Tips & Tricks - Grammar
Here are some common mistakes that should not make their way into formal writing. More will be added as warranted.
use of quotation marks
When used together, quotation marks belong on the OUTSIDE of commas and periods. Place other punctuation marks INSIDE quotation marks only when they are part of the quoted material. • Researchers concluded, "Twenty-five subjects improved."
feel vs. believe
People can feel sick or can feel the table. People DO NOT
feel an opinion - they think, opine, or believe an opinion.
• I feel happy when I'm with you.
• I can feel the wet grass between my toes.
• I believe you're not happy.
• I think I made a great decision!
they vs. it
A company is an it, not a they.
• The manufacturer wanted the demographics of its customers.
• The brokerage house diligently follows the performance of its funds.
punctuation in a series
Use a comma before the final "and" and "or" in a series.
• The research showed that age, level of education, and economic status had
no degree of significance.
• If you want live music, a DJ, or videos at the party, you must decide now.
it's vs. its
It’s is ALWAYS and ONLY a contraction of it is. It’s
is correct only if you can substitute it is. Its is ALWAYS and ONLY possessive.
• It’s time to leave.
• It’s too hot.
• The mutiny of 1809 had its roots in several grievances.
• The choir sang its finale.
people vs. persons
People is the plural of person and is by far the preferred
usage. In fact, Webster’s Eleventh New Collegiate Dictionary doesn’t
recognize persons with its own entry ... it’s mentioned only as a footnote
to people. The use of persons is discouraged.
• Fifty people made the trip.
• The people were amazed at his agility.
a lot vs. alot
The correct spelling is a lot ... it’s two words - always!
• A lot of people traveled this weekend.
• He fussed a lot before giving in.
• I ate a lot of candy and got sick.
sex vs. gender
Sex is a designation of male or female. Gender is a designation
of masculine or feminine. Thus you can have a male sex with a feminine gender
... or a
female sex with a masculine gender.
• The members were grouped according to age, sex, and interest.
• The gender John portrayed was the highlight of the play.
re
Re means with regard to. As the subject of a letter or memorandum, it is
followed traditionally by a colon. But when used in a sentence, it stands
alone as
a word unto itself. (By the way, in re is a Latin phrase used often by attorneys
... let’s keep it that way.)
• Re: Your Repeated Tardiness
• I need to speak with you re your repeated tardiness.
data is/was vs. data are/were
Data is a plural word. Datum is the singular.
Although data is/was has become popular, data are/were is the correct usage.
• The data are collected and organized.
• The data were analyzed using the chi-square method of analysis.
insure vs. ensure
Insure is to financially protect property or life. Ensure
is to make certain.
• Did you insure your jewelry on your homeowner’s policy?
• To ensure that everyone arrives on time, provide directions.
since vs. because
Since relates to a period of time. Because expresses a reason.
• Since 1980, I’ve moved twice.
• I saved $25 because it was on sale.
• He’s been sick since he arrived.
• He left because he was sick.
• Since/Because you left, I’ve been lonely. (This one could go either way
... whether you mean after the time of the leaving or as
a result of the leaving.)
walking through the park ...
This one is sometimes elusive. Here's the rest
of the sentence.
• Walking through the park, the sun was shining.
The sun was walking through the park? I don't think so. Revise this sentence
to ...
• Walking through the park, we enjoyed the sunshine.
above - over - more than
Items are above or over. Numbers are more than.
• Wrong - Over 200 people attended.
• Right - More than 200 people attended.
due to the fact that
Invoices become "due." The phrase is a wordy way to say because. Stick with because.
• He was late due to the fact that there was a freeway accident.
• He was late because there was a freeway accident.
• Because of their limited client experience, advanced beginners needed supervision.
in order to
This a wordy way to say to. Stick with to.
• Stir consistently in order to avoid burning.
• Stir consistently to avoid burning.