When a pronoun replaces a noun, the noun is called an antecedent.
Michael is the antecedent and he is the pronoun. The antecedent doesn’t have to go before the pronoun, but putting the pronoun first can make long or complex sentences harder to follow.
To learn more about grammar and to help us celebrate National Grammar Day this March, visit our new resource page.
Misusing bad and badly is a common grammatical mistake. The word bad is an adjective and should be used to modify nouns and pronouns. Badly, like most words ending in -ly, is an adverb and is used to modify verbs. The thing that trips most people up is that linking verbs such a to be and to feel take adjectives rather than adverbs.
Why do people use bad and badly incorrectly so often in their writing? The simple answer is that we hear them misused frequently in casual talk. The good news is you can easily determine which to use in your writing by looking at the function of the word bad/badly is describing.
Let’s say, for example, your friend Amanda has just taken a test and you find out that she has not done well on it. The test is something she has done, and to do is an action verb. So it would be appropriate to use an adverb ending in -ly to describe how she has done . . . and unfortunately for Amanda, it is badly.
What would this sentence sound like if bad were used instead?
That expression might occur in casual speech sometimes, but it has no place in good writing.
The tricky part is that if we word our sentence about Amanda’s test experience just a little differently, bad actually can become the correct word to use.
In this sentence, bad is used because it is an adjective modifying the noun test. If a noun—a person, place, or thing—is what is being described as “not good,” we use the word bad.
If you rewrote these sentences so that verbs were being modified (describing how the verbs were being done), we would use badly instead.
Linking verbs such as to be and to feel can be used with adjectives because they describe a state rather than an action.
Other linking verbs are sense verbs such as feel, seem, look, appear, smell, taste, and sound.
The only circumstance under which the second sentence could be deemed correct is an unlikely one: My dog, due to some kind of infirmity or injury, has a reduced ability to smell.
Again, it is far more likely that what you want to express is the negative emotional or physical state you are in (I feel bad). It is possible, but unlikely, that you are trying to describe that you aren’t very successful at reaching out and feeling the things around you (I feel badly).
As a writer, you may be working harder than you need to if you are not using the available tools for your job. The old adage “there’s no need to reinvent the wheel” certainly applies to this situation. Have no fear, we’re here to help with eight writing tools that all writers should consider adding to their toolboxes.
1 LiveScribe Pen
Do you get writing inspiration from your daily life? You may jot notes on paper, but how often do you lose or forget about them? Your problem has a solution. The LiveScribe 3 smartpen uses Bluetooth technology to send your drawings and notes to your mobile device. The LiveScribe notebooks use a special pattern on its paper to accurately record your pen strokes, but you can also print single sheets for free with a laser printer. If you prefer to dictate notes, the pen also captures audio with a built-in microphone.
2 Computer Glasses
Everybody who uses a computer extensively is susceptible to eyestrain, but writers are especially at risk because of their frequent reading habits. According to the American Optometric Association, you may be at risk for symptoms such as blurry vision, light sensitivity, and burning or itchy eyes if you spend as little as two hours in front of a computer monitor. They also caution that the eyeglasses or contact lenses you normally use may not be adequate for heavy computer use. Ask your doctor about special lenses, coatings, and tints.
3 Ergonomic desks and chairs
The ideal placement of a computer screen is about four to five inches below eye level and at least twenty inches from your face. Standing desks promote productivity, but a good chair can also contribute to efficiency. Choose a chair that is comfortable and provides back and arm support. Staples, an office furniture distributor, explains that ergonomic chairs should be fitted to the body dimensions of the user, thereby reducing “strain and muscle tension.”
4 Grammarly
Of course, we couldn’t list our favorite writing tools without mentioning Grammarly! The app does more than identify grammar and spelling mistakes; it provides deep explanations of grammar rules and suggested corrections. You can install Grammarly as an extension for Chrome, Safari, or Firefox web browsers for free, or check longer pieces of writing in Grammarly’s online text editor. Grammarly Premium, a paid service, checks for a wider variety of errors, detects plagiarism, and offers style and vocabulary enhancements.
5 Foldable Keyboards
Did you know you can type using your smartphone or tablet? Most writers would balk because of the impracticality of typing a long document on a tiny touchscreen. However, a foldable keyboard can enable you to get work done on the go. Bluetooth keyboards have been around for a while, but some people found them bulky and unmanageable because they were almost as big as a tablet. New foldable keyboards offer convenience in a small package. For example, the Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard is just under twelve inches open, but it collapses down to under six inches when closed. Don’t throw out your laptop, though, because portable keyboards aren’t intended for extended use.
6 Contently
Contently hosts a wealth of resources for freelance writers, such as tips, job openings, and online portfolio hosting. For instance, the article “5 Red Flags to Look for in a Contract” explains the legal terms that might boggle a freelancer into a bad agreement. Contently also offers writing jobs on its website. Even if you don’t see a job that suits you today, you can create a free online portfolio to showcase your work to potential clients. The Contently algorithm will automatically search your portfolio and forward it if you match the skills required for a writing project.
7 Twords
Twords describes itself as “the web app that nudges you to write.” The app operates based on three principles—awareness, accountability, and consistency. Twords makes you aware of your writing habits by tracking how much you write each day and month. “Accountability buddies” notify you when you miss several days of writing. If you get writer’s block, you can consult a library of prompts, set a timer to challenge yourself to write for a specific amount of time, or read an article about the habits of successful authors.
8 Evernote
Evernote is a software program that syncs digital items across all your devices. For example, suppose you are at the office and you want to consult a website that you viewed on your desktop last night at home. Or you are at the gym and you want to access a photograph or an email, but all you have is your smartphone. You can set up Evernote to monitor certain folders on your computers. Anything that you add to the folder is accessible from all your tech gadgets. You can even search your notes if you don’t remember where you saved something.
What’s your go-to writing tool? Let us know in the comments section of this post.
What is #GrammoWriMo?
In November 2013, in honor of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Grammarly has organized the largest group of authors to collaborate on a single novel—we’re calling the project #GrammoWriMo.
How many people are participating?
More than 750 people have signed up to participate in #GrammoWriMo. We’ve divided the novel into 30 chapters—between 25 and 26 writers have been assigned to contribute to each chapter. One person is assigned to contribute to each chapter per day (30 writers each day), so the entire novel will be written simultaneously.
How can I submit my entry?
You, along with the other 25 – 26 writers assigned to your chapter, should have received a link to a shared Google Doc for the chapter. Although you will be able to write in this document at any time, we ask that you only add your text to the chapter on the day you have been assigned to write. (Please see the Rules of Participation for additional clarification.)
If you have questions or comments about another writer’s contributions, please feel free to use the comment feature in the shared Google Doc in real-time.
How do I comment on my chapter’s Google Doc?
If you would like to make an edit or suggestion, but it is not your turn to write, please use the comment feature. Here is a quick tutorial explaining how: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOrdesAOqBQ
Can I delete or edit another writer’s writing?
No. You may add comments to your shared Google Doc, but edits are up to the discretion of the Grammarly team during the month of December.
Please see the Rules of Participation here.
Can I still sign up?
Sign-up for #GrammoWriMo 2013 has been closed. However, you may follow the story development in real-time here.
What if I can’t write on my assigned day?
If you are unable to write between one sentence and 800-words on your assigned day, please connect with others in your chapter Facebook Group to see if there is anyone who can switch with you.
If this is not a possibility, please let us know at socialmedia@grammarly.com.
I received a chapter assignment and a date to write. What do I do next?
There are up to 26 writers contributing to each chapter, so you are not independently responsible for the content in your assigned chapter. For this reason, it is important to write only on the day you have been assigned so that everyone has a chance to contribute.
You may watch your chapter unfold in real-time in your shared Google Doc, comment on others’ writing, and share ideas in your chapter-specific Facebook Group. When it is your turn to write, you may add your text directly to the shared Google Doc.
How much do I need to write?
You may write as little as one sentence or as much as 800 words.
What should I write about?
You can see the entire #GrammoWriMo Plot Summary here. This should give you some ideas about what to write about in your specific chapter.
How can I get in touch with other writers working on my chapter?
Follow the chapter development in your assigned chapter in Google Docs. Feel free to use the comment feature to comment on other writer’s work with suggestions and ideas. However, please refrain from writing or editing another writer’s work directly on the text page.
You may also connect with other writers in your chapter via designated Facebook Groups.
How can I get in touch with Grammarly?
You can reach us on Twitter at @GrammoWriMo, post to your chapter-specific Facebook group, or email your questions to socialmedia@grammarly.com.
English is already the most common second language (by number of speakers) in the world, and more people begin studying it every day. Fortunately, the availability of learning resources is growing right along with the number of English learners. The publishing industry, web entrepreneurs, respected institutions, and enthusiasts who just want to help are producing a staggering amount of materials aimed at getting people to understand, speak, and write in English. Some of the materials are good, some of them not so much, and to help you figure out which is which, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best resources you could be using to learn English grammar.
The Elements of Style, commonly known as “Strunk and White,” is a classic style guide every American student is familiar with. It helped shape how the English language is used in the United States, for better or for worse, and as such is a required read for English language learners.
Oxford Modern English Grammar is a precious tool for any English language learner who needs a deeper understanding of how the English language works. It covers both British English and American English, and it uses examples from written and spoken English to explain the most basic grammar points as well the most complex.
From grammar to individual resources for English language learners, professionals, and English teachers, Purdue OWL is as comprehensive as English learning resources can get.
Learning and testing go hand in hand. The University of Bristol’s Faculty of Arts hosts extensive grammar learning materials on their website, which include exercises to help you practice using punctuation, discern between commonly confused words, use the subjunctive, and plenty other things.
Grammar Monster is a website that offers both quick information and detailed explanations about everything that has to do with grammar. Plus, it also has a short test for each of its sections, so you can gauge how well you understood the section’s contents.
UsingEnglish.com is not the place to go looking for lessons on English grammar, but as far as grammar glossaries go, it hosts a very comprehensive one. The site also offers a vast number of tests and quizzes that can keep you occupied for a long time.
Edufind.com is a website with a very simple layout that allows you to navigate through it quickly. Even though the website’s materials aren’t organized in the form of lessons, they are written in simple, easy-to-understand language, so you can use them as a learning resource.
OxfordDictionaries.com is a fun website where you can read the Oxford Dictionaries’ blog, watch their videos, and find a dictionary that can help you learn new words. There’s also a grammar section where you can learn everything you need to know about English grammar.
The British Council has a long tradition of helping people around the world learn English, and their website contains everything from lessons, grammar explanations, and a glossary to games and apps. It’s an excellent resource for English language learners of all proficiency levels and from all walks of life.
Cambridge University Press’s Grammar in Use series of apps contains three apps: one for beginners, one for intermediate learners, and one for advanced English language learners, each corresponding to a book published by CUP. While the apps do not contain all the materials from the books, they are chock-full of activities that can help you practice English grammar anytime, anywhere.
