Democracy, Aristocracy, Plutocracy
The English suffix –ocracy derives from a Greek word for “power,” “rule,” or “authority.” Six examples of such words are […]
The Use of “They” for Gender Identity
Merriam-Webster recently announced that it has provided an additional sense in the definition for the pronoun they: “used to refer […]
Is ’til a Contraction of Until?
A curious request for a post has come across my desk: Please discuss the misuse of “till” for the contraction […]
How to Write Concise, Active Sentences
One of the most valuable results of revising one’s writing (or inviting another person to do so) is leaner, more […]
Worshipped and Worshipping Revisited
A recent comment on a past post, “Worshiping and Kidnapping” made me doubt my sanity: You note that Merriam-Webster lists […]
5 Types of Case and Punctuation Problems with Quotations
The following sentences demonstrate issues writers confront when they write sentences that incorporate quotations that are not framed with attribution […]
Adverb Placement
A reader wants to know “if there is a rule for the proper placement of an adverb in sentence structure.” […]
Wringer or Ringer?
The other day I read an essay in the Washington Post in which a woman describes herself as having been […]
Questions on WAS and WHO
A reader poses two grammar questions, one on linking verb agreement and one on pronoun case. Question One What is […]
Two Verb Puzzles in the News
I suppose I may be exposing my own comprehension failings by writing about two verb uses that puzzled me recently. […]
Bedbugs and Bessie Bugs
The other day, I heard a celebrity say that someone was “as crazy as a bedbug.” I laughed, amused that […]
Creative Writing 101
What is Creative Writing? Creative writing is anything where the purpose is to express thoughts, feelings and emotions rather than […]