How to write better?
- Don’t delve into complexities; simpler words are more user friendly because not everybody’s putting as much efforts as you are in learning them.
- Try not using adjectives unless you have just started creative writing skills in school, instead try using metaphors or phrases.
- Grammar which is not paid attention to by many (not all) in the new generation, must not be avoided, at least the basics. It’s good to know why you write a certain way and what would you do in similar situations. Knowledge of grammar is like your own set of tools which can be borrowed but it’s better to own your own set.
- You must be aware of basic terminologies to know their significance. Like a clause is a sentence with a subject and a predicate and a sentence is constituted of a clause at times one or two. You should know what a subject and a predicate is. A subject is a noun or a noun substitute which is being talked about and the predicate is that what is spoken about the subject.
- Certain verbs should be used carefully like is, seem, will be, has been etc. they are known as linking verbs. They unlike showing an action show a state of being, a certain verb can be and cannot be a linking verb as per its usage. For e.g. The plant grew in size and His popularity grew.
- Combining clauses pose a serious problem among writers, avoid long sentences and use proper punctuations. Errors in joining clauses are called run-on and comma splice. They occur when a sentence consists of two independent clauses which have not been connected. For e.g. He played she sang, it consists of two independent clauses viz. he played and she sang but they have to be connected to form a sentence. The clauses can be joined like He played while she sang. This is a simple example but it does help enhancing the credibility of your command over the language.
- While writing quote certain authors and site some phrases, this adds weight age to your piece. Mention the source to avoid plagiarism.
What is the difference between practice and practise?
The difference is all in the grammar practice is noun for e.g. Law is a practice whereas practise is a verb where you are executing a task of practising something. The same trend is followed in exercise and exercise, and licence and license. Now how can this mild difference be kept in mind. Like always a mnemonic is the solution or I shall say it only CaN SaVe you .Where you have a C is a noun and words which have a S is a verb.
What is the right spelling stationary or stationery?
Some spellings are doomed to let us commit mistakes. This is definitely one of those, with all due respect to our ignorant souls both these spellings are right. Stationary is for objects that do not move and are positioned at a place, whereas stationery is the shop which sells paper, pencils, drawing instruments and well stationery items. Now how can this be remembered. Stationary with an ‘a’ is for a standing body with a prominent ‘a’ and thus it is for fixed bodies and stationery with an ‘e’ is where you find a cutter with an ‘e’.
