Blog
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Based on Not Based off
There’s an annoying construction in English usage that I often see: the use of based off (or off of ) instead of…
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Consistency in Headings
Headings are important in nonfiction writing. They create structure so information can be easily found. They help organize the ideas you’re presenting.…
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Why Do We Need Grammar Rules?
I majored in English in college. I taught English grammar to elementary and middle school students. I’m immersed in the rules of…
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Different from or Different Than?
We all make grammatical mistakes sometimes. But there are certain errors that I find particularly troublesome: those that involve lazy grammar. Of…
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Using Idioms in Writing
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. This is an indirect way to express the idea that…
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Love of the Ampersand
Lately I’ve seen the ampersand used frequently within sentences in formal writing. The ampersand (&) represents the word and. The word ampersand…
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Ending Procrastination
Do you ever avoid doing something you need to do by delaying it in favor of focusing on something you find more…
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Write Balanced Sentences
I like balance. Not just because my zodiac sign is the symbol of the scales but because balance is the state in…
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My Editing Philosophy
The start of a new year is a great time to review my editing philosophy. Defining a philosophy gives me an awareness…