The subject of using one space or two between sentences, especially for people used to typing exclusively on typewriters, often creates colorful conflict.
Here’s the history: when monospace (fixed-pitch) fonts, like Courier, were in wide use, it was traditional to leave two spaces between the period and the start of the next sentence. There were definite [...]
Maybe you’ve wondered about how to use the word “maybe.” Okay. Maybe, the compound word, is an adverb meaning “perhaps” or “possibly.”
The two words “may be” comprise a verb phrase meaning “might be” or “could be.”
Examples:
Maybe I will go out tonight.
I may be going out tonight.
If you’re uncertain about using the word [...]
Have you ever seen people get into a heated argument over the right use of the words “lay” and “lie”? It happens.
LAY is a verb meaning “to put” or “to place,” and needs an object to complete its meaning. (Lay, laid, laying.)
Examples
She lay the gift basket on the coffee table.
She had laid several gift baskets [...]
Do you often wonder if you’re using dashes properly? Dashes have distinct uses that often seem blurred in today’s society. Here’s what’s best for writers and those involved in business writing.
Q. When do I use a dash in text?
A. A dash usually replaces a comma, semicolon, colon, or parentheses. When used this way, it creates [...]
Have you ever written a report or business letter and felt something was missing, but you couldn’t figure it out? It might be that you didn’t think to express parallel thoughts in parallel form.
Parallelism is very helpful when you’re creating documents that have items bulleted and numbered. It helps the reader quickly grasp your meaning. [...]
I love Bellingham, Washington. I lived there the first 19 years of my life, and it was a place of beauty, change, and joy. Most of the time.
I admit I feel cold/chilly when I’m in the area, and always take snuggly clothing when I visit.
Today my cousin, Doug Cruea, sent his family a picture [...]
Yes, but you may safely drop the “e” at the end of “Madame.” The rules as of 2010 have changed. According to The Gregg Reference Manual, Tenth Edition, by William A. Sabin, if you don’t know the names of anyone in a large organization, but know there are both men and women, use “Dear [...]
Richard Nordquist, a guide at About.com, says, “When invited to submit expressions that ticked them off, readers responded enthusiastically–with clichés, usage errors, redundancies, misspellings, mispronunciations, and specimens of slang, jargon, and textspeak. Here (with readers’ comments in parentheses) are 200 pet peeves submitted by some very ticked-off defenders of the English language.”
We need to keep [...]
Have you ever wanted to become an expert on alliteration? If nothing else, it’s such a beautiful word! Seriously, when one uses alliteration properly–especially in publications–it is subtly effective.
If you work on Web sites, e-zines, or print newsletters, this may be a good time for you to brush up on the amazing world of alliteration.
DEFINITION*:
Main [...]
By Judy Vorfeld
Have you ever visited a visually attractive site and then spotted phrases such as, “If your interested in learning more about our Websight, e-mail us,” or “This product comes with an unconditional guarantee. It’s high quality will make you’re life better!”? How about, “Body fat problems? We can help. Of coarse you [...]
