Tools for Authors

[BDSM_Tourguide]

Everyone does it. We all use words improperly or incorrectly when we speak or write. No one is completely grammatically correct all the time. However, this section hopes to shed some light on some of the more commonly misused words in stories written for this site, and in threads in these forums.

Have a look:

Dominate is a transitive verb. This mean that a person cannot be dominate, but a person can dominate. A person can be dominated, but cannot be a dominate.

Dominant is an adjective. This means a person can be a dominant, because dominant describes that person. A person can be a dominant male or female, but a person cannot be a dominate male or female.

"Dom" and "Sub" are slang terms and really should not be used in formal writing, unless these terms are used in dialogue or in a story written in a first-person point of view.

Cannot is one word, and is abbreviated "can't".

Than is a conjunction used to introduce the second element or clause in an unequal comparison ("She is a better athlete than I."), used to introduce a second element after certain words indicating a difference ("He draws quite differently than she does."), or may replace the word "when" especially after the words "hardly" or "scarcely" are used ("I had scarcely walked in the door than the commotion started.").

Then is an adverb, mostly used as an indicator of chronology ("I had breakfast and then went to school."). However, "then" may also be used to indicate a specific time ("Come over after school; I will be home then."). "Then" may also be used in other ways, but it is never used to indicate an unequal comparison; that is for the use of the word "than".

Anus is the actual opening at the end of the digestive tract; often more colorfully refered to as the "asshole" or the "butthole". Given its location and the intricacies of word usage, it is not possible to insert something into the anus. It is possible to insert something past the anus and into the rectum.

The vagina is the passage from the opening of the vulva (the labial-clitoral area) to the cervix (the opening of the uterus). It is not possible to affix clothespins or any other object to the vagina; at least not without surgery or some really complex gymnastics. It is possible to affix items to the labia or the clitoris, though. Similarly, it is not possible to insert an item into the labia, unless you are piercing them, and even then you would be passing the item through the labia. It is possible, however, to insert things into the vagina.

The nipples are only the small, projected areas at the very apex of the breasts. The areolae, however, are the colored part of the breast around the nipples.

[BDSM_Tourguide]

Another are that some authors seem to have trouble is in telling the differences between when words are plural and when words are possessive, or showing ownership.

Here's a simple guide:

Its is the possessive form of "it". "Its" is used as a modifier before a noun. ("The airline cancelled its early flight to New York.") This possessive case is often misused and confused with "it's", which is a contraction for "it is".

One's indicates possession or ownership by a single individual. ("One must have control over one's temper.") The word "ones" (without an apostrophe) may be used to indicate a group of serveral, unique individuals or objects, but could likely be replaced with a better descriptive word.

"His and "hers" are both possessive words used to indicate the one or ones belonging to him or her. The use of the term "her's" is grammatically incorrect.

Theirs is the possessive term used to indicate the one or ones belonging to them. The word "their's" is grammatically incorrect. "Their's" is often confused with "there's" which is a contraction for the words "there is".

Ours is also a possessive term. Again, the term "our's" is incorrect.

Yours is also possessive. The term "your's" is incorrect.

"Why's", "How's", "Where's" etc. are contractions used to indicate the phrases "why is", "how is", "where is", etc. If an author wishes to show plural forms of these words, the apostrophe should be removed; as when the author writes "The whys and hows", for instance.

Mine is a possessive pronoun all on its own ("That book is mine.") "Mines" are either holes dug into the grouond to extract ore, metal objects floating slightly below the surface of a body of water and filled with explosives to sink ships, or they are small explosive charges buried slightly underground to eliminate footsoldiers or to disable armor or support vehicles. The word "mine's" is a contraction used to represent the words "mine is" ("Mine is bigger than yours.")