In the topical guide, I really liked the explanation of the difference between the two words among and between. Something that helps me remember the difference is; between has to be relational; among does not. I know I have used among and amongst the wrong way. Now that I know the difference, my grammar will improve.
I also enjoyed learning the difference between may and can. You can use may to simply ask permission. For example: "Mother, may I?" Can is used to identify the ability of someone or something. "Can I make a million dollars?"
I have struggled with run-on sentences during my writing career. I thought the reading and topical guide gave helpful advice. I relate the run-on sentence to a runny nose. You can cure a runny nose with medicine and rest. The semicolon and conjunction are cures for the run-on sentence.
I hope you all have a great week. Happy Blogging!
Steve.
Hello Steve,
ReplyDeleteJust this week I had used amongst instead of among. It has been tricky figuring out the correct way of writing and using words when needed. When at some point we have all been reliant on spellcheck or just wrote what we thought was correct. I remember when I was growing up and asking, " Can I or May I?" No matter how times have changed the English language stays the same. It is now for us to use it correctly.
Great insight on your post!
Whenever I think of can vs. may, I always think of my teachers while I was in school. "Can I go to the bathroom, Mrs....?", I would say. "I don't know, can you?" was always their sarcastic remark. After 7th grade, it became ingrained that I had to say "May I go to the bathroom?" if I didn't want my grammar corrected. Although I always wanted to use "Can I..?" and have them sarcastically reply "I don't know, can you?" and I would reply "Yes I can." and just leave and go to the bathroom. Sadly, I was never able to do that before graduating high school. Now, thank goodness, I don't have to ask someone if I may go to the bathroom.
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