Anyone who appreciates the beauty and utility of language will enjoy this poem by Taylor Mali. There are people who will tell you that the meaning is what matters, not the way it is expressed. But when words are used carelessly and incorrectly, how do we know what the speaker or writer is trying to say? Words have meaning. The words you use, and the manner in which you … [Read more...]
Who or Whom? Which is Correct?
This is possibly the trickiest confusion-causing grammar rule imaginable. So many of us see the two words “whom” and “who” and our eyes begin to cross because we can’t even start trying to figure out the difference between them. I see many people try to sound correct by using “whom” even when they should use “who”! Let’s explore their uses and how to properly put them in a … [Read more...]
Avoiding Comma Confusion
Are there too many commas in your writing? Not enough? Where do you need them and when? "Comma confusion" is one of the most common grammatical problems I find in manuscripts. Here are some quick tips to help you determine whether a comma is really necessary -- and if so, why and where. One way to help identify "right" and "wrong" punctuation is through substitutions. If you … [Read more...]
15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly
This infographic from Copyblogger features some of my favorite grammar pet peeves. Making these mistakes can brand you as an amateur, so learn when each choice is correct and make sure your spelling, grammar and punctuation are correct before sending your writing out into the world. Of course, knowing the correct choice does not free you from having to proofread. I sometimes … [Read more...]
Subject-Pronoun Agreement: How to Get It Right
Subject-pronoun agreement is an issue all authors must deal with when they write. Failure to make your subject agree with your pronouns results in a poorly written book and a clear sign that the author is not skilled in the English language. Writers who struggle with subject-pronoun agreement can learn a few rules to rewrite their sentences so they are grammatically correct and … [Read more...]
Do You Make These 10 Grammar Mistakes?
If you have a high school diploma, you should have been taught the proper rules of grammar. So it's bewildering to see so many instances of bad grammar when reading a news story, blog post, or webpage on the Internet. Sadly, there are several grammatical errors that writers make all the time. Here are ten of the most common. (Are you guilty of making these mistakes as … [Read more...]
Grammar of the Edit, Second Edition
Learn the basic "grammar" of editing films and videos in Grammar of the Edit! This book shows you in no uncertain terms (independently of software) what you absolutely need to know to edit your video production. Whether you are just learning how to edit or you need a refresher, this book gives you a basic toolkit to understand the basic terms and the common practices of editing … [Read more...]
Grammar and Proofreading Errors Are Costly and Embarrassing
Proofreading can ensure communication while its lack has the power to embarrass. While most proofreading errors are simply spelling typos, poor grammar, or one wrong letter in a word, any of those mistakes can turn a serious sentence into a joke, or worse, a cause to blush, even to lose business. Proofreading errors seem to be more and more prevalent in our world. Most of … [Read more...]
Catharine Bramkamp – Author Interview
What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it. Don't Write Like You Talk is a humorous book that covers grammar and writing both for an individual who just wants to sound smarter on Facebook and for readers who want to move forward in their careers. Tell us something about yourself. I am a life long writer – which means as soon as I could operate a crayon, I … [Read more...]
Phrase Fads, Media Speak, and Other Dangers
Have you noticed that, suddenly, it seems as though everyone who wants to point out that an issue has been suggested is saying that it “begs the question”? It’s popping up everywhere—on TV (news and entertainment), in print, in conversation. It is an example of a “phrase fad,” the coming into popular use of a phrase, usually without anyone looking it up or knowing what it … [Read more...]