Common Errors in writing ( part 3 )

Isn't it :

When you make a statement, then immediately ask if it is not true, you can use "isn't it" only if the question used the verb "to be" ( ie "is" or one of its forms ), the original question was positive, and if the subject of the sentence is third person singular ( it ). It is correct to say, for example, "It is coming, isn't it?"

Kindly :

Be careful when you use the word "kindly." It is used to begin a request that the listener or reader do something or refrain from doing something. It is polite and appropriate to use it on public notices, posters or broadcasts.

It is rude to use it when talking to single person. It implies that the listener is in an inferior class or is your servant and you are annoyed with him or her. When asking an individual to do something, it is best tu use the word, "Please."

Loose and Lose :

The two words, "loose" and "lose," look similar, especially to those who speak English as a scond language. It is easy to mix them up.

The word, "loose," means something is not tight or securely fastened down. It might easily fall apart or fall off. The word "lose," in contrast, means to have something go away and become lost.

Number of :

Do not use the phrase "a number of" to indicate an unknown number of something. Instead, use the word. Instead use the word "several."

Remember that zero is a number, so it is true that I had a number of sexual adventures with beautiful Hollywood starlets

Opposed to :

Do not use "opposed to" when you mean "contrasted with." Opposed mean there is a conflict between the two difference.

Revert :

To revert means to degenerate to an earlier condition. Say, " They reverted to barbarisme. :It does not mean to replay, as in "reply to a message, "Say Please reply to this email message


Source : www.scn.org/cmp/errors. htm

Common Errors in Writing ( part 2 )

Complement and Compliment :
The change from an "e" to an "i" makes a big difference in these two words. The word "complement" is related to the word "complete". If one thing complements another, then the two together make a whole.

In contrast, the word "compliment" is an observation of some good quality in a person. It is considered more sincere than flattery.

Datum and Data :

The word "data" is a plural noun, like "facts". Do not use it as a singular noun ( like fact ) or as a collective ( like water ). Right : "There are many data in that report."

If you want the singular of data ( one bit of information ) then use the word, "datum."
Right : "I need only one datum from that report." This is very seldom used nowadays.

etc :

End of thinking creatively ( E.T.C ). Avoid using "etc."

Fewer and Less :

"Fewer is used for counting while "less" is used for measuring. You can say Kwaku has fewer litres of fuel than Kwame, if litres are discrete things, or you can say Kwaku has less fuel than Kwame, because you measure fuel, not count it.

You can say that Akua has fewer shillings than Efua, or you can say that Akua has less money than Efua. ( You can not say that Efua has shillings or that Kwaku has less litres ). Money is measured while coins and bills are counted.

Glocery store managers display their illiteracy when they put up signs in the express lanes saying ten items or less instead of ten items or fewer.

Forum and Fora :

A forum is a place being used for communication within a group or collection of persons. Historically it was a physical gathering place, but metaphorically it could be in a newspaper or on internet.

More than one "forum" is not "forums." They are "fora." The word has a Latin origin so we do not make the plural by adding the letter "s." The word "fora" refers to several places for discussion. Few people use the word "fora" any more.

In general, "s" is not used to indicate plural for words that are borrowed from Latin. The singular ( one ) should and in "um" while the plural ( more than one ) should end in "a." Examples include : stadium, stadia; medium, media; datum;data. ( The word "media" means more than one medium of communication, ie newspaper, radio and TV ).

Hippopotomonstrousquipedalianism :

Do not use long words.

Hopefully :

Do not use "hopefully" unless you state exactly who is doing the hoping. Say : "They stood hopefully in the rain waiting for the rock star to appear."

Do not say: "Hopefully the bear will stay out of the village, or "Hopefully I will come in time." Say "We hope that the bear will stay out of the village," and "I hope that i will come in time."

Avoid all "....fully" words if you do not specify who is doing the action.

In Spite :

There is no such word as "inspite." Make sure you use the two words separately, "in" and "spite."

Input and Put in :

An "input" is a noun, a thing, It is what you put into a project or process.

"Input" is not verb. You can not say you input something into a project or a process.
You put something in, where "put" is the verb.

Common Errors in Writing ( part 1 )

Writing is a pleasant work for a writer or everybody's writing hobby. Sometimes we on writing lack pay attention a little matter like common errors in writing.

This below a few of the common errors in writing that hinder good communication

Ain't :

Some people believe that we should never use the word "ain't" in the English language. It is, however , a legitimate and valid word - if it is used in the right place. It is a contraction for "am not"

The sentence, "I ain't going to school today," is therefore correct. It means, "Iam not going to school to day." It can be used only for the first person singular ( 1 ). It can not be used with "we,", "they" "you" "thou". "he", "she," or any proper noun.

Advice versus Advise.

Advuce is a noun, something that you give. It this a thing. Say, "please give me some advice"
Advise is a verb, something that you do. It is some action. Say, "Please advise me"

Affect and Effect :

As verbs, they differ. To affect something is to have some influence upon it. To effect some action is to cause it to happen.

As nouns, they also differ. Affect is like affection, related to emotion. Effect is a result.

Apart and Part :

One is a single word; the other includes two word. "Apart" mean two things are seperate or away from each other. A "part" means one thing is. a portion or an element of another.

A wall is usually seen as a "part" of a house, for example, while a fence is seen as "apart" from the house.


Source : www.scn.org/cmp/errors.htm

Quotation

The difference between are a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. ( Vince Lombardi )

Source : English Proverbs and Quotations
by Hendro Darsono, SE
Published DIOMA Malang

Help

In the small village live a grandmother with her married grandchild and two lover animals.
One day in the evening day, grandmother went to a midwife's house hurriedly.
After she arrived there and facing with midwife herself. With nervous grandmother said, "I am sorry, please help me. With smiled midwife said, "Pardon me, can help you madam?"
"All right. Please come to my house right now." Without thinking twice, they left together quickly.
After they arrived at that house, the midwife asked, "Who will give birth, madam?" Without answered midwife's question, grandmother invited her to one of the room, than said, "My lover dog get difficult in giving birth, please help it."
With nervous and face pale midwife said, " I am sorry madam, I don't help it. I think your grandchild who give birth."
Grandmother looked disappointed.

How Important to Manage Time in Our Daily Life

Western people say that time is money. They use time well, have full discipline and responsibility in running a job. So, for career persons, "time is money". Everybody needs money. It shows that money takes an important role in everybody's life. Without having money, anybody can't buy anything. they consider that the importance of money is the same as the importance of time in their daily life.

Persons who neglect their time will cause unlucky things to them. For example : An architect who does not attend the meeting for planning a building for a hotel will have big loss though he has signed the contract. So, a student who can't manage her time because she does not schedule the activities will not pass her examination.

Therefore, managing time is important. All of us know that time can't be reviewed. So, when we face unlucky things because of our own fault, we shall regret later.

How do we manage our time in daily life? Make a schedule, after making a schedule, we must obey the schedule we make. It will help us. What time will we start a certain activity. The below are the right steps to manage time well.

1. Consider what kind of activities that we will do on the day.
2. Select those activities that we give priority.
3. Make a schedule, put the important activities in the list of the schedule.
4. Do our activities according to our schedule.
5. Avoid the activities that only waste our time. For example going some places without planning.
6. Avoid the habit of canceling an activity. Use our time effectively.
   

How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty

Are you chronically over - committed? Rushing from one task to another, with no time for your self? The key is to have a strong vision of what you want to say yes to. Then you'll feel far more confident saying no. Here practical steps to say no without feeling guilty.

1. Decide which activities you truly love. If you say focused on those things, then the next time you are asked to volunteer or get involved in a time- consuming activity, just check in. If the request takes you too far from what you are already dedicating yourself to, it's easier to say no.

2. Get over the need to be nice. Stop being afraid to disappoint people, and let go of the sense of importance you get from being indispensable.

3. Be clear when you say no. No means no. Ambiguities like "Maybe after the first of the year "or" Let me get back to you" leave the other person thinking you're actually interested, when you' re not.

4. Practice saying no in non-threatening situations, when you have little at stake and success is almost assured. Then you'll work up to resigning from the board of directors and stop signing up for committe work. Learn that carving out time for yourself and your family requires no reason and no apology.

5. Say no to requests for money in simple language and give no explanation. Contribute to the causes that excite you and complement your values. Then you'll feel confident saying, "My contributions have already been allocated this year."

6. Keep it simple. The most effective nos are the least complicated. The more details you supply, the more likely the other person will challenge you or try to change your mind.

7. Make a compromise while you're learning to say no. If you're asked to bring cookies to an event, opt for store-bought sweets instead of slaving away in the kitchen.

8. Re-evaluate your current commitments. You may have agreed to a long-term commitments months ago but now see that it's not working for you. Talk with the people involved and come up with an arrangement that works for everyone.


Source : hello magazine, 2006

Please don't sue me!

A local charity had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer. The director called to get a contribution.
" Our records show you make $500,000 a year, yet you haven't given a penny to charity," the director began. "Wouldn't you like to help the community?"
The lawyer replied, "Did your research show that my mother is ill, with medical bills several times her annual income?"
"Um, no,"said the director.
"Or that my brother is blind and unemployed?" The stricken director began to stammer and an apology.
" Or that my sister's husband died in accident," said the lawyer, his voice rising in indignation "leaving her penniless with three kids?"
The humiliated director said simply, "I had no idea."
"So, if I don't give any money to them, why would I give money to them, why would I give money to you?'

The Laws of Arguing

Not everyone can make a good argument, and not everyone can argue well. A good communication skill is required. What is the essence of argument and how to argue well? Below are some laws of arguing according to Gerry Spence:

1. Everyone is capable of making the winning argument.
2. Winning is getting what we want, which also means helping "others" get what they want.
3. Learn that words are a weapon and can be used hostilely in combat.
4. Know that there is always a "biological advantage" of delivering the truth.
5. Assault is not argument.
6. Use fear as an ally in public speaking or in argument. Learn to convert its energy.
7. Let emotions show and don't discourage passion.
8. Don't be blinded by brilliance.
9. Learn to speak with the body. The body sometimes speaks more powerfully than words.
10. Know that the enemy is not the person with whom we are engaged in a failing argument, but the vision within ourselves.

Source: Smart Stepz

To Overcome Lack of Blood

Everyone's body can lack of blood because gets sick, the bad health and so on. Sign a lack of blood are face looks pale, if sit over long as see stars, the body felt weak, lost spirit and often unconscious. To overcome lack of blood in our body follow the recipe below.

Prepared ingredients :
2 ( two ) eggs of free-range chicken.
1 ( one ) spoon of pure honey.
1 ( one ) handful of spinach leaves.
1 ( one ) lemon.

Direction for use.
Take eggs yolk from eggs of free-range chicken, put in the glass. Add pure honey, lemon juice mix well. Pound the spinach leaves, take its juice than pour with mixture above than stir well. Please drink the ingredients for 3 days continued. Surely the body felt fresh, healthy and comfortable. Next, to keep a good health of body, drink the ingredients once a week.
Please try it.