GC's Grammar Class 101

Originally Posted by delph998

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...

Great thread!!! I also consider myself a good writer, but the above has always been a problem for me. Thanks CT4 for the references.

[delph998]

The difference between endots and semicolons. I use both frequently and hope I'm using them properly.

Tony B. stop putting me on blast all of the time! I luvs ya though.

[MeezDiscreet]

This reminds me of my father who re-discovered semicolons in his later adult life. My mother called me ready to cut him because she was typing some papers for him and the only punctuation he used was the semicolon! LOL! He also learned the word moot and used it anytime he could, appropriate or not. Ex: There's no seasoning on this. This chicken is moot! LMAO!!

[Gina1201]

Originally Posted by MeezDiscreet

There's no seasoning on this. This chicken is moot! LMAO!!

LOL!! This had me CTFU!!

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by delph998

The difference between endots and semicolons. I use both frequently and hope I'm using them properly.

Tony B. stop putting me on blast all of the time! I luvs ya though.

See, now you gon make me send you a grammatically incorrect e-mail.

[delph998]

Quotations go outside of the punctuation!

Example:

Del said, "I can't believe it's not butter."

"I love to look outside," replied Del.

I know there are exceptions with question marks and exclamation points. Can someone jump in there.

Another Rule That is Often Broken:

Insure/Ensure

Insure is used to reference money.

Example: It is expensive to insure a car.

Ensure is used to secure or gurantee without referencing to money.

Example: Exercising ensures a healthy body.

[Sistermadly]

This isn't a grammatical error per se, but it's one I see often on GC and every time I do it makes my toes curl:

Discreet: careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, especially in order to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage

Discrete: individually separate and distinct

[Still BLUTANG]

This is a great thread. I give my students Strunk & White every time they come into the library and scream about needing help on a paper, but the writing lab is closed. Now I can brush up on my own skills!

[EXTRA4SHORT]

what about the/thee? Sometimes in church, the hymnal says "the", but people pronounce it "thee".

Also, I'm VERY annoyed by the word peoples....I know it's in the bible, but dang it sounds WRONG every time I hear it.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by EXTRA4SHORT

what about the/thee? Sometimes in church, the hymnal says "the", but people pronounce it "thee".

Also, I'm VERY annoyed by the word peoples....I know it's in the bible, but dang it sounds WRONG every time I hear it.

I have no idea what you are talking about in terms of the vs. thee. Thee is old English for you so there really shouldn't be misuse of thee in place of the. What you're probably hearing are church people trying to sound "good" and say THE wrong, lol.


Thou, Thee, Thine and Thy
Wikipedia's take

P.S. Stop trying to change the Bible, lol.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by nikki1920

CT4: I disagree. I think it should be Founders' Day because the day belongs to the founders. (plural possessive), IMO. I've seen it all kinds of ways though, so I refer back to my grammar school English lessons re: the plural possessive.

*the above is in regards to NPHC orgs in general and not specific to ZPB or DST, specifically.*

Maybe for Zeta but not for Delta which is why I said:

Founders Day, in the case of Delta Sigma Theta, does not need an apostrophe

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

It takes everything in me not to correct every time the apostrophe is used.

Me too. I literally cringe to see it.

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Regardless of opinion, there is no apostrophe in Founders Day as it pertains to Delta Sigma Theta. The memo was sent out years ago and it still stands.

You don't have to adhere to that but Sorors should. Period.

Ditto and ditto.
Forever and ever Amen.

[OOhsoflyDELTA#9]

Originally Posted by CrimsonTide4

Maybe for Zeta but not for Delta which is why I said:

Founders Day, in the case of Delta Sigma Theta, [B]does not need an apostrophe

Dang, I just went back to check my post in the Founders Day thread...I'm still licking my wounds from C in the Convention vs Nationals discussion.....

[EXTRA4SHORT]

P.S. Stop trying to change the Bible, lol.

ok.....--but it still annoys me (in a very small whiney voice....)

[Ms. Intellect]

[QUOTE=EXTRA4SHORT;1581370]what about the/thee? Sometimes in church, the hymnal says "the", but people pronounce it "thee".

I'm not certain this is what you were referring to. If not, ignore.

Whenever "the" appears before a word that begins with a vowel, it is pronounced using the long "e" sound (i.e. thee elephant). When "the" appears before a word that begins with a consonant, it is pronounced using the shwa sound. Hope this helps.

[nikki1920]

thee is old english, I believe (thee/thou/thus, etc.)
pronouncing "the" as "thee" i think is just an idosyncracy, it doesn't really change the meaning of whatever noun it is, just makes it sound more important.


CT4: I disagree. I think it should be Founders' Day because the day belongs to the founders. (plural possessive), IMO. I've seen it all kinds of ways though, so I refer back to my grammar school English lessons re: the plural possessive.

*the above is in regards to NPHC orgs in general and not specific to ZPB or DST, specifically.*