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Results 41 to 50 of 63 (page 5 of 7)
direct object
A direct object is a word or a word group that follows an action verb and is the direct receiver of the action expressed in the verb. Most often, the direct object is a noun or a pronoun. Direct receiver of the action What do we mean by the term direct receiver of the action? We mean that sometimes the action in a verb may be carried over to some word (or word group) mentioned in the sentence. That word (or word group) is the receiver of the action and therefore the direct object. Here is an example: The big-game hunter shot the charging rhinoceros. The verb is an action verb: shot. The subject is the person doing the action of shooting: the hunter. But in this case, there is also a target that received the action of shooting: the rhinoceros. The noun rhinoceros is therefore the direct object of the action verb shot. Finding direct objects If you are wondering whether there is a direct object in a sentence, first look for an action verb. If you find one, ask the question what? or whom? after the verb. The word or word group that answers the question will be the direct object. The big-game hunter shot the charging rhinoceros. [Shot what? The rhinoceros.] The neighbours’ poodle chased me up a tree. [Chased whom? Me.] Brent likes selling gas in Saskatchewan. [Likes what? Selling gas in Saskatchewan.] I don’t understand how your gerbil got into the laundry hamper. [Understand what? How your gerbil got into the laundry hamper.] In the above examples, the direct objects are a noun (rhinoceros), a pronoun (me), a phrase (selling gas in Saskatchewan) and a whole dependent clause (how your gerbil got into the laundry hamper). Sentences without direct objects Not all sentences with action verbs contain direct objects. Some action verbs do not express an action that can be carried over onto an object. Here are some examples: Alison smiled pleasantly. Jason fell on the ice. Smiled what? Fell what? There’s nothing to answer these questions. That means that there is no direct object in these sentences. Transitive and intransitive verbs Verbs whose action is carried over onto a direct object are called transitive verbs. In the examples above, shoot, chase, like and understand are all transitive verbs. Verbs whose action is not carried over onto a direct object are called intransitive verbs. The verbs smile and fall in the above examples are intransitive verbs.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,527
old-fashioned, old fashioned, old fashion
The standard Canadian spelling for the adjective is old-fashioned, though the spellings old-fashion and old fashion are sometimes seen in advertising. Jessie accused her parents of being old-fashioned (behind the times). Kendra and Jean-Pierre live in an old-fashioned house in downtown Kelowna. The cocktail, a noun, is an old fashioned or an old-fashioned, as is the style of glassware in which this drink is served. Aubrey poured old fashioneds for his guests at the wedding reception. The orange juice was served like a cocktail in old-fashioned glasses.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,462
subject predicate order
Any complete sentence has two main parts, called the subject and the predicate. The subject is what the sentence is about; it is often a noun or a pronoun. The predicate is the part of the sentence that makes a statement about the subject; the main part of the predicate is the verb. Usually, the subject comes before the predicate in an English sentence: Janet and Alex went out for dinner. [subject = Janet and Alex; predicate = went out for dinner] They ordered green curry and rice. [subject = They; predicate = ordered green curry and rice] However, the subject isn’t always first. There are three situations in which the subject appears after the verb instead of before it. In most questions: Are you ready? (The subject you appears after the verb are.) Did I forget to feed my iguana again? (The subject I is placed after the helping verb did.) In many sentences beginning with here or there: Here comes the jury. (The subject jury appears after the verb comes.) There were fifteen cats and an eviction notice on Janet’s front porch. (The subject fifteen cats and an eviction notice is placed after the verb were.) In some sentences beginning with one or more prepositional phrases: Across the clearing and through the stream ran the frightened deer. (The subject deer appears after the verb ran.)Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,399
overlook, oversee, oversight
Overlook means to neglect, to fail to notice, or to observe from above. Because a blizzard had paralyzed the city, Helen asked me to overlook her late arrival. Thomas’s Restaurant sits on a high bluff and overlooks the Grand River. Oversee means to supervise. The committee oversees all expenditures. Oversight refers to either supervision or an error caused by neglect or inattention. The company commended Gregory for his oversight of the project. Because of an oversight, Isabelle kept the library books two weeks past the due date.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,370
parallelism in headings
A document may contain headings and subheadings, which are often described in terms of levels. (For example, the major headings in a document are called Level 1 headings, while the subheadings under a major heading are called Level 2 headings, and so on.) Within the same level of headings It is important for headings within the same level to be parallel in structure. If you choose to start Level 1 headings with a verb, then all Level 1 headings must start with a verb; if you choose instead to use a gerund phrase, then all Level 1 headings will need to be gerund phrases; and so on. Examples of headings using verbs Analyze the information Plan the structure Write the document Edit the document Evaluate the process Examples of headings using gerunds (-ing words) Analyzing the information Planning the structure Writing the document Editing the document Evaluating the process With different levels of headings Although the headings within one level should be parallel in structure, the structure can vary between levels. In other words, Level 2 headings do not need to have the same structure as Level 1 headings. Parallelism has been used effectively in the set of headings and subheadings below. The Level 1 headings are all verbs, while the Level 2 headings are all questions: Analyze What is the purpose of the document? Who is the target audience? What information is available? Plan What type of document should I write? How do I write an outline? Write How do I make the document easy to read? How do I make the document easy to understand? How do I make the document easy to use? As this list shows, when the headings within each level are parallel, it is easier for readers to understand the organization of your document and to find the information they need.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,370
any, every, no, some
Follow the guidelines below when forming compounds from the words any, every, no and some. Note that these compounds take a singular verb, whether they are written as solid compounds (i.e. one-word compounds) or as two separate words. Compounds formed with body, thing and where The words any, every, no and some form solid compounds when combined with body, thing and where: anybody, everybody, nobody, somebody anything, everything, nothing, something anywhere, everywhere, nowhere, somewhere Compounds formed with one Write someone as a solid compound: Someone must tell the police. Write no one as two separate, unhyphenated words in all situations. No one came. No one of us knew the combination. Write anyone and everyone as solid compounds when they could be replaced by anybody and everybody: Anyone (or anybody) can participate. Does anyone (or anybody) know how to perform CPR? Would everyone (or everybody) who is planning to attend the lobster supper please sign the list. Everyone (or everybody) is in agreement. Write any one and every one as two separate, unhyphenated words if one is followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with of: Any one of you would have reacted the same way in such awkward circumstances. Does any one of your group know how to speak Mandarin? [Or Doesanyone/anybody in your group…] Every one of us can do it. Each and every one of you must take the responsibility. Note that anyone, every one and some one refer only to people; however, any one and every one can refer either to people or to things.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,268
data
Data is a Latin plural which is often used as a singular or collective noun. (The Latin singular datum is seldom used, except occasionally in the sciences.) These data from the early experiments are thoroughly convincing. This new data means the end of life as we know it. Those wishing to avoid having to choose between singular and plural can simply recast the sentence using information, facts or some similar noun. These findings from the early experiments are thoroughly convincing. This new information means the end of life as we know it. In computer usage, data is almost always singular. Data moves very quickly from the Web to the PC user, if a high-speed cable modem is used. Never use a number as a modifier for data as in “five data”; rather, refer to “five pieces of data.” Twenty-two pieces of confidential data were received early yesterday morning from China.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,197
veto against, veto on, veto over
A legal or official body with the authority to reject a plan or prohibit an action has a power of veto. The plural is vetoes. The noun veto is followed by against, on or over, or no preposition. Some Security Council members will cast a veto against a UN resolution sanctioning military intervention. The federal government has a right of veto on all aspects of constitutional amendments. Without a quorum, the members were unable to override the veto. The verb veto does not require a preposition. The board of directors vetoed the plan to buy out the competition. Informally, veto is used as a synonym for reject or forbid. Every time Simon makes a proposal, Danielle vetoes (or rejects) it.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,190
good, goods
As a non-count noun meaning “improvement” or “rightness,” good is always treated as a singular. Always strive for the greater good. The struggle between good and evil is the underlying theme in many folk tales. In reference to products, wares and merchandise, the plural goods is more common than the singular form good, which is found in specialized or government documents. Goods from around the world are available in our supermarkets. The Goods and Services Tax applies to any good or service purchased in Canada.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,188
lynx, lynxes
The singular is lynx; the plural is lynx or lynxes. We sighted three lynx (or lynxes) during our weekend hike. The possessive is formed with apostrophe-s (lynx’s) or s-apostrophe (lynxes’). The lynx’s two cubs climbed playfully over her, biting and clawing. Lynxes’ paws are large and well-furred for hunting in deep snow.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,159