Rule 1. Use effect as a noun when you mean “result.” Example: “The new budget exerted a chilling effect on our business.” Tip: Use effect when one of these words precedes it: “an,” “any,” “the,” “take,” “into,” “no.” Examples: “Before the new budget takes effect … ” “Out-of-date computers became an unintended effect of the […]
Most problems with possessives occur in these two situations
Problem: “I can’t remember when or how to type numbers 1 through 10 in a paragraph or a sentence. At some point, you must actually type out the number rather than the numeral, but when?”
Problem: Writers tend to either overuse dashes or avoid them.
Problem: Whether to use singular or plural verbs and pronouns with collective nouns that represent a group, such as “board,” “jury” and “staff.”
Problem: Writers who never studied Latin often mix up the abbreviations i.e. and e.g.
Problem: A case of “dangling modifier”: when the subject of your sentence doesn’t agree with the description that precedes it.
Problem: “I know to use the article ‘an’ before a vowel,” writes Penny Perkins, Dayton, Ohio. “Do you use ‘an’ before a silent ‘h,’ as in ‘an honor student?'”