AboutRosemary Lenc Expertise I am a retired Middle School teacher. I am an expert in grammar (structure of the English
language) and writing. I have been a volunteer with AOL Ask A Teacher and have
submitted many articles and special collections (one on diagramming sentences and one
with worksheets and answers so students can check their own practice on grammar skills)
to their knowledge database. I still am with them but would like other work where I can
help students with their English study. I have time to help you with this, if you want me. I
can help with grade school, middle school and high school grammar & writing and can
also look up information on literature (reading) for students and help them with it.
Please let me know if I can be of help in these areas. Thank you.
Rosemary Lenc
Experience
Past/Present clients Have helped many, many students in grade school language arts, middle school and high
school grammar and writing in both the chat rooms (live help that AOL use to have) and
message board answers plus the many students i have taught as a teacher.
Question Should I write, "My hope is this ministry will reach out..." or "My hope is that this ministry will reach out..." Also, "I'm certain I can help" or "I'm certain that I can help". A fellow student commented that I use "that" too much in my essay. (Fellow student commented I use "that" too much?)
Thank you!
Answer Dear Andrew,
Why not change the way you state the sentence? "My ministry will reach out...is my hope." I think the sentences that use "that" sound better if you need to keep your statement.
"I'm certain I can help" is fine.
Sometimes we tend to use one word or phrase over and over. Your fellow student has noticed it when he reads or hears you read your essays. When it is called to your attention, it might be wise to reword your sentences and try to eliminate it in your writing. But this part comes in the editing of your essays, not in your first writing. Doing so in your first writing will cause you to not be able to get your ideas down on the paper. So write as you usually do and then go back and edit sentences where you use the word or phrase. You can use it once in a while but if it becomes over and over, change the wording of the sentence.
