Grammar Basics Assignment Forum

I am feeling a little bit overwhelmed at this point because there is so much information that I have been given. The real trouble is that I see little practical application for a lot of it (what difference does it make if a verb is transitive or intransitive?) but I am also confident that the real purpose for this information will become apparent. Most of my work involves working with words and ensuring proper grammar, style and consistent word use. I find much of that boring and know that quite often, the rules of style get in the way of the message; the message gets confused because too much attention is placed on the rules of the word use. I know that if careful consideration is not given to proper grammar, the message can become ambiguous and the author will not appear professional (I write for the government so there is a lot of importance placed on singular interpretation). I write fiction because it allows me to take advantage of the rules of our language, using them and breaking them to effect my meaning. In order to do this effectively, it is imperative that the rules be understood.
People do not speak as they write and it often takes me by surprise how poor educated people’s grammar often is. I refrain from correcting them except when their meaning has become unclear. I am no expert.


Tigerbyte
Writeonski
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