Blog
“Can I use ‘their’ in sentences ?”
One of the things I especially like about having my own writing business is the ability to help when a volunteer group needs a newsletter or a final look-see for a website. This is one place I can ‘give back to the community,’ as well as help someone who is in panic...
WHAT is ‘parallel structure’ ?!
OK. You’ve received a digital hand slap from your online English instructor, or the teacher at your school 'bled all over' your report in red ink. The comment was something about needing 'parallel structure' on your lists. What in the world is parallel structure ?...
Comma Conundrum
I read an article about a gentleman who said “Yes” to teaching a Sunday school class, but quickly realized he didn’t like it. At all. Although he hated disappointing his pastor, it was time to fess up. The minister helped find a better 'fit' for his parishioner, and...
Brit-speak: is it just me?
In early 2016 - you may recall with great trepidation - the series Downton Abbey ended its run on PBS (the Public Broadcasting System in the United States). And lo! there was an outcry in the land! Whether it's Downton Abbey, Victoria, or Poldark, if you watch a lot...
‘Him,’ ‘Me,’ and ‘I’: Grammar Check
(Originally published on March 2, 2016) “I’m correcting your grammar in my head.” Oh, how I wish I had bought that sign for my office, just to start each day with a grin ... or a grumble, depending on the situation. Here's one of the 'grumbles': Over the past couple...
‘Actually’ + ‘Literally’ = Yikes!
“What did I say? Did I start my sentence ... with ... ‘actually’?” Not Kathie York, the grammar doyenne! Surely not. Unfortunately, Mrs. York’s Mr. York – with a twinkle in his eye because he’d caught me in a 'filler' word faux pas – corroborated it: “Yes, you...
Helpful Tidbits from the Writing World
As you might imagine, I get a lot of questions from people concerning writing and grammar. Tidbits, here and there. Nothing formal. I decided to pop three items into this post: "So … what the heck do 'i.e.' and 'e.g.' mean?" "Have the semicolon rules changed?" “When...
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