How to Be a Grammar Nazi
Make sure you don’t split infinitives., Take care not to end a sentence with a preposition., Make certain you don’t start a sentence with a conjunction., Ensure you don’t use the passive voice., Know when to use ‘whom.’ Determine the subject and...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Make sure you don’t split infinitives.
Familiarize yourself with the uninflected form of verbs.
Examples include: to cry, to run, to hide.
Keep these two words together when using them.
Do not place an adverb or adverbial phrase in between them., Memorize the prepositions: with, by, on, in, at, to, about.
Understand that their function is to articulate the relationship between elements of a sentence.
Follow the rule that prepositions are always placed before the noun or pronoun and never after it., Memorize the conjunctions: and, but, because, while, until, although, if.
Understand that their function is to connect sentences, phrases and words.
Follow the rule that you should never start a sentence with a conjunction. , Write all of your sentences using the active voice.
Consider who or what is doing the action expressed by the verb.
Make that the subject of the sentence and place it before the object., Use ‘whom’ only if you want to refer to the object of a sentence or clause.
Use ‘who’ only if you want to refer to the subject of a sentence or clause., ‘Too’ can only function as an adverb.
The word ‘too’ means ‘in addition’ and ‘to an excessive degree.’ Only use the word ‘too’ when you want to use these two meanings.
Use the word ‘to’ in all other instances., It shows that something belongs to someone. ‘Your’ is normally followed by a noun.
Understand that ‘you’re’ is a contraction of two words: you are. ‘You’re’ is normally followed by an adjective or a verb in the –ing form.,, Use this word if it doesn’t sound funny when you replace it with the word ‘our.’ Understand that ‘they’re’ is the contracted form of ‘they are.’ Use this spelling if it doesn’t sound funny when you replace it with the words ‘we are.’ Recognize that ‘there’ indicates a place.
Use this word if it doesn’t sound funny when you substitute the word ‘here.’ , Understand that its definition refers to something that you can change or influence.
Be aware that the word ‘effect’ is almost always used as a noun.
Understand that its definition refers to something that is made or caused to happen., Use a period whenever you can end a sentence that has multiple statements or clauses without changing the meaning of either statement or clause.
Teach yourself to spot sentences that can be broken up into two or more sentences using a period., Follow standard punctuation for quotations.
Use double quotation marks when you quote someone without changing anything.
Only use a single quotation mark when you place a quote inside a quote.
Capitalize the first word of sentences within quotation marks.
Always place the period inside the quotation marks., Understand that there different ways of using commas.
Use a comma to separate objects in a series.
Use a comma when you want to link or separate two independent statements or clauses.
Use a comma when you want to distinguish introductory words or phrases of a sentence.
Use a comma whenever you write phrases that could be placed within parentheses.
Use a comma to separate quotes., Use an apostrophe if you want to show possession or if the word is a contraction.
Never use an apostrophe if you want to make a word plural.
Put the apostrophe after the ‘s’ if a word is both plural and possessive.
Decide whether you will add an ‘s’ to words ending in ‘s’ when you want to make them plural and stick to this decision.Jim’s pizza = good Jims pizza = bad The Millers = the plural form of Miller The Millers’ household = the possessive and plural form of Miller James’ pizza = good James’s pizza = also good if you always add an ‘s’ to words ending in ‘s’ , Practice being a Grammar Nazi as soon as you possibly can.
Some people may get angry when you correct them.
Therefore, it’s best to learn the different ways of telling someone that their grammar is incorrect with people who are less likely to get especially angry.
Practice your skills during family meals and gatherings and learn how to interrupt people without making them too angry. , Listen carefully when you are on the street or in the grocery store.
You will find many opportunities for correction.
Don’t be afraid to stop a person mid-sentence and correct them.
Offer a smile and allow them a moment to process their mistake.
Some people will thank you while others may get angry and walk away.
Prepare yourself for different reactions and don’t be afraid to apologize if the person becomes visibly upset.
Avoid confrontation that may turn physical. , Login to Facebook and start trolling for grammar mistakes.
You will likely find hundreds of mistakes.
Add a comment to a person’s wall about their grammar mistake.
Send a private message if you don’t want to embarrass them.
Join chat rooms and point out as many mistakes as possible. , Search for grammar mistakes in books, magazines, newspapers, billboards and packaging.
Find the contact information of the person or company and send them an email or letter noting their mistake.
Give your contact information if you’d like them to follow-up.
Request a position as a proofreader, if appropriate. , Have a red pen on you at all times.
Look for signs in stores or in random places that have grammar mistakes.
Write the correct grammar on these signs using your red pen.
Be careful not to deface private or governmental property or you might end up with a criminal charge of vandalism. , Get a degree or certification that allows you to teach English.
Remind your students of your special skill and don’t allow them to make grammar mistakes.
Give students with poor grammar bad grades. -
Step 2: Take care not to end a sentence with a preposition.
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Step 3: Make certain you don’t start a sentence with a conjunction.
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Step 4: Ensure you don’t use the passive voice.
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Step 5: Know when to use ‘whom.’ Determine the subject and object of a sentence.
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Step 6: Understand the difference between ‘to’ and ‘too.” Understand that ‘to’ can function as a particle and also as a preposition.
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Step 7: Know the difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re.’ Understand that ‘your’ is a possessive adjective.
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Step 8: Recognize the difference between ‘its’ and ‘it’s.’ Be aware that ‘its’ is the possessive of the pronoun ‘it.’ Be aware that ‘it’s’ is the contracted form of ‘it is.’ Try replacing the pronoun ‘it’ with ‘it is’ or ‘it has.’ Use the word ‘its’ if neither of those word choices work.
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Step 9: Be aware of the difference between ‘their
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Step 10: ’ ‘they’re
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Step 11: ’ and ‘there.’ Know that ‘their’ is a possessive pronoun.
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Step 12: Note the difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect.’ Be aware that the word ‘affect’ is almost always used as a verb.
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Step 13: Know when to use a period instead of a comma or a hyphen.
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Step 14: Always place a period inside quotation marks.
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Step 15: Familiarize yourself with the different ways of using commas.
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Step 16: Know how to use apostrophes.
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Step 17: Correct your friends and family.
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Step 18: Correct random strangers.
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Step 19: Correct people on the Internet.
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Step 20: Contact content creators.
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Step 21: Carry a red pen.
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Step 22: Teach English.
Detailed Guide
Familiarize yourself with the uninflected form of verbs.
Examples include: to cry, to run, to hide.
Keep these two words together when using them.
Do not place an adverb or adverbial phrase in between them., Memorize the prepositions: with, by, on, in, at, to, about.
Understand that their function is to articulate the relationship between elements of a sentence.
Follow the rule that prepositions are always placed before the noun or pronoun and never after it., Memorize the conjunctions: and, but, because, while, until, although, if.
Understand that their function is to connect sentences, phrases and words.
Follow the rule that you should never start a sentence with a conjunction. , Write all of your sentences using the active voice.
Consider who or what is doing the action expressed by the verb.
Make that the subject of the sentence and place it before the object., Use ‘whom’ only if you want to refer to the object of a sentence or clause.
Use ‘who’ only if you want to refer to the subject of a sentence or clause., ‘Too’ can only function as an adverb.
The word ‘too’ means ‘in addition’ and ‘to an excessive degree.’ Only use the word ‘too’ when you want to use these two meanings.
Use the word ‘to’ in all other instances., It shows that something belongs to someone. ‘Your’ is normally followed by a noun.
Understand that ‘you’re’ is a contraction of two words: you are. ‘You’re’ is normally followed by an adjective or a verb in the –ing form.,, Use this word if it doesn’t sound funny when you replace it with the word ‘our.’ Understand that ‘they’re’ is the contracted form of ‘they are.’ Use this spelling if it doesn’t sound funny when you replace it with the words ‘we are.’ Recognize that ‘there’ indicates a place.
Use this word if it doesn’t sound funny when you substitute the word ‘here.’ , Understand that its definition refers to something that you can change or influence.
Be aware that the word ‘effect’ is almost always used as a noun.
Understand that its definition refers to something that is made or caused to happen., Use a period whenever you can end a sentence that has multiple statements or clauses without changing the meaning of either statement or clause.
Teach yourself to spot sentences that can be broken up into two or more sentences using a period., Follow standard punctuation for quotations.
Use double quotation marks when you quote someone without changing anything.
Only use a single quotation mark when you place a quote inside a quote.
Capitalize the first word of sentences within quotation marks.
Always place the period inside the quotation marks., Understand that there different ways of using commas.
Use a comma to separate objects in a series.
Use a comma when you want to link or separate two independent statements or clauses.
Use a comma when you want to distinguish introductory words or phrases of a sentence.
Use a comma whenever you write phrases that could be placed within parentheses.
Use a comma to separate quotes., Use an apostrophe if you want to show possession or if the word is a contraction.
Never use an apostrophe if you want to make a word plural.
Put the apostrophe after the ‘s’ if a word is both plural and possessive.
Decide whether you will add an ‘s’ to words ending in ‘s’ when you want to make them plural and stick to this decision.Jim’s pizza = good Jims pizza = bad The Millers = the plural form of Miller The Millers’ household = the possessive and plural form of Miller James’ pizza = good James’s pizza = also good if you always add an ‘s’ to words ending in ‘s’ , Practice being a Grammar Nazi as soon as you possibly can.
Some people may get angry when you correct them.
Therefore, it’s best to learn the different ways of telling someone that their grammar is incorrect with people who are less likely to get especially angry.
Practice your skills during family meals and gatherings and learn how to interrupt people without making them too angry. , Listen carefully when you are on the street or in the grocery store.
You will find many opportunities for correction.
Don’t be afraid to stop a person mid-sentence and correct them.
Offer a smile and allow them a moment to process their mistake.
Some people will thank you while others may get angry and walk away.
Prepare yourself for different reactions and don’t be afraid to apologize if the person becomes visibly upset.
Avoid confrontation that may turn physical. , Login to Facebook and start trolling for grammar mistakes.
You will likely find hundreds of mistakes.
Add a comment to a person’s wall about their grammar mistake.
Send a private message if you don’t want to embarrass them.
Join chat rooms and point out as many mistakes as possible. , Search for grammar mistakes in books, magazines, newspapers, billboards and packaging.
Find the contact information of the person or company and send them an email or letter noting their mistake.
Give your contact information if you’d like them to follow-up.
Request a position as a proofreader, if appropriate. , Have a red pen on you at all times.
Look for signs in stores or in random places that have grammar mistakes.
Write the correct grammar on these signs using your red pen.
Be careful not to deface private or governmental property or you might end up with a criminal charge of vandalism. , Get a degree or certification that allows you to teach English.
Remind your students of your special skill and don’t allow them to make grammar mistakes.
Give students with poor grammar bad grades.
About the Author
Ann Simmons
Creates helpful guides on pet care to inspire and educate readers.
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