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Here are some grammar basic tips:

1. Spell out numbers one through ten.

2. When closing out punctuation that is in quotation marks, keep the punctuation inside of the quotation marks.

3. Omit unnecessary words in order to make writing concise.

4. Include an introduction, a body with sub-points, and a conclusion.

5. When approaching a topic, consider a unique angle or point of view to entice your reader.

6. Avoid vague, overused language in your writing.

7. A lot is two separate words. “A lot” is not a word. That is a misspelling.

8. Avoid clichés, slang, and inappropriate use of jargon.

9. Try to use action verbs and precise nouns.

10. Clear up ambiguous references.

Now, let’s briefly review the parts of speech.

1. Noun – a person, place, thing, quality, or idea

2. Pronoun – a specific noun that takes the place of the preceding noun of a sentence

3. Verb – a word that describes the action in the sentence

Note: I set up the conjugations of "to be" in the same way verb conjugations are set up in Spanish. Starting from top to bottom, and then left to right: I, You, He/She/It, We, You All, and the plural of He/She/It (They).

In the English language, we should feel lucky. Most languages conjugate all of their verbs in the manner that we conjugate “to be.” In learning the English language, we only have to learn the complicated conjugations of this one verb. So, let’s get to it.

4. Adjective – descriptive words; refers to color, shape, size, or type

5. Adverb – describes a verb or adverb; typically ends with –ly

6. Preposition – expresses a relationship of a noun to another word.

7. Conjunction – connects words in a sentence

Here are some grammar basic tips:

1. Spell out numbers one through ten.

2. When closing out punctuation that is in quotation marks, keep the punctuation inside of the quotation marks.

3. Omit unnecessary words in order to make writing concise.

4. Include an introduction, a body with sub-points, and a conclusion.

5. When approaching a topic, consider a unique angle or point of view to entice your reader.

6. Avoid vague, overused language in your writing.

7. A lot is two separate words. “A lot” is not a word. That is a misspelling.

8. Avoid clichés, slang, and inappropriate use of jargon.

9. Try to use action verbs and precise nouns.

10. Clear up ambiguous references.

Now, let’s briefly review the parts of speech.

1. Noun – a person, place, thing, quality, or idea

2. Pronoun – a specific noun that takes the place of the preceding noun of a sentence

3. Verb – a word that describes the action in the sentence

Note: I set up the conjugations of "to be" in the same way verb conjugations are set up in Spanish. Starting from top to bottom, and then left to right: I, You, He/She/It, We, You All, and the plural of He/She/It (They).

In the English language, we should feel lucky. Most languages conjugate all of their verbs in the manner that we conjugate “to be.” In learning the English language, we only have to learn the complicated conjugations of this one verb. So, let’s get to it.

4. Adjective – descriptive words; refers to color, shape, size, or type

5. Adverb – describes a verb or adverb; typically ends with –ly

6. Preposition – expresses a relationship of a noun to another word.

7. Conjunction – connects words in a sentence

The English language is easy when it comes to conjugations, but there are many words that are commonly confused. These are just a few examples of words that can be written wrong, confusing the reader as to the meaning of your words. Look up a word if you are unsure if you are using it right or not.

a. Who’s versus Whose

Who’s = who is

Whose = A possessive word meaning “belonging to”

b. It’s versus Its

It’s = It is

Its = A possessive word for an object, such as “its performance”

c. There, Their, or They’re

There = referring to a place

Their = this is the possessive word for “they”

They’re = They are

d. To, Too, or Two

To = a preposition illustrating a location

Too = another word for “also”

Two = the number after one

e. Whether versus Weather

Whether = a dependent conjunction

Weather = the noun referring to the atmosphere outside

f. Affect versus Effect

Affect = a verb that influences the nouns in the sentence

Effect = a verb illustrating the result or consequence

g. Accept versus Except

Accept = a verb that means approval

Except = a preposition that means the exclusion of something

h. Passed versus Past

Passed = the action word meaning physically went by some place

Past = the opposite of the present (time-wise)

i. Your versus You’re

Your = Possessive; “Your umbrella” or “Your sister”

You’re = You are

j. Cite, Site, or Sight

Cite = List the sources you used in your paper

Site = a location

Sight = The function your eyes have

The list below has many words that can be used to make smooth transitions between thoughts, points, ideas, topics, or other information. Use these words to put your points in the right order and keep your reader interested in what you have to say.

Transitions

Transitions help your writing flow. They specify the types of relationships between ideas and help your audience read with a clear understanding.

Addition Words

These words should be used when you have several points to make on one topic.

Cause Words

These explain why you brought up the reason you brought up and why you need to state the next sentence or phrase. It completes a thought or idea.

Examples include:

• Because
• For this reason
• Since

Chronological Words

Use these words to keep your writing organized by maintaining points in the order of importance. They also help readers follow your train of thought better.

Become a golden writer. Give readers creative imagery by using similes and metaphors. An example of a simile is “She was sexy like a fox.” An example of a metaphor is “Her hair is silk.”

Contrast Words

These words contrast two opposing thoughts or phrases.

Example of Contrast Words:

• Although
• But
• Conversely
• Despite
• Even So
• However
• Nevertheless
• On the contrary
• On the other hand

Comparative Words

Use these words to discuss two similar forces. When writing a simile, the word “like” is used. For a metaphor, “as” is usually used. Similes and metaphors capture readers with the beautiful tapestry of your ideas displayed in your writing.

Examples of Comparative Words:

And, Both, Like, Similarly, Unlike, & Yet

Effect Words

Effect words explain the result of your point.

• As a Result
• Consequently
• For this Reason
• Resulting
• Therefore
• Thus

Emphasis Words

These words allow the reader to clearly see the focus of the paragraph.

• Above All
• Especially
• In Fact

These problems can often cause writers to lose focus and credibility. Stay on track by staying on top of these items.

1. Run-on Sentences – when two independent clauses are joined together without punctuation or connecting words.

2. Comma Splices – when two independent clauses are joined together by only a comma.

3. Misplaced Modifiers – these are words, phrases, or clauses that do not clearly point to the word or words that they modify.

4. Misused Homophones – homophones are words that sound alike, but have different spellings and meanings.

Many websites require that you use the writing style of APA that you learned in school when referencing sources in your writing and when creating citations at the bottom of your writing. Therefore, it is crucial to learn the elements of this writing style.

I will admit that I had always written my papers in MLA style, so when I entered my Master's degree program and began writing on HubPages, I was required to learn the APA style. It seemed like a foreign language to me, but once I got it down, it was not so difficult. Learn the style so that you can properly cite sources in your writing, or if you are in school, get ahead by learning this style.

Disclaimer:

Pictures: The images provided in this article were provided by Michele Jones.

Videos: The videos provided in this article were found free on YouTube.

Editing: If you find any spelling or grammar mistakes

in this article, please let me know, so that I may correct them for others.