Grammar

A collection of posts about issues related to grammar. Brush up on your skills and make sure you can create grammatically perfect writing with Knowadays.

  • Fewer vs. Less: Which Is Correct?

    Fewer vs. Less: Which Is Correct?

    May 08, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you spotted four grammatical mistakes in one document and three in another, are there less errors or fewer? “Fewer” and “less” have been tripping up writers and editors alike since their introduction. But these two adjectives aren’t as indistinguishable as they might first seem. Read on to discover the difference between “fewer” and “less”, […]

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  • A Complete Guide to First, Second, and Third Person

    A Complete Guide to First, Second, and Third Person

    A Complete Guide to First, Second, and Third Person

    May 01, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    The first, second, and third persons are present in all forms of writing in English. But what, exactly, do these terms refer to? In our complete guide, we cover everything you need to know about first-, second-, and third-person points of view. What Are First, Second, and Third Person? We use the terms first person, […]

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What Is the Difference Between e.g. and i.e.?

  • What Is the Difference Between Affect and Effect?

    What Is the Difference Between Affect and Effect?

    Apr 17, 2023

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    Affect and effect are examples of homophones – two words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. People frequently confuse the two words because we often use affect and effect in similar contexts.  This blog post will explore the difference between affect and effect and help you know which one to use – […]

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  • Who vs That: What’s the Difference?

    Who vs. That: What’s the Difference?

    Mar 27, 2023

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    Although we often replace who with that and vice versa, specific usage rules apply to these words. This blog post will help you understand those rules and provide examples for how to use them. Who vs. That Who and that are relative pronouns. This means we use them to introduce a dependent clause (also known […]

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  • How to Use Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions

    How to Use Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions

    Mar 20, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    Coordinating conjunctions can be confusing for new proofreaders, especially when commas are involved. We’re here to make things clear for you with our guide to using commas with coordinating conjunctions. What Is a Coordinating Conjunction? Coordinating conjunctions are words that join words, phrases, or clauses together. We have seven coordinating conjunctions in English, which can […]

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  • What Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?

    What Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?

    Mar 18, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    Understanding independent and dependent clauses is essential to writing and editing – but how exactly are they different? And how should you punctuate sentences with independent and dependent clauses? We’ve got the answers! Keep reading to learn what makes a clause independent or dependent and how to write both correctly. What Is a Clause? A […]

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  • Such as vs. Like: What’s the Difference?

    Such As vs. Like: What’s the Difference?

    Feb 13, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    While they may seem interchangeable, the terms “such as” and “like” actually have different meanings and are used in different ways. While “like” is used to compare things with similar characteristics, “such as” is used to introduce specific examples.  In this blog post, we’ll explore how and when to use these two terms and what […]

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  • What Is the Subjunctive in English?

    What Is the Subjunctive in English?

    Jan 28, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    The subjunctive is a verb form or “mood” type that typically refers to wishes, demands, proposals, and hypothetical situations (i.e., something that might or could happen). In this post, we will explain what a mood is, and how and when to use the subjunctive mood, especially in UK and US dialects. What Is a Mood? […]

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  • What Is a Misplaced Modifier? (With Examples)

    What Is a Misplaced Modifier? (With Examples)

    What Is a Misplaced Modifier? (With Examples)

    Jan 23, 2023

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    Understanding common grammar errors and how to fix them is a key part of working as a proofreader. In this post, we explain what misplaced modifiers are and what you can do when you spot them in your clients’ work. What Is a Misplaced Modifier? Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe another part […]

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  • What Is an Adjectival Noun?

    What Is an Adjectival Noun?

    What Is an Adjectival Noun?

    Jan 21, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    You might know of adjectives as words used to describe nouns, such as the yellow jacket or silly song. But can a noun ever work the way an adjective does? The answer is yes . . . sometimes. An adjectival noun functions as an adjective and is located before another noun in a sentence.  Want […]

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