Macmillan Holdings, LLC. Grammar Girl, Grammar Girl's, QDnow, and Quick and Dirty Tips are all trademarks of Macmillan Holdings, LLC. How to use attributives lunarsky grammar What is the difference of he says and he said but they are both reported speech. A writer visited a country and after that he writes. he says and he said in one article. However, he is referring to an opinions or utterances in the past. Any explanations? I have learned about reported speech rules. http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=15143#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=15143#Comments Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:02:44 GMT jennifer grammar for some reason this discussion cracked me up. i have an image of Henrik scrubbing his goat, and Daphne supervising, wearing her leopard skin pillbox hat. http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13241#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13241#Comments Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:49:24 GMT amy grammar That tip was very helpful. Thank you. http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13227#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13227#Comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:00:56 GMT rpmason grammar Marilyn, it is my wont to use a dictionary when I want to know which homonym is which. http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13225#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13225#Comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:12:12 GMT Marilyn Rouse grammar When do you use "wont" or "want"? Thank you for your time and attention. Marilyn http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13221#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13221#Comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:42:11 GMT Curious Boy grammar Sal Glynn's comments are consistent with Leanord Elmores rules 3 and 4 of his famous "10 rules of writing." 3. Never use a verb other than “said” to carry dialogue. The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. But said is far less intrusive than grumbled, gasped, cautioned, lied. I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with “she asseverated,” and had to stop reading to get the dictionary. 4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb “said” . . . . . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange. I have a character in one of my books tell how she used to write historical romances “full of rape and adverbs.” http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13220#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13220#Comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:53:05 GMT Jen grammar HI! I just wanted to stop by the website and let you know that I've recently found your podcast on iTunes and I find it very interesting. :) I've also subscribed to a couple other Quick and Dirty Tips podcasts and love them all! Thanks for what you do! :) http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13208#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13208#Comments Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:53:21 GMT Taylor grammar Or is that: irregardless? :P http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13203#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13203#Comments Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:30:29 GMT Taylor grammar Of course, for every rule, there are those who break them. One of my favorite books, Ragtime, by E.L.Doctorow, does not even use quotation marks--let alone paragraph breaks between speakers. It's confusing, and I still don't understand why he chose to do that, but I love the book regardless. http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13202#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13202#Comments Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:42:09 GMT Grammar Girl grammar Yes, Beth. We meant "adverbs." Thanks for pointing out the problem. http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13201#Comments http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx?commentid=13201#Comments Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:29:09 GMT Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:02:44 GMT http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/attributives.aspx feedback@quickanddirtytips.com (Managing Editor) feedback@quickanddirtytips.com (Webmaster) en-us