Grammar Slammer

Punctuation, usage, spelling … the Grammar Slammer is keeping an eye on the way we use (and misuse!) the written word.

Rules to lighten up on

December 22, 2017

There are several common grammar rules people love to cite when offering corrections for things that aren’t really wrong, writes Lauren Davis at io9. If you’ve been scolded for one of these, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Writing for international readers

December 1, 2017
Writing for an international audience requires a different approach than you would use when writing for an audience whose primary language is English. When writing for international readers, keep these guidelines in mind.

The royal order of adjectives

November 14, 2017

Here’s an English language rule you follow without putting much thought into why or how you do it: the ordering of multiple adjectives.

Watch for these common errors

September 27, 2017
A few tips to get you speaking and writing correctly.

Using semicolons and commas

August 23, 2017
A quiz to test your knowledge of semicolons and commas.

[sic] ’em! Or maybe not

August 13, 2017
What do you do when you come across a piece of text you need to reprint—such as a written statement or a direct quote—that contains an error?

Avoid these common grammar errors

July 5, 2017
Tips on four different kinds of grammar errors.

Why do people say it this way?

June 18, 2017
Here are common phrases you’ll hear that border on nonsensical.

The wacky world of plurals

May 18, 2017
There are no hard-and-fast rules for forming plurals, but most are obvious and many you already know.

Make the colon your punctuation ally

April 6, 2017
Colons are most often used when introducing a list, and their primary function is to tell the reader that more information is on its way.