I like to call the Topical Guide the "Tropical Guide" because I spent some time reading it while I was in Lake Powell last week. I took my book with me and read all of these wonderful things I am learning or re-learning. Now when I think of grammar rules, I can link it with laying out in the sun, enjoying company and being on the lake. We focused on
active voice this week and it was really good for me! I didn’t realize how much
I wrote in passive voice. I will put the subject before the verb to make my
sentences stronger and more direct.
Lila ate the rotten cabbage.
I have been
using due to and because of wrong my entire life. Always use because of with cause and effect. Remember this by asking “Why?” If
the sentence can answer why, use because of. If the sentence does not
answer it, use due to.
Her shirt ripped (why?) because it got
caught on the fence.
The last
item I would like to talk about it the difference between then and than. I think
this is something many people get mixed up. I fall guilty of it often. Than is used for comparisons. Then is an adverb and means “soon
afterward.” Remember, if you are comparing anything, use than.
No one likes ice cream more than Erik.
I was
listening to an inspirational talk this week and heard, “None of us is perfect.”
Correction
(subject/verb agreement): None of us are
perfect.
I find that most people use passive voice most of the time. I believe this is because people think this way because it is natural for them. Your title for the guide is great and most unique. I understand the issue of then and than because I have often found myself where i type then for than. have a great day
ReplyDeleteNice post. I definitely see the "then/than" mistake everyday. In fact, one of my professors just made this mistake on canvas.
ReplyDeleteI like how you said re-learning. I feel like I have learned this before and every week is a great refresher course. Your examples were pretty great I like that you demonstrated the principles. Than and then is one of my pet peeves and it seems that people on the Facebook get it right half the time.
ReplyDeleteI am always tripped up by "Than and then." I feel like the rule itself is one I see wrong most often. I just have to start remembering "then" is time related, just like we would say using "back then."
ReplyDelete