September 19
2013
July 25
2013
Rules Of Grammar: Altogether vs. All Together
May 16
2013
Rules of Grammar: Capitalizing Planets and Stars
April 18
2013
Rules of Grammar: Hyphenated Words
March 21
2013
Rules Of Grammar: Maybe vs. May Be
February 7
2013
Rules Of Grammar: Complement vs. Compliment
Complement is synonymous with the word, “complete.” This comparison makes the definition easy to remember because the “e” spelling of “complement” is similar to the spelling of “complete.” Complement is defined as “something that completes or makes perfect.”
Compliment is a noun that is “an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration.”
Machine Briefs:
complement= KPLEMT
compliment= KPLIMT
January 17
2013
Rules Of Grammar: Awhile vs A While
“Awhile” is used as an adverb. “A while” is used as a noun.
Here are some examples for how they should be used:
We have a while left before the train arrives.
I saw my friend a while ago.
We waited awhile for the bus.
She ran awhile.
Here’s a trick that usually works: If you can use “for a while” as a substitute, then using “awhile” will likely be the right choice when choosing between, “a while” and “awhile.”
Machine Briefs:
awhile= A/WHAOIL
a while= AEU/WHAOIL
December 26
2012
Rules Of Grammar: Capital vs Capitol
Capital is used in reference to the following:
1) A city or town.
2) A capital letter.
3) Wealth, whether in money or in property.
4) Any type of a source of profit.
5) Capitalists as a group or a class.
6) Principal; something of the highest importance.
7) Excellence, or something that is first-rate.
8) An act punishable by death. (For example, “capital punishment.”)
9) Something fatal or extremely serious. (For example, a “capital error.”)
Capitol is used in reference to the following:
1) The building in Washington, D.C., used by the United States Congress for its sessions.
2) A building occupied by the state legislature.
3) The Capitoline in Rome.
Machine Briefs:
capital= KPAL
capitol= KPOL
December 12
2012
Rules Of Grammar: Anytime vs. Any Time
August 1
2012
The Importance of Punctuation
“Just look at the difference between these two love notes:
My Dear Pat,
The dinner we shared the other night- it was absolutely lovely! Not in my wildest dreams could I ever imagine anyone as perfect as you are. Could you- if only for a moment- think of our being together forever? What a cruel joke to have you come into my life only to leave again; it would be heaven denied. The possibility of seeing you again makes me giddy with joy. I face the time we are apart with great sadness.
John
P.S. I would like to tell you that I love you. I can’t stop thinking that you are one of the prettiest women on earth.
My Dear,
Pat the dinner we shared the other night. It was absolutely lovely- not! In my wildest dreams, could I ever imagine anyone? As perfect as you are, could you- if only for a moment- think? Of our being together forever: what a cruel joke! To have you come into my life only to leave again: it would be heaven! Denied the possibility of seeing you again makes me giddy. With joy I face the time we are apart.
With great “sadness,”
John
P.S. I would like to tell you that I love you. I can’t. Stop thinking that you are one of the prettiest women on earth.
You see the difference punctuation makes? The first letter is clear (albeit clunky) profession of undying affection; the second is sure to sweep Pat onto her feet. The only thing separating one document from the other is, of course, punctuation.” -From, “Comma Sense” By: Lederer & Shore
