3. Verb + particle
Some verbs are phrasal verbs or two-part verbs. These terms simply
mean that the verb consists of two words (a verb plus a particle).
verb + particle
log in
sign in
log off
make up
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4. Verb + particle + preposition
In a real sentence, you may need to use a preposition after a two-part
verb.
verb + particle+ preposition
log in to
sign in to
log off of
make up
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5. Verb + particle + preposition + noun phrase
And then you may need to add a noun phrase after the preposition or
after the particle.
verb + particle+ preposition + noun phrase
log in to the website
sign in to the system
log off of the computer
make up your music lesson
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6. The incorrect way to use two-part verbs
Log into the website.
Sign into the system.
Log offof the computer.
Sign onto the system.
Sign upfor the drawing.
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Do not combine the particle and preposition in two-part verbs. These
examples are all incorrect. I know some of these look correct, but
technically they are not.
7. The correct way to use two-part verbs
Log in to the website.
Sign in to the system.
Log off of the computer.
Sign on to the system.
Sign up for the drawing.
Make up your music lesson.
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This is the correct way to write two-part verbs.
9. Nouns and adjectives
login or log-in: Write down your login credentials. (adj.)
sign-in: Don’t forget the sign-in sheet. (adj.)
logoff: [I don’t think we use logoff as a noun or adjective.]
makeup or make-up: Models wear make-up. (noun)
sign-on: What’s the shared sign-on? (noun)
signup or sign-up: Don’t forget the signup sheet. (adj.)
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When two-part verbs are written as one word or a hyphenated word,
they function as a noun or adjective.
10. Nouns and adjectives: No scheme
I’d like to say that the one-word version (e.g., login, makeup) is the
noun and the hyphenated version (e.g., log-in, make-up) is the
adjective so that it’s easy to remember, but online dictionaries don’t
agree on a scheme.
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11. Nouns and adjectives: Used interchangeably
login: What’s your login? (noun)
log-in: What’s your log-in? (noun)
login: Write down your login credentials. (adj.)
log-in: Write down your log-in credentials. (adj.)
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Because the dictionaries don’t agree, it’s okay to use the two forms
interchangeably. You could use either word as a noun and either
word as an adjective.
12. Nouns and adjectives: A personal rule
login: What’s your login? (noun)
log-in: Write down your log-in credentials. (adj.)
makeup: I need to buy some makeup. (noun)
make-up: I need to take a make-up exam. (adj.)
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Or, if you are writing for yourself and want to have a personal rule
where the one-word version (login) is the noun and the hyphenated
version (log-in) is the adjective, that’s okay too. (If you are writing for
a company, they probably have a style guide that says which form to
use when.)
14. Calls to action: Question
Which word or words should one use as a call to action to get a user
to enter their username and password? A call to action would be a
button label or navigation menu item for example.
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16. Calls to action: Answer
This page is a text version of the calls to action on the image on the
previous page.
log in, sign up (navigation menu items)
Log in, Sign up (navigation menu items)
SIGN UP (button)
LOG IN (button)
Sign in (button)
Log in to your site (button)
Sign On (button)
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17. Calls to action: Explanation
Those calls to action are correct because they use the verb forms of
the software-related words, not the noun forms.
One wouldn’t use the noun form (e.g., login, sign-up) on a button or
navigation menu.
It doesn’t matter how the calls to action are capitalized.
What’s important is that the two-part verbs are used.
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18. How to use log in and login
This tutorial is based on my LinkedIn article titled “‘Login to’ or ‘log in
to’ or ‘log into’? Are you guessing and hoping it’s right?”
Follow me on LinkedIn if you are interested in learning more about
English grammar, spelling, and punctuation because I will be writing
more articles and making more tutorials.
Or you may subscribe to my mailing list if you prefer to be reached by
e-mail.
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