Two-minute Grammar: The Bare-bones Basics of Prepositions

“Vampires! Zombies! Werewolves!” “Where?!” “Behind you!”

Thank goodness for prepositions. Imagine not knowing where the danger lay!

Prepositions tell us where or when something is in relation to something else. When monsters are sneaking up on you, it is good to have these special words to tell us where those monsters are. Are they behind us or in front of us; are they near or far; will they be arriving in three seconds or at midnight?

Prepositions are helpful words that define direction, time, location, and spatial relationships. They tell us where or when something is in relation to something else. For example:

“The book is on the table beside you.” (On and beside are prepositions of location.)

Prepositions can also be used to contrast ideas.

“We went for a walk despite the rain.” (Despite is the preposition showing contrast.)

Here are some commonly used prepositions: about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, but, by, despite, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, into, like, near, of, off, on, onto, out, outside, over, past, since, through, throughout, till, to, toward, under, underneath, until, up, upon, with, within, without

Some common phrases used to require prepositions, but language has evolved to the point where they are now superfluous and sound silly. For example:

“Could you get that box off of the table?” can simply be written as: “Could you get that box off the table?”

“The winner was awarded with a gold medal.” can simply be written as: “The winner was awarded a gold medal.”

Unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any rules that will help you determine if you should use the proposition or not. The best thing to do is read the sentence aloud or read it to a friend and ask if the preposition sounds awkward, strange, or unnecessary.

Finally, is it ever ok to end a sentence with a preposition? Yes, and this blog post explains why.

What Does Afk Mean?

• Afk is an abbreviation for away from keyboard.
• It lets people know that you will not be at your keyboard for a while, or that you will not be online for a period of time.

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If you’re chatting online or playing an MMO, afk lets your friends know that you are stepping away from the keyboard.

The Meaning of Afk

Afk means away from keyboard, a phrase that lets others know that you won’t be at your computer for a while. It’s commonly used with another abbreviation—brb (be right back)—to indicate that you’re taking a short break.

The term afk developed as a bit of chat room etiquette in the 1990s, when IRC was at its peak. It was later adopted by the gaming community, especially in MMOs (massively multiplayer online games).

How to Use Afk

Afk is an Internet slang word, and as such, it might be best to avoid it in formal conversations. That being said, it’s not uncommon to use it in workplaces that foster a less formal atmosphere, as the phrase is purely informational. You can write afk in uppercase and in lowercase.

Examples

I’m going afk, my dinner is ready.

Has he gone afk in the middle of a raid?

I’ll be afk until the exam season passes.

What Is “Full Proof?”

You know what fool is? It’s a naive person, someone who lacks good judgment. As you can imagine, a fool would be easily tricked by a clever ruse. Proof is an adjective that means “able to withstand, or invulnerable.” When you combine the two terms, you get foolproof. This adjective means “involving no risk or harm, or never-failing.” In other words, something foolproof would still work even if a fool were operating it. What is more, the fool would be safe in his work. You also probably know what full means. So what is fullproof?

You can look up the definition of full in the dictionary. You can easily find the definition of proof. What you won’t find is the answer to that question. Fullproof is not in the dictionary. Why? Let’s look at a few examples of fullproof from the web.

English Bites! My Fullproof English Learning Formula is the story of a man who goes from being tongue tied in school to becoming a smooth talking banker. Through a series of hilarious personal adventures and misadventures, Manish Gupta provides easy solutions to problems faced language learners. —Publisher description of English Bites! by Manish Gupta

Here are her three fullproof steps to achieving enviable hair, but be warned — it’s probably too late for you to take advantage of #3. —Ericka Goodman, “The Secret to Anna Christina’s Schwartz’s Luxurious Locks”

The extra safety measures are designed to make people feel safe, but Snyder acknowledges they are not fullproof. —Derek Miller, Newsnet5.com

In the first example, fullproof is an intentional misspelling of foolproof. On the cover of the book, there is a red circle around the word that is meant to look like a proofreader’s mark. In the other two examples, it appears that the writers simply confused full with fool. Compare them with these instances of foolproof:

It’s not easy to tell Africanized bees from non-Africanized bees at first glance; theoretically, their wings might be a bit shorter, but the only foolproof way to tell is to perform a DNA test to look for African honeybee DNA.

In fact, autopilot technology in airplanes evolved alongside the development of fixed-wing flight in the early 20th century, and as early as 1916, a New York Times article describing an aviation autopilot announced, “New device makes airships foolproof!”

The confusion is understandable. After all, the pronunciation of full is similar to that of fool. Why, there are even videos devoted to distinguishing these two words!

Foolproof means infallible, or so simple or well-made that nothing can go wrong. It’s synonyms are reliable, sure, guaranteed, and flawless. There’s no such word as fullproof.

If a fool is lacking in good sense, the opposite is someone shrewd. Don’t let this similar-sounding pair trick you! If you practice enunciating fool and full, you will be less likely to make the mistake of using fullproof. Then you can honestly say that when it comes to spelling foolproof, you’re nobody’s fool.

How to Connect Sentences

One of the primary marks of a good writer is the ability to connect sentences properly. A stream of short, choppy sentences makes for a boring read, whereas long sentences strung together can be tedious or even confusing for the reader. In this article, we’ll discuss how to connect sentences in a way that is not only grammatically correct but also stylistically effective.

How to Connect Sentences Using Transition Words

One of the easiest and most effective ways to connect sentences is by using transition words. These words are designed to help you make the transition from one idea to the next as you write. If your sentences do not transition smoothly from one to the next, the effect is a choppy, disconnected writing style which makes your reader’s brain work overtime to fill in the missing parts. By learning how to use transition words properly, you can avoid this common pitfall. Different transition words have different effects on the meaning of your sentences. Review the transition words below for an illustration:

Effect	Transition Words
To emphasize or add to an idea	likewise, in addition, also, as well, furthermore, again, moreover
To transition to a different or even opposite idea	conversely, nevertheless, on the other hand, on the contrary, although, even though, but, yet, while, however, except
To reach a conclusion	thus, therefore, consequently, as a result, because, since, as, so, inasmuch as
To admit a concession	admittedly, of course, naturally
To point out a sequence	first/second/third, a/b/c, lastly, next, then, finally, after that, until

These words should be used naturally—even sparingly. If you use too many of them, the reader gets flung from one idea to the next, and is reminded of being on a bad roller coaster.

Connecting Sentences Using Colons and Semicolons

Another popular way of connecting sentences is through the use of punctuation marks—namely colons and semicolons. When using this method, it is important to keep in mind how the connecting sentences are related. For instance, colons should introduce a list, example, or explanation of the previous idea. Consider the sentences below and pay attention to how the colon is used in each sentence.

The professor covered many etiquette topics before beginning class: talking, sleeping, and use of cell phones.

In the sentence above, the colon is used to introduce the list of etiquette topics the professor addressed.

I forgot one of the things I needed most at the store: milk.

In this sentence, the colon is used to introduce an example of one of the forgotten items.

There are few things you need to know to be successful in life, yet so few reach their true potential: knowing and doing are very different indeed.

In the sentence above, the colon is used to introduce an explanation for the idea expressed before the colon.

Semicolons can also be used to join sentences and should be employed when the sentences are related. Consider the following example:

I’m a cat person by nature; John, on the other hand, likes dogs.

The two independent clauses in the sentence are related to the same topic, so it’s fitting to connect them with a semicolon rather than write two short sentences.

How to Write Better Essays: 5 Concepts You Must Master

Your teacher hands you a graded essay. What do you look at first? Most college students turn their attention to the letter grade or percentage score. If it’s high, they are happy. If it’s low, they are disappointed. Many students end the review process at this point. What about you? If you want to write better essays, you will need to understand the criteria teachers use to score them.

Development of Your Thesis

A thesis is the essence of your paper—the claim you are making, the point you are trying to prove. All the other paragraphs in your essay will revolve around this one central idea. Your thesis statement consists of the one or two sentences of your introduction that explain what your position on the topic at hand is. Teachers will evaluate all your other paragraphs on how well they relate to this statement. To excel in this area, ask yourself these questions:

Have I clearly introduced my thesis in the introductory paragraphs? Does the body of my essay support my thesis statement? Does my conclusion show how I have proven my thesis?

Strong Form

A good essay presents thoughts in a logical order. The format should be easy to follow. The introduction should flow naturally to the body paragraphs, and the conclusion should tie everything together. The best way to do this is to lay out the outline of your paper before you begin. After you finish your essay, review the form to see if thoughts progress naturally. You might ask yourself:

Are the paragraphs in a logical order? Are the sentences of each paragraph organized well? Have I grouped similar pieces of information in the same paragraph? Have I included transitions to show how paragraphs connect?

Style

Just as your clothes express your personality, the style of your essay reveals your writing persona. You demonstrate your fluency by writing precise sentences that vary in form. To illustrate, a child might write robotically: I like to run. I like to play. I like to read, etc. A mature writer uses various types of sentences, idiomatic phrases, and demonstrates knowledge of genre-specific vocabulary. To improve your style, ask yourself:

Will my sentences create an impact on the reader? Have I used various types of sentences (complex and compound)? Have I correctly used topic-specific vocabulary? Does the writing sound like me?

Conventions

Conventions include spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and grammar. Having lots of mistakes suggests carelessness and diminishes the credibility of your arguments. If you make too many errors, your writing will be difficult to understand. Wouldn’t it be a shame for a teacher to miss the excellent points you made because of poor grammar? To avoid this, always use proofreading software, such as Grammarly, to weed out the major errors. Follow up with a close reading of your entire paper.

Support and References

Finally, your teacher will examine your resources. Select information from reliable websites, articles, and books. Use quotes and paraphrases to support your ideas, but be sure to credit your sources correctly. Here are some questions to consider:

Have I demonstrated proof of extensive research? Are my main points supported by references, quotes, and paraphrases? Have I used the proper format for my citations? (MLA, APA, etc.)

Do you want to develop your essay-writing skills? Pay attention to the same things your teacher will evaluate. The grades you get on your essays are important, but you can never improve your writing if they are the only things you consider. Focus on improving the overall structure of your essays—the thesis development, form, style, conventions, and support. Learning to master these five elements will cause your scores to soar!

“Dear Tooth Fairy”: Letter-writing As Magical Persons

By Laura Wallis for The Stir by CafeMom

Few things are as monumental in an elementary-school kid’s life than losing a tooth. It’s a rite of passage, and it usually means an exciting thing is about to happen: the Tooth Fairy is going to pay a visit.

Just tucking the tooth under the pillow is usually enough to get a reward in exchange, but putting it in an envelope or folded up inside a sheet of paper means it’s less likely to get lost—and that presents a great opportunity to make some fun memories. It’s even a chance to create a lasting correspondence, if the Tooth Fairy in your house is up to the task.

Kids stumped for ideas about what to write? Here are a few example notes (spelling corrected) to help them get started.

The Whole Story For a first tooth especially, your child might like to tell the story of how that charming hole in her smile came about:

Dear Tooth Fairy, This is my first tooth! I took a bite of corn bread then my mom said how is your tooth. I felt something in my hand and I said it came out!….We were so surprised!

The Interview Every kid has questions about this mysterious fairy with the dental obsession. Now’s the chance to ask:

Dear Tooth Fairy, Where do you live? Do you have a name besides the Tooth Fairy? And what do you use the teeth for?

Of course, your Tooth Fairy has to be prepared to field some tough questions. Answers might arrive on pretty parchment, in fancy handwriting (or a fancy printed font)—the more colorful and creative, the better!

The Fan Letter Everyone appreciates it when their hard work and talents are recognized, even magical fairies. And who knows? Maybe a little flattery will earn your kid an extra buck:

Dear Tooth Fairy, I loved Rise of the Guardians with you in it!

The Wish List It’s a little known fact that the Tooth Fairy can grant wishes. Although some are more realistic than others:

Dear Tooth Fairy, Can you grant a wish for me? I wish this stuffed animal came to life.

When asked how this one was handled, mom reports that the wise fairy “threw money at the problem.”

The Complaint Sometimes, the Tooth Fairy messes up. Forgets to come, mixes up her route, gets stuck in bad weather. In this case, it’s only fair to demand an explanation:

Dear Tooth Fairy, This is my 7th tooth I’ve lost. Why did you not come last night?

And here, a response is definitely in order. An apology note, possibly with a larger-than-usual cash offering, will smooth most ruffled feathers. It’s up to the Tooth Fairy, of course, to know what will make peace in any given household.

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Laura Wallis is a freelance writer and editor specializing in all things family, home, food, and health. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children, and dog—none of whom take grammar as seriously as they should. She writes for The Stir by CafeMom.

Confusing Sentences That Actually Make Sense

Let’s face it: Sometimes the English language can be downright bizarre. The plural of ox is oxen while the plural of box is boxes, ‘rough’ rhymes with ‘gruff’ even though the two words only have two letters in common, and there are actually more than nine hundred exceptions to the infamous “i before e except after c” rule.

If you’re still not convinced that the English language is full of oddities and conundrums, take a look at these five wacky sentences that are actually grammatically correct.

1All the faith he had had had had no effect on the outcome of his life.

Well, talk about lexical ambiguity. But as strange as this sentence might sound, it is actually grammatically correct. The sentence relies on a double use of the past perfect. The two instances of “had had” play different grammatical roles in the sentences—the first is a modifier while the second is the main verb of the sentence.

2One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I’ll never know.

This famous Groucho Marx joke takes advantage of the fact that the same sentence can often be interpreted in more than one way. The first sentence can be read in two distinct ways: A) The man shot an elephant while he was wearing his pajamas or B) The man shot an elephant that was wearing his pajamas. It’s unclear who is wearing the pajamas—the man or the elephant. Most people interpret the sentence the first way and are subsequently startled to read the second part of the joke.

3The complex houses married and single soldiers and their families.

This is what we call a garden path sentence. Though grammatically correct, the reader’s initial interpretation of the sentence may be nonsensical. In other words, the sentence has taken the reader down a dead-end.

Here, “complex” may be interpreted as an adjective and “houses” may be interpreted as a noun. Readers are immediately confused upon reading that the complex houses “married,” interpreting “married” as the verb. How can houses get married? In actuality, “complex” is the noun, “houses” is the verb, and “married” is the adjective. The sentence is trying to express the following: Single soldiers, as well as married soldiers and their families, reside in the complex.

4The man the professor the student has studies Rome.

This awkward but grammatically correct sentence is a product of what is known as center embedding. In English, we can typically put one clause inside of another without any problem. We can take “the man studies Rome” and add a bunch of additional information between the noun and the verb. However, the more information that is added, the harder it is to interpret the sentence.

In this particular case, the sentence conveys the following: The student has the professor who knows the man who studies ancient Rome. Each noun corresponds to a verb (the man studies, the student has). But because of the sentence’s syntax, this is hard to decipher. Remember: just because a sentence is grammatically correct doesn’t mean it is acceptable stylistically.

5Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo.

No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. You read that sentence right—it reads “buffalo” eight times. You see, “buffalo” is a noun that refers to the large, shaggy-maned North American bison, a city in upstate New York, and a verb that means, “to intimidate.” First devised by professor William J. Rapaport in 1972, this notorious sentence plays on reduced relative clauses, different part-of-speech readings of the same word, and center embedding. It’s also a pretty prime example of how homonyms (words that share spelling and pronunciation but have different meanings) can really confuse things.

While it might be hard to parse, the sentence is coherent. If you stare at it long enough the true meaning may even miraculously come to you: “Bison from Buffalo, New York, who are intimidated by other bison in their community, also happen to intimidate other bison in their community.” For further clarification you might also want to check out English indie rock band Alt-J’s song “Buffalo,” which was famously inspired by this conundrum of a sentence and used in the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated Silver Linings Playbook.

So, in conclusion: English is weird. But in spite of its oddities, it is also a strangely beautiful language. You can do all sorts of crazy things with it without breaking any rules. The bounds of proper English are virtually endless—test them in your writing today!