Category Archives: Grammar Guru

Those Troublesome Words, Part 1: Lie, Lay, Raise, Rise, Sit, Set

by
Wilma Acree

There are two ways to distinguish between these words: (a) master their meanings and (b) learn which ones require direct objects (a noun or pronoun following the verb that receives the action of the verb). I use a combination of these methods.

            Lie (lie, lying, lay, (have) lain) means to recline or to remain in a fixed position. It needs no object. Examples:

                        Mrs. Jones lies down for a nap every morning. (She
                        reclines.)

                        She lay down late yesterday because she had a visitor.

                         Her book is lying on the nightstand. (It remains there).

            Lay (lay, laying, laid, (have) laid) means to put or place something down. It has an object. Examples:

                        Lay the dictionary on the desk. (Lay means put. Lay
                        what? Lay has an object, the dictionary.)

                        I laid the book there yesterday. (Laid means put. It has
                        an object, book.)

                        The workmen are laying carpet. (The men are putting
                        down carpet. Laying has an object, carpet.)

            What makes lay/lie even more confusing is that the past tense of lie is lay.

            Rise (rise, rising, rose, (have risen) means to arise; to get up; to go up. It does not require an object. Examples:

                        The sun has always risen in the east. (There is no object;
                        the sun does not have someone pushing it up)

                        Like the sun, stars rise in the east.

            Raise (raise, raising, raised, (have) raised) means to lift up, force up, put up, or to grow a crop. It must have an object. Examples:

                        Raise your hand if you have a question. (Raise means
                        put up. Raise what? Your hand. There is an object, so
                        raise is correct.) 

                        I raised the window yesterday to air out the house.
                        (Raise means put up. It has an object, window.)

            Sit (sit, sitting, sat, (have) sat) means to take a seat or to rest. It does not have an object. Examples:

                        I always sit in that chair. (I always rest my body there.
                       Sit what? There is no object.)

                        I sat by the window for hours. (I kept my body there. Sat
                        has no object.)

            Set (set, set, setting, (have) sat) means to place, to put, or to decide upon something. It requires an object. Examples:

                        Joan set the vase on the table. (She put the vase on the
                        table. Set what? The vase. Set has an object.)

                        Tom set the toolbox on the shelf. (Set means put; there
                        is an object—the toolbox).

             Lay, raise, and set require objects to receive their action. If a noun immediately follows the verb and receives its action, these are the correct choice. In addition, they each involve someone or something putting something. If you remember this, these troublesome words will be problems no longer.

Celebrate National Punctuation Day

by
Wilma Acree
(Grammar Guru)

National Punctuation Day (NPD) was founded by journalist Jeff Rubin in 2004 to draw attention to the importance of the correct use of punctuation. Its mission: to change the world, one apostrophe at a time. The celebration occurs each September 24 in the United States.
NPD maintains a web site (www.nationalpunctuationday.com) and a Facebook page. Rubin welcomes submissions of photos of incorrectly punctuated signs, plaques, ads, newspaper headlines, menus, or business cards (jeff@nationalpunctuationday.com). The organization sponsors a contest for students and adults each year. Www.wikkihow.com/celebratenationalpunctuationday suggests several ways to honor the day.

Why should writers care about correct punctuation? First, it helps readers understand your intended meaning. There is a world of difference in this classic example: (A) Let’s go eat Grandma. (B) Let’s go eat, Grandma. (A) Dines on Grandma while (B) dines with Grandma. Your errors won’t be that extreme, but they will distract and mislead your reader. Secondly, you want your reader to believe you are intelligent and industrious—not too stupid or lazy to learn a few rules.

I recently finished reading a novel with an intriguing plot and compelling characters. It told a good story and could have been a great book, but it was rife with errors, mostly punctuation. The author ignored common comma rules and made up some of his own. If I were rating this book 1-5, I would give it a 3 instead of the 5 it could have earned. If I pay $19.95 for a book, I deserve an edited story, not one that looks like a first draft.

Choose AP or MLA style and review the rules. Show respect for your reader by having someone knowledgeable proofread or edit your manuscript. Celebrate correct punctuation every day!

Using Commas With “And”

Dear Grammar Guru,

When do I use a comma with and?

Confused

Dear Confused,

Use a comma before and:

(1) in a series of three or more words, phrases, or clauses

Many artists, writers, and composers find inspiration in daydreaming and mediation. Today many authorities omit the comma before and if the phrases are short. Caution: Make sure the sentence does not confuse the reader if the comma is omitted. Example: I enjoy reading, writing and walking dogs. Writing dogs? How does one do that? Retain the final comma, or rewrite the sentence: I enjoy reading novels, writing poetry and walking dogs.

(2) after the first sentence in a compound sentence

A compound sentence is two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction (most commonly and, but, or). Example: Henry David Thoreau urged simple and honest approaches to life, and he was jailed for refusing to pay a tax to support the Mexican War. Notice there is a complete sentence on both sides of and.

Do not a comma after and unless another rule dictates that usage. Example: “I did not ask you to finance the project, and, in my opinion, you are out of line,” my sister said. The comma after and is not because of and. In my opinion is a parenthetical expression or interrupter; it requires a comma before and after it. Without the parenthetical expression, the sentence would require no comma after and. “I did not ask you to finance the project, and you are out of line,” my sister said.

Grammar Guru

Grammar Guru: Run-on Sentences

RUN-ON SENTENCES
by Grammar Guru Wilma Acree

Editors report that run-on sentences (also called run-together sentences, fused sentences, and comma splices) are the most frequent problem in manuscripts. A run-on sentence consists of two sentences jammed together as if they are one thought. Create a mental picture of two cars in a head-on crash, and you will see the effect a run-on sentence has on the reader.

Sentences often clash together when the second sentence begins with a pronoun or with a transitional word or phrase such as however. Sometimes the second sentence contains an example.

Run-on sentences can be corrected in several ways.

Gertrude Stein moved from America to Paris in 1902 she quickly became interested in impressionistic painting.

The pronoun she begins a second thought. Therefore, the sentence needs revision.

1. Break into two sentences.

Insert a period after 1902, and capitalize she.

2. Add a Coordinating conjunction (and, but, or).

Gertrude Stein moved from America to Paris in 1902, and she quickly became interested in impressionistic painting.

Notice the comma before the conjunction.

3. Make one of the sentences into a dependent clause.

Gertrude Stein, who moved from America to Paris in 1902, quickly became interested in impressionistic painting.

After you have written a story or article, search your manuscript for run-on sentences. Go to its end and work backwards. Read each sentence separately. This may help you find run-ons and other errors. Check each sentences for pronouns and ask yourself if the pronoun begins a second sentence. Look for transitional phrases such as however, in fact, nevertheless, etc. Does the transition signal the beginning of a second sentence?

If you have a grammar question for the Grammar Guru, please email it to IFWEditors@gmail.com. Put “Grammar Guru” as the subject.