Tag Archives: #grammartips

Writers Unite!, Writers Unite! Tips Tools Tidbits, Writing

Writing Tips, Tools, and Tidbits!: COUNSEL versus COUNCIL

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Writers Unite!’s mission is to offer a haven for writers to share their work and hone their craft. As the writing process is our focus, author, and WU! admin, Lynn Miclea has created a series of “tips, tools, and tidbits” about writing for our members or anyone interested in writing to help improve their writing. Check the menu bar for any tips you may have missed or click on this link.

Writing Tips, Tools, and Tidbits!

Images are free use and require no attribution. Image from Pixabay.

COUNSEL versus COUNCIL

People often mix up the words counsel and council. Although these words sound the same, they have different meanings and uses. This should help to use them properly.

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Counsel can be a noun meaning advice or guidance, or a verb meaning to give advice or guidance. It can also mean a legal adviser or lawyer. If you are referring to advice or guidance, use counsel.

Examples:

  • He went to the elders for counsel.
  • She counseled him about how to proceed.
  • Good advice and honest counsel can often help.
  • As charges were pending, he needed to find good legal counsel.
  • He wasn’t sure what to do and he asked for her counsel.
  • Although her parents gave good counsel, she ignored it.
  • Part of her job was to offer counsel to those who needed it.
  • His counsel said he would appeal the case.
  • He didn’t know what to do and asked for counsel.
  • She counseled the students about choosing a college.

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Council is a noun meaning advisory group or meeting, or a group of people convened for advice or consultation. If you are referring to an advisory group, use council.

Examples:

  • The council meets every Wednesday.
  • If you have a problem, bring it up at the next council meeting.
  • She loved going to the council meetings.
  • The council will decide on the matter.
  • He asked the council to meet so they could discuss the issue.
  • She wanted to consult with the council before deciding.
  • The council members took a vote on the matter.
  • The city council decided to delay taking action.
  • She wanted to be president of the student council.
  • He rushed in so he would not miss the town council meeting.

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If you mean advice or guidance, use counsel.

If you mean an advisory group, use council.

The school council gave good counsel to the students.

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Please look at the chart for an easy summary and helpful reminder.

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I hope you find this helpful. These tips and more grammar tips and tools are also on my website and blog, and also in my Grammar Tips book.

Thank you!

Website – https://www.lynnmiclea.com/
Blog – https://lynnpuff.wordpress.com/
Grammar Tips Book – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09N2BQMCG/

Writers Unite!, Writers Unite! Tips Tools Tidbits, Writing

Writing Tips, Tools, and Tidbits!: ITS versus IT’S

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Writers Unite!’s mission is to offer a haven for writers to share their work and hone their craft. As the writing process is our focus, author, and WU! admin, Lynn Miclea has created a series of “tips, tools, and tidbits” about writing for our members or anyone interested in writing to help improve their writing. Check the menu bar for any tips you may have missed or click on this link.

Writing Tips, Tools, and Tidbits!

Images are free use and require no attribution. Image from Pixabay.

ITS versus IT’S

People often mix up the words its and it’s. They may sound the same, but these words have different meanings and uses.

Its is possessive and means that something belongs to it. If you want to show possession or ownership, similar to the words his, her, and your, then use the word its without an apostrophe.

Examples:

  • The hotel has changed its color scheme.
  • The supermarket keeps raising its prices.
  • This store is convenient and its variety is wonderful.
  • That company has its own way of doing things.
  • This car won’t work without its engine.
  • My bicycle had its wheels stolen.
  • The tree is losing its leaves.
  • My house recently had its roof replaced.

It’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” The apostrophe shows a letter is missing. If you can replace it with the words “it is” or “it has,” then use it’s with the apostrophe.

Examples:

  • It’s going to rain later.
  • It’s awful that she got sick.
  • I’d rather go inside where it’s warmer.
  • He wants to find out if it’s possible.
  • It’s wonderful that you published your book.
  • I can’t wait until it’s summer.
  • It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.
  • It’s about time he got here.

Basically, if it is possessive or shows ownership, then use its.

If it is a contraction of “it is” or “it has,” then use it’s.

A simple test: If you can substitute “it is” or “it has,” then use it’s. If not, then use its.

Note: there is no such word as its’ — the apostrophe never goes after the s.

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Please look at the chart for an easy summary and helpful reminder.

—————-

I hope you find this helpful. These tips and more grammar tips and tools are also on my website and blog. Thank you!
Website – https://www.lynnmiclea.com/
Blog – https://lynnpuff.wordpress.com/View Insights158 Post Reach

Writers Unite!, Writers Unite! Tips Tools Tidbits, Writing

Writing Tips, Tools, and Tidbits!: Less versus Fewer

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Writers Unite!’s mission is to offer a haven for writers to share their work and hone their craft. As the writing process is our focus, author, and WU! admin, Lynn Miclea has created a series of “tips, tools, and tidbits” about writing for our members or anyone interested in writing to help improve their writing. Check the menu bar for any tips you may have missed or click on this link.

Writing Tips, Tools, and Tidbits!

Images are free use and require no attribution. Image from Pixabay.

LESS versus FEWER

People often mix up the words less and fewer. These words have slightly different meanings and uses.

Fewer means “not as many” and is used for things that are countable or that can be numbered. Fewer is used with words that are a plural noun.

If you can count it and it’s a plural word, use fewer.

Examples: Fewer apples, fewer choices, fewer schools, fewer people, fewer cookies, fewer ingredients, fewer dollars, fewer pieces, fewer hours, fewer problems.

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Less means “not as much” and is used for things that are not countable. Less is used with words that are a singular noun.

If you can’t count it and it’s a singular word, use less.

Examples: Less time, less effort, less candy, less water, less salt, less money, less food, less space, less effort.

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To help illustrate this, the following words are similar in meaning, but one group uses fewer and the other group uses less — it depends on the specific word used, not the meaning behind it.

• Fewer trees • Less greenery
• Fewer meals • Less food
• Fewer dollars • Less money
• Fewer hours • Less time
• Fewer schools • Less education
• Fewer ideas • Less inspiration
• Fewer pieces • Less candy
• Fewer books • Less homework

You can see that the first column is made up of words that are countable and are plural. These use fewer which means “not as many.”

The second column uses words that are not countable and are singular. These use less which means “not as much.

Please look at the chart for an easy summary and helpful reminder.

I hope you find this helpful. These tips and more grammar tips and tools are also on my website and blog. Thank you!
Website – https://www.lynnmiclea.com/
Blog – https://lynnpuff.wordpress.com/