i.e. or e.g.?

i.e. or e.g.?

This article focuses on abbreviations for two Latin phrases. We often see i.e. and e.g. used incorrectly (and illogically), so it’s easy to get them mixed up. (Elsewhere on this site, we have articles on many confusing word pairs, such as effect and affect, lay...
Hyphenating Compound Words

Hyphenating Compound Words

When two words come together to create a single new idea that expresses meaning different from that of either of the individual words, the result is a compound word. Sometimes compound words include a hyphen (not to be confused with em dashes or en dashes, which we...
One Space or Two after Periods?

One Space or Two after Periods?

Do you use one space or two after periods? Many people are surprisingly (even ridiculously) passionate about this issue. The Two-Space Camp Those who favor two spaces believe their text is more readable. Typically they learned to type on a typewriter. The two-space...
Using Numbers, including Percentages

Using Numbers, including Percentages

Style manuals do not agree on the issue of when writers should spell out numbers and when they should use numerals. And even a single style manual will point out that the guidelines change according to the type of number and the context in which it is being used....