Grammar Help.

[AlexKN1]

I always get confused with some of the grammar..and I want to improve my english help.

1st I get confused with it's and its .. to my knowledge it's suppose to be "it is" and its as in his/her... am I right? So i want to say Arnold's ... that would say his? or will it be Arnolds?

2nd..

I want to clearnly understand what a semicolon is used for ; and a comma.

3rd

What words I should avoid, like may be some unprofessional, general words?

Thanks

 

[Sukhoi]

1. It's = it is. Its is posessive. The ' in it's is just a contraction. It has nothing to do with being posessive.

2. Semicolon attaches a dependant (right?) phrase.

3. Like.

 

[MrCodeDude]

Comma is used to string fragment sentences together or when you do that one thing. Where you go:

Bob, a firefighter, lives in California.

I forget what that is called, but you use commas there.

I've got a question. In most instances where you'd use a semi-colon, couldn't you just use a colon?
-- mrcodedude

 

[MrCodeDude]

And for #3, when you write an essay and have to give your opinion on it. Never say, "I believe" or whatever, just state your thoughts as facts as it is already assumed that these are your beliefs. Or something like that.
-- mrcodedude

 

[Sukhoi]

; and : have different uses. I just can't remember what they are. I think one attaches a dependant phrase, and the other attaches an independant phrase.

 

[AlexKN1]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
; and : have different uses. I just can't remember what they are. I think one attaches a dependant phrase, and the other attaches an independant phrase.

colon is just to give a listing

Categories:

- bla
- bla

or Categories: bla, bla.

 

[Gyrene]

Originally posted by: AlexKN1

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
; and : have different uses. I just can't remember what they are. I think one attaches a dependant phrase, and the other attaches an independant phrase.

colon is just to give a listing

Categories:

- bla
- bla

or Categories: bla, bla.

You also use a colon to start a list when the sentence ends in a verb. I.E. Three of my favorite things are: blah, blah, and blah.

 

[AlexKN1]

Originally posted by: dtyn

Originally posted by: AlexKN1

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
; and : have different uses. I just can't remember what they are. I think one attaches a dependant phrase, and the other attaches an independant phrase.

colon is just to give a listing

Categories:

- bla
- bla

or Categories: bla, bla.

You also use a colon to start a list when the sentence ends in a verb. I.E. Three of my favorite things are: blah, blah, and blah.

Is there any difference what so ever if I do this... Blah, Blah, and blah. or Blah, Blah and blah. The comma after second blah ?

 

[MrCodeDude]

No, it all depends on preference. I never include the last comma though. And colon is not only used to just give a listing.. It also serves somewhat of the same purpose of a semi-colon. I think Sukhoi hit it on the spot.
-- mrcodedude

 

[weirdichi]

: isused when you want to emphasize something, but they aren't as big emphasizers are hyphens. It makes everything behind is stand out. You can use it to list things also after it, as said above in the replies.

; is used when you want to join two similar independant clauses. Basically, you need a sentence before and after the semicolon. The rule of thumb is that you can replace the semicolon with a period. I think semicolons are used mainly for artistic purposes, to add emphasies and to tie in similar things.


it's = it is - "Whao! It's an all girl private high school!"

its = possessive - "While innocently passing through the locker room, the ant and its comrades saw that plaid was the color of choice this year for the school uniforms."

girl's = possessive, just that one particular girl - "The girl's tight-fitting plaid mini skirt was torn when she tried to run to her class."

girls' = possessive, but it includes all of the girls - "All of the girls' plaid mini skirts were amazingly short this year."

 

[amorse2183]

Originally posted by: MrCodeDude
Comma is used to string fragment sentences together or when you do that one thing. Where you go:

Bob, a firefighter, lives in California.

I forget what that is called, but you use commas there. I've got a question. In most instances where you'd use a semi-colon, couldn't you just use a colon? -- mrcodedude

the clause between the 2 commas is called an appositive

 

[Platypus]

You can join two independent sentences with a semicolon. Using a colon is commonly used for listing items in a series. You would use a semicolon over a comma when conjoining two sentences with a conjunction would become too wordy or verbose.

 

[Growltiger]

A semi-colon is also used when a transistion word is used - e.g. however, therefore, on the other hand, etc

blah blah; therefore, blah blah.

 

[TheVrolok]

"Words" to avoid: Kind of, Sort of, Like, A lot.

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: amorse2183

Originally posted by: MrCodeDude
Comma is used to string fragment sentences together or when you do that one thing. Where you go:

Bob, a firefighter, lives in California.

I forget what that is called, but you use commas there. I've got a question. In most instances where you'd use a semi-colon, couldn't you just use a colon? -- mrcodedude

the clause between the 2 commas is called an appositive

There you go
-- mrcodedude

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: amorse2183

Originally posted by: MrCodeDude
Comma is used to string fragment sentences together or when you do that one thing. Where you go:

Bob, a firefighter, lives in California.

I forget what that is called, but you use commas there. I've got a question. In most instances where you'd use a semi-colon, couldn't you just use a colon? -- mrcodedude

the clause between the 2 commas is called an appositive

100% correct - but words between commas don't have to be appositives.
Many English language 'rules' can be extremely daunting for those for whom English is a second language.

 

[GasX]

A semi colon is a fairly useless piece of punctuation. Your writing will be a lot better if you stick to simple and complex sentences and avoid the semi-colon.

A comma is used to separate the parts of a list as well as the clauses in a sentence.

Stuff to avoid:

Never use a contraction in written English. It's improper.
Never use slang unless you are quoting someone or writing dialogue for a story. Aight?

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
A semi colon is a fairly useless piece of punctuation. Your writing will be a lot better if you stick to simple and complex sentences and avoid the semi-colon.

A comma is used to separate the parts of a list as well as the clauses in a sentence.

Stuff to avoid:

Never use a contraction in written English. It's improper.
Never use slang unless you are quoting someone or writing dialogue for a story. Aight?

No, the semicolon is one of the best pieces of punctuation we have.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: Mwilding
A semi colon is a fairly useless piece of punctuation. Your writing will be a lot better if you stick to simple and complex sentences and avoid the semi-colon.

A comma is used to separate the parts of a list as well as the clauses in a sentence.

Stuff to avoid:

Never use a contraction in written English. It's improper.
Never use slang unless you are quoting someone or writing dialogue for a story. Aight?

No, the semicolon is one of the best pieces of punctuation we have.

Show me a proper use of a semi colon and I will show you a way to improve the wording.

 

[Growltiger]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: Mwilding A semi colon is a fairly useless piece of punctuation. Your writing will be a lot better if you stick to simple and complex sentences and avoid the semi-colon. A comma is used to separate the parts of a list as well as the clauses in a sentence. Stuff to avoid: Never use a contraction in written English. It's improper. Never use slang unless you are quoting someone or writing dialogue for a story. Aight?

No, the semicolon is one of the best pieces of punctuation we have.

I agree with you. Persoanlly, I think it is good a stylistic tool.

 

[dym]

you guys are so kind :heart: