Hughes' editing terms and symbols

Terms

agreement = either subject and predicate do not agree in number, e.g. We was much better off after migrating. OR verb tenses are not consistent - "He is going to the store and then went to the bank.

Awk = awkward; phrasing awkward, reword

cite = need to cite source parenthetically, e.g. (Smith 1999)

Frag = fragment: means that sentence is incomplete, for example a dependent clause; or missing a verb

gr = grammar

MW = missing word

sp = spelling

Tense = incorrect tense used

WC = word choice

Symbols

¶ = paragraph (as in "new ¶")

a|lot = separate words

^
we = add word where indicated by point of arrow

Common word misusages:

affect (v) = To have an influence on or effect a change in: Inflation affects the buying power of the dollar.

effect (n) = Something brought about by a cause or an agent; a result.: One of the main effects of inflation is a decrease in buying power.

compose = to form by putting together ; to form the substance of; to make up: The florist composed the bouquet of roses, carnations, and baby's breath.

comprise = to include; to be made up of: The bouquet comprises roses, carnations, and baby's breath.

data: The word data is the plural form of datum; in academic writing, treat as a plural noun: These data indicate that most students binge drink once or twice a week.

farther = refers to physical distance: How much farther is it to campus?

further = refers to time or degree: I want to avoid further delays; let’s try a different route.

fewer = used with nouns that can be counted: Fewer students attend class on Fridays than other days of the week.

less = use with amounts that you can not count: I suppose they have less energy by the end of the week.

(Note: more is appropriate for either type of noun)

imply = to hint or suggest indirectly; The wedding announcement implied that they were planning a small wedding.

infer = to guess or conclude on the basis of an indirect suggestion; We inferred that we would not be invited.

it's = contraction for it is or it has; " I heard it's going to rain on Friday". "Good, it's been dry for weeks".

its = possessive form of it: The dog chased its tail for hours.

's and ' = both indicate the possessive form of a noun

Use:. Singular noun that does not end in s: The dog's tail was short and stubby.

Singular noun ending in s: Professor Hughes' dog has a long fluffy tail.

Plural noun that does not end in s: Some people's hair is also long and fluffy.

Plural noun ending in s: The dogs' tails were all different.

should of / could of: always wrong! have, not of, should follow could, should, would, or might

than = Used after a comparative adjective or adverb to introduce the second element or clause of an unequal comparison; used to introduce the second element after certain words indicating difference, e.g. more than: I'd rather fail due to my own lack of effort than due to cheating!

then = at that time; next in time, space or order; as a consequence: If you are caught cheating on an exam, then you will fail the course.

their = plural, third-person possessive: Their academic achievement last semester suffered due to regular binge drinking.

there = used as a function word to introduce a sentence or clause: There are several factors that affect a student's academic achievement, including binge drinking.; in or at that place; to or into that place; at that point or stage; in that matter, respect, or relation

they're = contraction of they are, They're going to fail out if they don't curb their binge drinking.

your = second-person possessive; You need to limit your binge drinking.

you’re = contraction of you and are: You’re failing out of college, that’s why!