A monthly e-newsletter about writing and grammar Online learning I have written a blog on how I see online learning has changed over the last 10 years. Read more if you’re interested in online learning. I offer the following courses for individuals and organisations: Grammar, Punctuation and Usage Grammar Basics (for non-native English speakers) Write to […]
Understanding grammar improves your writing I can remember when I first started reading grammar books that the language was daunting (some of it still is!). So here’s a few terms in case you need to refresh your memory. Parts of speech Parts of speech are sometimes called word classes. Adjectives: describing words. hot, cold, beautiful Adverbs: tell […]
Use what for general items and which for specific things Reader’s question: Which of the following is correct and why? What information do you require? Which information do you require? Answer: In the examples you gave, what is open-ended and general and which is more closed and specific, i.e. asking for a choice between a specific, limited number of items. For example: What information […]
Sitting is what you do and seating is where you do it Reader’s question: Should you say seating or sitting arrangements? Answer: I think you can use either. However, some people think that sitting is what you do and seating is where you do it. Using that distinction, seating refers to how the seats are laid out. The seating arrangement can be […]
Compound nouns become one word, remain as two words or are hyphenated We often invent new words by combining existing words to form what is known as a compound noun. Here are some of the ways we create compound nouns. Verb plus adverb, or preposition and adverb, or preposition plus verb When the word order is […]
From text-heavy lessons to videos, videos and more videos in online learning Online learning, also called e-learning, has changed a lot over the last 10–15 years for users, organisations and course creators. For one thing the industry has grown and is continuing to grow – it is projected to grow from $165.21 billion in 2015 […]
Turning verbs into nouns (nominalisation) Last month I wrote about verbing (turning nouns into verbs) and an e-newsletter reader pointed out that we also turn verbs and adjectives into nouns. The process of turning verbs and adjectives into nouns is known as nominalisation (nominalization if you use American spelling!). It’s also sometimes called ‘nouning’. There […]
Use nominalisations with caution Last month I wrote about verbing (turning nouns into verbs) and an e-newsletter reader pointed out that we also turn verbs and adjectives into nouns. The process of turning verbs and adjectives into nouns is known as nominalisation (nominalization if you use American spelling!). It’s also sometimes called ‘nouning’. There are […]
Use modifiers to write long sentences well Joseph M. Williams (Style: Toward Clarity and Grace) says: ‘Every competent writer has to know how to write a concise sentence and how to prune a long one to readable length. But a competent writer must also know how to manage a long sentence gracefully, how to make […]
Use italics for the full reference of an Act Reader’s question: Does the date in legislation need to be in italics? Online grammar answer: The Australian style is to use italics for the full reference of an Act. According to the Australian Style manual: For authors, editors and printers: ‘Most Acts and Ordinances have a short formal […]