Comma rules save your life? Okay, maybe not literally… unless you’re an authoritarian leader whose minions take every word you write that way… So it could happen. There’s a popular meme that shows just how comma rules may save (or cost) lives. Let’s eat Grandma. Let’s eat, Grandma. As the caption says “Punctuation saves lives.” In … [Read more…]
One space after a period or two? You see this question a lot in writer circles and social media. My answer is simple. A computer is not a typewriter… Think back to when you learned to type. Were you taught on a typewriter or a computer? If you answered “typewriter,” you might want to sit down before … [Read more…]
What is a dangling participle anyway? You probably use participle phrases every day, but are you using them correctly, or are you leaving them dangling? Let’s see. Pop quiz: What’s wrong with the following sentences? – After picking up all the toys, the toy chest was overflowing. – Watching through the window, the car pulled … [Read more…]
For the next few columns, I’m keeping things short and sweet by looking at very specific grammar issues. By keeping the focus on one issue at a time, it should be easier to remember. Think of them as bite-sized grammar treats! The cake pop of the grammar world! This time it’s all ready vs already. … [Read more…]
Affect vs effect. Many people use these words interchangeably, rather than correctly. So what do they mean? By definition, you “affect,” or act on something, and something that you do causes an “effect.” In other words, “affect” is a verb, and “effect” is a noun. Or think of it this way: “affect” is something you … [Read more…]