Post by Morgan Pendragon on Jun 4, 2012 22:16:01 GMT -5
Contractions & Commonly Confused Words
As wizards, we rely a lot on written communication without the benefit of muggle technologies such as computers, which I'm told can automatically correct bad grammar and misspelled words in some cases, or at least indicate which sections are wrong. So, in order to show respect for your fellow wizard and communicate in the most efficient way possible, it is important to know the basic rules of spelling and word usage.
We begin with commonly confused and misused words.
There, Their, & They're:
♦Use there when referring to a place, whether concrete ("over there by the building") or more abstract ("it must be difficult to live there").
---There is a wand store in Drakborough.
---The potions textbooks are over there on the floor.
---There are many documents that must be read.
♦Also use there with the verb BE (is, am, are, was, were) to indicate the existence of something, or to mention something for the first time.
---There is a picnic area over here, and a monster across the river.
---I see there are new flowers coming up in your garden.
♦Use their to indicate possession. It is a possessive adjective and indicates that a particular noun belongs to them.
---My friends have lost their brooms.
---Their things were strewn about the dorm room haphazardly.
♦Remember that they're is a contraction of the words they and are. It can never be used as a modifier, only as a subject (who or what does the action) and verb (the action itself).
---Hurry up! They're closing the feasting hall at eight tonight!
---I'm glad that they're so nice to new students here.
To, Too, & Two
♦Learn the meanings for "too". The first meaning is "also" or "besides"; the second meaning is "excessively" or "extra". Think of too as being relevant when there is an increase in something, such as temperature, difficulty, sensitivity, etc., "too hot", "too challenging", or "too soft".
---I like Quidditch too.
---I ate too much bacon.
---He was not too interested in Charms.
♦Learn the role of "to". "To" is a preposition. Use "to" for expressing direction, place, or position.
---We are going to the greenhouses.
---The vampire looked to the east for the rising sun.
---Will you please go to the dance with me?
♦ Two is a number. It is only ever used as a number.
---This costs two galleons.
Your & You're
♦Write your as the possessive form of you, referring to something that a person has, something that belongs to the person in question, or the person you are talking to.
---Is your puffskein eating your boogers?
---Your robes are on fire.
♦Write You're as a contraction or a combination, of the words you and are
---"You're a good friend" means "You are a good friend."
---"I don't know what you're talking about" means "I do not know what you are talking about."
This brings us to contractions.
Contractions
A contraction is the shortening of one or more words through the use of an apostrophe. Common contractions include:
♦Don't, Won't, Shan't, Isn't, Doesn't (Do Not, Will Not, Shall Not, Is Not, Does Not)
♦We've, You've, Would've (We Have, You Have, Would Have)
♦We're, You're, They're (We Are, You Are, They Are)
♦You'll, I'll, He'll (You Will, I Will, He Will)
♦Shouldn't, Wouldn't, Couldn't (Should Not, Would Not, Could Not)
♦I'm (I Am)
Remember when using contractions to check if the lengthened form would make sense in your sentence. If not, then you're probably looking for a different word.
Vocabulary List
efficacy noun
♦capacity for producing a desired result or effect; effectiveness
benign adjective
♦having a kindly disposition; showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness
insipid adjective
♦without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid or bland
emulate verb
♦imitate with effort to equal or surpass or to rival with some degree of success
artless adjective
♦free from deceit or cunning; natural, simple, uncontrived; without guile
Assignments
[[All assignments for this class will be somewhat Meta, and therefore optional.]]
[[All assignments for this class will be somewhat Meta, and therefore optional.]]
Easy Assignment(2 points): Write a post without using any contractions (at least five sentences). Five posts in the same thread without contractions will be worth ten points.
Intermediate Assignment(5 points): Use at least two of the vocabulary words in a post correctly.
Grammar Nazi Hard Assignment (10 points): Use all of the vocabulary words correctly in a single post. Please bold vocabulary words to make them easier to see.
[[Assignments can only be completed once per character, however one character may complete all assignments. Post links to assignments in this thread. These assignments are open until June 25th 12:00 am Central Time]]
**Special Note: Non-student characters may also take this class if they wish. Points earned will be given to the house of the participant's choice**