Using the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English CD-ROM NEW UPDATED EDITION Part two: Using the Writing Assistant To activate the Writing Assistant click on the red button in the top right of the dictionary window. The Writing Assistant is a tool which is designed to help you when you are writing in English. It can help you to: check you have chosen the word or phrase with the correct meaning check you are using the correct form of the word show you alternative words to the one you planned to use check whether you are using the correct words around your chosen word The first stage is to type in a word and click on OK. Click on the form you want. In this case the verb form of write. Using the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English CD-ROM Writing Assistant Page 1
The Writing Assistant has four buttons which give access to different information about the word you have entered. Right word This shows other words and phrases that have similar meanings to your chosen word. Scroll down to find phrases that include your word. Click on any word in the window to see its entry. This allows you to check whether they might be more appropriate for what you are writing. Grammar This gives you up to five options. If a button is grey than that option is not available for your word. Patterns This shows grammatical patterns such as which prepositions are used with your word. Click on the yellow arrows to expand or fold up the complete entry and example sentences. Double-click any word in the window to access its dictionary entry. Using the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English CD-ROM Writing Assistant Page 2
Word families This displays the word family that derives from your word or which your word is part of. Click any word in the window to access its dictionary entry. Verb forms If your word is a verb, this button provides you with a complete list of all the various forms the verb can take. Grammar book This gives links to the grammar sections of the CD- ROM which are appropriate to your word. Click on a link to display that section. Using the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English CD-ROM Writing Assistant Page 3
Phrasal verbs If your word is a verb, this button provides you with a list of all the phrasal verbs it forms. Double-click any word in the window to access its dictionary entry. Collocations This displays a list of collocations that go with your word. A collocation is a combination of words. For example, the adjective that derives from write, written, forms collocations with well/badly/poorly. Errors This presents typical errors which are made by English language learners. The text with the error is in red and the correct form is in green. This is followed by an explanation of the error. Sometimes there is an explanation of the difference between similar words. For example, bring, take, lead, send, fetch, carry, collect and pick up. Using the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English CD-ROM Writing Assistant Page 4
Phrase Checker As well as words, you can use the Writing Assistant to check phrases and combinations of words. For example, enter do a mistake and click on the Phrase Checker button. The Writing Assistant suggests a number of phrases using mistake. Click on each one to find which is suitable for the letter or document you are writing. When you are writing in Microsoft Word you can look up a word in the Writing Assistant by clicking in a word in your document and then pressing the Control key on your keyboard. In other word processor programs you have to highlight the word first and then press the Control key. Controls at the bottom of the Writing Assistant window Using the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English CD-ROM Writing Assistant Page 5