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A List of Common Prepositions

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Sign reads: "no smoking on this area"In this article, we take a look at prepositions and provide a list of some of the more common prepositions in use in the English language.

A preposition is a relationship or directional word that is used to link nouns, pronouns, verbs and phrases to one another within a written sentence. Prepositions are critical to the meaning of a sentence and changing a preposition can significantly change the meaning of the sentence.

If you want to learn more, take a look at our guide to identifying prepositions and prepositional phrases.

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Using English Syntax to Enhance Your Writing

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There was nothing passive about her aggressionThe effective use of English syntax in your writing can change everything. Using syntax well is not just about how you write and punctuate a sentence, it is about how the sentence is put together and constructed. Yes, a grammatically correct sentence is great, but it is the well-crafted sentence that makes a massive difference to the reader.

Confused? Let’s start by taking a look at the difference between syntax and grammar.

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2 Free Preposition Games to Print and Keep

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If you’re learning English and want some fun ways to master vocabulary and grammar, our preposition games offer you an ideal way to explore language and get to grips with the basics. In this post, we present two interesting games that can be used to learn about the common prepositions that are used in the English language, while also hopefully having a bit of fun. Who said learning English was boring?

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When to Use Dot Dot Dot (The Ellipsis)

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picture of an ellipsis: three evenly spaced dotsKnowing when to use dot, dot, dot, or the ellipsis as it is formally named, is something that does not come naturally to many writers, and it is one of the most commonly misused punctuation marks in existence.

One of the main causes for this confusion concerns the fact that the dot, dot, dot has evolved into a punctuation mark that is frequently used in informal communications, often to denote a pause or that some information is missing. While this is perfectly acceptable, the ellipsis has been increasingly overused to the point that many people litter their writing with multiple period marks to the extent that it often loses all meaning. In this article we take a look at the ellipsis, what it looks like and, most importantly of all, when it should and should not, be used.

If the elipsis is not the only punctuation mark you struggle with, you may also appreciate our guide to the the punctuation marks everyone should master.

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What is Grammar and Why is It Important?

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Grammar talksHave you ever actually stopped to consider the question, “What is grammar?”

If you take the time to think carefully about it, you may actually experience problems pinning down an interpretation of this complex linguistic field. That is exactly why it causes so many people so much confusion and results in grammatical mistakes.

In addressing the question of “what is grammar,” the Oxford Dictionary defines grammar as:

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When to Use a Semi-Colon

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Punctuation marks semi colonKnowing when to use a semi-colon is something that does not come easily to many writers, and many people are confused as to when a comma or colon should be used in favor of a semi-colon, and vice versa. However, it really is worth taking the time to learn about this punctuation mark and when it should be used, as the correct use of it in your writing can really make a difference to the power of your communication. There are basically three situations in which you should use a semi-colon:

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101 Examples of Onomatopoeia in Sentences

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Onomatopoeia is a word or group of words that, when spoken aloud, imitates the sound it produces. Onomatopoeia is extremely useful in written English because it helps authors to describe sounds accurately and makes writing much more lively and interesting. Here is a comprehensive list of 101 examples of onomatopoeia in sentences. In each example, the onomatopoeias are underlined.

Examples of Onomatopoeia in Sentences

1)    On my first morning on the farm, I was awoken suddenly by the cock-a-doodle-do of the resident rooster.

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29 Expert Tips on Writing Website Copy That Gets Real Results

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Online articles for online businessesWriting website copy involves a number of major skills. You need to understand the psychology of your target customers and have the writing ability to appeal to that psychology, you need to be able to answer all your customer’s questions and present your site in a method that is easy to understand and intuitive, and you need to interest and engage visitors to your site, all while simultaneously presenting your copy in a manner that appeals to the search engines. It is no mean feat!

This week we asked a group of 29 seasoned experts what their top tips were for writing website copy that gets real results. We asked:

What’s your top tip for writing copy that talks to your site visitor and gets the results you are looking for?

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Em Dash vs. En Dash: A Quick and Simple Guide

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Picture of the en dash and the em dash

In the battle of the em dash vs. the en dash it is critical that writers are aware of the major differences between the two punctuation marks and that they ensure they use them correctly and in the appropriate format in their written documents. Otherwise, you may find yourself guilty of making funny punctuation mistakes.

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Free SEO Template and Checklist

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Picture of the Free SEO TemplateIf you need a little help to get your head around search engine optimization (SEO) and writing copy that meets Google’s requirements, our free SEO template is exactly what you need.

Let’s get one thing straight right from the start: writing search engine optimized copy is NOT rocket science. While you may come across many companies promising to use their secret knowledge of the Google ranking algorithms to make your rankings soar, the basic truth is that writing website copy that appeals to the search engines and meets their criteria is actually very simple. So simple, in fact, that we have broken down all the steps in order to produce a free SEO template and checklist that can guide you through the process of optimizing a page on your site. Click on the link below to download it.

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5 Things Angry Birds can Teach You About Writing English Well

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writing english well with angry birdsUnless you’ve been lost on a desert island somewhere for the last 12 months, you can’t fail to have heard about Angry Birds, an animated game about disgruntled birds retaliating against malevolent egg-stealing pigs.

On face value, Angry Birds may seem like a complete and utter waste of time, albeit a fun one. However, if you pay close attention, you may find that you can actually learn something as you furiously battle to gain custody of those eggs.

After a great deal of research and analysis (i.e., hours spent playing every single version of Angry Birds that Rovio have to offer), I realized that these pig-bludgeoning birds and evil little livestock can actually teach us a great deal about writing English well.

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Grammar and Spelling Tips for Business Signs, Menus and Cards

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Business sign grammar and spellingWhen you print a sign, menu, card, or other written document for your business, you should pay attention to the grammar and spelling contained within your communication. Well-written marketing material may not necessarily impress customers, but error-riddled writing that has not been checked by a professional proofreading and editing service can certainly make would-be buyers go somewhere else.

These tips will help you to attract buyers and give your customers the best possible impression of your business.

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10 Methods to Improve Indexing For Your Website

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website editing to improve indexingImprove indexing rates for your site by following our hints and tips for improving your attractiveness to search engines like Google.

How to Improve Indexing

One of the most popular discussions that you will see in the Google forums revolve around indexing and many people complain that their new content isn’t appearing online.  It would be ideal if Google visited your site on a daily basis and content was instantly available in search engine rankings, but this will only ever happen if, and when, Google recognizes how great your site it.

While you cannot forcibly improve indexing and Google’s crawl rate, there are some things you can do to get Google to visit your site more often.  Before you look at the steps I have outlined below, make sure your site is actually indexed by Google.  If not, you’ll need to visit Google and add it.

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When to Use Exclamation Marks

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When to use Exclamation MarksIt isn’t easy to grasp the concept of when to use exclamation marks, especially in today’s world where they seem to be more common than Charlie Sheen’s trips to his local liquor store.

Some people think that they add flare and expression to writing, while others detest them, claiming that exclamation marks serve no real purpose and should be eradicated from English punctuation for good.

Here’s our view on the exclamation mark and when it should, and should not, be used.

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Sentence Corrector

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Picture of cover letter for resumesAre you looking for a sentence corrector?

Composing perfect English is not always easy, even for native English speakers. Regardless of how advanced your grasp of written English is, it is totally normal for people to make simple errors when writing documents. However, the majority of readers tend to have very little sympathy for people who do make mistakes and it can often seriously detract from your credibility—especially if you are applying for a job, trying to win new business, writing an essay or dissertation, or communicating important instructions.

Vappingo’s sentence corrector service is specifically designed to proofread and edit sentences and short paragraphs in order to ensure that they do not contain any grammar, vocabulary, punctuation or spelling mistakes.

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Can Not or Cannot

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Failing to proofread essay leads to a confused teacherNumerous articles on the Internet attempt to answer the question of whether you should use can not or cannot in your written English and many sources claim that the two are interchangeable and mean exactly the same.

It appears that even the Washington State University language site supports this view. When discussing whether you can use can not or cannot interchangeably they state:

“These two spellings are largely interchangeable.”

Now I am going to do something crazy and disagree with the Washington State University: you should never use Can not or cannot interchangeably because they mean two completely different things.

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Writing Amazing Introductory Sales Letters. 20 Tips Direct From the Experts.

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Picture of a man struggling to write a sales letterHow do you initiate conversation with someone new at a party?

If you are ultra confident, you may just wade straight in there, patting your target on the back and telling them in no uncertain terms why they need to know you. However, quite often the most effective way is to simply hold out your hand and quietly introduce yourself.

The same analogy is just as relevant when introducing yourselves to your customers. Introductory sales letters offer you an important opportunity to present your products or services to your target customers and tell them what your business can do for them. Introductory sales letters often constitute your best opportunity to make a great first impression and it is crucial that you get them right.

Last week I asked 20 business experts to share their opinions on what constitutes great sales letters. I asked:

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Idiomatic Phrases in English: 19 of The Best

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According to the Free Dictionary, there are an estimated 25000 idiomatic phrases in English (idioms). Although we don’t have time to cover them all, we’ve handpicked a selection of some of the most common idioms you will hear from English speakers. To help you to get to grips with these strange idiomatic phrases, we have tried to provide some of the background histories to them, explaining their origins and what they actually mean.

 

a piece of cake / easy as pie

Picture shows a piece of cakeFig. an activity or task that is very easy to complete successfully.

If something is referred to as being a piece of cake or easy as pie, it is very easy to accomplish.

Both phrases originate in America in the 19th Century. During this time cake and pie were synonymous with ease, and eating them was associated with a pleasant experience.

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Sentence Fixer by Humans, For Humans

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Do you need a sentence fixer?

Writing correct English can make a significant difference to how you are perceived as a viable business, professional or job candidate. While many people have a good grasp of written English, they regularly make simple mistakes that undermine their credibility.

Vappingo’s sentence fixer service is specifically designed to check sentences and short paragraphs for grammar, vocabulary, and structural integrity, and to quickly correct any mistakes.

How our sentence checking services can help you:

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How to Write Theses Statements That Grab Your Readers by The Balls

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how to write interesting thesis statementsIt’s easy to write great papers about some topics, such as your love of rally car driving, how you pulled the girl of your dreams, or why Britney Spears is not in the running for Mother of The Year. If something interests you or fuels passion within, then putting pen to paper (or tapping those keys) is easier than seducing Tiger Woods.

But what if the subject is mundane, such as a commentary on the internal hierarchy of political organizations, an analysis of asphalt and assorted other road surface materials or a discussion on how CAM and C4 photosynthesis differ?

How do you get an essay noticed when the subject is so darn boring?

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Writing a Great Essay: The Ten Commandments

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Picture of a preacherWelcome to the ten commandments of writing a great essay.

You’d better take a pew and listen very carefully.

I say onto you that I have visited the promised land of Exceptional Grades. As I was tempted to coast through the Valley of Scrape-By, a voice spake with me and bade me to listen, for he had knowledge to share.

The celestial power handed down these ten rules for writing a great essay, and I present them to you, my brothers and sisters. Follow them all, or you shall perish in the hell of infernal bad grades (failing that, you can hire an essay editor!)

(No offense intended to the author of the original Ten Commandments.)

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8 Quick Tips for Writing an Academic Proposal

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Picture of someone writing an academic proposalAn academic proposal constitutes your first step towards producing your thesis or dissertation. It’s a very important document because it is intended to persuade your supervisor that the research you are considering will be useful and worthwhile; if they are not convinced by your proposal then you will not be permitted to progress to even writing your thesis statement. Here are some top tips on writing an academic proposal that gets results.

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