Tag Archives Learning English
Improve Your Writing by Simplifying Your Sentences
“Simplicity is the glory of expression,” Walt Whitman once said. Good writers know that simple, clear writing is the best way to make their point and keep readers glued to their copy. However, simplicity in writing is difficult to learn. How can you achieve it? First, simplify your thinking. Messy writing often comes from an [...]
Read moreUsing Similes and Metaphors
Learning the proper usage of similes and metaphors is more advanced than the basic rules of the English language; however, mastering them will expand your skills and allow you to blend in more easily with strong native speakers. Similes and metaphors are similar in their functions and are often confused for each other but there [...]
Read moreMastering the Art of Sentence Transitions
Imagine you are on the bank of a running river. Notice how the rocks in the river affect the water’s flow. The water hits the rock, splashes, swirls, and is redirected. Remove the rock, and the river runs freely. In writing, sentence transitions help your content flow smoothly – transitions remove the “rocks.” Transitions are [...]
Read moreThe Essentials of Readable Writing
The ability to produce readable writing used to be an advantage. Now it is a requirement. Yes, even those who sought refuge in the medical or engineering fields are all facing this sweeping requirement. For anyone who wants to be successful, and you do, the importance of writing well can’t be emphasized enough. Whether you [...]
Read moreHow to Persuade Your Readers
1. Make it clear to your readers what your feelings are. If you do not like something, it should be stated in a way that leaves no room for doubt, no matter how they looked at it. How can you hope for anybody to take you – and, along with this, what you write – [...]
Read moreUsing Questions to Draw in Your Readers
Imagine you are writing, for example, a Letter to the Editor. When you finish, you are pretty satisfied that you have presented the facts you want to, but you can’t help but feel that something is a little off. You realize that your tone is a bit too stiff: although it puts the facts out [...]
Read moreChoosing the Best Words for Your Writing
One of the keys to choosing the best words for your writing is to know your audience. If you are writing a piece for doctors, you would choose your words differently than you would for an audience of elementary school children. When writing, you must know your audience and how they will process the information. [...]
Read moreOnline Grammar Resources
There are many websites around that offer online tools and resources for English grammar. One example is YourDictionary.com. This site does not actually have its own tools but it suggests some sites that offer free online grammar checkers. These are AbiWord, Spellchecker.net, Grammar Slammer, and Language Tool. Information is also provided regarding the Grammar Check of [...]
Read moreThe Use of Hyphenation
A hyphen mainly joins words, as well as separates the syllables within one word. This punctuation mark is frequently mistaken for dashes and the minus sign. The dash is longer than the hyphen, and is utilized for different purposes. Hyphenation The writing reference Chicago Manual of Style includes an extensive chart which lists numerous types [...]
Read moreWhat Is an Adverb and How Are They Used?
The Definition of an Adverb Adverbs are parts of speech that modify other parts of language, excluding nouns. Adverbs describe adjectives, sentences, clauses, and other adverbs as well. Noun modifiers are basically adjectives and determiners. Adjectives have the purpose of answering questions, like how, when, and where; and in what manner, and to what degree. [...]
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