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Bi vs. Semi (weekly/monthly/annually)

Using bi or semi in front of time periods can cause tremendous confusion.

Biweekly means once every two weeks or twice a week.
Bimonthly means once every two months or twice a month.
In addition, a biweekly publication is issued every two weeks and a bimonthly publication is issued every two months.
Semiweekly means twice a week.
Semimonthly means twice a month.

To avoid confusion, you may want to substitute the actual time frame for these confusing terms.
For example, say, “I visit my aunt every two weeks,” not “I visit my aunt bimonthly.” If you mean every two weeks, you may also say, “I visit my aunt semimonthly.”

Posted on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 1:14 am

Writing Numbers as Words

Is it necessary to put a numeral in parentheses after you have already written the number in words?

Example: We will need two (2) chairs.

Conversely, is it necessary to write the number in words after you have already used the numeral?

Example: We will need 200 (two hundred) chairs.

If your document is dense, has a lot of numbers, or contains large numbers, the numerical form helps your readers scan information quickly. Conversely, while we may make a typo with only a numeral, we are almost guaranteed accuracy by writing the number in word format. So using a combination of numerals and written number format can be useful without being redundant.

Posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 2:53 am

Problems with Prepositions

Prepositions are words that often show direction; for example, below, above, over, under, around, through, in, out, between, among, to, toward(s). Other common prepositions include of, for (also sometimes a conjunction), from, with, like (also sometimes a verb).

Rule: You shouldn’t use or end a sentence with an unnecessary preposition, i.e., when the meaning is clear without the preposition. Sentences may end with necessary prepositions.

Correct: That is something I cannot agree with.
With is a necessary preposition.

 

Incorrect: Where did he go to?

Correct: Where did he go?
To is unnecessary because the meaning is clear without it.

Rule: Don’t follow like with a subject and verb because prepositions are followed only by nouns that act as the object of the preposition. Use as or as if or as though instead of like when a subject and verb follow.

Correct: I wish I could be more like her.

Incorrect: It doesn’t look like she will show up for dinner.

Correct: It doesn’t look as if (or as though) she will show up for dinner.

Pop Quiz

Which sentence is correct?

1. A. Where did you get this at? B. Where did you get this?
2. A. I will go later on. B. I will go later.
3. A. Take your shoes off the bed. B. Take your shoes off of the bed.
4. A. Cut it up into small pieces. B. Cut it into small pieces.
5. A. I look like my sister. B. I look as my sister.

Pop Quiz Answers

1. B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. A

Posted on Saturday, July 19th, 2008 at 12:31 am

Irregular Verbs

Let’s work with a few irregular verbs this week. Regular verbs change tense by adding an –ed.

Examples: I like to walk quickly.
I walked to the store.

Note: Do not use has or have with the past tense form.

Example: I went to the store. NOT I have went to the store.

Present Form (used alone or with will)
go
swim
run

Past Form
went
swam
ran

Past Participle Form (used with have or has)
has/have gone
has/have swum
has/have run

Present Participle Form (ing formed with to be verbs such as is, are, was, were, am)
going
swimming
running

Examples with go:

I go to my aunt’s house in the afternoon.
I will go to my aunt’s house.
I went to my aunt’s house yesterday.
I have gone to my aunt’s house every afternoon this week.
I am going to my aunt’s house this afternoon.

Examples with swim:

I swim at my aunt’s house in the afternoon.
I will swim at my aunt’s house.
I swam at my aunt’s house yesterday.
I have swum at my aunt’s house every afternoon this week.
I am swimming at my aunt’s house this afternoon.

Examples with run:

I run around the track daily.
I will run around the track every day this week.
I ran around the track yesterday.
I have run around the track every day this week.
I am running around the track every day this week.

Pop Quiz

1. I will run/ran for office next year.
2. I have run/ran for office twice.
3. I have went/gone to the dentist but my tooth still hurts.
4. I have swam/swum the butterfly stroke in competition.
5. He ringed/rang the bell before entering.
6. He has rang/rung the bell twice but no one has answered.

Pop Quiz Answers

1. I will run for office next year.
2. I have run for office twice.
3. I have gone to the dentist but my tooth still hurts.
4. I have swum the butterfly stroke in competition.
5. He rang the bell before entering.
6. He has rung the bell twice but no one has answered.

Posted on Friday, July 18th, 2008 at 6:25 pm

This/That, These/Those, Than/Then

This/That

This and that are singular. This points to something nearby while that points to something “over there.”

Examples: This dog is mine.
This is mine.
That dog is hers.
That is hers.

These/ Those

These and those are plural. These points to something nearby while those points to something “over there.”

Examples: These babies have been smiling for a while.
These are mine.
Those babies in the nursery have been crying for hours.
Those are yours.

Than/ Then

Use than to show comparison. Use then to answer the question when.

Examples: I would rather go skiing than rock climbing.
First we went skiing; then we went rock climbing.

Pop Quiz

1. This/these tables need to be cleaned before customers arrive.
2. Please clean this/that table in the corner.
3. These/those clothes in the other room need to be folded.
4. That/those toaster burned my bagel.
5. We reached the summit of the mountain and then/than collapsed.
6. I would rather starve then/than eat oysters.

Quiz Answers

1. These tables need to be cleaned before customers arrive.
2. Please clean that table in the corner.
3. Those clothes in the other room need to be folded.
4. That toaster burned my bagel.
5. We reached the summit of the mountain and then collapsed.
6. I would rather starve than eat oysters.

Posted on Friday, July 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

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