GC's Grammar Class 101
 

Fellow GCers:

I consider myself to be a great writer, but there are times when I get stuck with words and need help. Everyone has a problem area when it relates to grammar. So let's discuss it and learn from each other.

Here are my issues. When do you use:

Effect/affect

whose/whom/who

I also have problems with prepositions, but I can't think of an example right now.

Soror MzDiscreet, I know you can help me out with some of this stuff.

How to use effect versus affect even has a little test


From Spelling and Grammar Rules You Should Know


WHO'S/WHOSEThis is one of those cases where it is important to remember that possessive pronouns never take apostrophes, even though possessive nouns do (see it's/its). "Who's" always and forever means only "who is," as in "Who's that guy with the droopy mustache?" or " who has," as in "Who's been eating my porridge?" "Whose" is the possessive form of "who" and is used as follows: "Whose dirty socks are these on the breakfast table?"

Who/Whom Usage

I found the who/whom very helpful just now as I read over the rule.

Awww, man, I had a great message typed out with examples and everything, but I got beat to it. :(

That was timely and helpful Soror CT4. The who/whom really makes sense to me now Thanks.

I'll continue to post because I have a lot of areas of weakness.

I'll be happy to help in any way I can http://smilies.vidahost.com/otn/wink/thumb.gif

Seen vs. saw?

Saw is past tense and seen is past participle I think. I may be messing up the terminology, but seen is used with helping verbs like 'have': I saw vs. I have seen.

I wish some folks would stop throwing an apostrophe in front of every 's' that falls at the end of a word.



And some folks need a constant refresher pertaining to the difference between its and it's. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME!!!

I hate it when people confuse "your" and "you're". I even corrected my daughter's hand-made Mother's Day Card for this!!!

She wrote: YOUR the best mother

I said: NO, it should read YOU'RE the best mother. You're is the contraction of

YOU ARE

Double negatives are SO unattractive. :mad: And stop saying 'the' before stuff that shouldn't have a 'the.' Your dog does NOT have "the mange" he just has mange. And your son doesn't like to go outside and play "the basketball." :rolleyes:

While I hope the poor baby's feelings weren't hurt after all her hard work, every moment is a teachable moment.

Grown, college educated folks still make that mistake....

thanks for who/whom rule. that's the first time it's been explained in a simple manner. i find i have an issue with spelling using the "i" "e" before "c" rule. example: their, friend, etc. how do you know?

"I" before "E" except after "C" and when sounding as "A" as in "neighbor" and "weigh." :D :cool:

And when that doesn't work and you stare at it for five minutes trying to decide, click the spell check button ;)

Yeah, that was implied. ;)