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…]
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…]
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…]
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…]