Quotation marks ( “ ” ) are written on the opposite sides of words, phrases, and quotations to separate them from the rest of the sentence. Here’s a quick guide to using quotation marks. But before we proceed, note that these punctuation rules follow the Standard American English which occasionally differs from British English. Use Quotation Marks Properly 1. Use …
Hyphens: Joining Words Together
What are Hyphens? Usually shorter than a dash, a hyphen ( – ) is a punctuation mark that joins two or more words. It should not be mistaken with a dash that separates words, phrases, and statements. Hyphens are helpful tools to use to improve your writing. Hyphens help clear the meaning of a sentence. “She’s God loving” sounds like an …
Prepositions: Answering When and Where
Is the ball in, on, or at the table? If it’s confusing for you, this article will help clear things out. Let’s learn about prepositions! What is a Preposition? A preposition is a part of speech that tells us the position of a noun or pronoun in relation to another word in the sentence. It’s a word that usually answers the …
Pronouns: Substitution Over Repetition
What is a Pronoun? Repetitive words in a sentence or paragraph can be tiring to read. Good thing pronouns exist. “Celina borrowed a book weeks ago, but Celina has not read the book yet” sounds too long. A pronoun is a word that substitutes a noun. As you already know, a noun names a person, place, thing, or idea. A …
Metaphors: Making Vivid Comparisons
What is a Metaphor? Good writers use metaphors to evoke vivid imagery. A metaphor is a figure of speech used to imply a comparison between ideas, things, or people. Since it uses a figurative language, a metaphor goes beyond its literal sense. So, when you hear someone say he’s “feeling blue,” you don’t expect him turn color blue; instead, you …
Affect vs. Effect: What’s the Difference?
It’s important to know the difference between affect vs. effect. One time or another, you may have mistakenly interchanged affect and effect in conversations or in writing. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! The confusion usually comes from the same sound of the words, which are called homophones: words that sound alike but have different meanings (e.g. right and rite; sick …
Apostrophe Use: Avoid Apostrophe Catastrophe
What is an Apostrophe? The apostrophe (‘) is a tiny punctuation that plays a big role in language and writing. Adding an apostrophe in the wrong place can alter or lose the meaning of a word or sentence. “My mom’s style” isn’t the same with “my mom styles” and she asked you to buy tomatoes, not “tomatoe’s”. Here’s a simple …
PSAT Scoring, Scaling and Strategy Explained
Since 1971, the PSAT which is known as the Preliminary SAT or the National Scholarship Qualifying test is offered once every year in October. While the PSAT in reality is just a practice test, there are several reasons as to why it is important and you should give it your best effort if you decide to take it. The first …
What’s the Difference Between the CHSEE and the TACHS?
By Nicholas LaPoma, Esq. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Archdiocese of New York has decided to replace the Catholic High School Entrance Exam (CHSEE) with an online Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS). Many students have been asking about how the shift from the CHSEE to the TACHS will impact their chances of admission at potential high schools, …
SAT Exam Dates 2020-2021
About the SAT The new SAT exam is more focused on what you learn in high school and what you need to succeed in college. The same habits and choices that lead to success in school will help you get ready for the SAT. This means there is no more memorizing words or facts that you will never use again. …