Golly Gosh Grammar is Great

[AnytaSunday]

hehehe...

 

So, peeps, I think the title says it all. Actually, it's an aim of mine to improve on my editing skills and learn (and really understand) all there is to know about editing and grammar. With that in mind, I want to ask for people's reading suggestions (books, blogs, websites) that deal with grammar both in generalities and in-depth.

 

I like Grammar Girl, but I would also like some more basic overview explanations. Rules backed up by plenty of examples would be helpful too.

 

For example, something that has been screwing with my (and I think my beta-reader's) mind is using numerals in narrative and in dialogue. When to write out in full, when it's acceptable to keep it in digit form.

 

Even if you just know the answer to that last bit, I'd be extremely thankful.

[sat8997]

10 Rules for Writing Numerals

 

#2. Spell small numbers out. The small numbers, such as whole numbers smaller than ten, should be spelled out. That’s one rule you can count on. If you don’t spell numbers out it will look like you’re sending an instant message, and you want to be more formal than that in your writing.

 

 

 

#5. Don’t start a sentence with a numeral. Make it “Fourscore and seven years ago,” not “4 score and 7 years ago.” That means you might have to rewrite some sentences: “Fans bought 400,000 copies the first day” instead of “400,000 copies were sold the first day.”

 

All the rules on this site are good to follow, but the above two should always be followed.

[Andrew Q Gordon]

OMG you're such a nerd - lovely, wonderful and amazing but still a nerd.

 

Just kidding but Golly gosh? I mean I got crap for saying drats or egad and you get away with Golly Gosh? :wacko:

 

Fun having your own private forum to play with and post as you will, eh? Though mine will now be a tad less active since you have your own to play in. Guess I'll have to come here and cry havoc and release the dogs of war. :battleaxe::mace:

 

Um well this was soooo sorry. Swing back - you know and I know and you know that I know that you know I have no idea on this topic and just defer to your wisdom. So I'm glad at least one of us is taking this seriously.

[AnytaSunday]

Thanks Sharon, that's great. I went straight there and from there clicked on a link that then got me to the Chicago Manual of Style, which I'm now trying out.

 

Andy,

 

I know that you know I know you know.... okay, that's as far as I get before my head starts scribbling, LOL. In any case, yes, I'm taking this seriously. If writing doesn't work out for me, I want to go into editing, so.... you know (content editing for manuscripts, hopefully).

 

Hehe, yes it IS fun to have a place to let loose my random stuff. BUT, I won't be neglecting yours. Promise. I just gotta think of something interesting first. See here it doesn't matter how lame I am. 'cause you know, I own it.

 

In fact, I should call this Lameland--because I guarantee a good dose of that!

Edited April 16, 2011 by AnytaSunday

[Rilbur]

If you're that interested in grammar rules, you might want to look into some linguistics books, too.

[Tipdin]

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

 

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

 

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/writersref6e/Player/Pages/Main.aspx

 

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/colons.htm

 

http://www.englishpage.com/

[AnytaSunday]

Thanks guys! I'll check out those sites. Woohoo!!!

[LJH]

 

...and use a dictionary...I do, all the time, not just these online dictionaries but a real solid book...hehehe. Grammar...well, see, it's like this, grammar aids the construction of an exciting sentence and words create emotions. Check for silly mistakes like: She thought to herself. I mean who else is she going to think to? Or, He shrugged his shoulders. Gee, what else he going to shrug. Also, I've learned not to describe the obvious, only describe the everyday if it differs from what we normally expect.

 

[colinian]

There are two reference books that I use when I need information about grammar and style:

Grammar Desk Reference by Gary Lutz & Diane Stevenson, Writer's Digest Books.

A Pocket Style Manual by Diana Hacker, Fifth Edition, Bedford/St. Martins.

 

A book that's fun to read and has practical punctuation advice is Eats Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss, Gotham Books. Lynne's book is not organized as a reference but more like a textbook, a small 5" x 7.5" 209 page textbook.

 

The most important thing to remember about grammar is that it's malleable and flexible and subject to change based on the whims of its users, you and me and everyone else who speaks and writes using this amazing English language.

 

Colin

[MikeL]

“Fans bought 400,000 copies the first day” instead of “400,000 copies were sold the first day.”

 

Your example is good for an additional reason. You use the active rather than the passive form. Some writers use the passive entirely too much.