|
Welcome to your GrammarBook.com E-Newsletter.
|
"Your amazing work sheds light on many difficult areas of language. It has helped make me a better professor."
- Noelio G.
"I have newly discovered your Blue Book on the internet. I think it is just great! Clear, concise, comprehensive! I felt the urge to congratulate you on writing such a beneficial book."
- Banu E.
"Finding your site is a great sign of good things to come. Best wishes to you and all who make a positive contribution."
- Coleen G.
|
|
|
Proofreading Well
Research shows that written communications full of typos, misspellings, and usage errors leave readers with a poor impression of the writer and the organization. But proofreading well is challenging.
Before you begin proofreading, make sure your document is reader-focused—with a clearly stated main point, clear organization, easy-to-read formatting and concise language. Then follow these guidelines and you'll present a consistent professional image every time:
Take a break between writing and proofreading. The best proofreading is done when you have distance from a document.
- Use the spell-checker and grammar-checker slowly and carefully to help you catch your typos. When used mindfully, both are helpful tools. When used carelessly, they will lead you to make new errors almost as often as they help correct existing ones.
- Whenever possible, proofread from a printed page. Errors are easier to see on paper than on a screen.
- If you have to proofread on a screen, zoom in so that the text is very large. This will allow you to see errors you might otherwise miss.
- Read your work aloud. By slowing down and articulating each word, you'll catch most of your mistakes. And remember, if it doesn't sound right, it probably isn't.
- Use your word processing program's Find feature to catch your writing demons—those pesky little mistakes you frequently make. For example, if you tend to confuse accept with except, then type those words into Find so you don't have to hunt for them.
- Proofread several times, taking breaks in between.
- If the document carries a lot of weight, give it to a trusted co-worker to proofread after you've given it your best shot.
This tip was brought to you by the fabulous editors at Write It Well. For more information about how Write It Well can help you or your staff write more effectively at work, visit writeitwell.com.
Due to the E-Newsletter's large readership, please submit your English usage questions through GrammarBook.com's "Grammar Blog." |
|
Pop Quiz
Choose the better sentence from each pair of sentences. Answers are at the bottom of the newsletter.
A.1. Our boat capsized in the storm so we needed rescuing.
A.2. The weather had adverse impacts on our boat resulting in the necessity to rescue us from the water.
B.1. There are many ideas that are worth exploring by us at this meeting.
B.2. Let's explore the many worthwhile ideas at this meeting.
C.1. Martin could not find time to work, shop, and go for walks with the dogs.
C.2. Martin could not find time to work, shop, and walk the dogs.
D.1. Jordan believed that Serena had embarrassed him intentionally.
D.2. Jordan did not believe that Serena had embarrassed him unintentionally.
Free BONUS Quiz For You!
[[firstname]], because you are a subscriber to the newsletter, you get access to one of the Subscription Members-Only Quizzes. Click here to take an Effective Writing Quiz and get your scores and explanations instantly!
"So convenient...hundreds of quizzes in one click."
[[firstname]], Subscribe to receive hundreds of English usage quizzes not found anywhere else!
- Take the quizzes online or download and copy them.
- Get scored instantly.
- Find explanations for every quiz answer.
- Reproduce the quizzes to your heart's content.
- EASY to use.
- No software to download.
- No setup time.
- A real person to help you if you have any questions!
"Fun to test my skills!" "The explanations really help...thanks!"
Your choice: Subscribe at the $29.95 or $99.95 level ($30 off - regularly $129.95).
"I download the quizzes for my students who don't have computer access."
Subscribe today to receive hundreds of English usage quizzes not found anywhere else!
"Makes learning English FUN!"
 |
Don't need all the quizzes at once?
You can now purchase the same quizzes individually for ONLY 99¢ each. Purchase yours here. |
Get Yours Today!
Get Amazon’s #1 Bestseller in Four Categories!
#1 in Grammar
#1 in Reading
#1 in Lesson Planning
#1 in Vocabulary |
The Blue Book of Grammar
and Punctuation by Jane Straus
An indispensable tool for busy professionals, teachers, students, homeschool families, editors, writers, and proofreaders.
Now available in print AND as an e-Book! Over 2000 copies are purchased every month!
Order Your Copy Today!
- Hundreds of Grammar, Punctuation, Capitalization, and Usage Rules
- Real-World Examples
- Spelling / Vocabulary / Confusing Words
- Quizzes with Answers
|
View the entire contents online
Discounts available for schools, bookstores, and multiple copies. Order Today!
 Wordplay
No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
AND
Thanks to Ken P. for this link to some highly "creative" uses of quotation marks.
Pop Quiz Answers
A.1.
B.2.
C.2.
D.1.
Learn all about who and whom, affect and effect, subjects and verbs, adjectives and adverbs, commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and much more by just sitting back and enjoying these easy-to-follow lessons. Tell your colleagues (and boss), children, teachers, and friends. Click here to watch. |
