Tips on mastering punctuation rules
Could you give us some tips on how to master punctuation rules and phrasal verbs? These are the two areas where many English learners find it difficult to master it.
sanjay
Expert
2 answers 
If I had a magic formula, I'd be a rich man.
There isn't an easy way - my advice is to read a lot. Read for pleasure.
| link comment |
answered Apr 06 '12 at 09:53
|
Clil and Tolley are absolutely right. Read!
I have heard it said the best writing is writing you don't notice. That is, the word choice, sentence structure, and punctuation become invisible and doesn't stand between you and "the picture in your mind." As a student learning from other good writers, you must train yourself to notice the writing that you don't notice!
Read for pleasure. When I find something where I remember the images and not the words, I go back and read it again. On the second reading, I pay attention to HOW it was written.
That's my secret tip.
| link |
answered Apr 06 '12 at 16:53
Jeff Pribyl
Grammarly Fellow
|
My agent says I have "the novelist's curse." I can't read anything anymore without thinking of what I would have done with the setting or the dialogue of a scene. If something is written really well, I can immerse myself completely, and I've even found myself unintentionally mimicking an author's style when I write.
"That is, the word choice, sentence structure, and punctuation become invisible and DON'T stand ..."sorry, couldn't help it. no offense.
add comment
