Chapter 1: Standard English

Standard English

•The common language used in academic and workplace settings is called Standard English

Antonyms

• Words that have opposite meanings are called antonyms.

Dividing Words into Syllables

The dictionary shows you how to divide words into syllables. This can aid you in pronunciation and spelling. Note how there is one vowel sound per syllable. Examples:

• Incongruous – in con gru ous (4 syllables)

• in sep ar a ble – in sep a ra ble (5 syllables)

• Caricature – car i ca ture (4 syllables)

Making Pronoun References Clear

Pronouns refer to nouns and other pronouns.

Always check to make sure the reference is clear

to your reader. Unclear pronoun references

occur for two main reasons:

• There are two or more possible antecedents

• There is no antecedent

Correcting Unclear Pronoun References

Whenever there is more than one antecedent, ask,

“Will the reader be confused?

Unclear: Martha told Corrine that she had a flat tire.

Who had the flat tire? Martha or Corrine? To

correct the problem, specify who had the flat tire.

Corrected (but awkward): Martha told Corrine that

Corrine had a flat tire.

Revised: Martha told Corrine, “You have a flat tire.”