I must admit this is one of the very reasons I have so few posts. I begin to post something and think "I'll do it in Spanish for practice." Then in order to post the question in Spanish I must be able to coherently compose such an idea in Spanish. By the time I have looked up how to do that, the answer is usually clear to me already.
Also, another way everyone here is helping "without knowing it" is, for example, when other people post questions/answers about things. I like to browse through and see the answers so I'll know it if I ever encounter the same problem. Often times I will further research answers given to see why they are the way they are.
Just today I learned what "non-finite verbs" are (in terms of English language) in their three categories of infinitives, gerunds and participles. Not being an English major and not ever having paid attention in English class, I was well aware of the usage of these principles without being aware of their technicalities and nomenclature. I only learned this because of someone else making a mistake in using the participle form of "escribir" where the preterit form should have been (at least to my understanding now). It sparked my interest because I thought it was wrong but I couldn't put my finger on exactly why, so I looked it up.
Anyway, thank you all for your continual help in both asking and answering questions.
