Tips For Better Communication in English 2014,Effective Techniques for Knowledge

TIPS TO REMEMBER IN ENGLISH1

 The article a is used before consonant sounds, and the article an before vowels

sound. Words beginning with h, o, or u may have either a consonant sound or a vowel
sound.

1. a histology class (h-sound)
2. a one-way path (w-sound) 

2

 Avoid using the suffix -wise to create new words for a particular situation. Less acceptable, Cost wise, this new product we launched is better prefered. This new product we launched is cost effective. 

3

 Do not use when or where directly after a linking verb. Do not use where as a substitute for that.

NONSTANDARD: My best memory of Mom was when we went by the beach, and we
walked hand in hand.
An automat is where food is dispensed by machines.
CORRECT: My best memory of Mom is of going to the beach and walking hand in hand
with her.

4

 Ways is plural. Do not use it after the article a. Use instead the singular form of way.

NONSTANDARD: The chauffeur has a considerable ways to drive yet.
CORRECT: The chauffeur has a considerable way to drive yet. 

5

 Unique means “one of a kind. It should not be used to mean “odd” “interesting” or “unusual.” The word means “one of a kind,” so such expressions as most unique, very unique, and extremely unique are illogical.

ILLOGICAL: The group presented their output in an extremely unique way.
CORRECT: The group presented their output in a unique way.

6

 Till and un-till are interchangeable. Be careful however of spelling. Till should not be spelled til or ‘til; until always ends in one line.

We played by the seashore until we were all tired. 

7

 As an adjective, principal, means “most important” or “chief” as a noun, it means “a person who has controlling authority.” Principle, always a noun, means “a fundamental law.”

ADJECTIVE: Our principal plan is to make an investment.
NOUN: Mrs. Gallagher is the school principal.
NOUN: She follows her guiding principle wholeheartedly. 

8

 Never use ought with have or had. Simply eliminate have or had. Do not use the expression outside of to mean “besides” ya “except.” Only should be placed in front of the word it logically modifies.

We brought with us only the most important items.
Only the employees were allowed access to the conference room. 

9

 Do not use of after a helping verb such as should, would, could, and must. Use have instead. Do not use of after outside, inside, off, and atop. Simply eliminate it. 

10

 Use the conjunction moreover to mean the same thing as furthermore. It is used to expound on a given idea and should not be confused with besides which, when used as a conjunction, also means anyway (other than to mean in addition to) and is more appropriate for informal use.

11

 Judicial means “relating to the administration of justice.” Judicious mean “showing wisdom.”

The highest judicial body in the land is the Supreme Court.

12

 Use fewer with things that can be counted. Use less with qualities and quantities that cannot be counted.

Fewer books, fewer complaints 

13

 Farther refers to distance. Further mean “additional” or “to a greater degree of extent.”

Grandmother’s place is farther than what we expected. 

14

 Do nt use don’t with third-person singular subjects. Use doesn’t instead. 

 Between different than and different from, the latter is preferred. Cannot help but is a nonstandard expression. Use cannot help plus a gerund instead. Do not use but what. Instead, use that.

Allot, a verb, means “to divide in parts” or “to give out in shares.” A lot is an informal expression meaning “a great many” or “a great amount.” Avoid using it in formal writing.

Effective Techniques for Better Communication in English