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Do you want a quick answer to a specific point, such as whether it's wrong to split an infinitive or to end a sentence with a preposition such as <em>on</em>? If so, go straight to our quick-reference <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/grammar-tips">grammar tips section</a>.</p><p>If you want more detailed advice on, for example, types of pronouns or how to build well-formed sentences, browse through the headings below and explore the different sections:</p></p></div><div class="categories"><section><a href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/grammar-tips"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004105155im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/3131/original/writing-notebook-outside-thumbnail.jpg?1471959782" alt="Writing notebook outside thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Grammar tips</h2><h4>From dangling participles to split infinitives to double negatives, here are straightforward answers to all the grammar questions you’ve been asking.</h4></article></a></section><section><a href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/punctuation"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004105155im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/3008/original/question-mark-cards-thumbnail.jpg?1471959741" alt="Question mark cards thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Punctuation</h2><h4>From commas to semicolons, via question marks and bullet points, punctuation is a vital part of writing. But why do we need it, and how should it be used?</h4></article></a></section><section><a href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/spelling"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004105155im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2720/original/abc-blocks-thumbnail.jpg?1471959638" alt="Abc blocks thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Spelling</h2><h4>Spelling matters. Whether you’re trying to avoid common misspellings or uncertain how to form adverbs, this section will help you become a spelling expert.</h4></article></a></section><section><a href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/usage"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004105155im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2579/original/question-mark-pile.jpg?1471959549" alt="Question mark pile"/></div><article><h2>Usage</h2><h4>Affect or effect? Complement or compliment? Imply or infer? Its or it’s? This section will help you avoid the most common mistakes in language usage.</h4></article></a></section><section><a href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/word-classes"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004105155im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2925/original/letters-compartments-thumbnail.jpg?1471959713" alt="Letters compartments thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Word classes</h2><h4>Do you know how many parts of speech there are in English, and how to use all of them? Find out with our guide to English word classes.</h4></article></a></section><section><a href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/writing-help"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004105155im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2982/original/pencils-thumbnail.jpg?1471959732" alt="Pencils thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Writing help</h2><h4>This section gives guidelines on writing in everyday situations, from applying for a job to composing letters of complaint or making an insurance claim.</h4></article></a></section></div><div class="categories pages"><section class="record" data-time="2017-12-12 16:00:06 +0000"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 1" href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/grammar-a-z"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img 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id="quiz_option_id_6974" value="6974"/><span class="option_text">The child read the book</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6973" value="6973"/><span class="option_text">The book was read</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these is written in the passive?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6971" value="6971"/><span class="option_text">The TV show was watched</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6972" value="6972"/><span class="option_text">The family watched the TV show</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these is written in the passive?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6956" value="6956"/><span class="option_text">I carried the puppy</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6955" value="6955"/><span class="option_text">The puppy was carried</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these is written in the passive?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6962" value="6962"/><span class="option_text">Mum ironed the clothes</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6961" value="6961"/><span class="option_text">The clothes were ironed</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these is written in the passive?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6969" value="6969"/><span class="option_text">The football was punctured</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6970" value="6970"/><span class="option_text">Steven punctured the football</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these is written in the passive?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6953" value="6953"/><span class="option_text">He was promoted</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6954" value="6954"/><span class="option_text">The manager promoted him</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these is written in the passive?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6968" value="6968"/><span class="option_text">She saved the boy</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6967" value="6967"/><span class="option_text">The boy was saved</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these is written in the passive?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6965" value="6965"/><span class="option_text">The flowers were planted</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6966" value="6966"/><span class="option_text">Sarah planted the flowers</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these is written in the passive?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6959" value="6959"/><span class="option_text">The dishes were washed</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6960" value="6960"/><span class="option_text">Dan washed the dishes</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these is written in the passive?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6949" value="6949"/><span class="option_text">The girl was carried</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6950" value="6950"/><span class="option_text">He carried the girl</span></li></ul></div><div class="question last"><h3 id="score-message">You scored <span class="final-score"></span>/10 practise again?</h3><button id="retry-quiz">Retry</button></div></div></form><button name="button" type="button" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="next question" id="next-question" html="{:disabled=>"disabled"}">Next</button><div class="score-counter"><span class="current-score">0</span>/10</div></div><br/></div><div class="trending-panel-odo sideTrendWrap"><div class="trend" lang="en"><section class="boxSizing"><span class="trend-title-wrapper"><span class="trend-title">Trending Words</span></span><div class="popular"><p><span>Most popular in the world</span></p></div><ol class="words_section"><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 1" href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/monitum">monitum</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 2" href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/low-carbon">low-carbon</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 3" href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/shoring">shoring</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 4" href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/pinkerton,_allan">Pinkerton, Allan</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 5" href="/web/20181004105155/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/be_like_piccadilly_circus">be like Piccadilly Circus</a></li></ol></section></div></div><div class="banbox-mini"><div class="banner "><div id="div-gpt-ad-1467288879120-1"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1467288879120-1'); });</script></div></div></div><div class="bluebox sidebar-newsletter"><div class="container newsletters en_dictionaries_news"><div class="signup"><h4>Sign up for our newsletter</h4><p>Stay up to date with our latest news and receive new words updates, blog posts, and more.</p><div class="section sso_newsletter_holder homepage_sso_newsletter_holder" id="news_newsletter_manage_button"><div class="sso_newsletter"><a class="subscribe_button homepage_subscribe_button" data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Region 4 - newsletter - sign up" 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