Keep Your Apostrophes in Line
One easy way to rile a grammarian is to misuse your apostrophes. The rules are pretty simple: Is your word pural? (That is, are there more than one?) Then add only an s (or an es if the noun ends in an s, x or z)—no apostrophe is needed. This rule applies even for numbers
How to “Zing” Without the “Ing”
Compare these two sentences: By implementing a marketing strategy and focusing on customer relations, John was saving the company money and contributing to the bottom line. John’s marketing strategy focused on customer relations to help the company save money and increase its bottom line. Notice how the second version is a bit clearer and easier
Serial Decisions
The Oxford comma is one of the more confusing rules of grammar. That’s because it’s not really a rule. It’s more of a suggestion. Also known as the serial comma, the Oxford comma is used before the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”) in a series of three or more things: “Eggs come with a choice
A flamboyance of flamingos
The English language is full of surprises. The other day I was reading about flamingos and was, well, tickled pink when I learned what a group of flamingos is called: A group of these leggy, gregarious pink birds is a flamboyant. The word “flamboyance” means “strikingly bold and showy,” a description that fits these birds
Which of These Is a “Comma”?
You might be surprised to learn that the answer is c. In addition to being one of our more familiar punctuation marks, “comma” is the common name for a species of butterfly (Polygonia c-album) found in Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The comma is a staple in the world of punctuation. It can be overused
Even ChatGPT Agrees—AI Doesn’t Replace Human Editors
ChatGPT launched just last November, and already it seems like everyone has started worrying about how artificial intelligence programs like this one are going to affect our world—and maybe even take our jobs. I decided to take this question right to the source. Could ChatGPT replace human editors? Here is ChatGPT’s reply: While CHATGPT is an
How I Beat Writer’s Block
The deadline looms, the clock is ticking … and the screen is still blank. That feeling of desperation can feel impossible to overcome. Writers will share all kinds of methods for “beating the block.” Here’s what works for me: Go for a walk. It’s quick, easy and free, and it can jumpstart creativity in surprising
Writing Tips: Show, Don’t Tell
Instead of telling the reader what happened . . . “Julianna felt hot and tired after her walk.” Use actions, thoughts, sensory descriptions, and emotions to describe a scene or to show how a character is feeling . . . “Julianna burst into the kitchen, her face flushed and sweaty. She threw her jacket on
Which Word Is Correct, Stationery Or Stationary?
Which Word Is Correct? Steven rides his ________ bicycle for an hour each morning. a. stationery b. stationary a. Stationery is a noun that refers to materials used for writing, such as paper, pens, and envelopes. b. Stationary is an adjective that means something “does not move” or “does not change.” These words are often
Quick Tip for Better Writing: Drop “There Is”
There is one simple change that can make your writing more dynamic. Wait, let’s try that again: One simple change can make your writing more dynamic. See the difference? Starting a sentence with “there is” or “there are” slows the pace of your writing. What’s more, this sentence structure buries the most important part of
