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- [Formal and Informal Style](./style/formal_and_informal_style.md)
- [Plagiarism](./style/plagiarism.md)
- [Sentence Structure](./style/sentence_structure.md)
- [Quiz](./quiz/quiz.md)
- [Grammar Quick Test](./quiz/grammar-quick-self-test.md)
- [Commonly Confused Words](./quiz/commonly_confused_words.md)
- [Resources](./resources/resources.md)
- [Glossary](./resources/glossary.md)
- [Useful Links](./resources/useful_links.md)

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# About the Effective Writing Practices Tutorial
# About *this* Effective Writing Practices Tutorial
This is forked, changed version of the original [*Effective Writing
Practices Tutorial*](https://www.niu.edu/writing-tutorial/index.shtml) by
[North Illinois University](https://www.niu.edu/index.shtml)
which is licensed under
[CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
In April 2, 2025, I have found the original and saw the following message:
> This tutorial is no longer being actively updated and will remain available
> until the end of the Spring 2025 semester. After that time, it will be taken
> down. Please note that some content may be outdated or no longer relevant.
I found this document very useful and want to keep available in future references.

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**Adjectives** and **adverbs** are modifying words.
*Incorrect*: `She did good on her exam.`
- *Incorrect*: `She did good on her exam.`
In the sentence above, the verb `did` is modified by an adjective `good`, when it should be modified by an adverb `well`.
In the sentence above, the verb `did` is modified by an adjective `good`, when
it should be modified by an adverb `well`.
## Correcting Adjective or Adverb Problems
*Correct*: `She did well on her exam.`
- *Correct*: `She did well on her exam.`
Many adverbs are formed by adding a suffix `-ly` at the end of an adjective:
- Change `close` to `closely`
- Change `patient` to `patiently`
Some adverbs and adjectives are, however, identical in form:
Some adverbs and adjectives are, however, identical in form (adjectives / adverbs):
- Adjectives
- A rough draft
- First exam
- Right hand
- Adverbs
- Play rough
- Ride first
- Turn right
- `a rough draft` / `play rough`
- `first exam` / `ride first`
- `right hand` / `turn right`
> **Rule To Remember**
>
> An adjective is a part of speech that modifies a noun or pronoun.
>
> Adjectives usually tell `what kind`, `how many`, or `which` about nouns or pronouns.
> Adjectives usually tell `what kind`, `how many`, or `which` about nouns or
> pronouns.
> **Another Rule To Remember**
>
> An adverb is a part of speech that modifies a another adverb, a verb, or an adjective. It is often recognized by the suffix -ly at the end of it.
> An adverb is a part of speech that modifies a another adverb, a verb, or an
> adjective. It is often recognized by the suffix -ly at the end of it.
>
> Adverbs usually describe an action in terms of `how`, `when`, `where`, and `to what extent` it occurred.
> Adverbs usually describe an action in terms of `how`, `when`, `where`, and `to
> what extent` it occurred.
To avoid an error, identify what word the adverb or adjective in question modifies. If the word modified is a noun or a pronoun, use an adjective. If the word modified is a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, use an adverb to modify it.
To avoid an error, identify what word the adverb or adjective in question
modifies. If the word modified is a noun or a pronoun, use an adjective. If the
word modified is a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, use an adverb to
modify it.
Sometimes an adverb is confused with an adjective similar in meaning.
Bad or Badly
## Bad or Badly
Bad is an adjective used with linking verbs such as feel, seem, be, look, etc.
*Incorrect*: I feel badly that he is not taking part in the game.
*Correct*: `I feel bad that he is not taking part in the game.`
- *Incorrect*: `I feel badly that he is not taking part in the game.`
- *Correct*: `I feel bad that he is not taking part in the game.`
Badly is an adverb used to modify action verbs.
*Incorrect*: Sometimes Hollywood romance ends bad.
- *Incorrect*: `Sometimes Hollywood romance ends bad.`
- *Correct*: `Sometimes Hollywood romance ends badly.`
*Correct*: `Sometimes Hollywood romance ends badly.`
Calm or Calmly
## Calm or Calmly
Calm is an adjective, and it is used to modify nouns and pronouns. It is also used with linking verbs.
Calm is an adjective, and it is used to modify nouns and pronouns. It is also
used with linking verbs.
*Incorrect*: She appeared calmly after the accident.
*Correct*: She appeared calm after the accident.
- *Incorrect*: `She appeared calmly after the accident.`
- *Correct*: `She appeared calm after the accident.`
Calmly is an adverb that modifies verbs.
*Incorrect*: She tried to be brave and take the bad news calm.
- *Incorrect*: `She tried to be brave and take the bad news calm.`
- *Correct*: `She tried to be brave and take the bad news calmly.`
*Correct*: She tried to be brave and take the bad news calmly.
Easy or Easily
## Easy or Easily
Easy is an adjective used to modify nouns and pronouns. It is also used with linking verbs.
*Incorrect*: The assignment looked easily.
*Correct*: The assignment looked easy.
- *Incorrect*: `The assignment looked easily.`
- *Correct*: `The assignment looked easy.`
Easily is an adverb, and it is used to modify verbs.
*Incorrect*: The players were moving easy around the field.
- *Incorrect*: `The players were moving easy around the field.`
- *Correct*: `The players were moving easily around the field.`
*Correct*: The players were moving easily around the field.
Good or Well
## Good or Well
Good is an adjective. It is also often used with linking verbs.
*Incorrect*: It felt well to score an A on the final.
*Correct*: It felt good to score an A on the final.
- *Incorrect*: `It felt well to score an A on the final.`
- *Correct*: `It felt good to score an A on the final.`
Well, when used as an adjective, implies "in good health." When used as an adverb, well means "expertly."
*Correct*: My grandmother looks well even now in her eighties.
- *Correct*: `My grandmother looks well even now in her eighties.`
- *Incorrect*: `My friend plays the piano good.`
- *Correct*: `My friend plays the piano well. (expertly)`
*Incorrect*: My friend plays the piano good.
*Correct*: My friend plays the piano well. (expertly)
Real or Really
## Real or Really
Really is an adverb, and it modifies other adverbs, verbs, or adjectives. It has a meaning of "very."
*Incorrect*: Students did real well on the midterm.
*Correct*: Students did really well on the midterm.
- *Incorrect*: `Students did real well on the midterm.`
- *Correct*: `Students did really well on the midterm.`
Real is an adjective, and can be used to modify nouns or noun phrases. It has a meaning of "true or genuine."
*Incorrect*: Students took a really midterm last week.
- *Incorrect*: `Students took a really midterm last week.`
- *Correct*: ``Students took a real midterm last week.``
*Correct*: Students took a real midterm last week.
Slow or Slowly
## Slow or Slowly
Slow can be used as an adjective and as an adverb. In the first example, slow is an adverb and in the second one, it is an adjective.
*Correct*: The traffic is moving slow. This is a slow dance.
- *Correct*: `The traffic is moving slow. This is a slow dance.`
Slowly is only an adverb. It can replace slow anywhere it is used as an adverb. Slowly also appears in sentences with auxiliary verbs where slow cannot be used.
Slowly is only an adverb. It can replace slow anywhere it is used as an
adverb. Slowly also appears in sentences with auxiliary verbs where slow cannot
be used.
*Incorrect*: He has been slow recovering from his knee injury.
- *Incorrect*: `He has been slow recovering from his knee injury.`
- *Correct*: `He has been slowly recovering from his knee injury.`
*Correct*: He has been slowly recovering from his knee injury.
Adverb Placement in Sentences
## Adverb Placement in Sentences
Sometimes, the use of a certain adverb requires the inversion of the subject and the verb. If a sentence begins with a negative adverb or an adverb with restrictive meaning, it must have an inverted word order.
Sometimes, the use of a certain adverb requires the inversion of the subject and
the verb. If a sentence begins with a negative adverb or an adverb with
restrictive meaning, it must have an inverted word order.
*Correct*: Never before have I encountered such persistence in a student.
- *Correct*: `Never before have I encountered such persistence in a student.`
- *Correct*: `Seldom do we come across such talent.`
*Correct*: Seldom do we come across such talent.
Some other adverbs with restrictive meaning that require inversion of the verb and subject are:
Some other adverbs with restrictive meaning that require inversion of the verb
and subject are:
- Hardly ever
- Hardly... when

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# Commonly Confused Words
In today's high-technology environment, it is easy to become lazy and let the
spell check function in the word processor do its job. However, it cannot
distinguish context and may not catch some errors, especially when the word you
type has a homonym and you have chosen the incorrect word. The wrong word can be
spelled correctly and, in that case, spell check will not flag it.
What follows is a list of most commonly confused words.
## Accept/Except
Accept is a verb which means to "agree or receive favorably."
`I accept the invitation to the party.`
Except is most often used as a preposition that means "excluding, leaving out, but."
`I would go except it's too far.`
We can also say:
`I would go, but it's too far.`
## Adapt/Adopt
Used as a verb, adapt means to "make fit or adjust."
`The current production process needs to be adapted to the new technological requirements.`
Adopt means to "accept as one's own or choose."
`The parliament voted unanimously to adopt new changes to the constitution.`
## Advice/Advise
Advice is a noun; it's an opinion given on something or someone.
`A mother's advice is always invaluable.`
Advise is a verb which means "to give or offer advice" or "notify."
`I would advise you to take a closer look at the situation.`
## Affect/Effect
Affect is more commonly used as a verb that means "to influence or have an effect on."
`The player's knee injury affected his performance in the play.`
Effect, on the other hand, is more often used as a noun that means "influence."
`The player's knee injury had a negative effect on his performance in the play.`
Effect is also used as a verb with a meaning of "bring about or cause."
`An accident at Indiana oil refinery effected the rise in gas prices.`
## Allusion/Illusion
An allusion is an indirect reference to something.
`The president made an allusion to a possible wage increase after the state decides on a budget.`
An illusion is a perception.
`He is very soft spoken and that creates an illusion that he won't stand up to defend his opinion.`
## Already/All ready
Already is an adverb meaning "by or before a certain time", "by now", or "by then."
`We have already completed our project.`
All ready is a phrase that has a meaning of "being prepared."
`The students were all ready for their final exam.`
## Alright/All right
Alright is a version of "all right" that in many cases is still considered nonstandard in English.
All right is a phrase that means "correct" or "yes, very well."
`The game plan was all right to him.`
## Alternate/Alternative
Alternate is an adjective that means "substitute."
`John has been part of the team as an alternate player for six months now.`
Alternative is often used as a noun or as an adjective which has a meaning of "one of several choices."
`The traffic downtown is always bad; our alternative is to take the highway.`
## Beside/Besides
Beside is a preposition which means "next to."
`She stood beside me.`
Besides is an adverb with a meaning of "also" or "in addition to."
`There was no one here besides John and me.`
`Besides the group project, students also need to turn in their review papers next week.`
## Borrow/Lend
You borrow or take money/things from someone, but you lend or give someone money/things.
`If you borrow more money than you can repay, your credit score may suffer.`
`By lending money to people banks earn a good return.`
## Complement/Compliment
Complement is a noun or verb that means "to make something whole or complete."
`The purse she was wearing was a perfect complement to her dress.`
Compliment is a noun or verb meaning "praise."
`Guests were complimenting the bride on her beautiful gown.`
## Couldn't Care Less
The common mistake is to use the phrase "could care less." If you want to express the meaning of not caring about something, then remember to use the phrase in the negative form, as in:
`I couldn't care less about these rumors.`
## Could Have/Should Have/Would Have
Use these forms instead of the non-existing forms such as "could of/should of/would of" or "coulda/shoulda/woulda."
`Nobody could have predicted the impact of this accident on the environment.`
## Due to/Because of
Due to has a meaning of "caused by." It usually modifies a noun and is used after the verb "to be." The substitute phrase "caused by" can be used to check if the sentence makes sense.
`Her loss of appetite was due to a severe cold.`
`Her loss of appetite was caused by a severe cold.`
`The rise in gas prices was due to oil refinery problems.`
`The rise in gas prices was caused by oil refinery problems.`
Because of also expresses causality, but it typically modifies a verb.
`Because of a severe cold she lost her appetite.`
`Gas prices rose because of oil refinery problems.`
## Emigrate/Immigrate
Emigrate has a meaning of "going from a country" to settle somewhere else.
`She emigrated from a country in Africa in search of a better life in another land.`
Immigrate means to "come to a country" to settle.
`Many skilled professionals with advanced degrees have immigrated into this country in the last few years.`
## Fewer/Less
Fewer is used with objects that can be counted; it refers to a number.
`Last year our orchard produced fewer apples.`
Less is used to refer to quantity of uncountable things.
`Last year our orchard produced less fruit.`
## Farther/Further
Farther is used to compare distances only.
`We are going to run two miles farther today than we did yesterday.`
Further is used for all other comparisons. It can also mean "additional" or "more."
`This assignment needs further clarification.`
## Historic/Historical
Historic means "famous in history."
`The book comprises written histories of more than 35,000 historic structures and sites dating from the early seventeenth century to present time.`
Historical means "concerned with history" or "established by history."
`A historical novel covers a story set among historical events.`
## Hopefully
Hopefully should be used as an adverb that describes how someone acts, as in:
`She spoke hopefully of the interview she had scheduled for tomorrow.`
It should not be used in a conditional phrase or to begin a sentence.
`Hopefully, I will pass this exam.`
Use instead:
`I hope I will pass this exam.`
## Ingenious/Ingenuous
Ingenious means "clever, inventive."
`Ingenious inventions of such tools as a radio, or a telephone, or a steam engine have solved many mysteries and improved people's lives.`
Ingenuous means "noble, frank."
`A less open and less ingenuous person would have taken advantage of this unfortunate situation, but not he.`
## Irregardless
This word is not part of standard English. Instead, the word is "regardless."
## It's/Its
It's is a contracted form of "it is." Its is a possessive form of it meaning "belonging to it."
`It's such an easy project. Its due date is October 10, 2024.`
## Lay/Lie
Lay is a transitive verb (lay, laid, laid) that means to "place something down."
`When students were finished with the exam, they laid their pencils down and handed in their scantron sheets.`
Lie is an intransitive verb (lie, lay, lain) that means to "recline."
`I couldn't sleep and just lay wide awake all night in bed.`
## Of/Off
Of is a preposition used to indicate part of the whole, origin, relation, cause, motive, or reason.
`Can I have a cup of water please?`
`My friend is of Irish descent.`
Off is a preposition indicating physical separation or distance.
`He likes to walk off the beaten path.`
`I took a jar of apple butter off the shelf.`
## Raise/Rise
Rise (rose, risen) means to "go up."
`Because of recent rains, the water level in the river has been steadily rising.`
Raise (raised, raised) means to "cause something to move up."
`The candidate promised not to raise taxes when elected.`
## Supposed To
Don't omit the letter "d" in supposed.
`The media are supposed to cover events objectively.`
## Than/Then
Than is a conjunction.
`Our last group project was much better than the first one.`
Then is an adverb meaning "at that time" or "next in time."
`For our last paper, we need to submit a proposal and then an outline of what the project will include.`
## That/Which
Please see the [Relative Clauses section](./relative_clauses.md).
## Their/There/They're
Their is a possessive pronoun meaning "belonging to them."
They're is a contracted form of "they are."
There is a place adverb.
`They're planning to go to the game right after their classes. They will buy their lunch there.`
## Used to
Do not omit the letter "d" in used.
`We used to live in this house.`
## Who/Whom
Please see the [Relative Clauses section](./relative_clauses.md).
## Who's/Whose
Who's is a contracted form of "who is."
`Who's in charge of this project? (Who is in charge of this project?)`
Whose is the possessive form of the pronoun who.
`Whose project is this?`
## Your/You're
Your is a possessive pronoun meaning "belonging to you."
You're is a contracted form of "you are."
`If you're planning to go to the concert with us, then don't forget your ticket.`

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This section focuses on the most common grammatical mistakes made in writing. The mistakes are organized under 13 grammatical categories. In each of these categories, the tutorial presents an error, explains it, and shows ways of avoiding or correcting it. Use the examples and explanations in this section as reminders when you proofread and edit your written work.
Take the [Quick Self-Test]() to identify the common grammatical mistakes you may encounter in your writing. Follow the links included in the answers to the quiz questions to learn more about how to correct or avoid each grammatical mistake. Consult the [Glossary](./glossary.md) section of the tutorial if you encounter an unfamiliar grammar term.
Take the [Quick Self-Test](../quiz/grammar-quick-self-test.md) to identify the
common grammatical mistakes you may encounter in your writing. Follow the links
included in the answers to the quiz questions to learn more about how to correct
or avoid each grammatical mistake. Consult the [Glossary](../resources/glossary.md) section
of the tutorial if you encounter an unfamiliar grammar term.

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# Quiz - Commonly Confused Words
Return to [*Commonly Confused Words*](../grammar/commonly_confused_words.md)
## Q. Match the words below to the blanks:
`affected`, `historic`, `beside`, `illusion`, `emigrated`,
`effect`, `besides`, `historical`, `effected`, `allusion`,
`immigrated`
<br/>
1. `The change of major has had a tremendous _____ on my career.`
2. `The change of major has really _____ my career.`
3. `Poor maintenance _____ the bridge collapse.`
4. `A lot of people have _____ from Darfur in Sudan to seek shelter in other lands.`
5. `She _____ into this country in the early 1990s.`
6. `Only the literary types knew it was an _____ to Alice in Wonderland`
7. `It was an _____ that the war will soon be over with.`
8. `_____ the group project, students also need to turn in their review paper next week.`
9. `John stood _____ me all the time.`
10. `This is a _____ movie about WWII events.`
11. `This is a _____ moment and a beginning of a new era for NIU.`
## Answer
<details>
<summary>Click here</summary>
1. `The change of major has had a tremendous "effect" on my career.`
2. `The change of major has really "affected" my career.`
3. `Poor maintenance "effected" the bridge collapse.`
4. `A lot of people have "emigrated" from Darfur in Sudan to seek shelter in other lands.`
5. `She "immigrated" into this country in the early 1990s.`
6. `Only the literary types knew it was an "allusion" to Alice in Wonderland`
7. `It was an "illusion" that the war will soon be over with.`
8. `"besides" the group project, students also need to turn in their review paper next week.`
9. `John stood "beside" me all the time.`
10. `This is a "historical" movie about WWII events.`
11. `This is a "historic" moment and a beginning of a new era for NIU.`
</details>

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# Grammar Self-Test
## Q1. Which of the following is correct?
1. `The team plays good in decisive games.`
2. `The team plays well in decisive games.`
## Q2. Which of the following is correct?
1. `The candidate promised not to raise taxes when elected.`
2. `The candidate promised not to rise taxes when elected.`
## Q3. Is this sentence correct?
```
To see well, the lights in this room need to be adjusted.
```
1. This sentence is correct.
2. This sentence has a dangling modifier.
3. This sentence has a comma splice.
## Q4. Which of the following is correct?
1. `I haven't barely started to think about my exam.`
2. `I have barely started to think about my exam.`
## Q5. Identify the problem with the following paragraph:
```
Elizabeth Peabody was born in a school and thereafter felt destined to be a
teacher. Her mother was a teacher and trains her daughters at her side. The
academic life seems to suit Elizabeth, who thrived on the rigorous curriculum.
```
1. It lacks subject - verb agreement in some sentences.
2. There are inconsistent shifts in verb tenses.
3. Punctuation is wrong in this paragraph.
## Q6. Is this sentence correct?
```
The suspects were interviewed right after the crime was committed by the detectives.
```
1. This sentence is correct.
2. This sentence has a misplaced modifier.
3. This sentence needs a different form of the verb.
## Q7. Which of the following is correct?
1. `Most people not only are lifting weights at the gym, but they also do a cardiovascular workout.`
2. `Most people not only lift weights at the gym, but they also do a cardiovascular workout.`
## Q8. Which of the following is correct?
1. `Neither of the players in the last game was injured.`
2. `Neither of the players in the last game were injured.`
## Q9. Is this sentence correct?
```
The teacher asked Anne and myself to do a peer review of each other's writing.
```
1. This sentence is correct.
2. `Each other's` should be replaced with `one another's`.
3. Pronoun "myself" should be replaced with "me."
## Q10. Which of the following is correct?
1. `Anne whose research on health effects of air pollution was well-known was invited to speak at a conference.`
2. `Anne, whose research on health effects of air pollution was well-known, was invited to speak at a conference.`
3. `Anne which research on health effects of air pollution was well-known was invited to speak at a conference.`
## Q11. Which of the following is preferred?
1. `When I did my lab experiments, I tried to thoroughly document each of my measurements.`
2. `When I did my lab experiments, I tried to document thoroughly each of my measurements.`
## Q12. Which of the following is correct?
1. `Neither students nor their teacher is participating in this play.`
2. `Neither students nor their teacher are participating in this play.`
## Q13. Which of the following is correct?
1. `Current decline in the housing market is often compared to the one in the '80s.`
2. `Current decline in the housing market is often compared to the one in the 80's.`
3. `Current decline in the housing market is often compared to the one in the 80s.`
## Answers
<details>
<summary>Click here</summary>
| Q | Answer | Related Section |
|----|--------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1 | 2 | [Adjective or Adverb](./grammar/adjective_or_adverb.md) |
| 2 | 1 | [Commonly Confused Words](./grammar/commonly_confused_words.md) |
| 3 | 2 | [Dangling Modifiers](./grammar/dangling_modifiers.md) |
| 4 | 2 | [Double Negatives](./grammar/double_negatives.md) |
| 5 | 2 | [Inconsistent Verb Tenses](./grammar/inconsistent_verb_tenses.md) |
| 6 | 2 | [Misplaced Modifiers](./grammar/misplaced_modifiers.md) |
| 7 | 2 | [Parallelism](./grammar/parallelism.md) |
| 8 | 1 | [Pronoun Agreement](./grammar/pronoun_agreement.md) |
| 9 | 3 | [Pronouns](./grammar/pronouns.md) |
| 10 | 2 | [Relative Clauses](./grammar/relative_clauses.md) |
| 11 | 2 | [Split Infinitives](./grammar/split_infinitives.md) |
| 12 | 1 | [Subject-verb Agreement](./grammar/subject-verb_agreement.md) |
| 13 | 1 | [Use of Numbers](./grammar/use_of_numbers.md) |
</details>

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# Quiz