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Although in English nouns can be used as modifiers, overuse of noun modifiers can lead to a lack of clarity. Purists may demand stricter rules on usage, but, as with the use of nouns as verbs (see , Correct and Preferred Usage, Back-formations), the process of linguistic change is inevitable, and grammatical rigor must be tempered by judgment and common sense.In The Careful Writer, Bernstein advises the use of no more than 2 polysyllabic noun modifiers per noun for the sake of clarity. However, long noun strings are sometimes difficult to avoid. If several of the attributive nouns are read ...Less

When a noun or pronoun precedes a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that is used as a noun), the noun or pronoun is possessive. (See also , Punctuation, Apostrophe.)The toxicity of the drug was not a factor in the patient’s dying so suddenly. The award recognized the researcher’s planning as well as his performance.Present participles (used adjectivally) should not be confused with gerunds. In the sentence below, the objective case (them) is correct.I watched them gathering in the auditorium.If the possessive their were used instead of the objective them, the emphasis would be on the action (gathering). ...Less

Verbs may have 1 of 3 moods: (1) the indicative (the most common; used for ordinary objective statements), (2) the imperative (used for requesting or commanding), and (3) the subjunctive.Subjunctive verbs cause the most difficulty; they are used primarily for expressing a wish (I wish it were possible), a supposition (If I were to accept the position… ), or a condition that is uncertain or contrary to fact (If that were true… ; If I were younger… ). The subjunctive occurs in fairly formal situations and usually involves past (were) or present (be) forms. The subjunctive is sometimes used incorrectly, eg, where matters ...Less

Nouns (words that name a person, place, thing, or idea) may serve as subjects or objects.Although in English nouns can be used as modifiers, overuse of noun modifiers can lead to a lack of clarity. Purists may demand stricter rules on usage, but, as with the use of nouns as verbs (see , Correct and Preferred Usage, Back-formations), the process of linguistic change is inevitable, and grammatical rigor must be tempered by judgment and common sense.In The Careful Writer, Bernstein advises the use of no more than 2 polysyllabic noun modifiers per noun for the sake of clarity. However, long ...Less

The number is singular and a number of is plural (see also , Collective Nouns).The number that responded was surprising. A number of respondents were concerned about adverse effects.The same is true for the total and a total of. ...Less

In clauses that follow one of those, the plural verb form is always correct.Dr Cotter is one of those researchers who prefer the library to the laboratory. ...

A paragraph is a cohesive group of sentences. It presents a thought or several related thoughts. Each paragraph should be long enough to stand alone but short enough to hold the reader’s attention and then direct that attention to the next thought. Too many short paragraphs are jarring to the reader, whereas too many long paragraphs strain the reader’s attention. Sentences within a single paragraph should use parallel structure and consistent tense as much as possible.Transitions are words or phrases that signal a connection among ideas. Transitions build bridges between paragraphs (and between sentences) and help the text flow. To ...Less

Parallel construction can be used to build a sentence or emphasize a point.Parallelism may rely on accepted cues (either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, both/and). All elements of the parallelism that appear on one side of the coordinating conjunction should match corresponding elements on the other side.Note: Either/or is used with only 2 comparators (use with more than 2 items is considered nonstandard).Note: Avoid the use of nor when the first negative is expressed by not or no.The conjunction than often introduces an abridged expression (eg, “You are younger than I [am young]).” Correct placement of than is important to avoid ...Less

When -s or -es is added parenthetically to a word to express the possibility of a plural, the verb should be singular. However, in most instances it is preferable to avoid this construction and use the plural noun instead. ...Less

Care must be taken to use the correct case of personal pronouns: subjective (the pronoun is the subject of the phrase or clause) or objective (the pronoun is the object of the phrase or clause).She was assigned to the active intervention group. (She is the subject.) Collect all the samples and give them to her. (Her is the object.) Your decision affects him and me. (Both him and me are objects.)Do not substitute a reflexive pronoun, ending in -self or -selves, for a simple personal pronoun. ...Less