Let's punctuate it right

By Ranjana S.

   §  The Comma:-

Commas are the workhorses of English pronunciation and are the punctuation marks used more frequently within sentences. One of the commas'  feature is to keep the meaning of a sentence clear by indicating which of its parts are essential for the basic sense and which parts aren't as necessary. Another function of the comma is to show the reader which parts of a sentence belong together, and which should be read as separate, though closely related, elements of the sentence.

Image Source:Internet


§  Can we recapitulate its uses:

(a) It may be used to separate the components of a date, of an address, of a large number, or of a series of three or more items, words, or groups of words.

§  July 28, 2014

§  Monday, July 28

§  Vadodara, Gujarat

§  Atlanta, Georgia

§  10 Pankson Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma

§  5, 687

§  8,365,487

§  She won the bingo game by covering B3, 18, N2, G1, and O5.

§  On our vacation we visited friends in Cleveland, Indianpolis,and Denver.

§  Mr. and Mrs. Andrew, Dr. and Mrs. Claive, and Mrs. Green were at the concert.

»»»»Kindly note: 

In the series such as those illustrated in the last three sentences above, many writers omit the last comma (the one that immediately precedes and). Both ways of punctuating series are acceptable. Just be sure that you are consistent. Do not include the final comma in one instance and drop it in another.

(b) A comma may be used after the salutation (greeting) and after the conventional closing phrase of a letter. A colon (:) is preferred for the salutations in business or other formal letters.

§  Dear Jerry,

§  Dear Mom, (but Dear Sir:)

§  Best regards,

§  Sincerely yours,

(c) A comma is always used to set off the name or title of a person you address directly in writing, or to set off a person's name from his title, academic degree, or the like.

§  Well, Chris, that's about the end of the story.

§  I'm very happy to tell you this news, Uncle Tim.

§  The project chief was Rachael Mathew, Ph. D.

(d) A comma is used to separate the two parts of any sentence that begins with a statement but ends as a question.

§  She is an angel, isn't she?

§  That wasn't too much to spend on the frivolous party, was it?

(e) Expressions such as she said, he wrote, etc., that either introduce or follow quoted dialogue are usually set off by commas.

§  Mika said, "We should study now."

§  "We should study now", said Mika.

§  "By tomorrow," Cynthia wrote, "I'll be in Mysore again."

(f) A comma is used between each of the two or more adjectives that modify the same noun.

§  We kept up a brisk, steady pace on the hike.

§  Queechy Lake is a deep, blue, calm body of water.

»»»»Kindly note:

To test whether the modifiers all modify the same noun, substitute the word 'and' for the commas: "brisk and steady pace"; deep and blue and calm body of water."

If the word 'and' cannot be meaningfully inserted, commas should not be used. Consider, for instance, the sentence “She wore brown leather gloves." Here the gloves are not really brown and leather; the two words brown leather are a unit that cannot be meaningfully separated. Therefore, no commas please.

Similarly, if you write "Queechy Lake is a deep blue color." you do not mean that the color of the water is deep and blue; it is deep blue, without a comma.

(g) Commas are always used to set off appositives-- that is, words or phrases that rename, identify, or explain the preceding word or phrase.

§  I, Ranjana Shrivastava, do make this last will and testament.

§  The captain of the football team, a senior from Memphis, scored the first touchdown.

§  Why should this have happened to her, honest lady that she is?

»»»Kindly note:

Except at the end of a sentence(as in the last preceding examples) a pair of commas is always used in such situations, one before and one after the appositive word or words.

(h). Commas may be used to set off an introductory phrase or clause that tells how, when, where, why, etc., the following statement has happened, is happening, or will happen.

§  When the war was over, Jerromy returned to England.

§  In Puerto Rico, it never gets this cold.

§  Even if rains cats and dogs tomorrow, we won't call off our picnic.

»»»»Kindly note:

If the introductory group of words is very short, many writers feel that a comma is not needed. It would not be incorrect, for example, to write-  "In Puerto Rico it never gets this cold." Note, too, that a comma is not generally used to set off a clause or phrase that follows the main statement instead of preceding it:

§  Jerromy returned to England when the war was over.

§  We will not call off our picnic even if it rains cats and dogs tomorrow.

(I) Commas are often used to separate almost unnecessary words or group of words (parenthetical expressions) from the rest of the sentence.

§  I appreciate your offer but cannot, however, accept the position.

§  You are, therefore, the only person who can do the job.

§  He is, unfortunately, a rather a poor sport.

§  Nina knew, of course, that the party started at eight.

§  Yes, I was absolutely right.

§  You look a little pale, to tell the truth.

In the aforementioned illustrations, the words set off by commas serve mainly as personal emphasis, personal asides, word bridges, or nonessential introductions or conclusions to the major statement. Note that except at the beginning or the end of a sentence, the commas are always paired around the parenthetical expression so that it is entirely separated from the essential parts of the sentence.

(j) A comma usually precedes the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence. A compound sentence is a sentence that is really composed of two or more sentences joined together( that is, coordinated) by a conjunction such as 'and', 'but', 'for', or 'or'.

§  The lady gave us directions, but they were so complicated we couldn't follow them.

§  I returned the book to Joe, and he took it right back to the library.

§  We could hardly hear the soulful renditions by the Sufi singer, for we sat in the last row of the auditorium.

If the compound sentence is very brief, you may safely omit the comma before the conjunction.

§  Harry thought he knew his way but he didn't.

§  At night the kids play checkers or I read to them.

(k) Commas should always be used to set off nonrestrictive clauses.

A nonrestrictive clause is a group of words that describes something or someone without being absolutely necessary for identifying the thing or person. In other words, you can drop a nonrestrictive clause from the sentence without changing its meaning.

Robert's new fishing rod, which is an eleven-footer, cost him a small fortune. (The clause 'which is an eleven-footer' is nonrestrictive and must be set off by commas because it merely adds some information about the rod; the rod has already been clearly identified as Robert's new fishing rod.

 Compare this with the following sentence: The fishing rod which Robert just bought cost him a fortune. Here the clause 'which Robert just bought' is restrictive: It is essential to the meaning of the sentence because it tells the reader which one of Robert's rods the writer is referring to, and so it should not be enclosed in commas.)

Some more illustrations:

     § My favourite friend, whom I hardly meet, stays in London.

     § The friend whom I hardly meet lives in London.

     § Our house, where three generations have been born and died, stands on a high hill.

     § Our house stands on a high hill where three generations have been born and died.

»»»»Kindly note:

Some writers pepper their sentences too heavily with commas, and others use too few. Remember that the comma is not just embellishment on the page; its use is imperative to sort out, separate and combine the various parts of the sentence. When you are in doubt about whether or not you need a comma at a certain place, try saying the sentence aloud. If it seems natural for you to pause, no matter how briefly, at that spot, a comma may well be in order. If, on the other hand, a pause seems to break into the middle of a tight cluster of words and make you sound as if you are gasping for breath, do not insert a comma.

Hence, for example, you would not normally say “Helen and Tom (pause) have gone out for a walk." But you would pause for at least an instant at the places where commas are inserted in the following sentence: Helen and Tom, who can't stand each other, have gone out for a walk.

This is not, of course, a sure-fire way to test your use of commas, however, it may help you to resolve your doubts.

Wrong Pronouns

By Ranjana S.

Why can't we say: If your child abhors spinach, try boiling it in milk..... :)

The pro- in pronoun means " in place of " Hence, every pronoun stands in place of a noun; the meaning of a sentence with a pronoun in it is clear only when there is no doubt in the reader's mind about which noun the pronoun stands for. If you use a pronoun that might possibly refer to any one of the two or more people, places, or things, your reader is bewildered and misunderstands the content.

In the aforementioned sentence; the reader might get puzzled that in case you have an obdurate child, who refuses to eat spinach, should you boil the child or spinach?

Image Source: internet

Look at this sentence- "Weats was the first to tell Charlie that he had been fired."

Within an English sentence the order of words is very important for getting the meaning across and making sense, exemplary writers usually try to place pronouns very close to their antecedents. Likewise, the readers assume that the nearest noun preceding a pronoun is the one it refers to. In this illustration, we would take it for granted that the noun represented by 'he' in the above sentence is Charlie, and that Charlie was the one who lost his job. However, any reader might wonder:

Is it possible that the writer intends the 'he' to refer back to Weats instead of Charlie?

To elucidate the meaning, the writer should have made it explicit in this way-

" Weats was the first to tell Charlie that Charlie had been fired."

Therefore, it is a good idea to repeat the noun than to leave the reader scratching his /her head.

Let's look at these illustrations:

• If your child abhors spinach, try boiling the spinach in milk.
• Since the cats seem scared of the dogs, we should get rid of the dogs.
• Marie went to visit Amanada because Amanda was feeling depressed.

Happy Learning!

The Simple Past Tense

By Ranjana S.

Image  Source: Internet

Form---Subject + Verb in the past.

• He+ sang + a song.
• The girls+ played + badminton.
• The guests + clapped+ loudly.

Read the following paragraph:

"It all happened suddenly. The van came straight out of the side road, and the van went into the back of it. The van driver didn't have a chance. It was the car driver's fault".

When do we use past tense?

To describe an action completed in the past. An adverb or adverbial phrase of past time (like yesterday, last night, five days back, four years ago, etc.) is usually added to sentences describing past action:

• I received your invitation yesterday.
• I left the institution five years ago.

To indicate a habitual action in the past: 

• My brother always stood first in class during his school days.
• The scientists devised many medicines for curing this disease.

A point to note:-

The phrase used to+ verb is sometimes used in the place of simple past tense to express action which was a past habit: 

• My friends used to go for a walk every morning.
• I used to go for excursions many years back.
• My brother used to stand first in class during his school days.

  

The Past Continuous Tense:

Read the following paragraph:

I went for a party yesterday. The host was welcoming the guests. We were dancing on all peppy songs. The kids were playing games and were enjoying all the attention. My friends and I were playing cards. The men were drinking. I enjoyed the party.

Form:-

• Subject + was/were +ing form
• He+ was+ writing+a letter.
• She +was+singing+a song.
• They+ were+ cleaning+ the room.

We use the Past Continuous Tense in the following cases:

To describe an action going on at a point of time or over a period of time in the past. It tells you that at a time in the past we were in the middle of an action.

• At 8 am this morning I was doing my homework.
• I was resting the whole day.
• They were washing their clothes in the morning.

To describe an action which was in progress when another action took place.

• The boys were swimming when father came.
• The girls were dancing when the lights went out.
• They were sleeping when the thief/intruder/burglar entered the house.

A point to note:-

With verbs not normally used in the continuous form, the simple past is used. 

For instance 'hear' is not used in the past continuous.

However, simple past can be used. 

• I was hearing it from my room.--------incorrect.
• I heard it from my office.-----------correct.
• I was smelling a rose.--------incorrect.
• I smelt a rose.--------------correct.
• It was appearing to be decent.--------incorrect.
• It appeared me to be decent.----------correct.

The Past Perfect Tense:

Read the following paragraph :

I felt really tired yesterday at work because Jimmie and I had been to a party the evening before. We hadn't gone to bed until after 2 a.m. I had taken a cab yesterday to work and I felt awful.

Form:-

• subject+had+past participle.
• He+ had + written+ a letter.
• They+ had+ ridden+the horse.
• She+ had+ drawn+ the picture.

When do we use Past Perfect Tense?

To indicate that an action was completed at some point in the past time before another action commenced or took place.

• When we reached the theater, the movie had started.
• The robbers had run away before the police arrived.
• The train had left, when I reached the station. 

If two actions occurred in the past (one past action earlier than the other past action), the Past Perfect is used for earlier past action (the train had left) and the Simple Past for the later past action. (I reached).

We can also say that Past Perfect means "past of the past".

Some more illustrations:

First action completed(past perfect)---The patient had died.

Second action took place( simple past)---before the doctor arrived.

Join the sentence:

• The patient had died before the doctor arrived.

First action completed(past perfect)---After he had left

Second action took place(simple past)---the party began.

Join the sentence:

• After he had left, the party began.

Is it always wrong to split an infinitive?

By Ranjana S.

Well, no. Modern educators, writers, and speakers have advocated its use; it is preferable to do so than to rephrase a sentence into a self-conscious, awkward construction in order to refrain from splitting an infinitive.

Let's recapitulate: An infinitive is the verb form preceded by to :

Example:

• To shout
• To love
• To understand

Image Source: Internet

You 'split' the infinitive when you insert a word or group of words between to and the verb. Sometimes such insertions are pain to ears because they leave the listener confounded and caught in midair, waiting intently for the infinitive to be completed-as if waiting for the thunder after the lightning.

Bad example: 

• The film-makers intend to, despite rain, hail, storm, or snow, shoot the action scene on time.

We can improve the construction by removing the 'split'-

• Despite rain, hail, or snow, the film-makers intend to shoot the action scene on time.

Most people avoid long, awkward splits.

In the following case:

• 'I don't expect you to completely understand what I've been trying to tell you.'

How would you avoid splitting the infinitive in such a sentence? 
You could say 'completely to understand' or 'to understand completely,' however, either of those changes might weaken your point. In this case, hence, the split infinitive will be favored to any other alternative.

Inference: 
If a split infinitive makes a sentence incomprehensible or difficult to read, rewrite the sentence. If a clearer, most forceful way of stating your idea seems to require a split infinitive, go ahead and split it.

Happy Split-ting!!!

How To Choose The Most Useful Situational Leadership Style?

The Four Situational Leadership Styles

Style 1 - The "Directing/Telling" Leader

Situation: (Group members are - unwilling and unable)
This style is appropriate when the members are new or inexperienced and need a lot of help, direction and encouragement in order to get the job done. The feeling or relationships within the group are not explored to a great extent. This leader provides structure and guidance to the group. The leader defines the role of group members and directs them on what, how, when and where to do various tasks. A supportive role may also be provided to reward and encourage.

Style 2 - The "Coaching/Selling" Leader

Situation: (Group members are - willing but unable)
Here the group is a little more responsible, experienced and willing. The leader's main role is to assist the members in doing a task for which they do not have the skills. The leader coaches the members through the skills of the task. Direction and guidance are necessary. The leader also provides plenty of encouragement and inspiration to maintain the willingness (motivation) of the group.

Style 3 - The "Participating/Supportive" Leader

Situation: (Group members are - unwilling but able)
Leaders using this supportive style know the group has the ability to do the job. However, the group may be unwilling (apprehensive, bored, etc.) to start or complete the task. Therefore, the group members and leader participate in making decisions and carrying them out together. Here, the leader puts more emphasis on relationships and individuals' feelings within the group. Members feel important when the leader provides moral support and encouragement. The leader is a resource person and helper in this role.

Style 4 - The "Delegating/Trusting" Leader

Situation: (Group members are - willing and able)
A leader will choose to be a delegator when the group members are both willing and able to take responsibility for directing their own behaviour. The leader trusts the group to do their own thing and observes from a distance.

Important : No one style of leadership is appropriate for every occasion or situation! To be a good leader, know your group - "where they are at" in terms of their ability, knowledge, desire and willingness. In addition, you must be aware of your preferred style and how others perceive you. Be ready to adapt that leadership style to the occasion. Practise moving from one style to another, depending on the occasion. Use the behaviours appropriate for that style - they're easy to learn!

A Last Thought...

Leadership can be instilled in one's being by continuous practice of resolute traits that define a leader.

There is no secret recipe or magical formula to become an effective leader overnight. It is a process of trial and error, successes and failures.

Never stop learning, and with practice you can increase your success in leadership!

Look, what Gobbledygook has to say today.....

Gobbledygook:Powered by Eezee English Zone
By Ranjana S.

He's bent upon teaching us about "State verbs and Action verbs". Let's lend our ears to him.

Gobbledygook says.....

§  States- A state means which stays the same.

  

       »» The boy owns a bike.

       »» The house is immaculate.

       »» The container contained oil.

*** State verbs cannot usually be continuous.

    We can't say- The boy is owning a bike.

§  Actions- An action means something happening.

  

         »»  The boy is cleaning his bike.

         »» The maid is decorating the house.

         »» We put the oil in the container.

*** Action verbs can be simple or continuous.

     She decorates/ She was decorating the house.

State verbs:

 Understand, seem, resemble, matter, mean, like, love, hate, belong, consist of, depend on, exist, know, own, need, prefer, remember, deserve, belong, believe, be.

Let's clarify the difference with the help of some illustrations:

STATES---- (simple tenses).

§  I think she is pretty (you believe).

§  We have two houses ( you own).

§  I come from India (you live).

§  I see her perspective (you understand)

§  This painting looks nice.

§  He appears scared ( it seems)

§  The bag weighed ten kilos.

§  The coat fits (it's the right size).

ACTIONS--- ( simple or continuous).

      §  I'm thinking about your problem.

§  We're having dinner (eating).

§  I'm coming from India (travelling).

§  Maria is seeing Dennis (meeting).

§  I see Michelle quite often (meet).

§  I'm looking at the portrait.

§  She was appearing/appeared pensive.

§  The custom officials were weighing/weighed my bag.

§  I'm fiiting a lock to the window.

    

 These examples with the verb 'be' are about people's behaviour.

»»»»»Permanent behaviour:

§  Charlotte is a gregarious person.

§  That boy is a nincompoop.

»»»»»Temporary behaviour:

§  Charlotte is being very gregarious today.

§  That boy is being a nincompoop this morning.

We use am/are/is being only to talk about behaviour, not about other things.

§  I'm better today.

§  Are you prepared?

§  Is anyone interested?

We can use some state verbs in the continuous to talk about a short period of time:

»»»»»Permanent state( simple tenses)

§  I love sufi songs.

§  I enjoy ice-creams.

§  Holidays cost a lot of money.

»»»»»Temporary state( continuous )

§  I'm loving the song you've played.

§  I'm enjoying ice cream at the parlor.

§  This trip is costing me a lot of money.

Look at the conversation below to give a clear understanding about State verbs and Action verbs:

 Anna: Hi, Joe. What do you look at---x

 What are you looking at?

 Joe: Oh, hi. These are paper cuttings of  automobiles. You know I have a fascination for such    collections.

 Ann: Oh, look at this car. I'm thinking-----x

 I think this one is awesome.

Joe: Look here. I'm having------x

I have some more pictures here.

Ann: Why didn't you stick this car's picture in your collection?

Joe: Actually, this picture was too large. It  wasn't fitting-----x. It didn't fit properly.

Ann: Oh, I'm seeing----x I see. You are seeming------x. 

You seem to be very happy to pursue your hobby.

Joe: Yep, I'm having a huge collection------x

I have a huge collection and I'm thinking of expanding it.

Ann: Great!!

Happy Verb-ing!!!!

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

By Ranjana S.

Gobbledygook elucidates us on Present Perfect Tense.

Let’s hear from him...

Image Source: Engames.eu

When do we use Present Perfect Tense:

# To indicate that an action has been completed, finished or done just now( near the present time) or a little time back(in the immediate past); as,

• Roger has just gone out.
• I have finished the homework just now.
• Jessica has just written a letter.

 The term ' Present Perfect' gives the idea of both Present and Perfect( Present + Perfect). The ' Perfect' gives an idea that somebody has already finished or done the work; the 'Present' conveys the idea that the work has been completed near the present time (just now) and, therefore, the connection with the present time is indicated by 'has' or 'have'.

# To indicate that the action has taken place sometime in the past (it may be long time back), but the action completed has its effect in the present time ; as,

• Tyson has eaten all the cookies.(hence nothing is left for you.
• The girls have finished their work.( so, now they are free)
•  My brother has cut his finger.( his finger is bleeding )

# To indicate that the action began at sometime in the past, but is continuing up to the present time of speaking:( often with since- and for-phrases ); as,

The tenant has lived here for twenty years.(He still lives here.)

I have known her for a long time.(We still know each other.)

Margaret has been unwell/ill since last week.(She is still unwell/ill)

• We haven't seen her for several years.( We still haven't seen her.)

# When to use 'Since' and 'For'.

Since---'Since' is used in the Present Perfect shows that the verb takes effect from a specific event or point of time in the past until now.

• I have known her since 1998.
• The girls have been ill since last week.
• Raima has been staying here since yesterday.

# For----'For' is used in the Present Perfect shows that the verb takes effect for a period of time.

• We have been visiting Florida for 12 years.
• I have known him for 20 years.
• They have been studying for a long time.

# To describe a past action the time of which is neither indicated nor definite; as,

• He has scolded me many times.
• The Polkas have been to Los Angeles.
• The girl has been crying.

# To describe an action which has not been completed ; as,

• Why have you not done the sweeping yet?
• They have not yet met him so far.

The Present Perfect Tense is never used with adverbs or adverb phrases of past time (yesterday, last year, on January 17th, etc.) 'He has gone to Dubai since yesterday'-incorrect. As we put yesyerday, it already conveys that the action belongs to the past and hence; has no connection with the present. If it is nowhere related to Present Tense, thee term 'Present Perfecy'all is inappropriate. Hence, instead of the verb of present perfect(has gone), a verb of past tense (went) should be used in the sentence.

   

•  He went to Dubai yesterday---is correct.

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE:

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used in the following cases:

# To describe an action which began at sometime in the PAST and is still continuing ; as,

• I have been reading the novel for two hours.(I'm still reading)
• Rachel has been working since 9 a.m. ( She is still working)
• The women have been living here since 21st January, 2000. (They are still living)

Note-The use of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense( have been) is similar to Present Perfect Tense, and can be used alternatively:

• They have lived here for ten years.
• They have been living here for ten years.

In the Present Perfect Continuous we use 'since' to indicate point of time and 'for' to indicate period of time.

At 5 p.m, we can say:

• Gary has been sleeping since 3 p.m.
• Gary has been sleeping for two hours.

# Present Continuous Tense is not used with Adverb indicating past time.

            

Present Continuous only says that the action is continuing in the present( but says  nothing about the past) while Present Perfect Continuous says that the action is taking place in the

present though it began at some time in the past. Hence, it will be incorrect to say:

• I am travelling since yesterday.

By putting 'yesterday' we have indicated that the action began some time in the past. The Present Perfect Continuous is meant for it. We may say:

• I have been travelling since yesterday.     

Note- With verbs not normally used in the continuous form, use the Present Perfect tense. 

For example, 'own' is a stative verb ( a verb expressing a state or condition rather than an activity or event) and.cannot be used in the Continuous tense. But the Present Perfect is possible with this verb:

• I am owing a house.(incorrect)
• I have owned a house since 2012.  

Practise your tenses well.

Happy Tense-ing!!!