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This thread is for tropers who have trouble with English and would like some help with the crazy grammar of this crazy language.

Write down what you wish to edit on the wiki. If you have been suspended from editing, another troper might be kind enough to edit for you after your suggestions have been corrected.

The thread is for help and feedback on your own suggested edits.

If you want help correcting other people's edits (e.g., if you find a page which seems to have grammar problems but want a second opinion, or you don't feel able to fix it by yourself) then that's off-topic here, but we have a separate Grammar Police cleanup thread that can provide assistance.

Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 16th 2023 at 5:37:57 PM

HeroShepherd from Earth Since: Oct, 2012
#676: Dec 2nd 2012 at 12:19:47 PM

Funny: Super Mario Bros

  • In the basebail games,it's hilarious to have a baby or Goomba or Shyguy pitch, and they can strike out Bowser.
  • Petey Piranha, just him. In the Baseball games if you make him the Catcherhe just sits there with his mouth open, also he sings Opera if he gets a home run.

edited 2nd Dec '12 12:32:35 PM by HeroShepherd

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#677: Dec 2nd 2012 at 12:23:33 PM

First off, not This Troper or first person. Second, that entry ought to be only one bullet point.

It's baseball not basebail.

I don't know what opria or cather mean there.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
HeroShepherd from Earth Since: Oct, 2012
#678: Dec 2nd 2012 at 12:27:11 PM

OK made ajustments.

I was bad?

edited 2nd Dec '12 3:57:51 PM by HeroShepherd

phoenixdaughterAM Since: Jan, 2010
#679: Dec 4th 2012 at 6:15:47 PM

A little something I caught on Persona 4's main page. The edit is in italics.

Interface Spoiler:

  • The fact that you cannot reach MAX in the Judgement Social Link until after you've finished the "final" dungeon is one of the only tip-offs that Ameno-Sagiri is not the final boss after all. Enjoy figuring our how to reach the truth after that. Corrected in Golden where the final rank up will be when you all celebrate your victory.

edited 4th Dec '12 6:16:15 PM by phoenixdaughterAM

HeroShepherd from Earth Since: Oct, 2012
#680: Dec 5th 2012 at 2:25:46 PM

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ArmedLegs

Changing the image caption "You want to know how she pulls the trigger? With magic hair of course."

edited 5th Dec '12 2:25:57 PM by HeroShepherd

HeroShepherd from Earth Since: Oct, 2012
#681: Dec 6th 2012 at 1:55:29 AM

That's a stock joke there is always a T.Rex nearby when you first time travail. Also you're talking about Family guy here.

edited 6th Dec '12 7:38:44 AM by HeroShepherd

Hermiethefrog Since: Jan, 2001
#682: Dec 16th 2012 at 12:52:18 AM

Can we ask for English help if we're a native English speaker?

I recently learned the difference between dashes in typography, and I'm trying to apply it to my writing. I know when they're used for the most part, but there are a few instances when I can't figure out if it would be best to use an em dash, or a regular dash.

The first instance would be if a character were stuttering. L-like t-t-that. I assume regular dashes based on the fact that that's used on the trope page Stuttering Into Eloquence?

The other instance is when someone is interrupted. "I was wondering-" "Wondering what?" I assume regular dashes based on the fact that you use regular dashes when interrupting words, but I'm not sure?

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#683: Dec 16th 2012 at 1:27:03 AM

Can we ask for English help if we're a native English speaker?
Yes, even though I am not one myself.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
BestOf FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC! from Finland Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Falling within your bell curve
FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC!
#684: Dec 16th 2012 at 1:54:57 AM

I'd say you should use a regular dash in both of the cases you mentioned.

Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.
Nocturna Since: May, 2011
#685: Dec 16th 2012 at 6:50:08 AM

Actually, in professional (English) fiction, you usually see em or en dashes used for interruptions. I don't think there's any hard or fast rule though.

And in answer to your first question, yes, stuttering always uses regular dashes.

Basically, the rule of thumb is to think about how long and complete the break is: a regular dash is a little interruption; an em dash is a long, hard, or big one; and an en dash is somewhere in between (although some people seem to treat em and en dashes as interchangeable).

edited 16th Dec '12 6:53:03 AM by Nocturna

Hermiethefrog Since: Jan, 2001
#686: Dec 16th 2012 at 12:15:51 PM

Okay, consider the kind of interruption and the amount of pause. Got it, thanks!

Makoyi Since: Aug, 2012
#687: Dec 16th 2012 at 5:04:57 PM

[up]As a La Te X (type-setting language) user, I've been taught to use em dashes for interruptions while ellipses are for when the speaker trails off without finishing the thought. Em dashes are also used to surround an extra comment that interrupts the flow of a sentence (kind of like a parenthetical remark). The en dash is for ranges between numbers like 1—5. A hyphen is for hyphenated words and when a word is cut by a line break. That's the short version. The long version with more than you ever wanted to know about dashes can be found here.

Hermiethefrog Since: Jan, 2001
Nocturna Since: May, 2011
#689: Dec 18th 2012 at 3:46:58 PM

Okay guys, semester's over, so I'm going to try to clear the backlog. Let me know if I miss anything, please.

669 (Hero Shepherd): Is that a direct quote from the show? If not, why is it in quote marks? If it's not from the show, it should be written in a more neutral way, without first person. If it is a direct quote, there's a few grammar tweaks (bold indicates changes; "still" should be in italics, not all caps):

  • "This one I still don't understand! October 3: change the refrigerator light bulb: four broken fingers and a case of pink eye?"

670 (Mika): Removed the Headscratchers post. For the other bit, bold indicates changes, strikethrough indicates deletions, and [brackets] indicate my notes:

Some religions believe that vengeance is wrong, while other religions may practice that vengeance is right in some circumstances, so it allwhether vengeance is totally wrong or not depends on a person's beliefs whether vengeance is totally wrong or not. Many people also believe that revenge is wrong because it can cloud a person's judgment.

Revenge can also become a cycle if someone takes revenge on a person for doing something wrong and then that person's relative or friend takes revenge on the original person, and so on to then there relative or friend will get revenge on them. I do agree with a lot of people that revenging someone in real life will not [<-I'm assuming this was meant based on the rest of the sentence] bring the murdered back to life or if a person was raped it will not undo what has been done to them, but in fiction anything is possible.

Most people on this forum assume every nation has just laws and that the law enforcement is willing or able to take care of any crime. In a war, it is the military's job to protect their nation, and some military soldiers perform the act of revenge their deceased comrade or their relative who was also in the military. In some countries, law enforcement treats certain ethnic groups, inwhether real life or fictional, races as 'second class citizens' and oppress them. TheSome oppressed people believe that a high power will deal with them their oppressors, while some others are atheist. There is also a trope called 'Rage Against the Heavens', which is rebelling against a person of higher power and could overlap with revenge or not.

Revenge is not synonymous with killing as a revenge could be on a level where one person tries to get back at another for playing a prank on them tells another person about a ghost haunting them and plays a prank on them to to scare them, however causes no real harm and the other person tries to get back at them. I saw this on many children's shows.

Comments: The biggest issue I saw was not properly clarifying who you were referring to. In English, a pronoun (it, they, he, she, them, their, his, her, etc.) is taken to refer to whatever noun or noun phrase most closely proceeds it. If you're referring to something which isn't the most recent idea you referred to, you need to specify what you mean.

671 (phoenixdaughter AM):

  • Expy: The only bit that needs changing is this: "...unwilling to take the role and wants to die..."
  • Good-Times Montage: In Golden, the time between February 15th and March 19th is shown as such, including a ski trip with Nanako, the team [<- unless "Team" is the name of the group, in which case it would stay capitalized] having dinner at the Dojimas' [<- if it's one person or a restaurant, it should be "at Dojima's"; if it's a family, it should be "at the Dojimas'"], the preparation and the giving out of chocolate on White Day, and, finally, a scene where the original picture is taken place. The montage ends as the player character packs up the picture, in preparation for returning home.

672 (Hero Shepherd):

Keitaro wants a bowling ball.

He says the line "...It had three holes, and I really wanted one" sometime in the anime; what else has three holes as a selling point?

678 (Hero Shepherd):

  • In the baseball games, it's hilarious to have a baby or Goomba or Shyguy pitch, as they can strike out Bowser.
  • Petey Piranha, just him. in the baseball games. If you make him the catcher, he just sits there with his mouth open. He also sings opera if he gets a home run.

679 (phoenixdaughter AM): Corrected in Golden, where the final rank up occurs when you all celebrate your victory.

680 (Hero Shepherd): I think the image caption is better how it currently is.

681 (Hero Shepherd): What is this for?

That's a stock joke that there is always a T. Rex nearby when you first time travel. Also, you're talking about Family Guy here.

Ciabella Since: Jan, 2011
#691: Dec 28th 2012 at 1:05:44 AM

I need help with Playing with page for Rightful King Returns.

  • Basic Trope: A rightful heir returns to take the throne that stood empty or was usurped by another person.
  • Played Straight: Evil Chancellor Bob kills all known members of a royal family and usurps the throne. Many years later Alfred, bastard son of the last king, kills Bob in a duel and takes his birthright back, becoming next ruler of Tropetia.
  • Exaggerated: The throne of Tropetia stands empty for a thousand years. Alfred shows up and announces himself as a rightful ruler long after locals even forgot they are supposed to have a king.
  • Justified: Someone of this particular bloodline is needed to keep magical spell protecting Tropetia active.
  • Inverted: Rightful king Alfred is beaten and exiled by Evil Chancellor Bob who takes the crown for himself.
  • Subverted:
    • It’s reveled that Alfred is really a commoner who lied to justified his claim on the throne.
    • Alfred refuses to take the crown. He puts Charlie, his charismatic commoner friend, on the throne instead.
  • Double Subverted:
    • Princess Alice comes back from her exile and kills Alfred as an usurper, becoming a rightful queen.
    • Charlie is quickly killed, which forces Alfred to step in and take the crown anyway.
  • Deconstructed: His bloodline doesn’t give Alfred ability to rule. He is quickly eliminated and commoner Charlie is made king instead.
  • Reconstructed: Alfred takes time and effort to learn how to be a competent ruler. He becomes popular and starts a new dynasty of good and just kings.
  • Adverted: Nobody usurps the throne and nobody returns to take it back.
  • Enforced: Author wants to write Awesome Moment of Crowning.
  • Lampshaded: “The Usurper is finally dead. All hail to the new and rightful king – Alfred!”
  • Discussed: “I don’t believe all members of royal family were killed. Some say that the youngest prince was saved and he will return one day to become our rightful king.”
  • Conversed: „King and queen got killed? I can bet the rest of the movie is about their youngest son taking revenge and triumphantly returning as a rightful ruler.”
  • Invoked: Kings make sure there is at least one Hidden Backup Prince in case all other members of royal family are dead.
  • Defined: Evil Chancellor Bob makes sure he killed all members of royal family, including infants, bastard children and people exiled many years ago.
    • Bob marries princess Alice which makes him a rightful king.

edited 28th Dec '12 1:05:58 AM by Ciabella

lu127 Paper Master from 異界 Since: Sep, 2011 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
#692: Dec 28th 2012 at 1:20:39 AM

  • Basic Trope: A rightful heir returns to take the throne that stood empty or was usurped by another person.
  • Played Straight: Evil Chancellor Bob kills all known members of the royal family and usurps the throne. Many years later Alfred, bastard son of the last king, kills Bob in a duel and takes his birthright back, becoming the next ruler of Tropetia.
  • Exaggerated: The throne of Tropetia stands empty for a thousand years. Alfred shows up and announces himself as the rightful ruler long after the locals even forgot they are supposed to even have a king.
  • Justified: Someone An heir of this particular bloodline is needed to keep the magical spell protecting Tropetia active.
  • Inverted: Rightful king Alfred is beaten and exiled by Evil Chancellor Bob who takes the crown for himself.
  • Subverted:
    • It’s revealed that Alfred is really a commoner who lied to justified justify his claim on to the throne.
    • Alfred refuses to take the crown. He puts Charlie, his charismatic commoner friend, on the throne instead.
  • Double Subverted:
    • Princess Alice comes back from her exile and kills Alfred as an usurper, becoming a the rightful queen.
    • Charlie is quickly killed, which forces Alfred to step in and take the crown anyway.
  • Deconstructed: His bloodline doesn't give Alfred the ability to rule. He is quickly eliminated and commoner Charlie is made king instead.
  • Reconstructed: Alfred takes time and effort to learn how to be a competent ruler. He becomes popular and starts a new dynasty of good and just kings.
  • Adverted: Nobody usurps the throne and nobody returns to take it back.
  • Enforced: The author wants to write an Awesome Moment of Crowning.
  • Lampshaded: “The Usurper is finally dead. All hail to the new and rightful king – Alfred!”
  • Discussed: “I don’t believe all members of the royal family were killed. Some say that the youngest prince was saved and he will return one day to become our rightful king.”
  • Conversed: "The king and queen got killed? I can bet the rest of the movie is about their youngest son taking revenge and triumphantly returning as a the rightful ruler."
  • Invoked: Kings make sure there is at least one Hidden Backup Prince in case all other members of the royal family are dead.
  • Defined Defied:
    • Evil Chancellor Bob makes sure he killed all members of the royal family, including infants, bastard children and people exiled many years ago.
    • Bob marries princess Alice which makes him a the rightful king.

"If you aren't him, then you apparently got your brain from the same discount retailer, so..." - Fighteer
Ciabella Since: Jan, 2011
PancticeSquadCutterback This is Rain. Isn't she pretty? :) from Georgia (the one the devil went to, not Russia) Since: Feb, 2012
This is Rain. Isn't she pretty? :)
#694: Jan 5th 2013 at 2:18:25 PM

"An heir"? It's actually A heir.

I'm not LGBT. I just think Rain's really cool. Apologies if my humor gets too painful.
BestOf FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC! from Finland Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Falling within your bell curve
FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC!
#695: Jan 5th 2013 at 2:26:34 PM

If a word starts with a consonant sound, it takes an "a." If it starts with a vowel sound, it takes an "an." A word that is spelled beginning with a consonant but pronounced without it (example: "an hour") goes with "an."

The letter "h" in "heir" is silent, so the article it takes is "an."

edited 5th Jan '13 2:27:19 PM by BestOf

Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.
lu127 Paper Master from 異界 Since: Sep, 2011 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
#696: Jan 5th 2013 at 2:37:38 PM

Heir starts with a vowel sound. Articles depend on the sound, which is why it's a university but an underwear.

"If you aren't him, then you apparently got your brain from the same discount retailer, so..." - Fighteer
Mika Since: Aug, 2012
#697: Jan 5th 2013 at 5:18:53 PM

Thank you for the critique my writing. I will do my best to improve. Can you check over this post as well, please?

I actually like Super Paper Mario. Peach, Bowser, and Luigi counted as party members and partners in Super Paper Mario as they had the ability to fight, although people are entitled to dislike the video game if they want to. I really don't mind the fact that a butterfly Pixl was the expositor in Super Paper Mario instead of a Goomba either as it really doesn't matter what race the expositor is to me.

Paper Mario Sticker Star and the plot is good so far in my opinion, although I really do not see the point in game developers not making Mario level up as I never play an RPG video game where the player does not level up. I do understand why some people are disappointed about their being no partners at all in Paper Mario Sticker Star due to the game seeming to be alluing to them at first with the presentation of the Chain Chomp. So I really don't blame them for being disappointed.

edited 5th Jan '13 7:38:59 PM by Mika

SpookyMask Since: Jan, 2011
#698: Jan 6th 2013 at 5:44:43 AM

Anyone want to check whether I fixed grammar of first paragraph of my essay right? Because if I fixed it wrong, I need to read my english books before continuing tongue Please pm me if you are willing to read it since I'd rather not post possibly embarrassing bad texts in public ;p

Wait, this is wiki editing section of the forums? .-. Dang, well I hope someone is still willing to help me

edited 6th Jan '13 5:46:04 AM by SpookyMask

LordSatin Since: Dec, 2012
#699: Jan 7th 2013 at 1:06:31 PM

Here is a proposed Trope for The YMMV Section of Zoroark: Master of Illusions

edited 7th Jan '13 2:22:30 PM by LordSatin

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#700: Jan 7th 2013 at 1:07:44 PM

a) It's The Scrappy (spelling) b) a lot and c) please do not cite Complete Monster without clearing it first with the cleanup thread.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

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