http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/textonly.htm
This is the text only version of the front page to the Guide to Grammar and Writing.
For the “gui,” graphical user version, CLICK HERE.
GUIDE TO GRAMMAR AND WRITING
Sentence Level
Sentence Parts and Word Functions
Skip to Verbs and Verbals
Clauses
The Garden of Phrases
Diagramming Sentences
Sentence Fragments
Run-on Sentences
Rules for Comma Usage
Punctuation Marks Besides the Comma
Punctuation Between Two Independent Clauses
Notorious Confusables: words we get mixed up
or A Confusables Menu (use pop-up or random selector)
Plague Words and Phrases we should avoid
Articles and Determiners
Noun Forms: Plurals and Possessives
Pronouns and Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Placement of Modifiers
Subject-Verb Agreement
Tense Sequence among Verbs, Infinitives,
and Participles
Compound Nouns and Modifiers
Capitalization
Abbreviations
Using Italics and Underlining
Using Numbers, Making Lists
Writing Concise Sentences
Parallel Structures
Confusion: Sources and Remedies
Vocabulary Builders: Suggestions, Quizzes, Pop-Up Lexicon
Spelling: Rules, Suggestions, Quizzes
Paragraph Level
Sentence Variety
Consistency of Tense and Pronoun Reference
Avoiding Primer Language
Sentence-Combining Skills
Coherence and Transitions
Paragraph Development
Essay Level
PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION
An entire Web site for writers in English composition courses — featuring handouts on Getting Started, Structure, Tone, Transitions, Editing, Logic, Formats, Rhetorical Patterns, Argumentative Essays, Research Papers, and more — accompanied by an abundance of successful sample essays.
Forms of
Communication
Samples (in .pdf format) for business letters, memos, application letters, thank-you letters, resumes, meeting minutes and agendas, and the research paper. PowerPoint
Presentations
If you have PowerPoint on your computer, you can take advantage of the several PowerPoint presentations available with the Guide. Click HERE for a list and for additional information.
Finding Grammar Topics
on These Pages
First, we recommend the hyperlinked INDEX. The index does not reference the quizzes or the Grammar Logs (see below). See also the FAQ File, frequently asked questions.
You can also try the new Search Engine
Interactive Quizzes
Over 150 challenging computer-graded (cgi-based and javascript) quizzes to test your knowledge of grammar! Take the quizzes as a challenge or just for fun, or read the digital handouts listed above first. Many of the quizzes are also listed at the end of the appropriate sections.
Ask Grammar!
Click here to get a form that will allow you to submit a question about English usage or grammar. It’s a good idea to check the FAQ File first to see if your question has already been answered. Also, look in the Index and consult the Search Engine to make sure the answer is not already part of the Guide. Answers are posted in the Grammar Logs (below) — sometimes within hours, almost always within a day or two. Full responses are sometimes sent through e-mail, or you will be notified that answers have been posted in the Grammar Logs (listed below).
GRAMMAR LOGS
This is where Grammar keeps track of questions and answers. Once filled, each volume contains 100 questions, ten “logs” of ten questions each. We suggest you look through these volumes to see if your question has been asked and answered before; in the process, you will surely find many interesting questions from other users around the world. There is also an FAQ File, a list of Frequently Asked Questions, hyperlinked to appropriate answers within the Guide. So far, questions have been submitted from 123 countries — click HERE for a list — and all fifty states of the U.S.A.
Current Grammar Log, #54: November 3, 2002, to _____
Or, from the archives, select the Grammarlog you want to review.GRAMMARLOGS ARCHIVE
Grammar English’s Bookshelf
When Grammar English needs help, what books does she grab first?
Other Online Resources for Writing
Grammar English thinks she has the best online resource for writing
but there are others. See also the Academic Weblist for English.
Eminent Quotables
Over 200 quotations from famous writers and thinkers — from William Shakespeare to Steve Martin, from Yeats to Eeyore — about the craft and passion of writing.
Anomalous Anonymies
Grammar Goofs and uproarious misspellings harvested from college essays,
high school papers, and other sources over the years. Just for fun!
Caveat Lector
A brief but important caution about the uses of this Guide.
Grammar’s Trophy Cabinet
Grammar English is proud of the awards bestowed upon this page. The award icons (that take you to the pages of the kind bestowers of such awards) have been put away in this digital cabinet, where they are kept well shined. Click HERE, please, to see them.
Prepared by Professor of English/Humanities Charles Darling for English courses at Capital Community College and for the general online public. For Darling’s credentials, click HERE. Suggestions are always welcome. If your browser is forms-capable, questions about grammar and writing should be submitted by means of the ASK GRAMMAR form, above; otherwise, use this e-mail form for suggestions or questions.
Merriam-Webster’s WWWebster Dictionary and Thesaurus. Based on Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate ® Dictionary, Tenth Edition. Linked with permission from Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Capital Community College
Unless otherwise indicated, all written material on this website and its associated web-pages—which are updated daily—is the property of Professor Charles Darling and Capital Community College and is published here for free use by the college’s students and staff and for the general online community. This Guide may not be reproduced wholly or in part, by any means whatsoever, including mirroring on other web-servers, without prior hard-copy written consent of the author. Printing out sections for a student’s personal reference or class practice is permitted as long as the source is indicated. Linking to this site is encouraged; notifying us is appreciated. Copyright 2002; Hartford, Connecticut.