Avoiding the slash
The slash or “/” is usually deployed when you need a quick and dirty way of saying “and” or “or.” Examples: “writer/director” and “and/or.” But, one reader asks, how do you make such phrases possessive?
Category: Writing/Editing
Never stare at a blank page again
Filter out distractions with these writing tools that can temporarily change your on-screen workspace:
Right idea … wrong word
It’s all too easy to trip over these words: “literally,” “myself” and “utlilize.” For example:
Making it plural
Writers sometimes stumble over how to make words plural. Here are two tricky situations: 1. Family and brand names. 2. Decades and other numbers.
Streamline e-mail processing
Streamliine email processing by having a single address for your boss and you.
Is it first? Or is it 1st?
Which of these is correct? 1. Please book my reservation for Saturday, June 1st. 2. Please book my reservation for Saturday, June first. 3. Please book my reservation for Saturday, June 1.
Be explicit in your writing
Sometimes, a general word isn’t clear enough when writing e-mail or other correspondence. Use defining words to make sure the reader clearly understands what you’re saying, advises Craig Hogan, author of Explicit Business Writing:
More easy-to-muddle homonyms
You may know the difference between the two, but have you ever used one of these homonyms in place of the other? It’s easy enough to mistakenly type one when you meant the other—and not even spellcheck is likely to catch it.
Easy-to-muddle homonyms
Check your writing twice for misuse of these easy-to-miss homonyms, which a spell-checker won’t catch:
Common flaws and fixes
Four sentences that need repair, along with fixes: 1. Subject/verb agreement. 2. Actionless, dull sentences. 3. Negative structure. 4. Comma splice.