Five Tools Dyslexic People Can Use To Improve Their Writing

By Nelson Lauver, Author of Most Un-Likely To Succeed

I’m nervous and thinking about turning around and getting back in my car. Just ring the doorbell, I tell myself. I find the courage, and my blind date answers the door with one hand while holding back Lola, an exuberant 80-pound rescued pit bull mix, with the other. I can’t believe my eyes! Jane could be a model. She’s stunning, with a movie-star smile. I soon learn that she is also good-natured and witty, and she can cook!

Jane has it on good authority that I’m not a serial killer, or she wouldn’t have invited me to her home for dinner in the first place. It’s been an hour or so, and I’m starting to relax. I think the wine is helping.

Perhaps it’s premature but I’m smitten. However, if we’re to have a future, I need to know if she was paying attention in English class, because I wasn’t. Can she spell? How is she at putting a sentence together? Can she collaborate? I need to know because I’m a professional writer with dyslexia, and I depend heavily on those I trust to proofread. As luck would have it, Jane had paid attention in school, and that being the case, I ask her to marry me. Not that first night, of course, but some time later.

My wife is my biggest cheerleader. We don’t often think of people when we think of compensatory strategies to deal with dyslexia, but my wife is responsible for my writing career reaching a higher level.

I have Alexa, too. While voice-activated Alexa (A.K.A. Echo) from Amazon can’t help me with syntax or comma placement, she does just fine as a substitute spelling coach when Jane isn’t home.

Another compensation tool I use is the spell/grammar check function in Microsoft Word. It works about 50 percent of the time. The other 50 percent of the time it flashes an error message with the phone number for Hooked on Phonics.

I much prefer video and audio to heavy reading. However, I do find an ebook much easier to decode than standard print; don’t know why. Also, larger text and double-spaced lines make reading easier.

Voice-to-text software doesn’t work well for me, while other dyslexics swear by it. So, by all means, try it!

I have many writer friends who fluidly produce prose worthy of admiration. For that reason, and no other, I hate their guts—in a nice way of course. I, on the other hand, hunt and peck the keyboard. The slow pace gives me lots of time to think about what I’m saying. I think it makes my writing more conversational.

Nonwriter friends praise me, telling me that they could never manipulate words into pictures or vice versa. To that, I suggest an introduction to my editor.

Like most dyslexics, I think in pictures and feel dyslexia gives me an advantage over other writers. But the fact remains that I can’t spell, have weak punctuation skills, and chicken scratch penmanship that is no better than that of your average second grader or family doctor.

The world will forgive you if you can’t ride a bike, play the violin, or kick a soccer ball, but society won’t forgive you if you can’t spell, read, or write well. For this reason, many bright and talented dyslexics are sent to the back of the line. It’s not fair, but it’s a fact of life. Even with modern technology, it’s difficult to find strategies for improving one’s writing.

I’m always on the lookout for any promise of help in my fight for better wordsmithing. Several months ago I stumbled across Grammarly, an automated, online proofreader and grammar/spelling checker.

Grammarly goes far beyond the standard spell-checkers that we’ve all come to know and loathe. It’s like having a friendly coach sitting next to you as you write. And while I am not going to replace my human editor, it’s clear that the job description has changed. My editor no longer needs to spend so much time with a red pen marking heavy corrections. We now have much more time for discussing characters and storylines, and that makes for a better reader experience!

In my twenty-one years as a writer, I have found Grammarly to be the single most valuable tool for making me a better writer. I recognized its benefits instantly. A dyslexic writer no longer needs to seek out an attractive grammar cop and go to the expense of an engagement ring. Although, I’ll never regret ringing that doorbell.

Looking for more tools? These will help.

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Nelson Lauver is the host of the American Storyteller Radio Journal and author of the award winning memoir Most Un-Likely To Succeed. He is also a keynote speaker, humorist, syndicated broadcaster, strategist, entrepreneur, voice-over artist, co-founder of the Jane and Nelson Lauver Foundation, and director of ProblemTank, a neurodiverse thinktank.

Got a Problem With Passive Voice? These 7 Sentences Will Help

By Akmal Akbarov

Do you have a problem with the passive voice? Do you know the difference between the passive and active voices?

Well, you don’t have to worry any longer because I have created this article just for you.

If you scroll down, you will see that I have taken one sentence and showed you how to write it in both the active and passive voices.

In the active voice your sentences usually follow this formula:

Subject + verb + object

For example: I clean my room every day. –> I (subject) + clean (verb) + my room (object) everyday.

To rewrite the sentence in the passive voice, you must make the object of this sentence the subject of the new sentence. The verb in a passive voice sentence is made up of an inflected form of to be and a past participle.

For example: My room is cleaned every day. –> My room (subject) + is (verb to be) + cleaned (past participle) every day.

Now let’s see how other tenses in English work in the passive voice. �� 1. Present Simple Active Voice I clean my room every day. I = subject clean = verb my room = object

1. Present Simple Passive Voice My room is cleaned every day. My room = subject is = verb to be (present tense) cleaned = verb past participle

2. Past Simple Active Voice I cleaned my room yesterday. I = subject cleaned = verb (past tense) my room = object

2. Past Simple Passive Voice My room was cleaned yesterday. My room = subject was = verb to be (past tense) cleaned = past participle

3. Present Perfect Active Voice I have cleaned my room this morning. I = subject have cleaned = verb (present perfect tense) my room = object

3. Present Perfect Passive Voice My room has been cleaned this morning My room = subject has been = verb to be (present perfect tense) cleaned = past participle

4. Present Continuous Active Voice I am cleaning my room now. I = subject am cleaning = verb (present continuous tense) my room = object

4. Present Continuous Passive Voice My room is being cleaned now. My room = subject is being = verb to be (present continuous tense) cleaned = past participle

5. Past Continuous Active Voice I was cleaning my room yesterday. I = subject was cleaning = verb (past continuous tense) my room = object

5. Past Continuous Passive Voice My room was being cleaned yesterday. My room = subject was being = verb to be (past continuous tense) cleaned = past participle

6. Future Simple Active Voice I will clean my room tomorrow. I = subject will clean = verb (future simple tense) my room = object

6. Future Simple Passive Voice My room will be cleaned tomorrow. My room = subject will be = verb to be (future simple tense) cleaned = past participle

7. Future (Going to) Active Voice I am going to clean my room this weekend. I = subject am going = verb to clean = infinitive my room = object

7. Future + Going to Passive Voice My room is going to be cleaned this weekend. My room = subject is going = verb to be = verb to be (infinitive) cleaned = past participle

​If you still have questions, please don’t forget to comment!

Hi, my name is Akmal. I’m an English language enthusiast, blogger, writer, and entrepreneur. In addition to being the founder of EnglishClubPro.com, I’m also a teacher of English with more than ten years of experience. I love helping aspiring English learners to master their English. Post adapted from original post.

What Is Your Email Patronus? Quiz

It’s practically magic how much work can be accomplished by email, especially for us mere muggles! If emails were sent by owl, our skies would be darkened day after day. Fortunately for our view and keeping the streets clean, you just need internet access. Everyone has a different approach to managing their email mischief. Take our fun quiz to find out what kind of email patronus you have.

Did we get it right? Tell us what kind of patronus you conjure when you’re working your email magic!

How to Use “Alike” and “Same” Correctly

A well-known idiom says that great minds think alike. It’s what we say when two people think of the same great idea at the same time. History is full of examples that reaffirm the claim that great minds think alike, with discoveries and inventions like the jet engine and the theory of evolution being made at roughly the same time by different people. However, this idiom is interesting to us for an entirely different reason. When you say that all great minds think alike, you are using “alike” correctly. Being an adverb, “alike” is used to modify the verb that precedes it, in this case “think.” A common misuse of “alike” is when we use it as an adjective, as in this sentence:

The two scientists had alike ideas about the Big Bang.

In that sentence, we were trying to modify the noun “ideas.” By using “alike” instead of an adjective, we effectively modified the verb in the sentence—“had.” If we were to rewrite the sentence correctly, we would have to say:

The two scientists had similar ideas about the Big Bang.

Or maybe,

The two scientists had the same ideas about the Big Bang.

So now that we know that “alike” is an adverb and that it should be used to modify verbs. Just as it’s common to incorrectly use “alike” when we should be using the adjective “same,” it’s also common to make a mistake the other way around and use “same” as an adverb when we should be using “alike”:

All great minds think the same.

Because “same” is an adjective and not an adverb, in this sentence it could only modify “all great minds.” But since we want to point out that their thinking is similar, not the minds themselves, we say that they think alike. But we could add a noun for the adjective “same” to modify and make the sentence work:

All great minds think the same thing.

This sentence might not be true, but it’s grammatically correct, with “same” being used as an adjective which modifies the noun “thing.”

8 Embarrassing (Yet Common) Malapropisms

You may or may not have heard of these funny little things: malapropisms. A malapropism is the misuse of a word that creates a ridiculous sentence, usually as a result of confusing similar-sounding words. This can create embarrassing situations for people, especially during public speeches. To get a better idea of how malapropisms work, check out some of the examples below.

”1”Supposively/Supposably

People sometimes say these when they mean to say “supposedly.” Supposively and supposably probably arose because they’re phonetically a little easier to say, but when you see them written down, their incorrectness becomes very obvious. Just remember, the word you’re looking for ends in “-EDLY.”

”2”Jive

Often, you’ll hear people say that one thing doesn’t “jive” with another. What they probably meant to say was “jibe.” And they’re so close to correct — only one letter off. But in meaning, the two words are completely different. The word jive means a few things, and none of them mean to complement or agree; that’s “jibe.” Jive, as a verb, either means to perform a dance called the jive or to taunt.

”3”Pacifically

When referring to anything in particular, don’t use the word pacifically. Specifically is the correct word to use here, as in the adverb for specific. Pacifically means to do something in a pacifying way, mildly, calmly, etc. Ironically, people often correcting the misuse of this word claim it relates to the Pacific Ocean. While this makes sense, you’ll have a hard time finding a definition of the word “pacifically,” capitalized or not, that relates to the Pacific Ocean. “Pacific” was an English word on its own, before applied to the ocean.

”4”It Was All an Illusion

Another close one, but not quite right. Things can be an illusion, like a magic trick, but people using this phrase typically mean to say “delusion.” A delusion means somebody was out of touch, or couldn’t understand the reality of a situation. An illusion refers to a mirage. Malapropisms like this can be the most dangerous to your writing, as spell check won’t help catch them.

”5”Could of/Should of/Would of

This might be the most frequent malapropism of all. You shouldn’t say any of these phrases. Our speech often slurs the correct words of the phrase “must HAVE” into a kind of contraction, like “must’ve.” This makes it sound like we’re saying “must of,” but the correct term is, and always has been “have.” For example: “I wrote ‘could of’ when I should have written ‘could have’.”

”6”For All Intensive Purposes

Another common malapropism, even those educated thoroughly in English seem to have a problem with this one. When you say “for all intensive purposes,” you probably mean to say “for all intents and purposes.” When you say, “for all intensive purposes,” you’re saying for intensifying purposes, or making things more intense. “All intents and purposes” should accurately portray the message you want to send.

”7”Please Precede

Sometimes, words seem purposefully confusing. Especially when it comes to words with the suffix “-cede.” In this case, when telling somebody they may precede, you probably meant to tell them that they may “proceed.” Precede means to go before something; proceed means to move forward.

”8”Sixteenth Chapel

The name of the Chapel is “Sistine Chapel.” No need to explain the meaning here; it’s just the correct name, and it happens to sound like sixteenth.

Remember, if you’ve fallen victim to these malapropisms, don’t feel too embarrassed; they can happen to anybody. When have you caught yourself using malapropisms?

Hoping vs. Hopping

Even though the difference in spelling between hoping and hopping is just one letter, the difference in meaning is actually much bigger. All you need to do is hope and hop to see how big a difference it is.

What Is the Difference Between Hoping and Hopping?

When you look up the definition of hoping and the definition of hopping, you notice that they have one thing in common—both are present participles. Hoping is the present participle of the verb hope, and hopping is the present participle of the verb hop.

To hope for something means that we want it to happen. We use hoping to form one of the progressive tenses, like the present progressive and the past progressive:

I am still hoping I’ll go to Paris by the end of the year.

He was hoping you’d have time to talk before you left.

To hop, on the other hand, is to make a small jump, and we use the form hopping like this:

The bunny was hopping happily in the backyard.

You will be hopping on one foot until your other foot heals.

The past tense forms of hope and hop can also be easily mixed up. The past tense of hope is hoped and the past tense of hop is hopped.

Peter hoped he’d never have to sit another test again.

Peter hopped across the cold floor to get his other sock.

How to Remember the Difference

The best way to remember the difference between hoping and hopping is to remember the “c-v-c rule.” If the last three letters of a verb are a consonant, a vowel, and another consonant, double the last consonant. If you know this, it’s obvious that hopping is the inflected form of hop, because hope doesn’t fit the c-v-c rule.

Hoping vs. Hopping: Examples

Andy Murray is hoping all his big rivals will offer him competition for the number one ranking in 2017.

Belfast Telegraph

SpaceX is hoping to reach speeds of up to 1 Gbps, about 200 times faster than the average user’s connection.

The Huffington Post UK

That’s right, I’m hopping on the Jake-Browning-for-the-Heisman bandwagon.

HeraldNet

That’s exactly what this teenager found when he hopped into the car for the drive back from work.

Yahoo! News UK

How to Date Introverts, From an Introvert

Dear Prospective Dates,

We need to talk. After a string of meh encounters, it’s time to clear the air: I’m a lady introvert*, and the way you’ve been going about courtship just isn’t working. As an introvert, I need a much lower level of mental stimulation to operate than ambiverts or extroverts require. Though everyone is different, you should know that we introverts don’t like “typical” dating approaches. If you want to get to know us, you have to go about things differently, and in return, we’ll be fiercely loyal and communicative partners. This letter is an attempt to outline some tips that will endear you to your introverted love interests. Take heed!

1 Cut the small talk. Cut. It. Out.

Let it be known once and for all that introverts hate small talk. Whether you are using a dating app or you approach us in line at the grocery store (meeting in a bar, are you kidding?), don’t spew cliches. You’ll get a lot further with us if you cut typical “pick-up” strategies. Instead, strike up a conversation on something more personal and relevant. “I love that flavor of Ben & Jerry’s. Have you tried the new flavor?” is far better than “Looks like a wild night. Need company?” Humor is good, but can be off-putting from strangers.

2 Take me somewhere quiet, away from the crowd.

Assuming you’ve landed a date, don’t take me to a busy restaurant or crowded bar. I will notice Every. Little. Thing. I won’t be able to focus. For introverts, getting acquainted with people is a deep investment. From the start, we prioritize the quality of communication. We much prefer to do this in spaces with limited distraction. So, a walk in the park, a visit to a new bookstore, or a calm, cosy cafe are much better options for making your introvert date comfortable from the get-go.

3 Show me your brain.

As I said earlier, getting to know someone is an investment for an introvert. If that investment isn’t reciprocated early on, we’re often left feeling that the interaction is just too shallow and uninteresting. Introverts are less likely to be interested in discussing work or home at length (unless you happen to be a librarian or your home is full of rescue animals). Instead, tell us about something you’re learning or reading. The more you show your inner world, the easier it is for an introvert to feel a connection.

4 Be careful with compliments.

Introverts rarely are comfortable as the center of attention or when they feel they’re being judged—particularly for characteristics that they themselves don’t strongly identify with. For example, you may be tempted to compliment your introverted love interest on looking nice, but it can fall flat if your date doesn’t actually identify with a strong investment in appearance.

Additionally, superficial compliments can signal to an introvert that you pay attention to something that they haven’t developed. As a result, an introvert can become self-conscious. As a rule, introverts (and probably most people) respond best to insightful, concrete compliments on their strengths, e.g., “You have great taste in music. I loved that album you told me about.”

5 Practice patience.

Because our tolerance for mental stimulation is lower than that of other personality types, if we’re unexpectedly caught in a noisy, crowded, or chaotic situation, we can have trouble functioning. It may seem like we are very quiet, zoned out, distracted, or bored. The truth is we want to continue focusing on you, but we’re flooded with details. It can be helpful for all parties to recognize that deep conversation (or, sometimes, all conversation) should be put on hold until the level of stimulation decreases.

On a related note, introverts are likely to avoid substances that heighten stimulation—excess caffeine, sugar, drugs, that really hyper dude in the corner . . . Respect our decision to abstain from additional stimulation.

In sum, we introverts function optimally in low-stimulant environments, value deep interactions over superficial ones, and genuinely don’t appreciate social pressure. In return for making the effort, we’ll be loyal, supportive, and engaged partners.

Kindly,

Your Next Introverted Date

If you’re an introvert or have successfully dated one, what tips would you add?

*These tips are written from the perspective of a heterosexual female. Some of the examples may not be applicable to other perspectives, but the general ideas should still hold.