![\"Student](\"https:\/\/blogs.farmingdale.edu\/sites\/rambassadors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2018\/04\/grammar-blog.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n- \n
- Affect vs. Effect<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The most common of all, whether to use affect or effect is something we can easily ignore in the verbal sense. It is when we have to put it on paper that we sneak onto google or just try and hope our reader doesn\u2019t notice.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Affect \u2013 is used as a verb (i.g. The humid weather yesterday affected my hair.)<\/li>\n
- Effect \u2013 is used as a noun (i.g. Humid weather has a negative effect on my hair)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- \n
- Active and Passive Voice<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
In active voice, the subject performs the action. In passive voice, the subject receives the action. Try to use active voice whenever you can, because passive voice can come off as confusing.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Active Voice \u2013 i.g. \u2013 I burnt the cookies.<\/li>\n
- Passive Voice \u2013 i.g. \u2013 The cookies got burnt.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- \n
- You and I vs. You and me<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
When using this fragment, we typically are told to use \u201cyou and I,\u201d however, you will find that you can use either depending on the circumstance.<\/p>\n
- \n
- You and I \u2013 You both are performing the action (i.g. You and I are working together.)<\/li>\n
- You and me \u2013 You both are receiving the action (i.g. The teacher picked you and me to work together.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- \n
- Who vs. Whom<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Verbally, we never use whom. So this question never crosses our minds, that is until we have to write about it. Here\u2019s an easy trick.<\/p>\n
Who: Use if you can replace it with he or she. (i.g. Who is going to the party? He\/she is<\/em>)<\/p>\n
Whom: Use if you can replace it with him or her. (i.g. Whom should I talk to about the party? Him\/her<\/em>)<\/p>\n
- \n
- Whose vs .Who\u2019s<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
This homonym is something we don\u2019t really think too much about, until we have to put it on paper. From a first glance, one would think that \u201cwho\u2019s\u201d is possessive because of the apostrophe. However, this is a special case in which these words\u2019 usages are switched.<\/p>\n
Whose is possessive. (i.g. Whose baseball glove is this?)<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s is a contraction of \u201cwho\u201d and \u201cis.\u201d (i.g. Who\u2019s playing catcher today?)<\/p>\n
- \n
- Alot vs. A lot<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
This one is easy because, SURPRISE, \u201calot\u201d is not a word! Next time you\u2019re complaining to your friend about all the questions on a test, make sure you use \u201ca lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
- \n
- Assure vs. Ensure vs Insure<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Another case of words that sound the same. It is easy to mix up these words verbally (at least assure and ensure). However, we cannot help but do a double take when looking at them on paper.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Assure: To promise (i.g. I assure you that we\u2019ll get to class on time)<\/li>\n
- Ensure: To confirm\/guarantee (i.g. I ensured with the professor earlier that there will not be a test today.)<\/li>\n
- Insure: To protect\/cover with an insurance policy (i.g. Now that my car\u2019s insured, we can carpool to school together.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- \n
- Semicolons<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Here\u2019s what seems to be the biggest one everyone is afraid of. To be honest, it\u2019s best to avoid using semicolons to prevent yourself from making an error. It wouldn\u2019t harm your paper to leave them out. You can always create a conjunction or a whole new sentence. For those confident enough to use a semicolon, only do so under the following circumstances.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Connecting related thoughts\n
- \n
- Nicole went to the library; she\u2019s studying for a test.<\/li>\n
- Nicole went to the library; Jesse went to the Campus Center.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
- Making a serial list\n
- \n
- While on vacation with his family, Nick traveled to Barcelona, Spain; Florence, Italy; and Frankfurt, Germany.<\/li>\n
- Our date night typically includes going to dinner; seeing a movie \u2013 we\u2019ll be seeing \u201cBlack Panther\u201d tonight; and having some ice cream.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
9. Italics or Quotation Marks<\/p>\n
You read a book, saw a movie, or found an article. You type the title, then the question hits \u2013 Do I use italics or quotation marks? Here\u2019s the rule.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Italics: For bigger titles, such as movies, tv shows, books, newspapers, paintings\/sculptures, plays, etc.<\/li>\n
- Quotation Marks: For smaller works, such as a chapter, article, episode title, short stories\/poems, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- \n
- Less vs. Fewer<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
These words seem very similar in their definition. There is a smaller amount or number or a thing. However, looking closer we can see the difference between these words.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Less: Use with uncountable items or time (i.g. I spent less time watching T.V. during the school year.)<\/li>\n
- Fewer: Use with countable items (i.g. As the years went by, there were fewer T.V. channels available on the Basic Cable Package.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Whether you\u2019re a student or not, writing mistakes can happen. There are some grammar tips that fall through the cracks, especially when certain words, phrases, or punctuation aren\u2019t often used. Keep writing and don\u2019t be discouraged if you need to look something up for a quick grammar fix. It might just help you get that job or promotion.<\/p>\n
- Less vs. Fewer<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Connecting related thoughts\n
- Semicolons<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Assure vs. Ensure vs Insure<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Alot vs. A lot<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Whose vs .Who\u2019s<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Who vs. Whom<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- You and I vs. You and me<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Active and Passive Voice<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n