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Slang expressions are words or phrases that have been coined, usually by younger people, for use in a way that is inconsistent with their standard definitions. Inappropriate.
bag, bag lady; bananas; bomb, bomb out; bonkers; dog, dog it |
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A colloquialism is a word or expression used in an informal, conversational setting. The term also may be used to indicate an expression of regional dialect. Inappropriate.
I was ill but I am alright now
I was ill but I am all right now |
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to agree, accept
to go beyond |
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to receive willingly
other than |
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admission
surplus, extra amount |
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adjust
used as adept at; skillful |
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suggestion, recommendation
suggest, recommend |
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to produce an effect, to influence
result, outcome |
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to make a bad situation worse
annoy, to vex |
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satisfactory, well; well enough, very well
incorrect use "all right" instead |
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incorrect use "together" instead
completely, wholly |
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hint, indirect mention
evade, escape |
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used to indicate three or more
used to indicate two |
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designates a quantity that is the whole
designates a quantity divisible into units |
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appreshensive, uneasy
marked by enthusiasm or impatience |
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a possible way to do something
in any case, in any event |
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unfavorable, opposite, hostile
feeling of repugnance, abhorrence |
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unfavorable, severe, spoiled, disobedient
poorly, disagreeably |
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brought into existence by birth
past participle of bear |
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assets calculated to produce income
place where a legislative body meets |
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to quote as authority, to name
vision
location |
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composed (of)
divided (into)
comprise (of) |
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internal distinction between right and wrong
alert, aware |
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an official group
advise; advice or advisor, attorney |
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credible
creditable
credulous |
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believable, trustworthy
worthy or praise
willing to take at face value, gullible |
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at this time
in the very near future |
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false belief about the self or about other people or things
misleading image |
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object, vehicle
to give, as in a will or other testamentary document |
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disinterested
uninterested |
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impartial, unbiased
lack of curiosity, not interested |
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prominent in reference to a person
about to occur, threatening |
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look forward to
think probable or likely |
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reduced number
reduced extent or degree |
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prefatory comments to a book, not by the author
progressively toward the front, ahead |
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suitable, satisfactory
healthy, desirable; suitably, satisfactorily |
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to suggest, to hint
to deduce, to draw a conclusion |
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unbelievable
unwilling to take at face value, skeptical |
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it is
belonging to it (a place or thing) |
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at a subsequent time
near the end, the last mentioned of the two |
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| to place a person or an object somewhere |
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| to be in or to take a reclining position |
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to relinquish temporarily
a thing given for the borrower's temporary use |
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responsible or legally bound
defamatory statement in written form |
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might come to pass
perhaps, possibly |
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affected by nausea
causing nausea |
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past participle of "pass"
previous time, beyond |
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use with a specific number
use when no specific number is stated |
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to be, go, or come ahead of or in front of
go forward, continue |
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assume, conjecture
alleged, expected |
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used in making a comparison
specifies when, used in describing time |
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| introduces restrictive (essential) description |
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| introduces non-restrictive (nonessential) description |
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belonging to them
specifies where, used in describing a place
they are |
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used as part of infinitives, connector in various idioms
also, in an excessive amount |
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utilize; utilization
not new, accustomed |
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| Singular Possessives-Form the possessive of singular nouns, abbreviations, and acronyms by adding 's |
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a child's toys
the boy's book
a dollar's worth
the group's decision |
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| Plural Possessives-Forming the possessive of plural nouns, abbreviations, and acronyms is a two-step process (1) correctly show the plural form of the word and (2) add 's unless hte plural form already ends in s or the s sound. |
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children's toys
the boys' books
ten dollars' worth
the groups' decisions |
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| Possessive form of some Indefinite Pronouns- Personal pronouns and the relative pronoun who have possessive forms that eliminate the use of the apostrophe. Some indefinite pronouns, however, have possessive forms that require the use of 's |
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another's ideas
everybody's nightmare
one's rights
someone else's problem |
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| Contractions-A contraction is a shortened word group, formed by omitting a letter or sound. The omission is indicated by an apostrophe |
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I would; I'd
I would not; I wouldn't
could not; couldn't
we are; we're |
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| is used to signal some, but not all, compund words. A compound word is a combination of words that are joined to express a single thought. |
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When writing numbers in words, use a hyphen to join the numbers one through nine to the base number (twenty, thirty, forty and so forth)
fifty-five
nine hundred-sixty-seven
one throusand three hundred eighty-six dollars and seventy-nine cents. |
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Use a hyphen to seperate the numberator and the demoninator of a fraction unless one of them already contains a hypen.
one-half
four-fifths
one and three-fourths
BUT
forty-five hundredths
eighteen thirty-thirds |
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When a person holds more than on ejob at the same time, a title may be formed by joining the two job titles with a hyphen
secretary-treasurer
producer-director |
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| Hyphen-Familial Relationships |
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Compound words that begin with the prefix great are hyphenated. Compound words that begin with the prefix grand are not hyphenated.
great-grandson
great-neice
BUT
granddaughter
grandmother
Compound words describing in-laws are hyphenated
mother-in-law
brother-in-law |
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| Hyphen-All, Ex, Self, Quasi, and Well Prefixes |
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Compound words created with the prefixes all, ex, self, quasi, and well are compound adjectives and are hyphenated when they precede the noun they modify.
all-American team
ex-officio member
self-esteem |
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| Hyphen-Cross and Counter Prefixes |
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The prefixes cross and counter are hyphenated or not hypenated, depending on the specific word compound.
cross-petition; cross-examine; cross-claim; cross-referenced
BUT
crossroads; counterclaim; counterpart; counteroffer; counterattack
BUT
counter-petition; counter-clockwise |
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| Hyphen-Prefixes that are NOT hyphenated |
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The prefixes anti,co,de,inter,intra,multi,non,para, post,pre,pro,re,semi,super,and un are not hyphenated unless the second part of the word is CAPITALIZED, HYPHENATED, or a NUMBER or unless a hypehn is needed for clarity
antidepressant
devalue
intracompany newsletter
codefendant
interoffice memorandum
multipurpose room
BUT
anti-American
non-Japanese
pre-1776 |
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| Hyphen-Compound Adjectives |
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In general, a hyphen is used to join two or more words that function as a single adjective preceding a noun.
holier-than-thou attitude
half-baked idea
seat-of-the-pants solution
all-or-nothing proposal
BUT
Joe's idea was half baked.
Earnings on municipal bonds are usually tax free.
It may help to remember that in general, coupounds used as adjectives (modifying nouns, words used as nouns, pronouns, or other adjectives) are hyphenated, while compounds used as adverbs (modifying verbs or adjectives) are not hyphenated. |
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Use a dash, sometimes known as the em dash, to set off a sudden break or interruption in thought. A dash also may be used to signal a sumamry of the idea that prcedes it or to signal a long appositive.
We must condemn-we do condemn-the cruelties of war.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness-all constitutional goals-are the birthright of every American. |
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| The purpose of the comma is to signal a slight pause to the reader, not to signal each pause of hesitation of the writer. |
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Use a comma after each item-whether a word, phrase, or clause-except the last in a serieis of three or more items joined by a signle conjunction.
coat, hat, and gloves;
He opened the mail, read it, and tossed it aside.;
I ordered wine, cheese, crackers, and so forth. |
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used in place of commas to separate a series of phrases or clauses in which commas (a series within a series) occur
The examination coverd excise, income, and property taxes; personal, corporate, and private property law; and employment and labor relations law. |
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| Comma-With Parenthetic Expressions |
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A parenthetical expression is simply a word or string of words which contains relevant yet non-essential information. In order to let the reader know that this information is not essential to the sentence (it is non-restrictive), it is important that the parenthetical expression be punctuated properly. Let’s look at an example of how parenthetical expressions work in a sentence:
The tortoise, as far as we know, has been on earth for thousands of years
The parenthetical expression as far as we know conveys to the reader that this statement is not a concrete fact. However, the grammatical meaning of the sentence would not be affected by the parenthetical expression’s removal.
Other phrases commonly used as parenthetical expressions include the following: however, nevertheless, in fact, therefore, for instance, consequently, for example, accordingly, moreover, hence.
Since all parenthetical expressions are non-restrictive, they should be set off with punctuation. One of the best ways to set them off is with commas. This punctuation shows that the information contained within the set of commas is non-essential, yet still related in context.
Example 1: Use commas to separate parenthetical expressions which occur at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.
For example, the fruit fly can breed up to ten times in one hour.
The fruit fly, for example, can breed up to ten times in one hour.
Note how the addition of punctuation causes the reader to mentally pause and add emphasis to the phrase as they read.
Example 2: Commas may be used to punctuate mild parenthetical expressions.
I was fired from my last job and consequently must look for a new one.
Or
I was fired from my last job and, consequently, must look for a new one. |
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| Comma-Before Conjunctions and Transitional Words |
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Use a comma before a conjunction that joins two independent clauses. A comma is not required when both independent clauses are very short and are closely connected in thought
I have to be in court in an hour, and the tire on my car is flat.
The hour was late, and the judge became increasingly irritated. |
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| Comma-After Introductory Expressions |
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When any one of the folowing introductory expressions is used, it must be followed by a comma:
(1) Introductory infinitive or participial phrase
To become more knowledgeable, I took a course in the subject.;
Having lost my glasses, I was unable to see the street signs.
(2) Introductory dependent clause
As I turned the corner, I saw my supervisor seated in my office.
(3) Introductory prepositional phrase
Until discovery is finished, we cannot discuss the case with anyone.
Note: Very shor tprepositional phrases do not require a comma
In 1992 the decision was reversed.
After work I went directly home.
(4) Transitional expressions, such as those listed below
accordingly; besides; consequently; finally; first; for example; futhermore; however; meanwhile; moreoever; namely; nevertheless; second; that is; therfore
(5)Introductory mild interjection
Well, that msut have been how it happened.;
Oh, go ahead and buy it. |
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