Friday, November 7, 2008

Friday Round-Up - #22

While doing research for our local writers' group, I discovered a grammar website. This subject usually illicits groans from those of us, who turn green at the mere mention of passive verbs. While the site informed, it also provided a measure of enjoyment.

Instead of scanning the website for valuable information, I soon found myself taking all kinds of quizzes. Mulitple choice, crossword games, spelling tests complete with audio, and re-writing passive sentences turned into a fun session. On the spelling tests, a correct answer brought up an animated happy face. A wrong answer, showed a person rolling a stone up a hill.

Another grammar website for kids or for those who need a better grasp of the fundamentals, is Fun Brain. The animated characters were cute and encouraging.

So, if your prose is littered with misspelled words, adverbs, and too many adjectives, and your eyes glaze over when someone talks about verb tenses, maybe it's time for a refresher course. I'd be interested in your experiences with grammar faux pas.

15 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

Hmmm, I'm okay with spelling but commas are my nemesis. I'm really trying to learn where to use them but I still feel like I'm doing it wrong.
Ick.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jessica -

I'm still fighting with passive verbs. It's sinking in, but not as fast as I'd like. LOL!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Sarah said...

I'm with Jessica. Commas, semicolons, and the like. I can't stand them. I'm sure there are many more faux pas I'm gulty of, but nobody has told me about them, yet...

Sarah said...

I left a comment earlier and I'm pretty sure it didn't go through again. I need to stop doing that!

I agreed with Jessica abou the commas, and added my frustration about semi-colons. I'm sure there are other faux pas I'm guilty of, but nobody has pointed them out to me, as yet.

Have a great weekend!

Praise and Coffee said...

Thanks Susan, I am going to check that out. I fear an editor would choke on my writing!

Blessings,
Sue

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sarah -

I think semicolon use is frowned upon these days. However, my understanding is that a semicolon separates two complete, but related, thoughts.

Hmm, I can't help you with the commenting problem. Can anyone out there suggest a solution?

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Praise & Coffee -

I found all the websites helpful. From what I've seen on your blog, you write very well. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Sarah said...

Semicolons are frowned upon? Well, there you go! I told you there were faux pas I didn't know I was making.

Thanks for clue-ing me in! Lol!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sarah -

And don't forget about those exclamation points - no, no, no.
An editor will use her big red marker, never mind her red pen.

Personally, I LIKE exclamation points!!! Sigh. I've had to bring it down a notch.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Sarah said...

I signed up to follow your blog, and I also posted a follow widget to my blog.

Have a nice weekend!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sarah -

Woohoo! I'm headed over there right now.

Blessings,
Susan :)

quietspirit said...

Susan:
My writing group has what one lady calls "punctuation wars."
The other week, two of us were strong in our stand on a sentence like the following,"He is older than I." Most of the group sided with the one who had written "than me." I feel it should be "than I."

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Quiet Spirit -

I love it: "Punctuation wars."

Whew, my instinct is to use, "me." Maybe the grammar site would give you a clear-cut answer on that one.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Angie Ledbetter said...

Thanks for the tip!Going browse that site now.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Angie -

Welcome to my blog! I post here on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I hope you'll stop by often, and tell your friends about Christian Writer/Reader Connection.

Blessings,
Susan :)