Using Apostrophes to Make Words Possessive (Even the Tricky Ones Ending in “S”)
In another article, we address the problem that arises when people try to use an apostrophe to make words (especially names) plural. Here we are...
GET OFF MY LAWN! A Curmudgeon’s Rant about Sloppy Writing and Thinking
by guest writer Dr. Ron Cooper One of my favorite pastimes is to look for continuity errors in movies and television shows. I take great...
Hyphens, En Dashes, and Em Dashes: When to Use Them and How to Type Them
The hyphen, the em dash, and the en dash are all horizontal marks of varying lengths. Each functions quite differently from the others. Below are...
Verbs First: Targeting the Crucial Action
We can improve our writing by focusing on any unit of style—from choosing the just-right word to sculpting clauses, sustaining longer sentences with grace, and...
What Does It Mean to “Beg the Question”?
Pardon Me—May I Beg Your Question? Often I hear newscasters say something like this: “Which begs the question—why was the senator naked in the first...
