We specialize in adding individuality and personality to your writing--but just incase you are looking for a little grammar lesson...

  1. It's vs. Its

    It's= it is or it has. It is a contraction. Use it to replace “it is” or “it has.” If those words wouldn’t work in your sentence, this is not the right choice for you.

    Its= belonging to it or of it. It is a positive pronoun. Use it to describe a gender-neutral thing or situation.

    Examples:

    1. It's great that yaysayers is teaching me grammar. (It is)
    2. The dog was chasing its tail moments before it ate my homework. (its=the dog)
    3. It’s incorrect to write “its” when you are trying to write "it’s."

  2. Who vs. Whom

    Who= is used to replace the SUBJECT in a clause or question.

    Whom= is used to replace the OBJECT in a clause or question.

    Examples:

    1. Who is interested in a rollercoaster ride?
    2. This is who told me about the yaysayers website.
    3. With whom are you going to the Sonic Youth concert?
    4. This is the man whom I wanted to set you up with.

    *Many people have discontinued using "whom." While we prefer to stick to tradition, it is not wrong anymore to use "who" in place of "whom."

  3. Who vs. That vs. Which

    While "who" and "that" can be used to refer to people. Use "who" when the individual person or the individuality of a group is meant. Use “that” when a class or type of person is meant.

    "That" and "which" usually refer to things, places, animals or groups. Use "which" with non-restrictive clauses. Use "that" with restrictive clauses.

    Examples:

    1. I just saw a dancer who was break dancing like it was 1986
    2. She is the kind of student that aces most of her tests.
    3. I have to go to French class next, which is my favorite class.
    4. Where is the document that I was editing?
    5. Who is that hot guy over there?

  4. Know, name and use that weird abbreviation, acronym or monosyllabic word.

    [sic]= is derived from the Latin word meaning "thus". When it is found in brackets, it means that an incorrect spelling, phrase, structure or punctuation found within a quote is not a transcription error and has been retained intentionally.
    et. al.= and all. This term can refer to all other people or all other things.
    ad hoc= for a particular purpose
    ad val=according to the value
    etc.= and so forth (etcetera)
    loc. cit.=in the place cited
    N.B.= note well (nota bene)
    Non seq.=non sequitur
    pro tem= for the time being (pro tempore)
    Q.E.D.= which was to be demonstrated
    supra= above
    i.e.= in other words/ as in/ that is to say.
    a.k.a.= also known as.
    e.g.= for example
    viz= namely
    SRO= standing room only
    LIFO=last in, first out
    TLC= tender, loving care
    VIP= very important person
    @=at
    c/o=care of
    nb= pay special attention to. Comes from the Latin phrase nota bene, meaning, note well.

  5. Problem Phrases!

    COMMON MISTAKES and yaysayers PET PEEVES:
    For all intents and purposes: Not "intensive purposes."
    Used to/Supposed to: Do not omit the d! "use to" and "suppose to" are incorrect.
    Anyway: There is no "s" at the end of the word. "Anyways" is used colloquially, but it is technically incorrect.
    Toward: Also has no "s" ending. Do not say "towards."
    Couldn't care less: Not "I could care less." Make it negative!

    NEVER use these "words" because, guess what? They "ain't" words!
    Ain't
    Irregardlessly
    Not necessary (use unnecessary)
    Trepidacious (use "with trepidation")
    Non-defunct (double negative!)
    Conversate (wait, do you mean "converse" or "conversation")

  6. Affect vs. Effect

    a)Affect is a verb meaning "to change or influence."

    1. The teacher's decision to give Ella a mediocre grade could affect (influence or change) Ella's GPA significantly.
    2. He affects (assumes) an air of pretention although he is actually quite humble.


    b)Effect can either be a verb meaning "to bring about" or a noun meaning "impression or result"

    1. It is essential that we effect (bring about) an immediate change in the way we treat our environment.
    2. It will take at least a year to gauge the full effect (result) of the skier's training.

  7. Monthly Punctuation Pointer!

    What do you do if you aren't sure of a fact that you want to reference? To express doubt or uncertainty about a word or phrase within a sentence, use a question mark enclosed in parentheses.

    That insane and breathtakingly beautiful actress was born in 1978(?)

  8. Awhile vs. A while

    a) Sorry, you may have to wait awhile. (adverb)

    b) You may have to wait for a while (noun: object of for)

    c) I ran into him a while back

  9. Everyday vs. Every day

    a)You'll soon understand the everyday benefits of taking your multivitamins. (ordinary or daily)

    b)He has called me incessantly, every day this week! (each day)

  10. Imply vs. Infer

    a) Imply means "to suggest"; you imply something by your own words or actions.
    1. Claire implied that Alexander would not be invited to the dinner when she said that she couldn't stand him.

    b)Infer means "to deduce" or "to arrive at a conclusion" based on another person's words or actions.
    2. I inferred that Alexander would not be coming to the dinner based on my conversation with Claire.

  11. Lay vs. Lie

    a) Lay means "to put" or "to place," signifying that someone is placing something in a reclining position. The verb requires an object to complete its meaning.

    b) Lie means "to recline, rest, or stay" or "to take a position of rest." It refers to a person or a thing as either assuming or being in a reclining position. This verb cannot take an object.

  12. Sometime-sometimes-some time

    a) The order will be shipped sometime (at some unspecified time) next week.
    b) Sometimes (now and then) I like to...
    c) It took me some time (a period of time) to
    d) I saw him some time ago...

  13. Never ever use these words!

    Irregardlessly - is not a word.
    Not necessary - use unnecessary.
    Trepidacious - use "with trepidation" because this is not a word!

More Tips and Tricks COMING SOON!