What is it with people and apostrophes? Unsure of where the apostrophes are supposed to go, writers sprinkle them like confetti throughout their writing, leaving readers to clear up the wreckage. Let’s get clear about what apostrophes do and do not do. Then read on for the scandalous new policy regarding the usage of s’. What […]
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What is wrong with the quotation marks in these examples? “Fresh” Pizza $3.00 a Slice (But is it really fresh?)If you are “pregnant”, please inform the technician. (Or maybe you’re just feeling pregnant)Smart Lipo by a “real” plastic surgeon (You mean a genuine human?)Please “do not” use staples for posting. (The quotes do not create
Which of these is correct? They met in the ‘90s and have been friends ever since. Jess’s dog got lost. Please take off your shoe’s. If you said A and B, you win the prize. Apostrophes do two things: 1.Show a contraction (omitted letter or number): It’s, they’re, don’t . . . (avoid these in correspondence, unless from a quoted text)
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On April 11, 2011, the following article by David Brooks appeared in the New York Times. Brooks comments on the ubiquity and importance of metaphorical thinking, even outside the realms of literature and poetry. More than we might realize, we think and speak in metaphors, and whether we realize it or not, the metaphors we
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On April 13, 2011, Jeff Haden published the following article on BNET.com. His points are well taken, so I am sharing them here with the author’s permission. I’ve received a number of emails recently from readers asking how they can improve their writing skills. Here are 10 tips: Always eliminate the obvious. For example, I
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