Academic Blog

My name is That Girl, I’m a columnist for English teaching articles in the US and UK and I also happen to be quirky English teacher. I’ve been using WhiteSmoke for quite some time and have been given to opportunity to have a column, of sorts, here as well! So stay tuned for future posts here and on my blog. Today we’re going to discuss text speak (or txt spk).

The expression "the number" is followed by a singular verb while the expression "a number" is followed by a plural verb.

It is easy to get confused between nouns and verbs that are spelled almost identically. However, here is a simple rule that will help you with two sound-alike pairs of words.

The Simpsons’ (cat) remains two syllables because that’s the sound; consequently, no additional s is added after the apostrophe. The Jones’s (cat) adds the second syllable when pronounced; therefore, an s follows the apostrophe.

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect. For this reason, it is extremely popular among comedians and satirists. I hope you enjoy these!

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect. For this reason, it is extremely popular among comedians and satirists. I hope you enjoy these!

Many of us get confused about when to hyphenate between words. For example, should you write nearly-extinct wolves or nearly extinct wolves? This week's tip will help you spell correctly when adding suffixes. We have Lawrence K. to thank for sending this suggestion as well as for many of the examples.

We tend to speak plainly and succinctly but for some reason, when we write, we stuff our sentences with extra verbiage, turning streamlined ideas into confusing, out-of-shape messes.

"That" introduces a phrase that is essential to the meaning of the sentence. "Which" introduces a phrase that can be left out of the sentence without affecting the meaning; it is parenthetical.

Proclamations of exasperation reflect the agony and confusion parents live with whether they criticize or sympathize with a child who has trouble getting thoughts on paper. That’s not so surprising when we consider the complexity of writing and the many possible ways in which the act can break down.

Meet Dr. Mel D. Levine, a pediatrician who has devoted his career to the study of learning and development.

Should you write 13-feet or 13 feet? Here is the rule: when you're combining two or more words to form a compound adjective in front of a noun, put hyphens between these words.

Many readers have asked me why people write numbers this way: Example: We will need 220 (two hundred twenty) chairs.

Do you ever use semicolons? Many writers avoid them because they are misunderstood. The semicolon is a stronger pause than a comma, yet not as strong as a period. Take a risk and add a few to your writing.

Do you ever wonder if you should double a letter when adding a suffix? For example, why does shop become shopping, not shoping since hope becomes hoping, not hopping? This week's tip will help you spell correctly when adding suffixes. We have Lawrence K. to thank for sending this suggestion as well as for many of the examples.

Many of us find hyphens confusing. The prefix re can make hyphenating even more of a head-scratching experience. However, there is really only one rule that you need to learn to determine when and when not to hyphenate with re.

Do you ever use semicolons? Many writers avoid them because they are misunderstood. The semicolon is a stronger pause than a comma, yet not as strong as a period. Take a risk and add a few to your writing.

A reader asked the following: In this sentence, “If I were wealthier, I would travel around the world,” shouldn’t I be followed by was, not were, since I is singular?

Should we use a hyphen with a common prefix such as non or un? For example, is it non-alcoholic beverages or nonalcoholic beverages?

Today, almost everyone in business has to write something. English may have not been your favorite subject in school and you never thought that writing would be a part of your job in finance, customer service, or any one of numerous career choices.

When you write a sentence in active voice, someone or something clearly acts. In passive voice, responsibility for the action is not always clear.

Pronouns are not really complicated. Often, the method of teaching pronouns complicates understanding. Each category of pronoun has a specific role. They cannot do one another’s job.

While most of us know that a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb, distinguishing between singular and plural subjects as well as singular and plural verbs can be tricky.

People respond more favorably to a smile than to a frown. They also are more receptive to a positive presentation of information – spoken or written -- than to a negative one. Sometimes, the news is less than upbeat; sometimes it is unquestionably negative, but the delivery can soften the message.

Most of you probably learned to find the subject first and then find the verb. It is actually much easier to find the verb first and then find the subject. Why even bother? When you pair the verb and subject up correctly, you will be able to check that they agree. Keep reading and you will understand quickly what this means.

Whether you are writing to confirm a meeting, enclose a contract, offer a proposal, or request information, precise, direct language is your ally. Following are three examples of how words get in the way of your message.

Harriet Diamond is the author of eight writing and business books. She retired in 2004 from Diamond Associates, the training and consulting company she created in 1985, and through which she developed and taught numerous customizing writing programs. Diamond’s writing books are displayed below. For more information, visit harrietdiamond.net.

Many readers have asked me why people write numbers this way: Example: We will need 220 (two hundred twenty) chairs.

Prepositions are words that often show direction: below, above, over, under, around, through, in, out, between, among, to, toward(s). Other common prepositions include of, for (also sometimes a conjunction), from, with, like (also sometimes a verb).

The demonstrative adjectives—this/that/these/those—tell us where an object is located and how many objects there are.

In a previous blog, I showed you a trick to determine whether to use who or whom. This week, I will give you the trick for distinguishing between whoever and whomever.

Even native English speakers get confused between who and whom. If you use a simple trick, you will be able to feel more confident in your choice.

Have you ever wondered whether to use I or me in a sentence? If so, you are not alone. I can help you feel confident with your pronoun choices.

Last time, we learned some tricks for subject and verb agreement. As a reminder, verbs do not form their plurals by adding an s as nouns do. In order to distinguish between a singular and a plural verb, think of which verb you would use with he or she and which verb you would use with they.

If you want to get what you ordered at the restaurant, if you want to do business with reputable companies, and if you don’t want to have your identity stolen online, then read Jane Straus' blogs filled with valuable English usage tips, quizzes, brainteasers, and word play.