Language Arts

Language Arts

A collection of articles on English grammar and mechanics. Includes grammar articles on parts of speech like nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, and interjections subject-verb agreement, and paragraphs. Mechanics articles on punctuation marks and spelling articles on improving misspelling, spell checking, and typos are also included.

Grammar and Mechanics Articles

I before E I before E except after C is a spelling rule most of us learn in elementary school. However, the I before E rule has a few exceptions. This article will help you learn or remember when it is appropriate to use I before E and when to use E before I. Read more - I before E
Most Common Misspellings Do you worry about misspelling words? Some words are more commonly misspelled than others. This article has the most common misspellings and tips and tricks on how to remember the correct spelling of words that often trip people up.
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Spell Checking Spell checking any document is important. Spell checkers often do not do an optimal job out-of-the-box, but can be adapted to your needs. Keep reading to understand what your spell checker can and cannot do to help you with misspellings.
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Sentence A sentence is one of the foundational elements of writing, but the definition of a sentence as “a complete thought” is not always helpful. This article explores ways of understanding what a sentence is, including a definition and examples.
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Pronouns A pronoun is a word that substitutes for a noun, a noun phrase, or a nominative (some other part of speech acting like a noun or noun phrase). There are different pronouns to fit different sentence contexts, and this article explains how they work. Read more - Pronouns
Nouns Overview This overview on nouns has information on noun word forms, common nouns, proper nouns, count nouns, non-count nouns, concrete nouns, abstract nouns, noun phrases, and how to form singular or plural nouns. Read more - Nouns Overview
Adjectives Overview Adjectives are words that modify nouns. This article distinguishes adjectives from other parts of speech and explains different types of adjectives.. Read on for more on adjectives.
Read more - Adjectives Overview
Prepositions Overview This preposition overview has information on simple prepositions, complex prepositions, prepositional complements, and the roles of prepositional phrases. The article provides a definition and examples of each type of prepositions. Read more - Prepositions Overview
Contractions Contractions are created by combining two or more words. This article defines what a contraction is, gives examples of how contractions are formed, and has a table of common contractions. Keep reading for more on contractions. Read more - Contractions
Adverbs Overview Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or entire sentences. Keep reading for more information, definitions, and examples of adverbs, adverb forms, adverb phrases and clauses, relative adverbs, and more... Read more - Adverbs Overview
Verbs Overview This verbs overview defines verbs, and covers action verbs, linking verbs, verb tenses, verbs in active and passive voice, verb moods, and modal auxiliary verbs. Keep reading for more information about verbs and their use.
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Pronoun Overview Pronouns are parts of speech that substitute for a noun, a noun phrase (a noun accompanied by other words such as modifiers), or a nominative (another part of speech taking on the role of a noun or noun phrase). Various pronouns fit various sentence contexts. Keep reading for more on pronouns.
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Ins and Outs of Apostrophes In this article we take a look at the ins and outs of apostrophes in order to gain a better understanding of how to use an apostrophe correctly in English. Apostrophes are used in possessives, contractions, plurals, and abbreviations. Read on to learn more. Read more - Ins and Outs of Apostrophes
Typos vs Misspellings In this typos vs. misspellings article the differences between typos and misspellings is explained.  A typo is just hitting the wrong key. Misspelling a word is usually more complicated. Read on to learn more... Read more - Typos vs Misspellings
Subject-Verb Agreement In this subject-verb agreement article we learn the rules of when to use a singular verb and when to use a plural form of the verb. Read more to learn some of the basic rules and tricks to help you understand subject-verb agreement. Read more - Subject-Verb Agreement
Common Abbreviations Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases and have a variety of purposes. They are used to save space, as in the abbreviations of place names and to express affection, as with nicknames. They are also used to avoid endless, lengthy repetition when something has to be constantly referred to. Read more - Common Abbreviations
Paragraph The structure and makeup of a paragraph has changed somewhat with new technology and methods of communication. Read this article to learn more about how paragraph writing has changed in formal writing, dialogue, email, and instant messages. Read more - Paragraph
Interjections The verb interject comes from the Latin intericere, from the root meaning “to throw.” It means “to insert between” or “to interpose.” So, interjections are words or groups of words inserted into a sentence, but not grammatically connected to the rest of the sentence. Keep reading to learn more. Read more - Interjections
Punctuation Marks This article discusses punctuation marks their functions, and their proper use. Learn more about punctuation rules and how punctuation is used to make reading and writing clearer and easier to understand.
Read more - Punctuation Marks
Conjunctions Conjunctions are words that have a joining function. They link together words, phrases, or clauses. To understand more about conjunctions, including types of conjunctions, coordinating conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions, read on. Read more - Conjunctions
Misspelling & How to Improve Misspelling is a problem that plagues many people, even those who try hard to overcome it. If you are serious about addressing the issue of misspelling, this article will give you some hints about approaches that you might find productive in helping you improve.
Read more - Misspelling & How to Improve