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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

grammar

Common Grammar Mistakes that Diminish Your Writing

March 14, 2014 by Kathy Steffen 6 Comments
grammar compound words

To follow up last month’s column on cleaning up your writing below is a reference list of some common grammar mistakes. (Can you tell I’m in the middle of book edits?) Take care, especially when you are writing a blog or a post. Yep, I’m feeling a bit like the Grammar Police today, but seriously, … [Read more…]

Posted in: Grammar, Writing Craft Tagged: grammar, grammar tips

Grammar and Life-saving Comma Rules

February 25, 2013 by Rachel Berens-VanHeest 3 Comments
comma rules name

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…]

Posted in: Grammar, Writing Craft Tagged: commas, grammar, punctuation

Grammar and the Dangling Participle

November 26, 2012 by Rachel Berens-VanHeest 6 Comments
dangling participles

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…]

Posted in: Grammar, Writing Craft Tagged: dangling participle, grammar, grammar tips

Short and Sweet: Grammar Cake Pops – All ready vs Already

October 22, 2012 by Rachel Berens-VanHeest 3 Comments
grammar

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…]

Posted in: Grammar, Writing Craft Tagged: grammar, grammar tips

Double or Single Quotation Marks?

July 23, 2012 by Rachel Berens-VanHeest 1 Comment
grammar

Double or single quotation marks? Even though each has a purpose, all too often the two are confused. And abusing quotation marks? It’s one of the quickest ways to look like a grammar and writing amateur. Did you see the ‘Remedial Chaos Theory’ episode of Community? It was hilarious! The ‘experienced’ player had only learned … [Read more…]

Posted in: Grammar, Writing Craft Tagged: amwriting, dialogue, grammar, quotation marks
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