Thursday, November 13, 2003
Keep Your Mitts Off My ...
Mettle...Metal...Meddle...Medal? This is where poor pronunciation gets us... pure confusion. These four words are so often mispronounced (well, okay, pronounced sloppily) that their misuse in writing is almost as certain as death and taxes. So here's the easy way to remember how to use them: Metal... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 2:19 PM Comments (6) (link)
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Making It Plural
Okay, this morning the Grammar Guru has been assaulted, before she even got her morning coffee, by people who have forgotten how to make plural nouns. The apostrophe is never, never, NEVER used to make a word plural.* To make a noun plural, add -s to the end of the word. (boy, boys; bee, bees)... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 9:38 AM Comments (6) (link)
Thursday, October 23, 2003
And I Wondered: Is It All Right to Start My Sentence That Way?
An erudite reader has asked my opinion on the permissibility of beginning a sentence with a conjunction. This is an interesting case, as it's one of the few times when I will tell you that your high school grammar teacher was wrong: It is not always wrong to start a sentence with and, but, or or.... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 1:27 PM Comments (3) (link)
Subject --Verb Agreement
It's important, even in a casual writing forum like a blog. And as I have seen not one or two, but literally dozens of violations of this basic grammar rule here on BN and on another blogging site that I frequent, I'm going to give you the lowdown on SVA. Nouns are either singular or plural. (Or... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 8:02 AM Comments (3) (link)
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Every Beach Was Crowded, and Each of Us Drank Something Different
When to use each; when to use every. Sometimes it's hard to know for sure. I hope these guidelines are helpful. Each is a singular word that may be used as a pronoun, adverb, or adjective. When functioning as a noun, it always takes a singular verb. Examples: as a pronoun: Each of the girls has a... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 10:52 AM Comments (0) (link)
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Lay Your Book Down and Lie Down for a Rest! I Want to Tell You Something.
If it's hard to read your computer screen lying down, then you may sit up, but please pay attention! The Grammar Guru is having a cow. I've been surfing a bit this morning, and I am appalled by the writers, professional and non, who do not understand how to use the verbs lay and lie. It really isn't... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 10:39 AM Comments (4) (link)
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
He Did WHAT, WHERE?
or, Ya Wanna Say That Again More Slowly? I just heard a radio news announcer deliver a classic goof. All you English teachers put this one in your file of outrageous examples---it doesn't get any better than this. Updating the story of a cause celebre in my area, the announcer said, "A former... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 6:46 AM Comments (5) (link)
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Now, Where Does that Period Go?
Dear Grammar Guru: Please tell us how to punctuate around quotation marks. I get confused, particularly if I have a word or phrase at the end of the sentence that I am setting off with quotations. This is a common concern to all who seek to have their writing reflect proper knowledge of grammar.... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 8:39 AM Comments (7) (link)
Sunday, September 14, 2003
It's Funny How We Misuse Its Forms
By special request from Chris2303, an answer to the knotty problem (as opposed to a naughty problem?) of when its needs an apostrophe and when you must leave that little flying comma out. Actually, it's quite easy. The rule is that it's with the apostrophe is used only when the word is used as a... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 10:53 AM Comments (3) (link)
Saturday, September 13, 2003
I Couldn't Care Less....Could You?
Jemmie has asked that I clear up a bit of confusion regarding the statement "I couldn't care less." Contrary to popular usage and belief, the statement is "I couldn't care less," not "I could care less." The reason is simple. If one could not care less, then one is as completely un- or... Sign in to see full entry.
posted by editormum at 8:50 AM Comments (2) (link)
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About this Blog
A professional editor, writer, and English tutor answers your questions about the finer points of grammar, word usage, and other technical aspects of the writer's craft. E-mail questions to editormum@usa.com, or use the Comments section of a previous post. Happy Writing!
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