Whippett's 1st Assignment

[Mad Lews]

Not to pop your balloon, Dean, but it depends on whether you follow the Oxford or Cambridge grammar style.

I do understand that Americans have grammar rules, however, they are not the rules of English as I know it and love it* **. Yes I make mistakes, especially when dealing with things on-screen. I also find it difficult to proof my own work since I get bogged down in meaning rather than syntax and grammar in my own work. I do accept correction - but lets be clear about which rules of grammar are being criticized. I no longer use full English spelling, though for the longest time I did, since that was required of me. However, I do use the Cambridge rules of grammar and follow then automatically.

Dear Whippett,

Yes many a true (American) English speaker realizes that the mother tongue has been debased across the pond. Whilst it is well known the, so called, "English" can not tell a z from an s, can not spell tire correctly, and have difficulty telling a car hood from a ladies cap, we still live in hope for your salvation.
Seriously though, the object of all those grammar rules, proper spellings, and writing styles, are to make your meaning clear as you tell your tale. Some would claim since the bulk of your readers are American you should humor them at the expense of your native dialect. I'm not such a purist. I would simply hope for consistency.
No one I know can properly proof read their own work since you tend to read what you meant to write rather than what is actually etched in photons. If you find the colonist to damn conflicted you might consider a more local source for proofing. These hallowed halls can still offer some tips on inspiration, style, plotting, point of view etc. Hopefully that can be of use to you.
Now to read the assignment.

Yours
Mad Lews