60-Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing. Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Entitled and titled are two words that are often used interchangeably these days when it comes to naming a piece of work. However, it is grammatically incorrect to say “The book is entitled Huh.”
By definition:
Titled means named.
Example: The book is titled “Huh.”
Entitled means the right or claim to something, to bestow a title on.
Examples: Americans are entitled to a fair trial.
The Queen entitled him Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Although entitled does mean to give a title to something, it does not mean the title itself.
Here’s a little sentence to help keep the preferred uses clear in the future:
As the author, Sam felt he was entitled to title his book Huh.
Showing posts with label 60-Second Syntax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 60-Second Syntax. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
60-Second Syntax: Parallelism
60-Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing. Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Parallelism comes into play when you have words, phrases or dependent clauses in a series. All the words, phrases and dependent clauses in a series should be parallel, meaning they are grammatically equal.
Basically if you are listing items, they should all be the same, whether it be nouns, adjectives, verbs, phrases, gerunds etc. Make sure you verb tenses match.
For example: She studied English, literature and linguistics. (all words in the series are nouns)
She attended Harvard, worked for the Newsweek, and retired from The New York Times. ( a series of past-tense verbs)
First, she had to finish the rough draft; second, she had to get it proofread; and lastly, she had to return it to her professor by Friday ( a series of independent clauses that follow the same structure of introductory phrase, subject, verb; note the verb tense is identical in all sentences.)
Monday, February 21, 2011
60-Second Syntax: about vs. approximately
60-Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing. Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Though often wrongly used interchangeably, there are a proper times when you should use about or approximately.
About is used when discussing a generalization or an estimation. It is also an adverb. The majority of the time, about is the word you will want to use.
Approximately is used in relation to scientific data. It means almost exact or nearly correct.
Example: She expected the bill for her home improvements to be about $5,000.
The accident happened at approximately 5:50 p.m.
Though often wrongly used interchangeably, there are a proper times when you should use about or approximately.
About is used when discussing a generalization or an estimation. It is also an adverb. The majority of the time, about is the word you will want to use.
Approximately is used in relation to scientific data. It means almost exact or nearly correct.
Example: She expected the bill for her home improvements to be about $5,000.
The accident happened at approximately 5:50 p.m.
Monday, February 14, 2011
60-Second Syntax: affect vs. effect
60-Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing. Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Generally speaking, affect is a verb and effect is a noun.
Affect means to influence.
Effect means outcome or result.
Effect can also be a verb meaning to make happen.
Example: His speech on gun control may affect the voters’ choice.
Cancer can be an effect of smoking.
The law effected a change in public policy.
Monday, February 7, 2011
60-Second Syntax: Introductory Comma
60-Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing.
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
We're talking commas again. This time, we're focusing on the introductory comma, or the comma that follows an introductory phrase.
An introductory phrase is a dependent clause, word, participial phrase or infinitive phrase at the beginning of a sentence.
Examples[i]:
[i] Examples courtesy of the genius writer that is Joss Whedon and his brainchild of brilliance: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.”
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
We're talking commas again. This time, we're focusing on the introductory comma, or the comma that follows an introductory phrase.
An introductory phrase is a dependent clause, word, participial phrase or infinitive phrase at the beginning of a sentence.
Examples[i]:
- "If the apocalypse comes, beep me."
- “In every generation, there is a chosen one.”
- “When I kiss you, you don't wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after.”
- “Actually, I was thinking my daughter is going to kill you soon."
[i] Examples courtesy of the genius writer that is Joss Whedon and his brainchild of brilliance: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.”
Monday, January 31, 2011
60-Second Syntax: Serial Comma
60-Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing.
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Today, we’re talking about the serial comma.
A serial comma is the comma that appears before a conjunction when listing a series.
Example: Her lunch consisted of an apple, peanut butter, and a bottle of water.
The highlight shows the serial comma.
Chicago Manual of Style advocates the use of the serial comma. Others, such as the AP Style Guide, chose to eliminate it.
What this means to you, the writer, is that the choice is yours as to whether or not to use the serial comma. Whatever your choice, just make sure that you are consistent throughout the manuscript. Also, be aware that an editor may ask you to add/remove the serial comma to conform to the publisher's house guide.
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Today, we’re talking about the serial comma.
A serial comma is the comma that appears before a conjunction when listing a series.
Example: Her lunch consisted of an apple, peanut butter, and a bottle of water.
The highlight shows the serial comma.
Chicago Manual of Style advocates the use of the serial comma. Others, such as the AP Style Guide, chose to eliminate it.
What this means to you, the writer, is that the choice is yours as to whether or not to use the serial comma. Whatever your choice, just make sure that you are consistent throughout the manuscript. Also, be aware that an editor may ask you to add/remove the serial comma to conform to the publisher's house guide.
Monday, January 24, 2011
60-Second Syntax: Hyphens and Dashes
60-Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing.
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Today, we’re talking hyphens and dashes and when they should be used.
For starters, here’s a visual to demonstrate the difference of each. Notice that each punctuation mark gets slightly longer as you go down the list.
A hyphen: –
An en dash: –
An em dash: —
To create a dash in Microsoft word, go to the Insert tab and click on “Symbol.” There you will find the en and em dashes. Simply click on the symbol you want, and it will appear in your text.
Hyphens are used to create compound nouns or modifiers; to break up a word at the end of a line; as a separator for numbers that are not inclusive, such a phone number or social security number; and for words that are spelled out.
Example: The social security number of the girl with the peed-on-snow[i] blond hair is 123-45-6789. Her phone number is (555) 555-5555. She is totally p-h-a-t!
En dashes are used to separate inclusive numbers such as in years, measurements, ranges, dates, times, etc.
Example: Her weight from 1999–2006 fluctuated between 120–140 pounds.
Em dashes are used for break outs in text (instead of parentheses or commas) or to show an interruption or a sudden break in dialogue. Note: Whether or not a space is inserted before and after the em dash is a matter of house style.
Example: My favorite quote from “America’s Next Top Model” — Bitch done spilt beer on my weave — surprising pops up in many a conversation among my peers, though no one actually has a weave.
Example: “Jimmy and me were conversating[sic]—” “What do you mean Jimmy and you?”[ii]
Random dash trivia: The term “em dash” refers to the width of a capital M in whichever typeface you are using. An em dash is as long as the M is wide. And en dash is ½ the width of an em dash.
[i] This lovely adjective is courtesy of the snarky folks at Television Without Pity’s “America’s Next Top Model” forum.
[ii] This gem was courtesy of some Jersey hair salon show I flipped passed one day and was mesmerized by the new vocabulary that was being created.
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Today, we’re talking hyphens and dashes and when they should be used.
For starters, here’s a visual to demonstrate the difference of each. Notice that each punctuation mark gets slightly longer as you go down the list.
A hyphen: –
An en dash: –
An em dash: —
To create a dash in Microsoft word, go to the Insert tab and click on “Symbol.” There you will find the en and em dashes. Simply click on the symbol you want, and it will appear in your text.
Hyphens are used to create compound nouns or modifiers; to break up a word at the end of a line; as a separator for numbers that are not inclusive, such a phone number or social security number; and for words that are spelled out.
Example: The social security number of the girl with the peed-on-snow[i] blond hair is 123-45-6789. Her phone number is (555) 555-5555. She is totally p-h-a-t!
En dashes are used to separate inclusive numbers such as in years, measurements, ranges, dates, times, etc.
Example: Her weight from 1999–2006 fluctuated between 120–140 pounds.
Em dashes are used for break outs in text (instead of parentheses or commas) or to show an interruption or a sudden break in dialogue. Note: Whether or not a space is inserted before and after the em dash is a matter of house style.
Example: My favorite quote from “America’s Next Top Model” — Bitch done spilt beer on my weave — surprising pops up in many a conversation among my peers, though no one actually has a weave.
Example: “Jimmy and me were conversating[sic]—” “What do you mean Jimmy and you?”[ii]
Random dash trivia: The term “em dash” refers to the width of a capital M in whichever typeface you are using. An em dash is as long as the M is wide. And en dash is ½ the width of an em dash.
[i] This lovely adjective is courtesy of the snarky folks at Television Without Pity’s “America’s Next Top Model” forum.
[ii] This gem was courtesy of some Jersey hair salon show I flipped passed one day and was mesmerized by the new vocabulary that was being created.
Monday, January 17, 2011
60-Second Syntax: Quotation Punctuation
60 Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing.
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Quotation Punctuation
Commas and periods always go inside the quotation marks. Semicolons and colons go outside the quotation mark.
Examples: "Whatever," he sighed.
Her latest book is titled "Beam Me Up."
She hated being label "Goth," and she really hated "Metal Head."
She hated being labeled "Goth"; she preferred the term "rebel."
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
Quotation Punctuation
Commas and periods always go inside the quotation marks. Semicolons and colons go outside the quotation mark.
Examples: "Whatever," he sighed.
Her latest book is titled "Beam Me Up."
She hated being label "Goth," and she really hated "Metal Head."
She hated being labeled "Goth"; she preferred the term "rebel."
Monday, January 10, 2011
60-Second Syntax: Comma Splice
60-Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing.
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
A comma splice is a fairly common error in which a comma is used in place of the word "and" to join two independent clauses. Splices are easy to fix. Replace the comma with a semicolon or keep the comma and add the conjunction back in the sentence.
Wrong: Sally took off down the street, Jim followed.
Right: Sally took off down the street; Jim followed.
Sally took off down the street, and Jim followed.
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
A comma splice is a fairly common error in which a comma is used in place of the word "and" to join two independent clauses. Splices are easy to fix. Replace the comma with a semicolon or keep the comma and add the conjunction back in the sentence.
Wrong: Sally took off down the street, Jim followed.
Right: Sally took off down the street; Jim followed.
Sally took off down the street, and Jim followed.
Monday, January 3, 2011
60-Second Syntax: These vs. Those
60-Second Syntax is a quick look at some common mistakes in writing.
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
These vs. Those
Generally speaking, the difference between these and those deals with distance. "These" are things nearby, and "those" are things further off. If what you are referring to happened earlier in the sentence or even the previous paragraph, use "those." If you are using a word in reference to something you are about to mention, use "these."
Example:
Do not feed them after midnight, do not expose them to light, and do not get them wet. It is very important that you follow those rules.
These are the rules you need to follow: Do not expose them to light, and do not get them wet. It is very important that you follow those rules.
______________________
Examples loosely based on the rules for "Gremlins."
Please note: Different editors may follow different styles and rules.
These vs. Those
Generally speaking, the difference between these and those deals with distance. "These" are things nearby, and "those" are things further off. If what you are referring to happened earlier in the sentence or even the previous paragraph, use "those." If you are using a word in reference to something you are about to mention, use "these."
Example:
Do not feed them after midnight, do not expose them to light, and do not get them wet. It is very important that you follow those rules.
These are the rules you need to follow: Do not expose them to light, and do not get them wet. It is very important that you follow those rules.
______________________
Examples loosely based on the rules for "Gremlins."
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