“Self” Words

Margie Wakeman WellsGood Grammar, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

I have had a request to explain pronouns that end in self/selves. This is a category of words called “compound personal pronouns.” They are …myself, ourselves …yourself, yourselves …himself, herself, itself, themselves First, let’s say that there are several mistakes made in the way these words are said. Plural mistakes: …ourselves, not ourself …themselves, not themself  or theirself Form mistakes: …

Good Grammar (Finally!)

Margie Wakeman WellsGood Grammar, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Coming on February 24 is the opening class for the 20 hours of Good Grammar (Finally!). An understanding of grammar — parts of speech, phrases and clauses, how words modify — dramatically improves one’s ability to punctuate with ease. If you know a word is just a simple adverb modifier, you won’t be tempted to put commas around it. If …

Where to Put the Word “Only”?

Margie Wakeman WellsGood Grammar, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

The word only is very often misplaced in a sentence. Always put it just before the word that it refers to/modifies. …I only have a dollar. 🙁 …I have only a dollar. 🙂 …She only listened to her brother. 🙁 …She listened to only her brother. 🙂 …He only knows where it is. 🙁 …Only he knows where it is. 🙂 …

“The reason is…” Yikes!

Margie Wakeman WellsGood Grammar Leave a Comment

Okay. So my cute little happy and unhappy facces came through only as question marks. Sorry about that. Here it is again. Once you say “the reason,” all other words implying the reason are unnecessary. These are always wrong. …The reason why is that she was ill. …The reason is because she is ill.  [This one leads the list!] …The …

“The reason is…”

Margie Wakeman WellsGood Grammar, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

So many people make this mistake. My very favorite Dodgers announcer, Vin Scully, whose English was really excellent, made this error. And he is not alone. I heard it three times yesterday and had the news on for only an hour. Once you say “the reason,” all other words implying the reason are unnecessary. …The reason why is that she …

Change of Date for Grammar Class

Margie Wakeman WellsGeneral Leave a Comment

Because of a personal issue that has come up, I am pushing back the start date for the grammar class. We will begin on February 12 and go through April 8. Here are the new dates: February 12, 18, 25 March 4, 5, 12, 19 April 1, 2, 10 Go to margieholdsclass.com for details and registration. Hope to see you in …