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Results 1 to 10 of 43 (page 1 of 5)
insight about, insight as to, insight into, insight regarding
With the noun insight, the usual preposition is into. Other prepositions (including about, as to and regarding) are occasionally encountered. After studying this report for days, I now have some insight into this complex issue. Maxine has no insight regarding (as to) her son’s shortcomings. She thinks he can do no wrong. This experienced diplomat will provide us with fresh insight(s) about the war in the Middle East.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 27,346
subject complement
A complement (spelled with an e) is something that completes. And a subject complement is something that completes our idea of the subject of a sentence by giving us more information about it. Usually, the subject complement is a noun, a pronoun or an adjective. Location in the sentence A subject complement is found in the predicate of a sentence (the part of the sentence that contains the verb and makes a statement about the subject). The subject complement follows a linking verb (a verb that expresses a state of being). A verb of being is called a linking verb because it simply links the subject with the subject complement, without expressing any action. In a sentence with a linking verb and a subject complement, the subject is not doing anything; instead, the subject is being something. Our most common linking verb is the verb be and its forms am, is, are, was, were, been and being. In addition, the verbs seem, appear, become, grow, look, feel, sound, smell and taste can all act as linking verbs. Examples Here are some examples of sentences with linking verbs and subject complements: Jan is an excellent doctor. Here, the subject complement is the noun doctor (along with its modifiers an excellent), which tells us something about the subject Jan; the verb is simply links them without expressing any action. The winners of the bubble-tea-drinking contest are you and Wang. In the above example, the pronoun you and the noun Wang are the subject complements identifying the subject winners; the verb are simply links them without expressing any action. Arabella’s recipe for turnip cordial tasted unusual. Here, the subject complement unusual is an adjective describing the subject recipe; the verb tasted simply links them without expressing any action. The players seem excited about the upcoming game. In this last example, the subject complement excited is an adjective describing the subject players; the verb seem simply links them without expressing any action.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 12,593
forward, forwards
Forward is an adverb, an adjective, a verb and a noun. Please step forward when your name is called. [adverb] Without reverse gear, we are limited to a forward motion. [adjective] I will forward that email immediately. [verb] In hockey, soccer and football a forward plays on the front line. [noun] Forwards is a variant form of the adverb and is becoming rare. She rocked gently backwards and forwards (or backward and forward).Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 10,819
Inuk, Inuit (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)
On this page A note about the recommendation “Inuk” and “Inuit” used as nouns “Inuk” and “Inuit” used as adjectives Additional information A note about the recommendation The Translation Bureau recommends using the terms Inuk and Inuit both as nouns and as adjectives in English. Inuit can be used adjectivally in all contexts. However, Inuk can be used only to modify one person, in keeping with its sense in Inuktitut, the language from which it is borrowed. “Inuk” and “Inuit” used as nouns A concern for reconciliation and inclusivity requires that, when referring to Indigenous persons, we use the terms preferred by the community. Thus, we refer to the traditional inhabitants of Canada’s northern regions and Arctic coastline by the terms Inuk and Inuit. Inuk is the singular noun, used to refer to one person, regardless of gender. It is always capitalized and can be preceded by a definite or indefinite article: He is the first Inuk to have been called to the Nunavut Bar. She is an Inuk from Kuujjuaq in northeastern Quebec. Inuit is the plural noun. It is always capitalized. Because the word Inuit is already plural in form in Inuktitut, it is used in English without the English plural ending “s”: Correct: Inuit are working to preserve their language. Incorrect: Inuits are working to preserve their language. Since Inuit means "the people" in Inuktitut, do not use the definite article “the” or the word “people” in combination with Inuit: Correct: Inuit use traditional hunting methods. Incorrect: The Inuit use traditional hunting methods. Incorrect: The Inuit people use traditional hunting methods. Note: In addition to singular and plural forms, Inuktitut has a dual form used to refer to two people: Inuuk. Although Inuuk is used less frequently in English, it is still accepted. “Inuk” and “Inuit” used as adjectives Either Inuk or Inuit can be used as an adjective to describe a person. These terms are always capitalized: The Inuk Elder was honoured for contributions to the community. This award-winning Inuit designer combines fashion and tradition. But the adjective Inuk can be used only to describe one person, never two or more. With plural nouns referring to human beings, the adjective that’s used is Inuit: The non-profit organization is the voice of Inuit women in Canada. The website showcases original art created by Inuit artists. In addition, Inuk is never used to modify anything non-human. The adjective used to describe one or more places, things, qualities or ideas is Inuit: This Inuit hamlet is a cultural hub in summer. Traditional Inuit garments were made from animal skins and fur. Inuit hospitality is legendary. In the Inuit concept of health, the mind, body, spirit and environment are interconnected. Additional information Update on the words “Inuk” and “Inuit” (blog post) Inuit, inuk (Recommandation linguistique du Bureau de la traduction) (in French only)Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 10,306
old, older, elder
Elder and eldest are normally reserved for people. Use elder when comparing two people and eldest when comparing three or more. Lianna always admired her elder brother. The eldest person attending the reunion will receive a plaque. The title elder is often used for senior or highly respected members of a family or community. Having survived years of hardship, the elders were said to be very wise. As a title, Elder is often capitalized. Although barely middle–aged, Jacob was elected to the Board of Elders of his church. Sixteenth–century painters Lucas Cranach the Elder and Lucas Cranach the Younger were father and son. Old, older and oldest refer to either people or things. Use older when comparing two people or things and oldest when comparing three or more. Lianna always admired her older brother. The oldest person attending the reunion will receive a plaque. Houses in Halifax are older than those in Calgary. In the oldest office buildings, there are very few telephone connections.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 6,079
absolute phrases
A phrase is a group of words that forms a unit simpler than a sentence. A phrase does not contain a finite (conjugated) verb. Most phrases modify a particular word in a sentence. However, an absolute phrase modifies an entire sentence instead of a single word: The birds having flown off, the cat climbed down from the tree. Unlike an ordinary phrase, the birds having flown off does not modify any word in the rest of the sentence, such as cat or climbed. This type of phrase is called absolute because it is self-contained: it usually has its own subject (in this case, birds) and does not need to attach to any word in the sentence. Structure of an absolute phrase Absolute phrases can have any of the structures shown below. Noun + participle Her work completed, Amanda flew home. [noun work + participle completed] We scrambled along the shore, the waves splashing at our feet. [noun waves + participle splashing] Noun + other modifier His mind on other matters, Jordan didn’t notice the growing storm. [noun mind + prepositional phrase on other matters] The children set off for school, faces glum, to begin the fall term. [noun faces + adjective glum] Pronoun + infinitive The audience filed out, some to return home, others to gather at the pub. [pronoun some + infinitive to return; pronoun others + infinitive to gather] Common expressions as absolute phrases Some participle and infinitive phrases are common expressions that are considered absolute. Since they do not need to attach to a particular word, they can be placed at the beginning (or end) of a sentence without dangling. Here are some examples: Financially speaking, Bob’s lifestyle changes worked well. Talking of music, have you heard the new band at Taco Jack’s? A storm is brewing, judging by the dark clouds. To get back to the main point, the budget needs to be bigger. The food was mediocre, to say the least. Punctuation tip As the above examples show, an absolute phrase is set off with a comma (or with a pair of commas if it occurs in the middle of the sentence).Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 4,691
gerund, gerund phrase
A gerund is a type of verbal—a verb form that looks like a verb but does not act as the verb in a sentence. A gerund ends in -ing and acts as a noun. Like any noun, it can be a subject, the direct object of a verb or the object of a preposition: Swimming is good exercise. [subject of verb “is"] Aini likes fishing. [object of verb “likes"] You will gain skill by practising. [object of preposition “by"] A gerund phrase is a gerund with attached words. Because a gerund is formed from a verb, it retains some of the properties of a verb, so it can take an object: Swimming laps is good exercise. [gerund “swimming” + object “laps"] Like a verb, a gerund can also be modified by an adverb or a prepositional phrase: You will gain skill by practising daily. [gerund “practising” + adverb “daily"] Aini likes fishing from the dock. [gerund “fishing” + phrase “from the dock"] In the above examples, swimming laps, practising daily and fishing from the dock are all gerund phrases. Subject of a gerund Although gerund phrases do not contain a verb, they may have their own subject (the person or thing doing the action in the gerund). The subject of a gerund is in the possessive form: Sam appreciated my helping him. Abdul was surprised at Tina’s buying a Venus flytrap. Other gerund forms We can put a gerund into the past to show an action completed before another action: Natalie was proud of having won the tournament. [She won first; then she was proud.] Also, a gerund can be used in the passive voice: Being introduced to Wayne Gretzky was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Irena was upset at having been passed over for the job. Note that in all of these gerund forms, the first word still ends in -ing.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 4,071
majority, most
Use a plural verb with majority when it is followed by a prepositional phrase containing a plural noun: The majority of our students take city buses. However, most is a more concise and often a better alternative: Most of our students take city buses. Note that some commentators recommend using majority only with countable nouns: The majority of public servants are happy in their work. The majority of these chairs have wobbly legs. Therefore, in the case of mass, or uncountable, nouns (e.g. furniture, water), you can avoid both criticism and wordiness by replacing majority with most: Most (not The majority) of my furniture comes from second-hand stores. Most (not The majority) of the water they drink comes from deep wells.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 3,903
prophecy, prophesy
The noun is spelled prophecy (with a c). Most gamblers would love to have the gift of prophecy. The verb is spelled prophesy (with an s). The verb forms are prophesies and prophesied. In Greek mythology, Cassandra prophesies momentous events, but no one believes her.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 3,942
face off, face-off, faceoff
Face off is the verb, while the spellings face-off and faceoff for the noun are correct (the National Hockey League uses faceoff for the noun). The Senators and the Leafs faced off in this year’s semi-finals. How many Stanley Cup face-offs have you seen?Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 3,462