{"id":5967,"date":"2019-10-05T22:06:33","date_gmt":"2019-10-05T22:06:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/05\/some-sticky-grammar-situations-or-how-to-avoid\/"},"modified":"2019-10-05T22:06:33","modified_gmt":"2019-10-05T22:06:33","slug":"some-sticky-grammar-situations-or-how-to-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/some-sticky-grammar-situations-or-how-to-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"Some Sticky Grammar Situations Or How To Avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div><p><body>&#13;<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">&#13;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\">&#13;<br \/>\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/abbtop.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"120\"\/><\/a><br \/><a 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class=\"style7\">&#13;<br \/>\n                <font color=\"#FB7014\" size=\"4\" face=\"Tahoma\">Some Sticky Grammar Situations or How to Avoid Some Ugly Mistakes!<\/font><\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n            <\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\" height=\"19\">\n<div align=\"justify\"><span class=\"style2\">by: &#13;<br \/>\n                <font size=\"3\" face=\"Times New Roman\" color=\"#FB7014\">Jan Kovarik<\/font><\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n            <\/tr>\n<tr>\n<div id=\"article\">\n<td align=\"left\" height=\"12\"><span class=\"style2\">&#13;<\/p>\n<p>With the advent of electronic word-processing and spellchecker programs, many people just presume that simply by running spellchecker all of their grammar errors will be caught and corrected. This is simply not so. Spellchecker programs often include some grammar checking, but no man-made program can catch all the innuendoes of the English language.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>This article can not possibly address all the common grammar mistakes. What it can do, however, is to highlight just a few common mistakes and give you some hints on how to avoid them or at least recognize them.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>That vs. Which&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Here\u0092s a problem that is very common: when to use \u0093that\u0094 and when to use \u0093which,\u0094 since in today\u0092s colloquial language we often substitute one for the other. There is one easily applied rule that should help you recognize when to use that or which:&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Use \u0093that\u0094 when the phrase following \u0093that\u0094 is essential. For example:&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Buy the dress that is red and blue. &#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>As you can see, \u0093red and blue\u0094 is essential to the instruction to \u0093buy the dress\u0094 and therefore is prefaced by \u0093that.\u0094 Without \u0093red and blue,\u0094 you might buy the wrong dress.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Use \u0093which\u0094 when the phrase is merely an add-on thought or not essential.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>She bought a lovely dress, which was red and blue. &#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Here the sentence says that \u0093she bought a lovely dress,\u0094 but \u0093red and blue\u0094 is just an add-on thought. If you eliminated \u0093red and blue\u0094 the basic intent of the sentence remains unchanged: she bought a lovely dress.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Now personally, red and blue isn\u0092t the most attractive color combination for a dress, but the point is clear. In the first sentence \u0093red and blue\u0094 is necessary to the intent of the statement, and in the second sentence \u0093red and blue\u0094 is merely additional information.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>This is a simplified explanation of the difference between \u0093that\u0094 and \u0093which\u0094 and should not be taken as the sole criteria for proper grammatical use of these words. The easy-to-understand example, however, should point you in the right direction of how each word should be used most correctly in a sentence.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Affect vs. Effect &#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>As a copyeditor\/proofreader, I wish I had a nickel for every time I either corrected this mistake and\/or re-read a sentence to verify that the right word had been used.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>This explanation could takes pages and pages to clarify, but let\u0092s just give you a simple rule to use:&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>If you can substitute the word \u0093influence\u0094 in the sentence and get the same basic meaning, then use \u0093affect.\u0094&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>The threat of rain affected our plans for the day. &#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Now, substitute \u0093influence\u0094:&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>The threat of rain influenced our plans for the day. &#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>The basic intent is the same; therefore \u0093affect\u0094 is the right word.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>If you can substitute words like \u0093reaction\u0094 or consequence\u0094 in the sentence and get the same basic meaning, then use \u0093effect.\u0094&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>The effect of the rain was that we moved our backyard picnic into the kitchen. &#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Now, substitute \u0093consequence\u0094:&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>The consequence of the rain was that we moved our backyard picnic into the kitchen. &#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Well, OK, it isn\u0092t something you would likely say, but the meaning of the sentence remained basically the same, so \u0093effect\u0094 is the right word.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Once again, this is a very simplified rule, but you should get the general point. If you can make the substitutions I\u0092ve given you without changing the basic meaning of the sentence, then you will know which word is the right word.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>It\u0092s vs. Its&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>This one is so easy, and yet it is often missed.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Oh, let me re-write that:&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>This one is so easy, and yet it\u0092s often missed.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>There\u0092s your first clue: \u0093it\u0092s\u0094 is the contraction of \u0093it is.\u0094 It\u0092s NOT the singular possessive form of \u0093it.\u0094 You know that if you want to indicate that the ball belongs to Bob, you write \u0093Bob\u0092s ball.\u0094 However, if \u0093it\u0094 has a bad smell, then you write \u0093its smell was awful.\u0094&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>If you can substitute \u0093it is\u0094 in the sentence, and the meaning remains unchanged, then use \u0093it\u0092s.\u0094&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>However, the use of contractions in formal writing is not generally approved. You should not use any contractions in business communications, texts, or any writing that is formal.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>There, They\u0092re, or Their&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Once again, this is easy and yet so many people miss it.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>\u0093There\u0094 indicates a place or a situation.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>\u0093They\u0092re\u0094 is the contraction of \u0093they are.\u0094 If you can substitute \u0093they are\u0094 in the sentence, then use \u0093they\u0092re.\u0094&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>\u0093Their\u0094 is a plural possessive, that is something belongs to more than one person. If you can substitute more than one name (or thing) and not change the meaning of the sentence, then use \u0093their.\u0094&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>There are many other common grammar mistakes, but these few are certainly among the most common. If you are planning to write something, and you are unsure about some of the more basic grammar rules, I suggest you buy an easy-to-read-and-understand grammar book. Any bookstore has them, and you can buy great self-help books for under $20. I have three and I use them constantly!&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>Of course, your best course of action is that for anything you write for publication or business purposes, you should engage the services of a proofreader. And don\u0092t wait until you think you are \u0093all done\u0094 with the project! Get the proofreader involved as soon as you have a working draft. Proofreaders are often great sources to help you unravel difficult-to-understand text and can help you achieve the best possible manuscript.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>For a list of reference books related to proofreading, copyediting, and the publishing industry, please see my recommended book list at <a href=\"http:\/\/janktheproofer.com\/RecommendedBookList.htm\" target=\"new\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/janktheproofer.com\/RecommendedBookList.htm<\/a> &#13;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"8\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#dddddd\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><b>About The Author<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Jan K., The Proofer is a full-time freelance proofreader and copyeditor. In business since 1996, she has enjoyed working for a diverse world-wide clientele, covering subject matter including academic research, medical law, consumer surveys, and self-help materials. Please visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.janktheproofer.com\" target=\"new\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.janktheproofer.com<\/a> for more information.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 Copyright 2001 All rights reserved.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:jkproof@bellsouth.net\">jkproof@bellsouth.net<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<form action=\"http:\/\/www.articlecity.com\/cgi-bin\/search.cgi\" method=\"post\">&#13;<br \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"sf1\" value=\"The_Author\"\/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"words\" value=\"Jan Kovarik\"\/><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><input type=\"submit\" value=\"Other Articles by Jan Kovarik\"\/><\/p>\n<\/form>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><i>This article was posted on April 08, 2005<\/i><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/td>\n<p>&#13;\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p align=\"left\">\u00a0        <\/p>\n<p>&#13;\n      <\/td>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n    <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<hr width=\"800\" noshade=\"noshade\"\/><a href=\"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/ADSENSEWEBSITES\">RETURN TO ADSENSE BUSINESS-IN-A-BOX MASTER ARTICLE INDEX<\/a><\/p>\n<hr width=\"800\" noshade=\"noshade\"\/>\n<div class=\"fb-share-button\" data-href=\"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/\" data-layout=\"button\" data-size=\"large\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fon-line-interactivity.com%2F&amp;src=sdkpreparse\" class=\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Share<\/a><\/div>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<div id=\"fb-root\"\/>&#13;<br \/>\n<script async=\"\" defer=\"defer\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v4.0&amp;appId=103650273035821&amp;autoLogAppEvents=1\"\/><!-- End of FACEBOOK SHARE BUTTON CODE --><span class=\"style6\"><br \/><span class=\"style2\">\u00a92019 - All Rights Reserved by <a href=\"http:\/\/HelpMeFindFreedom.Online\">HelpMeFindFreedom.Online<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.website.ws\/kvmlm2\/my.dhtml?sponsor=geekzonehostingcom&amp;bannercode=gif002&amp;language=english\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.website.ws\/images\/english\/banners\/kvmlm2\/468x60_02.gif\" border=\"0\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n<\/body><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; \u00a0 &#13; \u00a0&#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; Article Navigation &#13; Back To &#13; Main Page &#13; &#13; &#13; \u00a0 &#13; Click Here &#13; for more articles &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; &#13; Some Sticky Grammar Situations or How to Avoid Some [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5967","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adsense-business-in-a-box"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5967","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5967"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5967\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/on-line-interactivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}