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Toolbox RSS http://www.whitesmoke.com/writers-toolbox.rss en World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke 2006 120 Writer's Toolbox: Using the Active Voice For Stronger Writing http://www.whitesmoke.com/active-voice-for-stronger-writing One of the most frequently-heard pieces of advice for writers is to use the active voice instead of the passive voice. What does this mean? In this article we show you how to identify the passive voice, how to change it to the active voice, and when you should leave things in the passive voice.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Using the Active Voice For Stronger Writing]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:30:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/active-voice-for-stronger-writing http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Breaking Bad News Gently in a Business Letter http://www.whitesmoke.com/breaking-bad-news-in-a-business-letter Sooner or later every businessperson has to give someone bad news. Whether it's rejecting a request, dealing with a complaint, or announcing a change, there is a structured approach to delivering bad news gently and effectively. Check out this article, where we take you through a set of steps that will let you deliver bad news clearly, compassionately, and firmly.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Breaking Bad News Gently in a Business Letter]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:29:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/breaking-bad-news-in-a-business-letter http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: The Present Continuous Tense http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-present-continuous-tense The Present Continuous verb tense describes actions that are happening now. It is more specific than the simple present tense. Consider an example like "I eat." Although it is in the present tense, it could indicate actions that are not happening right now.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: The Present Continuous Tense]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:24:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-present-continuous-tense http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Using That and Which Correctly http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-that-and-which "That" at the beginning of a phrase provides restrictive information, usually used to differentiate a subject from other options. "Which" at the beginning of a phrase means that you are providing extra information. The phrase is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, so it is set off with commas. Read on for more.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Using That and Which Correctly]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:22:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-that-and-which http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: The Essentials of Writing in English http://www.whitesmoke.com/the-essentials-of-english-writing Good writing in English has several key components. Good writing is clear and unambiguous, with descriptive words that are easy to understand, proper grammar and punctuation, and careful use of pronouns and modifiers. Good writing is concise. Unnecessary words and repetitious phrases are removed.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: The Essentials of Writing in English]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:07:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/the-essentials-of-english-writing http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Guide to Proofreading and Editing http://www.whitesmoke.com/guide-to-proofreading-and-editing Editing is not the same thing as proofreading. Editing works on a larger scale. When you edit, you look at the overall document and what it is trying to say. Proofreading works on a much smaller scale. When you are satisfied with the basic structure of the document, confident that it says what you wanted to say, then you proofread to check the small details.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Guide to Proofreading and Editing]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:06:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/guide-to-proofreading-and-editing http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Proper Parallel Structure http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-proper-parallel-structure Parallel structure, when used properly, adds variety and elegance to your writing and reduces repetition. Improper parallel structure, though, can make your writing clumsy or confusing. Take a look at this article, where we explain what parallel structure is, how to use it properly, and how to spot errors.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Proper Parallel Structure]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:04:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-proper-parallel-structure http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Combining Past and Future with the Future Perfect http://www.whitesmoke.com/combining-past-and-future The Future Perfect tense lets you talk about a time in the future when something will already be done. Here's an example:
You will have learned about the Future Perfect when you reach the end of this article.

The Future Perfect consists of some form of the phrase "will have" or "shall have", or some form of the phrase "be going to," followed by the past participle form of a verb.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Combining Past and Future with the Future Perfect]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:02:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/combining-past-and-future http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Continuous and Non-Continuous Verbs http://www.whitesmoke.com/continuous-and-non-continuous-verbs English verbs can be divided into three major categories. Normal verbs describe actions and can be expressed in any tense. Non-continuous verbs describe a condition or a state of being. These verbs cannot be used with the auxiliary verb "to be." Mixed verbs have two meanings, one which describes an action and one which describes a state of being.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Continuous and Non-Continuous Verbs]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:00:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/continuous-and-non-continuous-verbs http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: British and American Spelling http://www.whitesmoke.com/british-and-american-spelling There are many differences between British and American spelling. Commonwealth countries tend to follow the British rules of spelling, although Canada follows many American rules.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: British and American Spelling]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:58:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/british-and-american-spelling http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Tricky Rules with Commas http://www.whitesmoke.com/tricky-rules-with-commas Comma use can be tricky. In this week's Writer's Toolbox, we take a close look at comma rules, and best practices for using commas in your sentences.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Tricky Rules with Commas]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:56:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/tricky-rules-with-commas http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Phrasal Verbs http://www.whitesmoke.com/phrasal-verbs Phrasal verbs are idiomatic expressions. An idiom is a phrase with a meaning very different from the literal definition of its words. For example, to have "a chip on your shoulder" means you are upset or resentful for something that happened in the past. Knowing the definition of "chip" or "shoulder" will not help you to understand the idiom.

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This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Phrasal Verbs]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:54:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/phrasal-verbs http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: English Guide for ESL Learners http://www.whitesmoke.com/english-guide-for-esl-learners English can be a challenging second language. It's a big language with a daunting amount of vocabulary. Much of that vocabulary is confusing or contradictory, with homonyms that sound the same but are spelled differently, and inconsistent spelling rules. Regular verbs in English are fairly simple to conjugate, but there are many, many irregular verbs. Download our Guide to English for ESL learners and improve your understanding of some of the more tricky elements of the English language today!

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: English Guide for ESL Learners]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:53:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/english-guide-for-esl-learners http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Avoiding Unnecessary Repetition http://www.whitesmoke.com/avoiding-unnecessary-repetition One of the most important things you can do to improve your writing is trim the fat. In this article we have put together a lean and streamlined lesson showing you how to find and avoid unnecessary repetition that can bloat your writing. Learn to get your point across quickly and elegantly with this article.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Avoiding Unnecessary Repetition]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:51:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/avoiding-unnecessary-repetition http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Improve Your Writing By Limiting Adverbs http://www.whitesmoke.com/improve-writing-by-limiting-adverbs Adverbs are an essential part of every writer's toolbox, but sometimes they are overused. In this article we show you how to tell if an adverb is necessary, and how to strengthen your writing by getting rid of the modifier and choosing a better word.

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This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Improve Your Writing By Limiting Adverbs]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:49:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/improve-writing-by-limiting-adverbs http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Guide to English Grammar http://www.whitesmoke.com/guide-to-english-grammar English grammar is a huge subject, and one that often stumps both native and non-native speakers alike. In this in-depth guide we look at the vast field of English grammar and pick out some points to help you avoid common pitfalls in your writing.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Guide to English Grammar]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:47:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/guide-to-english-grammar http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Past Participles http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-part-participles A participle is a verb form that can function as an adjective or noun. A participle describes a condition or an ongoing activity. Examples include "baked goods", "sleeping dogs", and the "rising of the sun".

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Past Participles]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:44:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-part-participles http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Using Commas with Clauses http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-commas-with-clauses There are different rules for using commas with different types of clauses.In this week's Writer's Toolbox, we cover comma use with all clause variations.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Using Commas with Clauses]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:42:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/toolbox-commas-with-clauses http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Writing Numbers Correctly http://www.whitesmoke.com/writing-numbers-correctly One of the most complex features of English grammar is the rules for writing numbers. The rules are numerous, complicated, and contradictory. These rules are also far from absolute. Different companies or publishers use different style guides and handle numbers differently.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Writing Numbers Correctly]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:41:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/writing-numbers-correctly http://www.whitesmoke.com/ Writer's Toolbox: Putting Variety Into Your Sentences http://www.whitesmoke.com/putting-variety-into-your-sentences You have probably seen interesting topics covered by dull writers. Something that should be exciting seems dry and boring on the page. In this article, we look at a key technique for making a plodding paragraph get up and dance. Putting some variety in your sentences can make dull writing dynamic. Check out the article to learn how.

This post belongs to the World-Leading Language Solutions by WhiteSmoke - the original article can be viewed here - Writer's Toolbox: Putting Variety Into Your Sentences]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:38:00 +0300 http://www.whitesmoke.com/putting-variety-into-your-sentences http://www.whitesmoke.com/