CORRECT USAGE OF..

*Grammar
*Capitalization
*Words
*Modifiers
*Passive & Active voice
*Phrasal Verbs
*Punctuation Marks
*Prepositions
*Adjectives and Adverbs

CAPITALIZATION
--Capitalize proper nouns and proper adjectives---Capitalize words that show a family relationship when you use them with a
persons name---Capitalize school subjects---Capitalize language---Capitalize the names of holidays, historical events, and period---Capitalize the first letter in every sentence---Capitalize the first letter in direct quotations--Capitalize the first letter of each word in the title except articles and
unimportant short words--Capitalize Abbreviations
--Capitalize the pronoun I

GRAMMAR
--Subject Verb Agreement-There are a lot of rules in the subject-verb agreement but this is only 10 to be short
Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines),
whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Example: The list of items is/are on the desk.

If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.
Rule 1. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. This is a key rule for
understanding subjects. The word of is the culprit in many, perhaps most, subjectverb mistakes.
Rule 2. Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a
singular verb.
Examples:
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.

Rule 3. The verb in an, or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun
or pronoun closest to it.
Examples:
Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.

Rule 4. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they
are connected by and.
Example: A car and a bike are my means of transportation.
Exceptions:
Breaking and entering is against the law.
The bed and breakfast was charming.

In those sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are compound
nouns.
Rule 5. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as along
with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the
subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.
Examples:
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

Rule 6. In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.
Examples:
Here are the keys.

Rule 7. Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc.,
when considered as a unit.
Examples:
Three miles is too far to walk.

Rule 8. With words that indicate portionse.g., a lot, a majority, some, allRule 1
given earlier in this section is reversed, and we are guided by the noun after of. If
the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.

Examples:
A lot of the pie has disappeared.
A lot of the pies have disappeared.

Rule 9. With collective nouns such as group, jury, family, audience, population,
the verb might be singular or plural, depending on the writer's intent.
Examples:
All of my family has arrived OR have arrived.
Most of the jury is here OR are here.

Rule 10. The word were replaces was in sentences that express a wish or are
contrary to fact:
Example: If Joe were here, you'd be sorry.
The sentence demonstrates the subjunctive mood, which is used to express things that
are hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually contradictory. The subjunctive mood pairs
singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs.
Examples:
I wish it were Friday.
In the first example, a wishful statement, not a fact, is being expressed; therefore, were,
which we usually think of as a plural verb, is used with the singular subject I.

WORDS
1.

accept, except.

Accept is a verb : except is a preposition

They accepted my invitation.

Everyone attended the meeting except the secretary.

2.

advice, advise. Advice is a noun; advise is a verb.

His advice was useful.
I was advised to purchase a more economical car.

3.

affect, effect. Affect is a verb; it means " to influence." Effect may be a verb or a
noun. The verb effect means " to cause to happen "; the noun effect means " the
result."
Pollution affects everyone.
Your tears do not affect me.
Your tears have no effect upon me.
Doctors have effected a cure for polio.
The effect of drugs is well known.

4.
almost, most. Most is used to form the superlative; it is used to modify
nouns. Almost is an adverb.

Most people are honest.

He is the most unusual person I have ever met.

Almost everyone has a desire to succeed.

Almost all of the food was eaten.

5.
already, all ready. Already means "before the time specified" All ready means
"completely prepared."

The movie had already begun by the time we arrived.

The members were all ready to hear the report.

6.
altogether, all together. Altogether means " thoroughly." All together means " in
a group."

The thought of a third world war is altogether frightening.

The children were all

8.

together on the bus.

around
Wrong :

He arrived around ten o'clock.

Right

He arrived about ten o'clock.

PUNCTUATION MARKS
*Comma Rules
-Commas show your reader that there is a pause in the sentence they are reading.
1. After Introductory Words and Clauses
Quietly, she ran past the sleeping man. (adverbs)
2. Lists
When you list three or more things, use commas between the words.
I would like grapes, apples, and cookies.
Are we having fish, chicken, or beef for dinner?
3. Between Multiple Modifiers (Adjectives & Adverbs)
My new car ran quietly, quickly, and smoothly.

I love this warm, fuzzy, pink sweater!

4. Numbers, Dates, and addresses
November 1, 2015
I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The house is $600,000.
6. Joining Independent Clauses
*Periods
1. Ending Sentences
Use these to end declarative sentences and imperative sentences.
Open the door.
2. Abbreviations (shortened forms of words).
I spoke with Sgt. Johnson about the troops.
*Question Marks
-The punctuation rules for question marks are very simple. In fact, there is really
only one rule!
1. Ending Sentences
These end interrogative sentences. This kind of sentence asks a question. Any time
you ask a question, end the sentence with a question mark.
Should I use a question mark on this sentence? (Yes!)
*Exclamation Marks
1. Ending Sentences & Interjections
Use these at the end of exclamatory sentences (sentences that show emotion).
Yes! We won the game!
*Semicolons
-Use these to separate two complete sentences that are closely related.
I went to the play; my cousin was the main actor.
*Colons
1. Introducing Lists
There are three ways that I love to relax: reading magazines, practicing yoga, and
taking baths.
After shopping for eight hours, I finally found them: the perfect pair of jeans.
2. Between Two Complete Sentences
This is only a legit move if the second sentence states a logical consequence of
whatever is stated in the first sentence.
Jim ate brownies constantly: He gained seven pounds.
*Apostrophes

-The punctuation rules for apostrophes are some of the most commonly misused
punctuation rules ever. The rules are pretty simple. There are only three times when
you should use apostrophes.
1. To Show Possession
When you want to make something possessive (to show ownership), use an
apostrophe.
This is Mark's cat. (The cat belongs to Mark.)
2. To Show Omission
Contractions use apostrophes to stand in the place of missing letters.
I can't stand the smell of bananas! (can't = cannot)
It's already five o'clock! (o'clock = of the clock)
*Quotation Marks
-If you're up for a laugh, the "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks has many
funny misuses of quotation marks. Here are two times you should use quotation
marks.
1. Quoting Exact Speech
Whenever you quote someone's exact speech, you must use quotation marks.
The police officer said, "Where are you going?"
2. Titles
Use quotation marks to show the titles of magazine articles, chapters, short stories,
essays, poems, and songs.