Kiloch
2008-12-06 21:11:01
Welcome to my first tutorial on basic English, I will attempt to correct many common mistakes made by posters so that you are able to type a legitimate sentence in the English language.
Firstly, an oft common mistake,
The difference between "your" and "you're"
In this sentence, we have somone accusing another person of being stupid, and making the first and most common mistake of most internet users.
They have used "your" instead of "you're", an easily mistaken error as they both sound the same phonetically, but infact mean different things.
"your" denotes ownage over something, for example;
The "your" in this sentence is asking something about you, it can also be used to ask about something belonging to you.
"you're" is a shortened form of "you are", which obviously means that you or someone is talking about the intended object.
Person 2 is the object as Person 1, after asking his mining level, has commented back to him. It would equally make sense if he wrote;
He has just shortened it.
I hope you know understand the difference between "your" and "you're", now onto the next subject.
There, their and they're
Another common mistake is the mixing up of "there","their" and "they're" which all sound the same phonetically but all have different meanings.
There is used when talking about a place or position of something and when talking about a matter or relation with something. For example,
There is often misused, so please try and remember when to properly use it.
Their can be used instead of saying "his" or "hers", throughout multiple sentences, which might make it sound cumbersome.
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).
It is mostly replaced with "there" on the internet, which doesn't make sense.
When infact it should be,
You could also just type it out in full, "they are", but people generally prefer to shorten things into informal speech.
Now that's over with and you know the difference between there, their and they're, we are ready to move on!
Then and than
Another mistake is the mix up between "then" and "than". People often use the other one when they want to use the correct one.
Then is used either as a time marker or to carry on with a sequence of events, such as what just happened.
It also can mean something in the past.
Unlike then, than is not related to time. Than is used in comparative statements.
It is used to compare the difference between two things.
I hope you've remembered that! The next section is about,
Its and it's
Its is the possessive form of it: its therefore does not require an apostrophe to indicate possession as it is already a possessive term, similar to his and hers.
It's is a contraction of "it is" or "it has."
It would also make sense if you just typed it out in full.
Now onto the next subject,
To and too
To is used commonly in direction or when describing an object or person.
and when it is an object or person,
Too is used when talking about something being over, or much of. For example
Too is often ignored but it can make a difference in the tone of a sentence.
Next subject coming up!
Difficult spelling
We all have different ways of remembering tricky spellings (such as mnemonics or unique ways in which they are spelled) but the major difference between spelling when you're writing down on a piece of paper is that when typing something on the internet, you have access to Google.
Google is an amazing tool, all it takes is less than a minute to open up Google, type "menomics" and see that it is actually spelt "mnemonics", it's not a difficult thing to do.
This is a forum, not a chat room, you can take your time in typing out a full paragraph and check for spelling errors, because it isn't as if the forum is going to disappear in the next minute.
In conclusion, use Google to help you if you're unsure how to spell a word.
Now that you're able to spell correctly, onto some basic grammar.
Basic grammar
If I was to type out every single grammatical technique, i'd be here for a while, so I will tell you some basic ones first of all;
Correct capitalisation
At the start of every sentence there should be a capital letter, also, names, places, languages and races all start with a capital letter. I is always a capital letter when it is on its own, as you are referring to yourself. For example,
The sentence starts with a capital letter, Metallica starts with a capital letter (as it is a name) and I is a capital letter.
Punctuation
At the end of a sentence, there must be a full stop. A comma is used for many things, but mostly it either breaks the sentence up into segments with their own meaning, Or can be used as parenthesis. For example,
If we took out the middle statment then the sentence would still make sense, parenthesis is mostly a throw-away remark or a piece of extra information.
Colons are generally used to introduce a list, or a consequence. A semi-colon generally is used like an invisible "but or "although"
Exclamation and question marks
Exclamation marks are often used in adding emphasis to a subject, by indicating that the sentence should be read with a louder tone of voice,
is less threatening than,
Question marks obviously mean you're asking a question, but there is no need for multiple question or exclamation marks. The recognised combination is:
!? - often after a rather incredulous statement
And an exclamation in brackets;
(!) - often showing sarcasm
Now onto my next subject!
Block of text
A common thing in typing on the internet is "block of text" syndrome, where people often ignore to read a post if it is just one big block of omnious looking text. Paragraphing can greatly increase the chance of people paying attention to your post.
A new paragraph should be taken every time you move onto a new subject, and when you are about to add in a large quote or question. Notice how I have put the big quotes into a seperate line, but when I use just one word or a couple, I use the sentence? This greatly reduces your block of text.
Paragraphing is easier on the eyes for your reader, they arn't straining to find out where they are or accidently skip a line. It is very useful.
This has nothing to do with basic English but it's going in anyway!
Annoying smilies or emotes
Whenever you post an emote or smilie, please use it appropriatly, you can tell if someones a leecher if they start putting in random smilies such as;
Well done, you just lost the respect of anyone who was about to take your post seriously.
Some emotes are fine when used correctly, a well placed :google: or ;) is okay, but when you put like 3-4 smilies in a single sentence it gets annoying.
I can probably guess that someone will ask, "what is the point in spelling?", well here are some good points:
Greater respect for fellow posters
Easier to understand
Shows that you atleast have some capability
You'll need to spell if you want to get anywhere in the scripting world, accidently misspelling function or any other important thing will mess up your script
Well that is all I can think about telling you at the moment, I will probably update this tutorial (I've been writing it at 01:30 and i'm tired) hopefully you'll learn something from this!
If you want me to add anything, please PM me or comment, feedback greatly appreciated, be it negative or positive.
A quick summary:
Your and you're - Your: Belongs to some one, you're: you are
There, their and they're - Remember the meanings!
Then and than - Then: Used in time or a sequence of events. Than: Used to compare.
Its and it's - Possessive form and shortening of "it is"
To and too - A direction or an object, "too much" or "too far".
Can't spell a word? Use google!
Grammar - Capitalise, Punctuate and use exclamation and question marks properly.
Don't write in a whole block of text, use paragraphs.
Emotes - Don't over use them!
If you want a better explanation on a subject just ask! I'm trying to keep it simple. Also, if you are confused about something, ask away!
Firstly, an oft common mistake,
The difference between "your" and "you're"
Your stupid!
In this sentence, we have somone accusing another person of being stupid, and making the first and most common mistake of most internet users.
They have used "your" instead of "you're", an easily mistaken error as they both sound the same phonetically, but infact mean different things.
"your" denotes ownage over something, for example;
What is your mining level?
The "your" in this sentence is asking something about you, it can also be used to ask about something belonging to you.
Are those dropped ores yours?
"you're" is a shortened form of "you are", which obviously means that you or someone is talking about the intended object.
Person 1: What is your mining level?
Person 2: 26
Person 1: LOL, you're a noob!
Person 2 is the object as Person 1, after asking his mining level, has commented back to him. It would equally make sense if he wrote;
Person 1: You are a noob!
He has just shortened it.
I hope you know understand the difference between "your" and "you're", now onto the next subject.
There, their and they're
Another common mistake is the mixing up of "there","their" and "they're" which all sound the same phonetically but all have different meanings.
What is that over there?
There is used when talking about a place or position of something and when talking about a matter or relation with something. For example,
Player 1: I like Kanye West.
Player 2: There is where I disagree with you.
There is often misused, so please try and remember when to properly use it.
Their can be used instead of saying "his" or "hers", throughout multiple sentences, which might make it sound cumbersome.
If this is theirs, they'd better take it.
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).
It is mostly replaced with "there" on the internet, which doesn't make sense.
Player 1: Do you like Metallica?
Player 2: There awesome!
When infact it should be,
Player 1: Do you like Metallica?
Player 2: They're awesome!
You could also just type it out in full, "they are", but people generally prefer to shorten things into informal speech.
Now that's over with and you know the difference between there, their and they're, we are ready to move on!
Then and than
Another mistake is the mix up between "then" and "than". People often use the other one when they want to use the correct one.
Then is used either as a time marker or to carry on with a sequence of events, such as what just happened.
I was autoing perfectly fine, and then an error came up and SCAR closed.
It also can mean something in the past.
I remember Kaitnieks, back then we knew the meaning of autoing!
Unlike then, than is not related to time. Than is used in comparative statements.
Your mining level is less than mine!
It is used to compare the difference between two things.
I hope you've remembered that! The next section is about,
Its and it's
Its is the possessive form of it: its therefore does not require an apostrophe to indicate possession as it is already a possessive term, similar to his and hers.
The team on this side of the field and that one over there each has a Captain. I am this one's, you are its.
It's is a contraction of "it is" or "it has."
It’s coming right for us!
It would also make sense if you just typed it out in full.
Now onto the next subject,
To and too
To is used commonly in direction or when describing an object or person.
We are walking to the Grand Exchange.
and when it is an object or person,
I gave the gold to him.
Too is used when talking about something being over, or much of. For example
I gave him too much money.
Too is often ignored but it can make a difference in the tone of a sentence.
Next subject coming up!
Difficult spelling
We all have different ways of remembering tricky spellings (such as mnemonics or unique ways in which they are spelled) but the major difference between spelling when you're writing down on a piece of paper is that when typing something on the internet, you have access to Google.
Google is an amazing tool, all it takes is less than a minute to open up Google, type "menomics" and see that it is actually spelt "mnemonics", it's not a difficult thing to do.
This is a forum, not a chat room, you can take your time in typing out a full paragraph and check for spelling errors, because it isn't as if the forum is going to disappear in the next minute.
In conclusion, use Google to help you if you're unsure how to spell a word.
Now that you're able to spell correctly, onto some basic grammar.
Basic grammar
If I was to type out every single grammatical technique, i'd be here for a while, so I will tell you some basic ones first of all;
Correct capitalisation
At the start of every sentence there should be a capital letter, also, names, places, languages and races all start with a capital letter. I is always a capital letter when it is on its own, as you are referring to yourself. For example,
That was cool, Metallica's performance was quite impressive, I would like to seem them again.
The sentence starts with a capital letter, Metallica starts with a capital letter (as it is a name) and I is a capital letter.
Punctuation
At the end of a sentence, there must be a full stop. A comma is used for many things, but mostly it either breaks the sentence up into segments with their own meaning, Or can be used as parenthesis. For example,
I was attacked, whilst walking through the wilderness, the other day.
If we took out the middle statment then the sentence would still make sense, parenthesis is mostly a throw-away remark or a piece of extra information.
Colons are generally used to introduce a list, or a consequence. A semi-colon generally is used like an invisible "but or "although"
"Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow? No says the man in Washington; it belongs to the poor. No says the man in The Vatican; it belongs to God. No says the man in Moscow; it belongs to everyone."
Exclamation and question marks
Exclamation marks are often used in adding emphasis to a subject, by indicating that the sentence should be read with a louder tone of voice,
You're stupid.
is less threatening than,
You're stupid!
Question marks obviously mean you're asking a question, but there is no need for multiple question or exclamation marks. The recognised combination is:
!? - often after a rather incredulous statement
Are you insane!?
And an exclamation in brackets;
(!) - often showing sarcasm
Yes, I am totally able to do magic(!)
Now onto my next subject!
Block of text
A common thing in typing on the internet is "block of text" syndrome, where people often ignore to read a post if it is just one big block of omnious looking text. Paragraphing can greatly increase the chance of people paying attention to your post.
A new paragraph should be taken every time you move onto a new subject, and when you are about to add in a large quote or question. Notice how I have put the big quotes into a seperate line, but when I use just one word or a couple, I use the sentence? This greatly reduces your block of text.
Paragraphing is easier on the eyes for your reader, they arn't straining to find out where they are or accidently skip a line. It is very useful.
This has nothing to do with basic English but it's going in anyway!
Annoying smilies or emotes
Whenever you post an emote or smilie, please use it appropriatly, you can tell if someones a leecher if they start putting in random smilies such as;
Lol:stirthepot: i was playing runescape (:sasmokin: aw yeah) and this guy asked me how much d plate was, i was like :google: lol any way cya guys:f: :spot: :f:
Well done, you just lost the respect of anyone who was about to take your post seriously.
Some emotes are fine when used correctly, a well placed :google: or ;) is okay, but when you put like 3-4 smilies in a single sentence it gets annoying.
I can probably guess that someone will ask, "what is the point in spelling?", well here are some good points:
Greater respect for fellow posters
Easier to understand
Shows that you atleast have some capability
You'll need to spell if you want to get anywhere in the scripting world, accidently misspelling function or any other important thing will mess up your script
Well that is all I can think about telling you at the moment, I will probably update this tutorial (I've been writing it at 01:30 and i'm tired) hopefully you'll learn something from this!
If you want me to add anything, please PM me or comment, feedback greatly appreciated, be it negative or positive.
A quick summary:
Your and you're - Your: Belongs to some one, you're: you are
There, their and they're - Remember the meanings!
Then and than - Then: Used in time or a sequence of events. Than: Used to compare.
Its and it's - Possessive form and shortening of "it is"
To and too - A direction or an object, "too much" or "too far".
Can't spell a word? Use google!
Grammar - Capitalise, Punctuate and use exclamation and question marks properly.
Don't write in a whole block of text, use paragraphs.
Emotes - Don't over use them!
If you want a better explanation on a subject just ask! I'm trying to keep it simple. Also, if you are confused about something, ask away!