Language Corner: Some useful grammar tips

 

Convince versus persuade

There is a difference between "convince" and "persuade."  

Here's a little ditty to help you remember the difference: "Convince of a fact.  Persuade to act."

Here are some examples of the correct use of the two words.

I convinced Joe that his computer was out of date.

I persuaded Joe to buy a new computer.

I convinced my son that he was spending too much money.

I persuaded my son to make an appointment with a financial advisor.

Farther versus further

This is a tricky one.  It can be confusing.  Both words mean "to a greater distance or extent."  Both words can be used as adjectives or adverbs.

Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary states: “Farther and further have been used more or less interchangeably throughout most of their history, but currently they are showing signs of diverging. As adverbs they continue to be used interchangeably whenever spatial, temporal, or metaphorical distance is involved. But where there is no notion of distance, further is used.”

The traditional rule is that farther should be used for reference to physical distance.

Example:  I walked farther than all the others.

Example:  My house is located farther down the road.

Farther has the restriction of physical space  Further, on the other hand, is used when referring to a figurative distance, a metaphysical advancement, or an extension of time or degree.

Example:  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Example:  In order to further myself, I need more more education.

Example:  After being fired from his job, Bob asked for further consideration.  He claimed that he had been treated unfairly.        

Further has the meaning of "moreover" or additionally.  Example: Further to your remarks . . .

When in doubt, it is advisable to use further, because farther has the restriction of physical space.

Correct use of the verb "to go"

It is incorrect to say "I would have went,"

It is correct to say "I would have gone."

'Went" is used in the simple past tense.  Example:  I went to the library yesterday.

"Have gone" is used in the present perfect tense (have + past participle}. "Gone" is the past participle of the verb "to go."  Example:  I have gone to the doctor twice this week.

Redundancies

"Tuition fee" is redundant.  Tuition is a fee.  

"I have paid my tuition fee" is incorrect.

 "I have paid my tuition" is correct.  

Revert back is redundant.  Revert means to come or go back.  Therefore, "back' is not needed.

"Revert back to your old eating habits." is incorrect.

"Revert to your old eating habits." is correct.

Incorrect use of past participles of irregular verbs to swim, to drink, to take, to shake and to eat.  

According to grammarly.com: "Irregular verbs are verbs that do not follow the normal pattern of conjugation to express tenses and past participles.  Unlike regular verbs, which take on their simple past tense and past participle forms by adding -ed or -d to their base, irregular verbs are conjugated in many unpredictable ways."

I have swam is incorrect.

I have swum is correct.

I have drank is incorrect

I have drunk is correct.

I have took is incorrect.

I have taken is correct.

I have shook is incorrect.

I have shaken is correct.

I have ate is incorrect.

I have eaten is correct.

Medium and media

Medium is the singular form of media.  Media is plural.

Examples of correct use:

The medium is the message.

In totalitarian countries, the media are used as propaganda tools.

- Joanne