Grammar Day: Apostrophe S ('s)

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Apostrophe S ('s)

Basic Rule: When it comes to apostrophes, a good rule to follow is that an apostrophe adds a second word. This isn't always true, but you'll be right more often than you're wrong.

For example, let's vs. lets:

let's = let uslets = allows

Since context always helps me learn...

Let's [let us] go to the beach.

She lets us swim without a lifeguard. 

Some Other Examples:

it's = it is/it was

that's = that is/that was

there's = there is/there was 

Basically...apostrophe s is not the way to make a word a plural.

Any Exceptions? When making nouns (people, places, or things) possessive, the apostrophe s doesn't create a second word.

Jane's dance bag. 

The company's contract.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Grammar Resources

As an editor, I'm always looking for ways to improve my grammar. The Grammar Day posts here often help me as much as (or more than) they help my readers, since they force me to consider the reasons why a grammar rule is in place.

I've been a fan of Grammar Girl for years; her explanations are helpful and clear, and she's my go-to resource when I'm not quite certain about something specific.

Recently, I was directed to another wonderful resource: GrammarBook.com. There are concise explanations and examples of just about any rule you could want to learn--and quizzes to reinforce them! There are plenty of free quizzes, but if you want even more you can subscribe for a nominal fee (currently it's under $30 for everything, or $0.99 for individual quizzes).

Grammarly Review

Grammarly offers a 7-day free trial of their premium service, so I tried it earlier this month. As a professional editor, I know the value of human judgment when it comes to editing and proofreading. I was wary about an online, impersonal editing service but wanted to actually use it before making a judgment. As is often the case, there are some parts I really like, and some I don't.

Pros:

• It is thorough and finds several different types of errors, including commonly misused words (to, too, two).
• There is a plagiarism check option. This helps not only to be certain your writing is your own (if you wrote it, it is), but also to be sure your phrasing is unique and you are avoiding cliches.
• Every error found includes an explanation about why it's wrong. Grammarly doesn't change the document but gives suggestions for improvement.
• You can download a PDF of the corrections to save for later.

Cons:

• You can only review small sections of text at a time (so, novels are out unless you're willing to take the time to separate them).
• Naturally, each section takes several minutes to review. (Still much faster than the turnaround time of an editor but feels long when you're sitting and waiting.)
• The plagiarism check doesn't help when you use the same terms in blog posts. For example, a section of my Grammar Day post was marked as "plagiarism," since I always start and end with certain phrases.
• The misused words are often incorrectly labeled. ("I had to go to the store" might be marked wrong, and "too" given as a replacement - even though in that context the original was correct.)
• The above can also be said about any errors it catches...which reaffirms the need for human judgment.

Conclusion: Grammarly is a good proofreading tool. It shouldn't replace an editor, and in fact could become the cause of grammatical errors. If I didn't know grammar rules already, I might have taken all the suggestions Grammarly gave, believing they were correct in the context of my post. Some weren't.

Grammar Day: Semicolons

I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because even professional editors can use a second pair of eyes.

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Semicolons

This punctuation mark couldn't decide if it wanted to be a colon or a comma, so it became both!

Basic Rule: If the words on either side of the semicolon create complete sentences, you're using it right. Unless the sentences have nothing to do with each other.

He liked to dance. He danced all night. --> He liked to dance; he danced all night.

The second clause here wouldn't form a complete sentence, so is incorrect:

He liked to dance all night. --> He liked to dance; all night. 

Commas, not semicolons, are used with conjunctions (and, but, or... See previous post on FANBOYS): 

He liked to dance, and he danced all night. --> He liked to dance; and he danced all night.

These sentences aren't connected, so a period fits better than a comma.

He liked to dance. She ate the blueberries. --> He liked to dance; she ate the blueberries.

Any Exceptions? Semicolons can also be used in complex lists in place of commas. For more of an explanation, view this fun graphic.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer - and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Grammar Day: Hyphens and Ages

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Hyphens and Ages

Basic Rule: When the age describes a noun, there should be hyphens. If not, they don't belong.

The three-year-old girl liked to dance.

The age describes girl.

The three year old was happy.

The giggling girl was three years old.

Giggling describes girl, not the age.

This is true, no matter how old the person, animal, or object is.

 A fifteen-year-old dog was sleeping on the rug.

The man was twenty seven when he quit his job. 

The five-hundred-year-old map let them to the treasure.

Why? This helps avoid misinterpretations. After all, there aren't 500 maps that are a year old. Just a single, ancient one...that I'd really like to find.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Grammar Day: FANBOYS

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: FANBOYS

I was recently reminded of this helpful acronym. It's a tool to remember where commas belong.

Basic Rule: When connecting two independent clauses (complete sentences), place a comma before all of the following words:

• For
• And
• Nor
• But
• Or
• Yet
• So

Sharon bought new shoes, and ran a mile.

Could be: Sharon bought new shoes. She ran a mile.

Jake made some gloves, but didn't use them.

Could be: Jake made some glove. He didn't use them.

Any Exceptions? I think there are always exceptions when dealing with commas.

#1: When one clause is dependent on the other (not a complete sentence), there is no comma.

Robert bought new shoes and socks.

"And socks" could not be a sentence, so a comma isn't needed.

#2: A comma can be omitted when independent clauses (complete sentences) are short. (This exception doesn't apply under traditional punctuation rules.)

She smiled and ran to hug him.

Could be: She smiled. She ran to hug him. 

Since "She smiled." is a short sentence, the comma isn't necessary.

Conclusion: It helps to use FANBOYS, but it's not perfect. (See what I did there?)

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Grammar Day: Less vs. Fewer

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.


Today's Topic: Less vs. Fewer

Basic Rule: If you can count it, use the word fewer.

I had fewer apples than you did. 

I ate less than he did. 

Any Exceptions? Sometimes things that use the word fewer don't have a specific number (so it isn't as obvious that they can be counted).

You had fewer distractions.

She was less distracting.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Second Proofreader

One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to proofread other's creative pieces. While I do my best to read everything thoroughly, I'm human and sometimes things slip through.

In recognition of this, Rivershore Books now offers a second proofreader option. Emilie and Gina both have excellent grammatical skills and experience editing other's writing, and I am thrilled to welcome them to the proofreading team.

If you would like this service, simply add $1 per page to your order. Together we'll ensure your piece is polished!

Grammar Day: Dialogue Tags

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Dialogue Tags

If you've read any of my stories, you know I enjoy using dialogue. Formatting aside, my first drafts tend to look more like scripts than novels. (I've tried writing scripts, though, and couldn't do it--or simply wasn't motivated to. Go figure.)

Spelling: Both dialogue and dialog are accepted (that is, they're both in the dictionary), but dialogue is more widely used in North America. Since I'm in North America too, that's what I use.

What's the point? Dialogue tags help the reader keep track of who the speaker is. Imagine a book where none of the dialogue had tags. While each character ideally has their own way of talking, that would still be a confusing read!

Punctuation: The punctuation of a dialogue tag depends on where it lands.

In the middle of a sentence, the tag is enclosed with commas.

"She really enjoyed it," Jane said, "but thought the roller coasters were scary."

When the tag comes at the end of a sentence, whether or not it ends that character's section of dialogue, it is preceded by a comma, but finished with a period.

"I saw that before," Frank said. "It was okay."

"That is one thing I don't miss," she said.

Capitalization: If you're continuing a sentence after the dialogue tag (as in the first example), the next word of dialogue is not capitalized. Also, if the dialogue tag is 'he' or 'she' instead of a name, it is also not capitalized.

Any Exceptions? Sometimes you'll want to end a dialogue with something besides a comma (which is equal to a period). Go ahead and do this. Sparingly. (Notice the capitalization is the same.)

"I heard that!" she said.

"Did you know about this?" he asked.

You can also use action in place of a dialogue tag. This lets the reader know who is talking, while giving a clearer picture of the scene. In this case, the dialogue ends with a period and the action begins a new sentence.

"They told me you weren't coming." She turned a page of her book in disinterest.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Grammar Day: You're vs. Your

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: You're vs. Your

These mean two very different things, but I can see how it would be easy to mix them. I do it myself sometimes. When I'm writing quickly. And tired. (It's an easy typo to make.)

Your: This is possessive. The item in question belongs to you, not to me, my aunt, or a friend's grandma.

Your piece of pizza.

I think I saw your sister at the store. 

You're: This literally means 'you are'. It usually refers to an action or state of being.

You're funny.

I know you're still eating, but I'm going to paint you anyway. 

Final Note: If you find yourself wondering which to use, replace it with 'you are'. If it still makes sense, use 'you're'. If it doesn't, use 'your'. If neither make sense...you've got the wrong word.

She said you're your cat was dancing. (You are cat? Nah...)

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Grammar Day: Parentheses

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.


Today's Topic: Parentheses


Ever since I learned how to use them, parentheses have had a special place in my grammar-loving heart. (Yes, I know I'm silly.)


Spelling: Parentheses refers to both (), while parenthesis refers to one (. Now you have some useless knowledge to share at your next party.


What's the point? Parentheses are used to separate additional information from the rest of a sentence or paragraph. I like to think of them as side-thoughts. They are connected to the topic, but not perfectly.

We went tubing (our boat sprung a leak) last week.

Punctuation: When the parentheses are part of the sentence, the period goes outside, no matter where the parentheses land.

I enjoyed the tour (mosquitoes and all).

When the parentheses are a separate sentence, the period goes inside.

She said she liked it okay. (Okay is her word for 'not at all'.)

It is almost always possible to avoid using parentheses. I use them in informal writing, but for many pieces I leave them out. This is, of course, personal preference.


I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Grammar Day: Commas in Lists

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.


Today's Topic: Commas in Lists


Commas are a complex subject, so there will be a series of posts on them. Today's will be short.


When writing a list of three or more items, commas should separate each item. As a rule, I use the Oxford comma (a comma before the 'and') to avoid possible confusion. 

Red, transparent, and blue.  

NOT: Red, transparent and blue.

How could that be confusing? Consider the meaning of the following sentences.

I'm inspired by my parents, Anne Frank, and Einstein. 

I'm inspired by my parents, Anne Frank and Einstein.

In the first, it's clear the author is inspired by four separate people. In the second...are Anne Frank and Einstein her parents? Unlikely, but in a more realistic example (My parents, Bob, and Mary) the confusion could arise if the second comma is missing.


Final Note: Lists of two do not need commas.

Red and blue. 

NOT: Red, and blue.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Grammar Day: Single Quotation Marks

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Single Quotation Marks

Not to be confused with an apostrophe (which will have its own post in the future), this punctuation mark is used when quoting within a quote.

Where does the period go? If an entire sentence is being quoted, the period goes within the single quotation marks. There is no space between the single and double quotation marks at the end.

"She said, 'We enjoyed learning grammar.'"

When only a word or part of a sentence is within the single quotation marks, the period belongs outside. The period separates the single and double quotation marks at the end.

"He said he was 'confused' but that 'it was okay'."

This rule applies to any ending punctuation mark.

Are there exceptions to when these can be used? Yes. Single quotations can emphasize a word, or denote a title or subtitle. In cases like these, the ending punctuation lands after the single quotation mark.

She wasn't 'thrilled', it seemed, with the choices.

He had just finished reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

Keep in mind that many authors (and readers) prefer italics over single quotation marks, in these instances.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!