![grammar rules ie and eg](jpg/grammar-rules-ie-and-eg-300x200.jpg)
Grammar Rules: i.e. and e.g.
Occasionally, we come across the abbreviations i.e. and e.g., but what do they mean, and what is the difference between them? How do grammar rules apply? These two terms originate in the Latin language and are just two of the many Latin phrases that have survived into modern language. Both i.e. and e.g. are abbreviations…Read More
![fewer vs less](jpg/fewer-vs-less-300x225.jpg)
Grammar Rules: Fewer vs. Less
It’s a battle between words: fewer vs. less. Are they interchangeable? Do these words have different meanings? How can we use them correctly? Many people don’t realize that these two words do not share the same meaning and therefore cannot be used interchangeably. As a result, both fewer and less are often used incorrectly. The…Read More
![grammar rules capitalization](jpg/grammar-rules-capitalization-300x200.jpg)
Grammar Rules: Capitalization
Proper capitalization is one of the cornerstones of good grammar, yet many people fling capital letters around carelessly. Not every word deserves to be capitalized. It’s an honor that must be warranted, and in writing, capitalization is reserved only for special words. Most of the grammar rules are explicit about which words should be capitalized….Read More
![grammar rules subject verb agreement](jpg/grammar-rules-subject-verb-agreement-300x200.jpg)
Grammar Rules: Subject-Verb Agreement
The rule is simple: singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. But sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether a subject is singular or plural. That’s why subject-verb agreement errors crop up in so many pieces of writing. Making matters worse is the fact that most people don’t know what subject-verb agreement…Read More
![grammar rules ending a sentence with a preposition](jpg/grammar-rules-ending-a-sentence-with-a-preposition-300x200.jpg)
Grammar Rules: Ending a Sentence with a Preposition
A longstanding grammar myth says we’re not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition. For years, this myth has persisted, tying writers up in knots and making their heads spin around sentences that simply must end with a preposition. For example: Which store are you going to? Folks who were taught (and are now…Read More
![further vs farther](jpg/further-vs-farther-300x200.jpg)
Grammar Rules: Further vs. Farther
Believe it or not, the words further and farther have different meanings, although people tend to use them interchangeably. And it’s no surprise, because these two words look and sound similar, and the difference in meaning is subtle. Plus there are a few circumstances when they are legitimately interchangeable. Let’s solve the further vs. farther…Read More
![grammar rules](jpg/grammar-rules-best-practices-300x200.jpg)
Ten Grammar Rules Every Writer Should Know
The more experience I gain as a writer, the more I’m convinced that writing is one of the most difficult skills to master. It’s not enough to tell a great story, share an original idea, or create an intriguing poem; writers are also obligated to pay diligence to the craft. While the content (or message)…Read More
![split infinitives](jpg/grammar-rules-split-infinitives-300x225.jpg)
Grammar Rules: Split Infinitives
It’s important that we, as writers, know the tools of our trade. Part of our job is to understand the mechanics of language, which includes grammar rules. Yet many writers find themselves asking… What are split infinitives? It’s a term that grammarians and linguists throw around a lot, yet few people, including writers, seem to…Read More
![grammar rules](jpg/guidelines-vs-grammar-rules-300x200.jpg)
Grammar Guidelines Versus Grammar Rules
In grammar, there are rules and then there are guidelines. Rules may sometimes be broken, but usually breaking the rules of grammar leads to prose that sounds awkward and is indisputably incorrect. But breaching the guidelines often leads to prose that sounds more natural. An example of a grammar rule would be the use of…Read More
![who vs whom](jpg/who-vs-whom-300x225.jpg)
Grammar Rules: Who vs. Whom
It sounds old-fashioned: To whom have you sent those letters? Modern colloquial speakers expect something more along the lines of Who did you send those letters to? While whom may sound outdated, it is still the technically correct word in certain situations. Let’s examine the rules and practices surrounding who vs. whom. One of our…Read More