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Language

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Grammar

  1. Classic English Language Texts
    These come from Bartleby and include the following.
    2.
  2. General Grammar Information :
    • American Heritage Book of English Usage
      Find grammatical rules using the search engine. Further information.
    • Big Dog’s Grammar
      Enjoy improving language skills. For older students.
    • English Grammar Book
      ‘A grammar book of high-quality English lessons and exercises to help English learners learn English grammar online.’
    • English Grammar Resources on the Internet
      ‘Everything is available on the Internet; grammar rules and examples of each; colleges that contain lessons and tests; explanations of punctuation rules and sites that merely ‘talk’ about the English language and the rules governing it. There are even sites that have all of the above. I have attempted to find a large sampling of the previously mentioned web sites that deal with grammar, punctuation, and writing. The web sites that follow will deal in large part with words - sentence structure, phrases and clauses, etc..’
    • English the Easy Way
      This section covers most aspects of grammar.
    • Free English Language Study Guides
      ‘Download your Free English4Today study Guides here !’ At present there are two only, but others are to be added.
      Well presented !
    • Internet Grammar of English, The
      Tense, punctuation and all aspects of English Grammar.
    • Online English Grammar, The
      A UK site. Uses a table of contents, alphabetical listing and by subject. Other topic areas.
    • Skillswise, Grammar
      Covers the whole gamut of grammar, from the BBC.
    • The Free Online English Grammar
      Covers all areas, including very specific instruction, FAQs, punctuation information, tips, writing tips, language tests and games and more. Check the visual link at the top of this page.
      Exceptional !
    • The Internet Grammar of English
      ‘An online course in English grammar written primarily for university undergraduates. However, we hope that it will be useful to everyone who is interested in the English language.’
    • Web Grammar
      Grammar, style guides, language, links to dictionaries, writing and research help.
  3. Grammar
    The following links provide specific information on grammar and style in language.
    • Blue Book of Grammar & Punctuation, The
      This opens to the ‘English Rules’ section of the site and covers both the nominated areas plus others. There is also a section for Quizzes, a blog and ‘Helpful Links’.
    • Common Errors in English
      ‘Mine is dedicated to errors in usage. This is not a site dealing with grammar in general’. Supplementary pages, e.g. split infinitives and other links.
    • Elementary Grammar
    • Grammar and Punctuation
      ‘You can get help with Grammar and Punctuation by clicking on these handouts.’ They range from Apostrophes to Verb & Verb Tense. There are 23 in all. From the Stone Writing Centre.
    • Grammar at Teacher’s Net
      Capitalisation to citing electronic sources and the rules and concepts in between.
    • Grammar FAQs
      A listing of 80+ questions with relatively short answers and covering all aspects of Grammar/Usage/Style.
    • Grammar Glossary
      ‘Useful terminology for teachers and learners of English.’ A listing of terms with examples provided for each. Covers from Articles, nouns and verbs through to numerals. Sections within each of these.
      Also check the links in the menu on the left for additional information and examples provided on related pages, e.g. Article Usage, Irregular Verbs, etc..
    • Grammar Handbook
      ‘This Handbook explains and illustrates the basic grammatical rules concerning parts of speech, phrases, clauses, sentences and sentence elements, and common problems of usage.’ Done by an American university [Illinois].
    • Grammar Help [1]
      An extensive, well-grouped, annotated listing of Grammar help sites on the web.
    • Grammar Help [2]
      A second listing, grouped in directories such as ‘Grammatical Errors’, ‘Grammar Guides’, ‘Grammar Instruction, … , … ’ and more. Also includes Vocabulary and Punctuation links.
    • Guide to Grammar and Writing
      Covering all areas in 6 major sections. Well presented and extensive.
    • Jack Lynch’s Grammar and Style Notes
    • Online English Grammar
      ‘The Free online reference and guide for English grammar, writing, punctuation and learning.’
    • The Owl at Purdue
      Done by an American university. This is the first of about 25 page links relating to grammar and the mechanics of writing. Very clearly presented.
  4. Grammar Quizzes & Questions :
    • English Grammar
      Email questions about grammar and they will be answered.
    • Interactive Quizzes
      Quizzes about different aspects of grammar. Part of the bigger ‘Guide to Grammar & Writing’ site.
    • Self-Study Grammar Quizzes
      HTML quizzes from easy to difficult and on specific topics. Also has links to other aspects of language. Done for ESL students.
  5. Punctuation :

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Language & Vocabulary

  1. Acronyms & Anagrams :
    • Acronyms :
      • Acronym Finder
        Explains most acronyms you will come across. More than 580 000 definitions are supplied.
      • All Acronyms
        ‘All-acronyms.com is a Free website with more than 600 000 published abbreviations. The main purpose of the site is to have a convenient lookup tool for those who need to quickly find an acronym definition.’ Multiple searches - alphabetical, specific, category or popular. You can even suggest new acronyms.
    • Anagrams :
      • AnagramEngine, The
        For those who love wordplay. Also has a crossword solver.
      • Anagram Fun
        Enter a name, phrase or word and let the site make a series of anagrams.
      • Anagram Genius
        Create anagrams as well as download a Free copy of the software.
      • Anagram Server, Internet
        ‘Here is your chance to discover the wisdom of anagrams. Enter the word or phrase in the form …’ Anagrams will be supplied for the word chosen.
      • Andy’s Anagram Solver
        Type in a word or two and the program sends back all the possible anagrams.
    • Antagonyms
      Find words spelt the same but used with opposite meanings [e.g. ‘Clip : to attach vs. to cut off’]. Title is the author’s own.
  2. Metaphors
    ‘Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way.’
    • A Short History of Metaphor[s]
      A presentation from the Open University in the UK. Includes examples and demonstrations.
    • Introduction to Metaphor
      A multi-section review, that is more technical than some of the other presentations.
    • Metaphor
      Covers structure, terms & categorisation, metaphor & simile, use in literature and language, use in historical linguistics, literature, references and further links. From wikipedia.
    • Metaphor Examples
      ‘Each link points to a different collection of metaphors found on this site. For example, metaphors from cooking or from farming. You’ll also find essays and lessons on metaphor.’
    • Metaphors
      From RHL School.‘Read the statements that contain metaphors in italics. Then complete the statements that explain the metaphors.’
    • The Metaphor Observatory
      [Where Metaphors Come to Die]
      ‘A blog dedicated to contemporary metaphor, written for those who love language. We also publish the annual Top Ten Metaphors List, observing the most popular metaphors in the media.’
    • Using Metaphors in Creative Writing
      From the Purdue Online Writing Lab. Covers what a metaphor is, related terms, why use them, creative ways to use them and examples.
  3. Names
    Names and what they mean, including derivations.
    • Behind the Name …
      [The Etymology and History of First Names]
      Where first names come from and what they mean. Covers names from different languages.
    • Bubba Boo Baby Names
      Search for meanings alphabetically, by gender or origin [nationality, region].
    • Think ! Baby Names
      Search for meanings alphabetically and by gender. You can search for meanings, using names start/ending with or an actual meaning.
    • What’s in a Name ?
      The meaning of first names, last names and many other groupings of names.
  4. Other Vocabulary Specialities
    Everything from “Alliteration” to “Spoonerisms”.
    • Alliteration
      What it means, plus use in poetry and other writing forms.
    • Fun With Words
      Anagrams, palindromes, spoonerisms and other word activities.
    • Heteronym Homepage, The
      ‘Heteronyms are words that are spelled identically but have different meanings when pronounced differently’. An example is ‘Close : CLOZE - to shut; CLOSE - near’.
    • “Nym” Words
      ‘Don’t know your acronyms from your antonyms or your aptronyms from your autonyms ? Confused about what tautonyms and toponyms are ? You’ll find them all here, from homonyms and hypernyms to eponyms and exonyms. We will guide you through explanations of each term, with helpful examples.’ Also links to anagrams, palindromes, spoonerisms, oxymorons, malaproprisms and many more.
    • OxymoronList.com
      Hundreds of oxymorons listed.
    • Palindromes
      ‘The word palindrome is derived from the Greek palíndromos, meaning running back again [palín = AGAIN + drom-, drameîn = RUN]. A palindrome is a word or phrase which reads the same in both directions.’ Provides examples and further explanation.
    • Wordnet
      Run by Princeton University. Enter a word to find its homonym, antonym, synonym, etc..
  5. Special Expressions in Language :
    • Clichés :
      • Book of Clichés, The
      • Cliché Finder
        ‘Have you been searching for just the right cliché to use ? Just enter any words in the form [below], and this search engine will return any clichés which use that phrase …’
      • Clichés
        Claimed to be the biggest database of clichés on the internet.
    • Sayings and Everyday Expressions
      ‘The site title was chosen as one most people would look for when searching for meanings or origin of everyday expressions. At least one example each of : Adage, Aphorism, Apothegm, Axiom, Bromide, Cliché, Dictum, Epigram, Idiom, Platitude, Postulate, Proverb, Saw, Truism, Expression, Phrase, or Word can be found on this site’.
    • Tongue Twisters :
    • World Wide Words
      Articles, topical words, turns of phrase, weird words and more. There are indexes and a search engine. You can find the meaning of expressions such as Get One’s Goat and Caught Red-Handed, for example. This is a really interesting site with lots of information.
  6. Spelling :
    • 100 Most Often Misspelled Words
      [yourDictionary.com]
      Information and memory suggestions provided for each word and sometimes groups of words, using a common format.
    • Clear Ink SpellWeb
      Enter several spellings and be told the correct version for the required word. ‘While it can be useful, it is also for fun and the results are not guaranteed’.
    • Fun with Words - Spelling
      Links to different forms of words including those commonly misspelt, words we confuse, unusual word structures and an array of other types.
    • OZSPELL
      A national spelling competition for 10-14 year olds.
    • Spelling Rules :
      • BBC Skillswise - Spelling
        A collection of information and activities ranging from Root Words to Silent Letters. A fun way to learn about correct spelling.
      • English Spelling Rules
        A collection of rules with various examples. Done in groups. Produced by Dyslexia.org.
      • Guide to English Spelling Rules
        [David Appleyard]
        ‘Basics of British and American spelling with a minimum of effort.’ Eight major areas covered - examples and descriptions for sections within these.
      • Spelling Hints & Tips
        ‘This year, as part of our focus on Literacy, a priority area in all classrooms is the teaching of Spelling. To further reinforce this initiative at home, the following Mini Posters have been developed.’ Done by Moura State School in Queensland.
        Highly Recommended !
      • Spelling Rules
        A collection of rules with examples and occasional responses to queries regarding spelling rules.
    • Spellwell
      A commercial site. Resources to help your child be a better speller and language user. [Australian version]
  7. Vocabulary, General Information :
    • 100 Most Often Mispronounced Words …
      [And Phrases in English]
      ‘Here are the 100 most often mispronounced English words [“mispronunciation” among them]. There are spelling rules in English even if they are difficult to understand, so pronouncing a word correctly usually does help you spell it correctly.’ Be aware this is an American site.
    • 100 Words That …
      [All High School Graduates Should Know]
      What a dictionary producer and publisher believes these are. Grouped in four sections. Each word has spelling, pronunciation via audio files, meanings and linked forms. An interesting list.
    • Banished Words List
      Words and expressions people feel should be banished. Archival lists from previous years. See what has been recommended and why.
    • Commonly Confused Words
      Part of the ‘Better Writing’ information from Oxford Dictionaries [AskOxford]. Covers pairs of words commonly confused with each other.
    • Confusing Words
      ‘A collection of 3 210 words that are troublesome to readers and writers. Words are grouped according to the way they are most often confused or misused.’
    • Electric Eclectic, The
      Links to other sites related to all aspects of vocabulary.
    • Ethnologue
      A wealthy of information, not only about the English language, but also about other languages from around the world. Gives scope, culture, literacy % rates, geographic areas and considerably more information about each.
    • Language Tools - iTools
      Dictionaries, thesauri, terminology, crossword helper, scrabble helper, as well tools for other languages.
    • Vocabulary
      Improve your vocabulary by working through the resources.
    • Vocabulary University
    • Wordcount
      “Tracking the Way We Use Language”. ‘It presents the 86,800 most frequently used English words, ranked in order of commonness.’
    • Word Games
      Links take you to various puzzle/quiz formats to help expand vocabulary and usage.
    • Word Detective, The
      ‘The online version of The Word Detective, a newspaper column answering readers’ questions about words and language.' Words and Language in a Humorous Vein on the Web Since 1995.
    • Word Play
      All things related to words [lots of advertisements !]
    • Word Spy, The
      ‘Devoted to recently coined words and phrases, old words that are being used in new ways, and existing words that have enjoyed a recent renaissance … new words and phrases that have appeared in newspapers, magazines, books, press releases, and Web sites.’
    • World Wide Words
      ‘About English words and phrases - what they mean, where they came from, how they have evolved, and the ways in which people sometimes misuse them. A few others concern issues of grammar, style and punctuation.’ 1 500+ pages.
    • WWW Virtual Library
      [Linguistics/Language Resources]
      Find virtually all things linguistic here - dictionaries of all descriptions, thesauri, acronym explanations, translators and more.

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