Language & Grammar discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Grammar Central
>
Ask Our Grammar "Experts"
Mod
Mod
In any event, Gail, you'll be happy to hear that it CAN be unlearned -- and rather quickly. I know because I have managed it, and I'm what's known as a "slow study" (euphemism for... well, never mind).
hello, I need urgent help. Please tell me if this sentence is correct:"You said you need a car but your parents won't give you one despite having some money saved up and the car being easily bought through finance schemes"
Oops - didn't realise until now that people had replied to me. Typing lessons were part of the curriculum at school when I was a kid, so it got very deeply ingrained. But yep, I did unlearn the habit. :-)Stray, it is a bit clumsily worded, and some grammar things are not quite right, but not blatantly wrong either. It's more ambiguous. Does the 'You said' part refer to the whole sentence (eg. You said 'I need a car but my parents won't give me one, despite...') or does it refer only to the bit about needing a car (eg. You said 'I need a car' but your parents won't give you one, despite...)?
Strictly speaking, when you use indirect speech (eg. He said that he needed a car) as opposed to direct speech (eg. He said 'I need a car') you should change the tense, making in a step further back in the past. So if he said 'I need a car', you'd write it as He said that he needed a car (even if he still needs it). And if he said 'I needed a car', you'd write it as He said that he had needed a car. Lots of people don't use this rule nowadays, especially when using language informally, so it doesn't look glaringly wrong, but it's something that might be seen as an error in formal writing.
the "you said" refers to the whole thing (needing a car, parents not giving one even though they have some money saved up + the car can be easily bought through finance schemes)thank you for your help, Jillian and Gail :) I'll try not to be this ambiguous in the future (at least there's no huge mistake, which was my main concern since this was for my homework assignment. it's still good to know, though)
Can someone help me with sense/commas?"When he asked me to write his biography it struck me how presumptuous he was. But the pathetic thing was how I adored him, and how he still crosses my mind every day, that is, the person he was, not the failed man he became."
Thanks!
Maybe it should be : But the pathetic thing is how I adore him, and he stIll crosses my mind every day. That is, the person he was, not the man ....Or : But the pathetic thing was how I adored him, and he still crossed my mind every day. That is, the person he was, not the man....
that does sound good, though does the "that is" at the beginning of the new sentence make it ungrammatical? If "that is" were expressed as "i.e.," it would be tacked on to the previous sentence as a clause. I think (therefore I don't know).
Maybe : and he crosses my mind every day; that is, the person....You are connecting two sentences so maybe a semi colon would be better? I am not to sure either.
Hmmm, I don't think of the second part as a complete sentence, because the "the person he was" is for me still the object, not the subject. I could be completely wrong. I never thought about it before.
Oh I see what you mean. I suppose we better wait for others to chime in because now I am confused.
Mod
Well, it's one solution. I'm a big fan of the dash as pointer. It also bails you out of a million punctuation messes.
I agree with S. I believe a complete sentence must follow the semi colon.In the example above,it does not. Also, I follow what I believe to be the common practice among writer's of fiction and use the Em dash. You can check it out on google etc.
Finally,when in doubt refer to the classic, The Elements of Style written by William Strunk and E.B. White. It's a tiny but powerful source of information It's also very inexpensive. I can't imagine any serious writer not buying, borrowing, or stealing a copy. Best.
All,Some type fonts are so hard to read it is better on the apprension time to put two spaces between sentences but here is a huge time saver for many editors and home typers. Read the substitute font rules and you will find it possible to make the period plus two space a command thet will automatically capitalize the next word. Walah you save a lot of time and errors. Leave edit as you go turned on.
I too took touch type on a manual "Underwood" but now do two finger.
Doug
Mod
Gabi wrote: "Doug wrote: "All,Some type fonts are so hard to read it is better on the apprension time to put two spaces between sentences but here is a huge time saver for many editors and home typers. Read ..."
It is in the auto correct substitutions list of Word. It may be in other programs too. It will only work on your own p c . so type it on your own word preformatted styles then copy paste your finished note into Goodreads or your other outlets instead of typing directly in those. I just use the ones that came with my computer. Sorry I can't be more help. Look in the "help" or "?" of word.
Gabi wrote: "I don't got Word. (hanging head) I gots (shudder) Works!":) ;)
Erika wrote: "Hello dear grammar experts. I'm having trouble with an expression "on the side" vs. "at the side." I like to say, "I want to relax and do a bit of work (at, on) the side." Is "on the side" an idiom..."Erika,
There is an idiom used historically in restaurants in the Midwest US that was "ON the side." I have always understood that in restaurants they would put eggs ON toast or gravy ON the sandwich or dressing ON the salad or lettuce/dressing ON the entre. That would indicate that the ON the side must be the only correct answer because it is not ON the TOP as otherwise it would be ON the BOTTOM which would be upside down talking. You really want it ON the Side of the same plate. In those days AT the side could mean paying for another plate or a separate larger portion. Now if that was related to the origination of the expression of doing work ON the side, then it would mean the extra work was of a different kind or in/on a different place since is not ON TOP OF (or more of) but ON THE SIDE OF the same basic work or job. AT the side sounds like multi-tasking two jobs simultaneously. This is my opinion, so I could be wrong. Is there an official idiom source research answer? Perhaps in Emily Post? Inquiring minds want to know.
This may be a silly question since my spell check screams red, but is it correct to say 'as a matter of factly?' Ex: "The sun sets," he said matter of factly.
Elaina wrote: "This may be a silly question since my spell check screams red, but is it correct to say 'as a matter of factly?' Ex: "The sun sets," he said matter of factly."Elaina,
You may have seen that in my July poem entry (#334)Parade Commence!. It is not correct grammar but I used it intentionally in a colloquial conversation to bring the reader into a common place frame of mind. I claim poet's privilege. Thanks for noticing.
I don't think it is correct in the example above either but we will see what others say.
Doug
Hi Doug, Thanks for answering. How would you state it? Would you say, for example: "The sun sets," he sad as a matter of fact. Does that sound right to you? I actually didn't get a chance to read your poem as I just joined this group today, but now I am definitely curious to check it out.
And yes, please, I would definitely appreciate more feedback.
Okay Elaina, I have no English degree but I think this "The sun sets," he said as a matter of fact. or
"As a matter of fact, the sun sets," He said.
means he said it in a casual way to announce the time of day.
Congratulations for joining and I hope you enjoy it.
Doug
Mod
"The sun sets," he said as a matter of fact. or
"As a matter of fact, the sun sets," He said.
means he said it in a casual way to announce t..."
Those are well and good, Doug, but I don't think that's the meaning Elaina wants. She's using "matter of factly" as a descriptor of the manner in which he spoke.
Ruth wrote: "Doug wrote: "Okay Elaina, I have no English degree but I think this "The sun sets," he said as a matter of fact. or
"As a matter of fact, the sun sets," He said.
means he said it in a casual way ..."
Yeah, I was wondering that but without context I was not sure. Elaina, Ruth usually has the best answers.
Doug
Gabi wrote: "I am thinking that using it as an adverb, would perhaps allow it to be hypened?"He said "The sun sets!" matter-of-factly.
Whatcha think, Doug?"
If it similar to: "He said, "Stuff happens!" matter-of-factly.
Then yes, that looks right to me.
Doug
Ruth wrote: "Doug wrote: "Okay Elaina, I have no English degree but I think this "The sun sets," he said as a matter of fact. or
"As a matter of fact, the sun sets," He said.
means he said it in a casual way ..."
Yes, Ruth and Gabi,that is it exactly. I am using it as an adverb. So you think hyphenating makes it correct to use but not without the hyphens?
Mod
Why not give him an action just at that point. One that shows that he's behaving in a matter of fact way.
"The sun sets," he said, biting into his hamburger.
"The moon rises," he said, sharpening his pencil.
"The stars are out," he said, reaching for the sports section.
"I killed Mother this morning," he said, as he polished his shoes.
Ruth wrote: "Sometimes the answer to a question like this is to avoid the whole awkward construction by writing around it. Adverbs tend to be awkward anyway, she said, bashfully. Why not give him an action j..."
That is both hilarious and great advice, Ruth. Thank you. You know, that is sometimes what I find difficult to do in my writing. Dialogue comes naturally to me, but I feel like there are so many adverbs I can use to describe the way a person is saying something. I see and hear it in my head, but can't always find the right adverb.
While I do give my characters actions sometimes, either with or without adverbs, I think your advice on having them do something that actually would translate to the reader how they are saying something, is really great advice. Thank you.
Thanks everyone for your input.
Mod
Mod
D"
"Death to adverbs," he said, used-to-sayedly
What a bunch of smarty pants. LOL! You all gave me a chuckle.
Doug wrote: "Erika wrote: "Hello dear grammar experts. I'm having trouble with an expression "on the side" vs. "at the side." I like to say, "I want to relax and do a bit of work (at, on) the side." Is "on the ..."As someone living in the Midwest US ... the expression is "on the side" and the only way I have heard it used, or used it myself, is for condiments such as salad dressings, sour cream, and guacamole.
Mod
Death to adverbs? You forgot freakin' adjectives. "As for the adjective -- when in doubt, strike it out." (Mark-My-Words Twain)
Mod
Mod
Hi, I am new here, and my grammar is pretty bad. I suspect a lot of my questions will be about basics.... It seems too good to be true that there is group here at GR to help me with these problems!Right, for starters, is it correct to say....
"I still have a particular affinity FOR the blue", or "I still have a particularly affinity TOWARDS the blue."
Or perhaps one can say either?
Help with this (& future muddles) would be hugely appreciated. The thought of being able to sort myself out a bit with regard to grammatical errors is most exciting.
He could also drive a cab "part time". Or, on which side; right or left?
Mod
Welcome to the group, Caroline. We have an affinity for language here.
Ruth wrote: "Welcome to the group, Caroline. We have an affinity for language here."Fantastic, thank you Ruth!
Mod
Mod
Frequently "blue" is used to connote truth or trust where I am.
Newengland wrote: "What the heck IS "the blue" anyway? Seems out of the..."Sorry, that was just an idle trickle of a phrase - I meant it as Gabi says.
Mod
Doug -- As in "true blue," yes. It also works nicely as another meaning for depression or sadness.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Language & Grammar
Books mentioned in this topic
Little Women (other topics)A Tale of Two Cities (other topics)
Twilight (other topics)
The Associated Press Stylebook (other topics)
Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You (other topics)
More...
I know this discussion is a couple of months old now, but just wanted to add that I'm British and I grew up learning to use double spacing after a full stop. This was in the days when we used typewriters, and even in the early days of word processors. I no longer do it, as it's no longer necessary, and no longer a convention, because of the more flexible font spacing of today's computers. But it's a convention I learnt as a kid, and it took a while to unlearn it, as my fingers would do it automatically from having learnt touch-typing.