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Don't forget the issue with words like bare/bear and break/brake. I see that kind of mistake at least as often as most of the others listed. (I even saw it in the subtitles on TV recently. Of course, those are pretty sloppy anyway a lot of the time.)
Oh yeah. "Alot" could be a word, but it'd be mispelled. "Allot" and "a lot" mean completely different things though.
Why can't I end a sentence with a preposition? All grammatical rules are made so that the message gets across more clearly, but I don't see what is confusing about "Mary, are where you going to?"
The English language is very complicated; even moreso than most other languages, it would seem. Fortunately, I'm one of those obsessive nerds who has spent more time doing English homework than hanging out with friends. If anybody ever needs help with proofreading, I'm the person to call. I've played so many games with a great and creative story, but poor grammar and spelling ("All your base are belong to us", anyone?). This topic will (hopefully) address English issues that may arise. If you have any ideas on how I can improve this topic, please let me know. Enjoy!
"A lot" of people make this mistake:
"Alot" is not a word; it's two words.
Good example: A lot of hard work went into my new game.
Bad example: Alot of people visit this site.
Check "your" grammar:
"Your" is a possessive word that is used in the same sense as the word "my." "You're" is short for "you are" and should be used like "I'm."
Good examples: Your game is awesome!
Don't spam or you're going to get flamed.
Bad examples:
Who is you're favorite musician? Your an idiot.
"There" is a trick to this:
"Their" is a possessive word used like "my" and "your." "They're" is short for "they are." "There" is usually used when describing a place.
Good examples: Their names are Randy and Andy. They're going to kick your butt.
Don't go there.
Bad examples:
The baseball bat is over their.
Have you heard they're new song?
I've seen all three movies, and their all great!
Also note that "your's" should never be used; use "yours" instead.
"It's" a good idea:
"Its" is a possessive word used like "my," "your," and "their." "It's" is short for "it is."
Good examples: Its sharp teeth make the shark a deadly predator. It's best to stay away from sharks.
Bad examples:
The game is amazing with it's flashy graphics and everything. Its a shame about the terrible music, though.
A "capital" idea:
The following should ALWAYS be capitalized:
-Proper nouns (people's names, "I," titles, names of countries, etc.)
-Abbreviations (RPG, RMXP, RGSS, USA, NASA, FF7, etc.)
-The first letter in a sentence
The following should NEVER be capitalized:
-Prepositions in titles (to, from, at, in, on, and so on, unless it is the first or last word of the title)
-Various other words in titles (the, a, an, of, and, etc., unless it is the first or last word in the title)
-Everything else
Good examples: How is Jim doing? I play World of Warcraft. RMXP is really cool.
Bad examples:
I really enjoy Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time.
Do you play the Sims 2?
Where am i? theinternet is for porn.
How are you, ted?
Have you seen my latest Script?
A "n00b's" guide to apostrophes:
Apostrophes are used in place of letters that are taken out of shortened words (I'm, can't, they're, etc.) and are used in place of the word "of," to show possession. Plural, possessive nouns ending in the letter "S" have an apostrophe on the end. All other plural nouns and all singular nouns, including singular nouns ending in "S," have an apostrophe and an "S" added to the end.
Good examples: They're going to the movie theater.
I'm going to Charles's house.
The women's bathroom is down the hall.
The games' graphics were amazing!
Bad examples:
I cant do that. Jesus' cross was heavy.
I joined the mens' basketball team.
I have two Blue Man Group CD's.
"And" here are more tips:
When listing three or more things, do it in the following format: blah, blah, and blah.
Good example:
You may have the green one, red one, or pink one.
Bad example:
I'll have a cheeseburger, small fries and a medium milkshake.
"I wonder" if anyone will even bother reading this:
Sentences beginning with "I wonder" are not questions and should be ended with periods.
Good example:
I wonder what Billy is up to.
Bad example:
I wonder if the mail came yet?
I pity "da foo'" who doesn't read this:
When shortening words, be sure to replace letters with either another letter, multiple letters, or an apostrophe.
Good examples: Whatchutalkin''bout, Willis? Y'all are a bunch o'foo's.
Bad example: Ey, homes. Hows it hangin?
Read this one, "too":
"To" is a preposition, such as "from" and "at." "Too" is a way to say "as well" or "also." "Too" can also be used to show excess, such as "too many" or "too few." "Two" is the number between one and three.
Good examples:
I'm going to the mall.
I, too, am going to the mall.
The two of us are going to the mall.
Is your brother coming, too?
Bad examples:
You are to kind.
I am going too the store.
I have to many apples and not enough oranges.
I played that game too! (Note: there should be a comma before "too")
"To" read this is "to" know this:
You should never end a sentence with a preposition. Try rewording the sentence.
Good examples: At which store will I find this item? To whom does this item belong?
Bad examples:
Where's the dog at?
Mary, are where you going to?
"Who" cares? I do:
Just read the examples.
Good example: Who is doing the action?
To whom is he doing the action?
Bad example:
I don't know whom you think you are. Who did you give it to?
How to "intelligently" use adverbs:
An adverb modifies verbs and adjectives. Adjectives should not be used to describe verbs.; that's incorrect and gets on my very obsessive nerves. XD
Good examples:
The number of people named Jacob seems to have greatly increased.
This couch is perfectly ridiculous.
Bad examples:
I need to make a thousand dollars fast.
When I ask you to do something, I want you to do it good.
Use punctuation; "period":
Periods are used to end statements and commands. Question marks end questions. Exclamation points are used at the end of sentences to denote excitement. Commas denote pauses. Using a semicolon is like linking two similar sentences together. I like to use two dashes at the end of an incomplete sentence when I'm trying to make it a point that the person saying the sentence was interrupted (--). A lot of games (Japanese games especially) use a tilde (~) at the end of a sentence to show that the person saying it is drawing out the sentence. As a guideline, try not to use more than three of the previous punctuation marks in a row.
Good examples:
Today is a good day for volleyball.
Are you up for a game of volleyball?
I hope so!
How about you, Jack?
The last time you played, you lost.
I have an idea; let's go over to--
Why did you do that?!
Bad examples:
Buy somethin'will ya!
What.
You jerk...........
You stole my bike!!!!!!!!!
Please reply with comments or suggestions. I hope I didn't p*** off too many people with my grammar obsessions. XD
And, when you flame me, be sure to say, "you're an idiot," as opposed to "your an idiot."
I only had some trouble understanding the placing of "At" and "To" and how to use "Who" and "Whom". By the way, how can placing "fast" and other words like that in the end of the phrase be wrong? I don't get it.
Well... I would have perfect english if it was my main language. Too bad it isn't. =/
EDIT: OMFG SHIT. I necroposted. DDDD= Sorry me. I forgot to check the date. D=
You are excused from necro-ing this topic. 1) It's a great topic & more people should read it. 2) you have a valid question related directly to the topic.
In my opinion, that was a bad example. The point the author was trying to make is that it is improper to use an adjective to describe a verb.
'fast' being the adjective, 'make' being the verb.
Since 'fast' is accepted as both an adjective & an adverb, I believe that sentence is correct.
"I need to make a thousand dollars fast."
perhaps 'slow' would be a better example, since it's adverb counterpart is 'slowly'
"I run slow." - bad
"I run slowly" - good
prepositions (at, in, on, by, to, since) don't belong at the end of a sentence.
"Where is the dog at?" should be
"Where is the dog?"
English majors feel free to jump my shit! :scruff:
I see you're suffering from a bit of an unclear example, here.
I do think you are referring to more than one game, however, this isn't obvious. It should also be noted that proper nouns ending with "S" can either have the apostrophe before or after the "S". This is accepted (and debated) by many the Grammar Nazi.
I would like to see some clarification on "An" and "A" as well as the whole three period ellipses junk.
*sigh* Necroposting Pandemikk? I'm ashamed! Could a mod please excuse this, and just delete it?
