at 223 Center Street, Venus, New York 10001, but she is thinking of moving to Mars in order to be closer to her friend Jill. If there is no street address — just a city and a state — put a comma between the city and the state. If the sentence continues after the state name, place a comma after the state. Belle Planet lives in Venus, New York, but she is thinking of moving to Mars. Commas also separate countries from the city/state/province: Roger lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, near a large body of water. His brother Michael just built a house in Zilda, Wisconsin. How to punctuate written dates The rules for placing commas in dates aren’t very stable these days. What was once carved into stone is now sometimes viewed as old-fashioned. To make matters even more complicated, writers from different areas (science, literature, and the like) favor different systems. If you’re writing for publication, check with your editor about the publisher’s preferred style. If the date is alone on a line (perhaps at the top of a letter), these formats are fine: September 28, 2060 (traditional) Sept. 28, 2060 (traditional) 28 September 2060 (modern in the United States, traditional in many other countries) When dates appear in a sentence, the format changes depending upon how traditional you want to be and how much information you want to give: On September 28, 2060, Lulu ate several thousand gummy candies. (Traditional: commas separate the day and year and the year from the rest of the sentence.) In October, 2060, Lulu gave up sugary snacks. (Traditional: a comma separates the month from the year and the year from the rest of the sentence.) Lulu pigs out every October 31. (Timeless: both the traditional and modern camp omit commas in this format.) In October 2060 Lulu suffered from severe indigestion. (Modern: no commas appear.) Lulu visited a nutritionist on 20 October 2060. (Modern: no commas appear.)

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Grammar & Vocabulary Past and Past Participles of Common Irregular English Verbs

Article / Updated 09-13-2021

Dozens and dozens of English verbs have irregular past tense forms, as well as irregular past participles. If you are studying English grammar, you may want to memorize the common irregular past and past participles listed here. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but these are common verbs English speakers use every day. Lucky for you, English present participles, except for the occasional change from the letter y to the letter i, are fairly straightforward. Just add ing. If you have questions about a particular verb, check your dictionary. In the following table, the first column is the infinitive form of the verb. (The infinitive is the “to + verb” form — to laugh, to cry, to learn grammar, and so on.) The second column is the simple past tense. The third column is the past participle, which is combined with has (singular) or have (plural) to form the present perfect tense. The past participle is also used with had to form the past perfect tense. Forms of Irregular Participles Verb Past Past Participle bear bore borne become became become begin began begun bite bit bitten break broke broken bring brought brought catch caught caught choose chose chosen come came come do did done drink drank drunk drive drove driven eat ate eaten fall fell fallen feel felt felt fly flew flown freeze froze frozen get got got or gotten go went gone know knew known lay laid laid lead led led lend lent lent lie lay lain lose lost lost ride rode ridden ring rang rung rise rose risen run ran run say said said see saw seen set set set shake shook shaken sing sang sung sink sank or sunk sunk sit sat sat sleep slept slept speak spoke spoken steal stole stolen swim swam swum take took taken throw threw thrown wear wore worn win won won write wrote written

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Grammar & Vocabulary How to Climb the Ladder of Language Formality

Article / Updated 05-02-2018

Proper English is important. The only problem with that statement is the definition of “proper.” Language has many levels of formality, all of which are “proper” at times and completely unsuitable at others. Many gradations of formality exist, but to make things easier, divide English into three large categories: “friendspeak” (the most casual), “conversational” (one step up), and “formal” (the equivalent of wearing your best business attire). Take a look at these examples: c u in 10 (friendspeak) There in ten minutes. (conversational) I will arrive in ten minutes. (formal) All three statements say the same thing in very different ways. Here’s the deal: Friendspeak breaks some rules of formal English on purpose, to show that people are comfortable with each other. Friendspeak shortens or drops words and often includes slang and references that only close friends understand. No one has to teach you this level of English. You learn it from your pals, or you create it yourself and teach it to your buddies. Conversational English sounds relaxed, but not too relaxed. It’s the language equivalent of jeans and a T-shirt. Conversational English is filled with contractions (I’m instead of I am, would’ve instead of would have, and so forth). Not many abbreviations appear in conversational English, but you may confidently include those that are well established and widely understood (etc., a.m., p.m., and the like). You may also see acronyms, which pluck the first letter from each word of a name (NATO for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or AIDS for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, for example). Conversational English may drop some words and break a few rules. The example sentence for conversational English at the beginning of this article, for instance, has no subject or verb, a giant no-no in formal writing but perfectly acceptable at this level of language. Formal English is the pickiest location in Grammarland. When you speak or write in formal English, you follow every rule (including some you never heard of), avoid slang and abbreviations, and trot out your best vocabulary. Think about your audience when you’re selecting friendspeak, conversational English, or formal English. What impression are you trying to give? Let your goals guide you. Also consider the situation. At work you may rely on conversational English when you run into your boss at the coffee machine, but not when you’re submitting a quarterly report. At school, choosing conversational English is okay for a teacher-student chat in the cafeteria, but not for homework. More on situation and language appears in the next section, “Matching Message to Situation.” Can you identify levels of formality? Check out this example: EXAMPLE: Place these expressions in order of formality, from the most formal to the least. Note: Two expressions may tie. For example, your answer may be A, B and C — in which case expression A is the most formal and expressions B and C are on the same, more casual level. A. sketchy block B. That is a dangerous neighborhood. C. Where gangs rule. ANSWER: B, C, A. Expression B is the most formal because it follows all the conventions of English. Every word is in the dictionary, and the sentence is complete. Expression C, on the other hand, is an incomplete sentence and is therefore less formal. Also, in Expression C the verb rule has an unusual meaning. Your readers or listeners probably understand that gangs aren’t official authorities but instead wield a lot of unofficial power. The statement is more conversational than formal. Expression A employs slang (sketchy means “slightly dangerous”), so it’s closer to friendspeak than to formal English.

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Grammar & Vocabulary How to Match Your Message to the Situation

Article / Updated 05-02-2018

When you’re listening or reading, you probably note the difference between formal and informal language constantly — maybe unconsciously. Knowing levels of language, however, isn’t enough. You also need to decide what level of formality to employ when you’re speaking and writing. Before you choose, consider these factors: Your audience. If your message is going to a person with more power or higher status than you (an employee writing to a boss or a student to a teacher, for example), you should probably be more formal. If you’re speaking or writing to someone with less power or lower status than you, conversational English is fine. In a higher-to-lower situation, however, the person with more authority may wish to employ formal English in order to serve as a role model or to establish a professional atmosphere. When you’re dealing with peers, conversational English is a good bet. Only your closest friends rate — and understand — friendspeak. The situation. At the company picnic or in the cafeteria, most people opt for less formal speech. Similarly, at get-togethers with family and friends, formal language may sound stiff and unfriendly. When you’re in an official meeting with a client or teacher, however, formal English is safer. The format. When you’re speaking you have more leeway than when you’re writing. Why? Unless you’re reading prepared remarks, you probably can’t produce perfect sentences. Not many people can! The writing in texts, tweets, and instant messages tends to be in conversational English or, with your buddies, in friendspeak. Exceptions occur, though. A text to a client should be more formal than one to a friend, and journalists or officials often tweet in formal English. Email can go either way. Because it’s fast, the dropped or shortened forms of conversational English are generally acceptable, but if you think the reader expects you to honor tradition (the written equivalent of a curtsy or a hat-tip), go for formal English. Always employ formal English for business letters, school reports, and similar paper-based communication. Listen to those around you or read others’ work that appears in the same context you’re navigating. Unless you want to stand out, aim for the same level of formality you hear or see. Think about the audience, situation, and format. In the following example, decide whether the writing or speech is appropriate or inappropriate. Text from a department head to the CEO requesting a salary increase: greenlight $20K or I walk Inappropriate. Think about the power ladder here. The CEO is on the top rung, and the department head somewhere farther down. Even though texts tend to be informal, this one is about money. When you ask for money, be polite! To be polite in Grammarland is to use formal, correct language. The department head should have written something like “If you cannot raise my salary by $20,000, I will seek employment elsewhere.” Practice questions Think about the audience, situation, and format. In the following two questions, decide whether the writing or speech is appropriate or inappropriate. Cover letter from a job applicant to a potential employer, a tech start-up: Attached please find my resume, pursuant to your advertisement of July 15th. Tweet from the president to the members of the local garden association: Meeting tonight at 8 p.m. #springplanting Answers to practice questions Inappropriate. Surprised? Job applicants should be formal, but they should also avoid outdated expressions and overly stuffy language, especially for a tech start-up where innovation and rule-breaking are valued. “Attached please find” should be “Attached is.” “Pursuant to” would be better as “in response to.” Appropriate. Tweets may have no more than 280 characters, so the number of spaces, letters, and symbols can't go above that number. Dropping words is fine in this format, as is directing people who are interested in attending the meeting to other tweets about spring planting.

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