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Matthew Ward Writes

Short story author, Novelist in the making & Grammar enthusiast

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Matthew Ward

“If I was” or “if I were”? Simple methods for choosing the right one every time

Matthew Ward · 20/12/2020 · 1 Comment

If I was you, I’d keep reading.  Wait, though … shouldn’t it be “were”?  If I were you, I’d keep reading. But is that really correct? Which is it? … [Read more...] about “If I was” or “if I were”? Simple methods for choosing the right one every time

Filed Under: Grammar Blogs Tagged With: English grammar, grammar

MicroBlog 4: ‘You and I’ or ‘you and me’? A simple way to know

Matthew Ward · 11/12/2020 · Leave a Comment

Is it you and I or me and you? Do you, like me, dread getting that wrong at the wrong moment? Oh the embarrassment! Thankfully, there’s an easy recipe for getting it right.  … [Read more...] about MicroBlog 4: ‘You and I’ or ‘you and me’? A simple way to know

Filed Under: Grammar Blogs Tagged With: English grammar, grammar

MicroBlog 3: If your sentence starts with an ‘-ing’ word, don’t make this mistake!

Matthew Ward · 04/12/2020 · 2 Comments

Who doesn’t love an adrenaline-pumping chase sequence? From Mission Impossible and Jason Bourne, to Star Wars and Indiana Jones, there’s no shortage of grand pursuits to revel in. During last month’s NaNoWriMo, I particularly enjoyed writing a couple of chase sequences for my … [Read more...] about MicroBlog 3: If your sentence starts with an ‘-ing’ word, don’t make this mistake!

Filed Under: Grammar Blogs Tagged With: English grammar, grammar, phrases

Asking too much of your commas? Careful rephrasing comes to their rescue

Matthew Ward · 20/11/2020 · Leave a Comment

Last week, I repaired the first half of a sentence inspired by one of my mum’s most grammatically awkward sentences (sorry, Mum). I worked through some of the murkier waters of writing series of items like this one: She’s got size-five shoes, dresses, and handbags. Are there … [Read more...] about Asking too much of your commas? Careful rephrasing comes to their rescue

Filed Under: Grammar Blogs Tagged With: comma, commas, English grammar, grammar, sentences

Leapfrogging! A simple solution for grammar pitfalls and pink poodles

Matthew Ward · 13/11/2020 · 1 Comment

Have you ever bitten off more sentence than you could chew? I mean, have you ever tried to put a long and complex idea down on paper only to reach the end of a very long sentence, look back at what you wrote, and think one thought: ‘Don’t tell me I have to edit that!’ … [Read more...] about Leapfrogging! A simple solution for grammar pitfalls and pink poodles

Filed Under: Grammar Blogs Tagged With: English grammar, grammar, sentences

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I’m a nineteen-year-old budding writer with a passion for grammar, short stories, and novels.

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“What about milk?” Debbie asked. Mark reached for the milk. “Let me see.” He shook the carton. “There’s only a drop left.” “I’ll add it to the list.”

This paragraph includes several mistakes.

The paragraph starts with Debbie’s dialogue. Then, it moves to Mark’s. Then, it returns to Debbie’s. We need to start new paragraphs with each new speaker.

And we need to make sure that information about Debbie is alongside her dialogue, and information about Mark is placed alongside his dialogue.

When we put this into action we get this:

“What about milk?” Debbie asked.

Mark reached for the milk. “Let me see.” He shook the carton. “There’s only a drop left.”

“I’ll add it to the list.”

Now that’s perfect.

Mark, standing in the kitchen and hearing her call, opened the fridge. “I think,” Debbie continued, “we might be low on cheese.”

This paragraph includes a mistake. The dialogue in the paragraph is Debbie’s. Therefore, information that is primarily about Mark shouldn’t be in the same paragraph.

This is how it should be written:

Mark, standing in the kitchen and hearing her call, opened the fridge.

“I think,” Debbie continued, “we might be low on cheese.”

Mark moved one block of cheddar and checked behind it. “No, we’ve got two blocks.”

This paragraph is perfect. It involves Mark’s dialogue and information about Mark.

“Have we got enough groceries to last the week?” Debbie shouted from the living room.

This paragraph is perfect. It involves Debbie’s dialogue and information about Debbie.


There’s no need to wait for my next post because I’ve got an offer for you.
I’ll edit the punctuation and grammar in any two paragraphs of your writing for free.
You could choose the most awkward ones if you like!
(I’d probably do that if I were you.)
Then, when I return your paragraphs, I’ll include full explanations of every edit so that you can apply them to the rest of your writing. I’d love to help.
For more information and to take up my offer, click here.
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