Topic Wiki

This is not a Hall of Shame thread.  Please do not copy posts with people's names.

This is a condensed thread to teach specific lessons to those who want to learn correct grammar and spelling.
We have many members whose mother tongue is not English.

Please title your post if you choose to add a lesson.  A font size of 12 pt in capitals will make that post easy to find.  The lesson posts will also be referenced in the wiki.

LESSONS

1.  there / their / they're
2.  a vs. an
3.  went vs. have gone
4. It's vs. Its
5. Affect vs. Effect
6.  Capital vs Capitol

  • Commas go before the space, like this, not like ,this.
  • Commas/periods go after the close parenthesis (like this), not before (like this.)   (Unless the entire sentence is enclosed.)
  • All punctuation goes inside the quotation, like "this." not like "this".

« Last edited by YitzyS on July 23, 2020, 12:12:43 PM »

Author Topic: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101  (Read 54273 times)

Offline shlonx

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 188
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #120 on: December 24, 2017, 11:50:02 PM »
Give the guy a break, he's obviously still learning English!!  :)

Two other versions I found. I like the first most:

Yes, English can be weird. It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though.

Although difficult, English can be understood through tough thorough thought, though.
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but floridity is its spirit.

Offline David Smith

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2015
  • Posts: 8075
  • Total likes: 212
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #121 on: December 25, 2017, 03:14:08 AM »
Give the guy a break, he's obviously still learning English!!  :)

Two other versions I found. I like the first most:

Yes, English can be weird. It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though.

Although difficult, English can be understood through tough thorough thought, though.
The second one seems wrong.
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

Offline mmgfarb

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 8355
  • Total likes: 1110
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #122 on: December 25, 2017, 03:29:32 AM »
The second one seems wrong.
That's because it is.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline aygart

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 17404
  • Total likes: 14340
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
    • Lower Watt Energy Brokers
  • Programs: www.lowerwatt.com
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #123 on: December 25, 2017, 10:05:28 AM »
The second one seems wrong.
The although and though are redundant
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline srap

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2819
  • Total likes: 202
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #124 on: December 25, 2017, 11:32:08 AM »
The second one seems wrong.
I had decided not to bother replying, but it's nice that we all agree.

Offline shlonx

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 188
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #125 on: January 13, 2018, 11:59:55 PM »
Do you capitalize "earth" when writing "What on earth?"
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but floridity is its spirit.

Offline beeweegee

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 1588
  • Total likes: 141
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York, NY
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #126 on: January 14, 2018, 01:10:22 AM »
Do you capitalize "earth" when writing "What on earth?"
Sure, assuming you are referring to the proper noun. Earth, the planet, should be capitalized, and that is what I assume most people refer to when using that phrase.

Online ckmk47

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 7963
  • Total likes: 1044
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Location: brooklyn
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #127 on: January 14, 2018, 01:24:34 AM »
I agree that it should be capitalized, but I don't think in practice it's actually done.
My favorite cause: cssy.org

Offline srap

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2819
  • Total likes: 202
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #128 on: January 14, 2018, 03:46:34 AM »
I agree that it should be capitalized, but I don't think in practice it's actually done.
It should, but once it has become part of a phrase it isn't.  It is no longer an astronomical term (capitalized), rather part of the vernacular (everyday language and not capitalized).

Offline shlonx

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 188
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #129 on: January 14, 2018, 12:45:54 PM »
Sure, assuming you are referring to the proper noun. Earth, the planet, should be capitalized, and that is what I assume most people refer to when using that phrase.
I agree that it should be capitalized, but I don't think in practice it's actually done.
It should, but once it has become part of a phrase it isn't.  It is no longer an astronomical term (capitalized), rather part of the vernacular (everyday language and not capitalized).

Thanks. Always thought it looked odd when it said "What on Earth are you talking about".
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but floridity is its spirit.

Offline wayfe

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 821
  • Total likes: 140
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #130 on: January 16, 2018, 07:09:38 PM »
Much vs. Many

Use "many" for quantifiable or countable nouns.
Ex. Dollars, stones, boxes, people, miles, days

Use "much" for unquantifiable nouns.
Ex. Money, dirt, salt, air, value, time
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers which can't be questioned."
— Richard Feynman

Offline etech0

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 12863
  • Total likes: 3321
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: not lakewood
  • Programs: DDF
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #131 on: January 16, 2018, 07:16:02 PM »
Much vs. Many

Use "many" for quantifiable or countable nouns.
Ex. Dollars, stones, boxes, people, miles, days

Use "much" for unquantifiable nouns.
Ex. Money, dirt, salt, air, value, time
+1

Or in plainer English:

If you count it, say "many"
If you measure it, say "much"

For example:

"I get so many packages from amazon lately, that I need to move into a much bigger house"
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline Boruch999

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 1929
  • Total likes: 186
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #132 on: January 16, 2018, 07:26:18 PM »
+1

Or in plainer English:

If you count it, say "many"
If you measure it, say "much"

For example:

"I get so much merchandise from amazon lately, that I need to move into many houses"

 :D

Offline etech0

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 12863
  • Total likes: 3321
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: not lakewood
  • Programs: DDF
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #133 on: January 16, 2018, 11:49:23 PM »
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline thaber

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 3784
  • Total likes: 465
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #134 on: January 17, 2018, 10:22:10 PM »


Effect can also be a verb such as when you effect change.


Good point!
I used to correct this a lot, but someone showed me a maareh makom that when it comes to change both effect and affect are correct and can be used interchangeably. Agree? I don't like it.




Here's one I didn't know of until recently - Onesie.

They are vigilant about it (at least on Amazon). If you use Velcro in a listing, they will try shut you down.

All who write real estate ads know that Jacuzzi (the company) has sued those who use their name to refer to other jetted tubs.


Offline aygart

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 17404
  • Total likes: 14340
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
    • Lower Watt Energy Brokers
  • Programs: www.lowerwatt.com
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #135 on: January 17, 2018, 10:28:03 PM »

 I used to correct this a lot, but someone showed me a maareh makom that when it comes to change both effect and affect are correct and can be used interchangeably. Agree? I don't like it.




All who write real estate ads know that Jacuzzi (the company) has sued those who use their name to refer to other jetted tubs.
https://writingexplained.org/affect-change-or-effect-change
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline thaber

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 3784
  • Total likes: 465
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #136 on: January 18, 2018, 04:00:02 PM »
This is not a Hall of Shame thread.  Please do not copy posts with people's names.

This is a condensed thread to teach specific lessons to those who want to learn correct grammar and spelling.
We have many members whose mother tongue is not English.

Please title your post if you choose to add a lesson.  A font size of 12 pt in capitals will make that post easy to find.  The lesson posts will also be referenced in the wiki.

THERE / THEIR / THEY'RE

1. there - not here, but over there (It is easy to remember the spelling since 'there' has 'here' in it.)

2. their -  it belongs to them

3. they're - contraction of 'they are'  (It is easy to remember the spelling since the apostrophe replaces the missing 'a' in are.)

Examples: 
Correct:  They're picking up their luggage over there.

 Incorrect:  "They finally have a place to go to see there name or there having fun." [Liberty taken to change some key words for anonymity]
Correct:    "They finally have a place to go to see there their name or there they're having fun."
are you accepting requests? I love the way you did this, and sent it to my whole office. If you could do the same for were /we're and your /you're that would be great.

Offline wayfe

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 821
  • Total likes: 140
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #137 on: January 18, 2018, 06:41:04 PM »
+1

Or in plainer English:

If you count it, say "many"
If you measure it, say "much"

For example:

"I get so many packages from amazon lately, that I need to move into a much bigger house"

Technically, in the sentence above 'much' is an adverb modifying the adjective 'bigger'.

The confusion usually only arises when dealing with an adjective modifying a noun.
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers which can't be questioned."
— Richard Feynman

Offline etech0

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 12863
  • Total likes: 3321
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: not lakewood
  • Programs: DDF
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #138 on: January 18, 2018, 06:43:13 PM »
are you accepting requests? I love the way you did this, and sent it to my whole office. If you could do the same for were /we're and your /you're that would be great.

WE'RE / WERE

Were is the past tense of are. EG: "those donuts were delicious" (past tense of "these donuts are delicious")

We're is a contraction (a combination) of "we are". So for example, "If you're serving donuts, we're coming to visit!" - means the same thing as "we are coming".



YOUR / YOU'RE

Your means "something that belongs to you". For example, "If you finish all of your donuts, you may have another one".

You're is a contraction of "you are". So for example. "If you eat all of those donuts, you're going to get fat" means the same thing as "you are going to get fat".
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline etech0

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 12863
  • Total likes: 3321
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: not lakewood
  • Programs: DDF
Re: Grammar and Spelling Lessons 101
« Reply #139 on: January 18, 2018, 06:44:18 PM »
Technically, in the sentence above 'much' is an adverb modifying the adjective 'bigger'.

The confusion usually only arises when dealing with an adjective modifying a noun.
True - a better sentence would be "I order so much stuff from Amazon, that they send me many packages every day."
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.