Punctuation errors are easy to make and hard to spot. For some writers, it is especially hard to catch punctuation errors such as sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and comma splices. These punctuation errors can really make your writing seem chaotic. A grammar checker can catch these errors some of the time. Better than a
Read on »Grammar
Eggcorns
Definition and Examples of Eggcorns What is an eggcorn? DEFINITION: An eggcorn is a word or phrase that results from a mishearing or misinterpretation of another. INCORRECT: I would like an expresso and an ice tea, please. CORRECT: I would like an espresso and an iced tea, please. INCORRECT: We can fix this with a bit of duck tape. CORRECT: We can
Read on »Comma Rules and Errors
There are 7 essential comma rules to learn. Learn when to use them, when not to use them, and how to avoid comma errors. 7 Comma Rules Comma Rule #1: Use a comma after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, before “and” or “or” (e.g. an Italian painter, sculptor, and architect).
Read on »Wordiness
Writers commonly use more words than they need to. The more words you throw at a reader, the more words the reader will have to process to get at your ideas. When the words are meaningless or redundant, there is more to for the reader to ignore, slowing attempts to understand your message. Proofreaders, editors,
Read on »For vs Since
What’s the difference between for and since? Choosing between prepositions can be tricky. For French speakers, choosing which preposition to use can be especially difficult because the French equivalents are used differently. Don’t worry. This article should clarify when to use “for” and “since.” Rules and Examples RULE: Use FOR with a length
Read on »Apply to vs Apply for
What is the difference between apply to and apply for? Do you find prepositions confusing? Do you sometimes wonder which preposition to use, unsure of its effect on meaning? You are not alone. In the article below, you will learn the difference between “apply to” and “apply for,” and you will learn how to correct this common
Read on »On Monday or on Mondays
Which is correct, “I always work on Monday” or “I always work on Mondays”? On Monday or on Mondays, on Tuesday or on Tuesdays, on Wednesday or on Wednesdays, on Thursday or on Thursdays, on Friday or on Fridays, on Saturday or on Saturdays, on Sunday or on Sundays? Rules and Examples RULE: Use the
Read on »Said or Told
Do you know when to use said and when to use told? Some students find these words confusing. This article should clarify things for you. Rules and Examples RULE: Say cannot be followed by a direct personal object (for example, me, him, her, us, them, John, Peter, Mary). Use told instead. INCORRECT: I said her to send me the document. CORRECT: I told her to send
Read on »Adverb Word Order
Adverbs of manner tell us how an event happens and adverbs of frequency tell us how often it happens. Rules and Examples of Adverb Errors RULE: Put the adverb of frequency before the main verb in a sentence, not after it.INCORRECT: I go often camping. I took fast my shower. I painted carefully the house. I
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