English grammar explained in plain language simple enough to be understood.
Yesterday we talked about how a colon warns a reader that a list is coming. The important thing to remember is that you must have a complete thought before the colon and the list. Look at this sentence:I eat only… Read more407. When Not to Use a Colon for a List
The little comma can sometimes cause big confusion for writers. People often throw a comma into their writing just because they think it must go in there somewhere. However, there are actual rules for when to use a comma. Your… Read more402. Highlight on Writing – 12 Places to Put a Comma
Sometimes we us two or three prepositional phrases in a row. Each prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with an object of the preposition. Here is an example of multiple prepositional phrases in one sentence:That book is on… Read more351. Multiple Prepositional Phrases
A collective noun names one thing that has many items included in it.The word group is a collective noun. A group is one thing with many things inside of it You might have a group of kids. You might have… Read more261. Collective Nouns
A complex sentence has two parts: a subordinate clause and an independent clause. The subordinate clause always begins with a subordinating conjunction. Let me show you what that means: The word when is a subordinating conjunction. Anytime you begin a… Read more216. Complex Sentences Using When and If
We know that a simple sentence is a complete thought with one person or thing doing one action.Bob rode his bike.Bob is the subject. The action is rode. Simple sentences always express only one main thought, but that main thought… Read more207. Simple Sentence with a Compound Subject or Verb
Section A: Move the adverb closer to the verb in each of these sentences.1. The little girl accepted the gift from me eagerly.2. My brother walked home from school slowly. 3. Mom read the letter from the principal quickly. Section… Read more180. Practice With Troublesome Adverbs
A professional or personal title is part of a person’s name. All titles should be capitalized.Mrs. = Missus (used for a married woman)Miss = Mistress (used for an unmarried woman)Ms. = Missus or Mistress (used for any woman, married or… Read more457. Titles are Part of Proper Nouns
The name for each month is a proper noun. Always capitalize the names of the months of the year. January, February, MarchApril, May, JuneJuly, August, SeptemberOctober, November, December My birthday is in October.We start school in August.My folks are taking… Read more452. Proper Nouns Name the Months of the Year