Podcast
Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Grammar Girl is your friendly guide to the English language—writing, history, rules, and cool stuff. We cover punctuation, grammar, style, word histories, idioms, and more. Five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. QuickandDirtyTips.com
Episodes
778 - Do We Say 'Red Skies at Night, Sailor's Delight' Because of the Saharan Dust Plumes? Also, 'Yoiks!'
Jul 02 2020
The Saharan dust plumes can make the sky red, but they aren't the source of the old saying "Red skies at night, sailor's delight. Red skies in the morning, sailor take warning." That comes from clouds! Also, we talk about which came first: "yikes" or "yoiks." Read the transcripts: Red Skies. Yoiks. Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my Li...more
777 - How to Write Fight Scenes (and How to Get Started as a Fiction Editor)
Jun 25 2020
Fiction editor Joshua Essoe gives his best tips for writing fight scenes (hint: it's not about the fighting). And he describes how he got his first editing gig, which has led to a solid career as a freelance fiction editor. Get Joshua's book, Essoe's Guides to Writing: Action Sequences. Read the transcript. Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning ...more
776 - Why a Detective Searched for 'Clews' in a 1929 Novel. ‘Systemic’ or ‘Systematic’?
Jun 18 2020
Our writer was surprised when he came across "clew" instead of "clue" in a detective novel from 1929, and the explanation includes a great story about the origin of the word "clue." Also, people have been wondering about the difference between "systematic" and "systemic." They come from the same root, but have subtle differences in meaning. Don't get it wrong! Read the transcripts: ‘Clue’ or ‘Clew’? ‘...more
775 - Why We Talk About 'Bad Apples.' 'A Few' Versus 'a Couple'
Jun 11 2020
We started to wonder why people seem to forget the second half of the saying about bad apples. Plus, we settle a dispute about the difference between "a couple" and "a few." Read the transcripts: Bad Apples. A Couple and a Few. Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twit...more
774 - Roy Peter Clark on Civic Clarity
Jun 04 2020
Roy Peter Clark has been teaching writing at the Poynter Institute since 1977 and regularly offers up some of the best writing advice I see. Today, we talked about Writing differently during the pandemic Living up to your duty as a writer to achieve civic clarity Creating his new book, "Murder Your Darlings" Learning that one of his best writing tips (which he shares) is as old as Roman times Being a putter-inner instead of a taker-outter Read the transcript: Roy P...more
773 - Postal Zones. Reenter. Bougie.
May 28 2020
How postal zones led to ZIP codes. Why I like to put a hyphen in "re-enter." How "bougie," which today has a negative connotation, came from an older word that meant simply "middle class." Read the transcripts: ZIP Codes. Re-enter. Bougie. Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course. Join the conversation on Faceb...more
772 - The History of ZIP Codes and Addresses (Plus How to Write Them)
May 21 2020
If you've ever wondered how to capitalize 'ZIP Code' (or is that 'ZIP code' or 'zip code'?), this one is for you. Plus, I have an interview with Deirdre Mask about this history and importance of addresses in general. It's fascinating! Read the transcripts: ZIP Codes. Deirdre Mask Interview. Links mentioned in the podcast: ESRI Tapestry. Missing Maps. Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast. Subscribe to the newslet...more
771 - Writing Lessons from Bad Job Applications
May 14 2020
Our guest, Lindsay McMahon of the All Ears English podcast, recently hired and now shares the lessons she learned going through a lot of bad résumés and cover letters. Read the transcripts: Dos and Don'ts for Job Applications. Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Grammar Pop...more
770 - 'Muslim' or 'Moslem'? 'Fishfolk'? 'Fishist'? What Is the Gender-Neutral Term for 'Fisherman'?
May 07 2020
Why do we use the new spelling "Muslim" and not the older spelling "Moslem" anymore? Also, we talk about AP Stylebook updates and end up on a fun tangent about a gender-neutral term for "fisherman." Read the transcripts: Muslim. AP Style Updates. Fisherman. Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course. Join the conversa...more
769 - Why Do We Say 'Cool Your Heels'? What's Up With 'Zhuzh'?
Apr 30 2020
Here's why we say "cool your heels" and "cool your jets"—they're different! Also, we take a close look at the word "zhuzh" which means to make something more interesting or attractive. You may have never seen it spelled before, and there's a reason. Read the transcripts: Cool Your Heels. Zhuzh. Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch...more
768 - Why Aren't We 'Whelmed'? And Cabin 'Fever,' Anyone?
Apr 23 2020
We know we can be overwhelmed. Why aren't we ever just whelmed? Also, maybe it was having cabin fever that made us start thinking about all the English idioms that use the word "fever." Read the transcripts: Whelmed. Fever Idioms. Nina Simone video of "Rags and Old Iron." Leave a review on Grammar Girl's Podchaser profile before April 30, 2020, to benefit Meals on Wheels. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writi...more
767 - The semicolon is so much more interesting than you imagine
Apr 16 2020
From 19th century grammatical duels to modern day suicide prevention campaigns, the semicolon has a long history of inspiring strong emotions. Read the transcript. The Semicolon Profile of Lindley Murray Leave a review on Grammar Girl's Podchaser profile before April 30, 2020, to benefit Meals on Wheels. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Grammar Pop i...more
766 - 'Flaunt' and 'Flout.' 'Band Together.'
Apr 09 2020
The word "flaunt" and "flute" are strangely related (flue of shame, anyone?), but don't use either of them to mean "flout." Read the transcripts. 'Flout' and 'Flaunt.' 'Band Together.' Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Grammar Pop iOS game. Peeve Wars card game. Grammar Girl books. HOST...more
765 - Say No to Marshall Law. How 'Vaccine' Is Related to 'Cow.'
Apr 02 2020
Why you could be forgiven for (briefly) getting excited about "Marshall Law." Plus, the word "vaccine" is related to cows. That's a surprise! Read the transcripts. Martial Law. Vaccine and Vaccination. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Grammar Pop iOS game. Peeve Wars card game. Grammar Girl books. HOST: Mignon Fogarty ...more
764 - Skeleton Crew. Hunker Down. Uncharted. Existential.
Mar 26 2020
Times are terrible, but no matter what is happening, we will always have interesting words and phrases to explore. Read the transcripts. Skeleton Crew. Hunker Down. Uncharted. Existential. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Grammar Pop iOS game. Peeve Wars card game. Grammar Girl books. HOST: Mignon Fogarty VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-44...more
763 - How to Write Better Email. 'Pandemic' vs. 'Epidemic.' 'Canceled' vs. 'Cancelled.'
Mar 19 2020
Are you writing more email? We have seven ways to do it better. Also, we'll help you understand the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic and when you should use "canceled" versus "cancelled." Read the transcripts. Email. Pandemic. Canceled. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Grammar Pop iOS game. Peeve Wars card game. Grammar Girl books. HOST: Mignon Foga...more
762 - How to Pronounce 'Celtic.' 'Whiskey' or 'Whisky'?
Mar 12 2020
Sports fans say "Seltik." Historians say "Keltik." Here's the deal. Plus, have you ever noticed that Irish whiskey and Scottish whisky are spelled differently? Read the transcripts. Celtic. Whiskey. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Grammar Pop iOS game. Peeve Wars card game. Grammar Girl books. HOST: Mignon Fogarty VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Di...more
761 - Why It's Called 'Daylight Saving Time.' The Origin of the Word 'Woman.'
Mar 05 2020
We're moving our clocks forward this weekend, but do you know why we call it "daylight saving time"? Plus, I have some other time-related tips. Finally, in honor of International Women's Day, we look at the surprising origin of the words "woman" and "queen." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Earnest: http://earnest.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirty...more
760 - What Is Genre. 'Bangs' Versus 'Fringe.'
Feb 27 2020
How to figure out which genre you love or how to describe the book you're writing so the publishing industry will understand where it fits. Also, we explain how Americans came to call fringe "bangs." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: h...more
759 - What Does ‛Mardi Gras’ Mean? "Drive to Work" Versus "Drive Home"
Feb 20 2020
It’s the end of February, which means Mardi Gras is almost here! When we think of Mardi Gras, we picture parties, parades, and beads. But did you ever wonder what “Mardi Gras” means? Also, we answer a questions about why we need the "to" in "drive to work" but not in "drive home." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.c...more
758 - Why 'XOXO' Means 'Hugs and Kisses'
Feb 13 2020
You may write "XOXO" to means "hugs and kisses," but do you know how those symbols get their meaning? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Earnest: http://earnest.com/grammar | Modern Mentor podcast: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | F...more
757 - The days of the week are names you've known your whole life, but do you know their origin?
Feb 06 2020
Saturday and Tuesday come from different places. The days of the week are names you've known your whole life, but have you ever wondered about their origin? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | http://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com | Modern Mentor podcast from QDT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarP...more
756 - High Odds or Low Odds?
Jan 30 2020
In this Super-Bowl-themed episode, we learn why "high odds" and "low odds" are confusing, we learn why you want a disinterested referee, and in honor of the Puppy Bowl, we learn when to capitalize breed names. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Earnest: http://earnest.com/grammar GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: h...more
755 - How to Write Anything
Jan 23 2020
Develop this one skill and you'll write better essays, profiles, movie reviews, complaint letters, and more. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEEVE WARS CARD GAME | https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/grammar...more
754 - The Tie Between Ann Landers and 'Could Care Less.'
Jan 16 2020
Language experts actually have theories about why people say they "could care less" (instead of they "couldn't care less"). We dig deep to find the root of the problem. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarP...more
753 - Take Heart! Here's Why You Still Have Time to Write Your First Novel
Jan 09 2020
In this interview, I talk with Bourne Morris about starting a writing career after you've retired. Bourne had one amazing career running a large advertising agency, a second as a journalism professor, and is now the author of four novels including her newest, "A Woman of Two Minds." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iO...more
752 - Why Do Asian Languages Have So Many Different Scripts?
Jan 02 2020
You don’t have to learn a new script when you learn Norwegian, Czech, or Portuguese, let alone French, so why does every East Asian language require you to learn a new script? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | ...more
751 - Why Are There So Many Spellings for 'Hanukkah'? (Or Is That 'Chanukah'?)
Dec 26 2019
Hebrew and English don't use the same alphabet, which is why you see so many different spellings for "Hanukkah." The word is transliterated from Hebrew instead of being directly translated from Hebrew. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone:...more
750 - Pitch Black. Frankincense and Myrrh.
Dec 19 2019
The sky is so dark in the Northern Hemisphere these days that it feels pitch black by 5:00 PM. Here's why call it "pitch black." Also, we know what gold is, but why did the three wise men give gifts of frankincense and myrrh? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | ...more
749 - How to Identify Your Main Point. It's Harder Than You Think!
Dec 16 2019
You think you know what you're trying to say, but are you making it clear? Joel Schwartzberg, author of "Get to the Point" has some great tips for, well, getting to the point. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopM...more
748 - Your Language Affects Your Perception of Time. 'Star Wars' Languages.
Dec 12 2019
Do you think of the future as being in front of you or behind you? It might depend on what language you speak. Also, we explore the many languages of 'Star Wars.' LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Waterpik: https://waterpik.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | Teach for America: https://teachforamerica.org/grammargirl | GRAMMAR GI...more
747 - You Don't Have to Get Up on Stage for Improv to Boost Your Creativity
Dec 09 2019
Are you looking for a way to jumpstart your creativity and writing? You may be surprised to find out how much techniques from improv can help! You'll love this interview with Jorjeana Marie, the author of "Improv for Writers." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Bombas: https://bombas.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtyt...more
746 - How to Make Family Names Plural. How Come We Ask 'How Come?'
Dec 05 2019
Making last names plural? Addressing more than one sister-in-law? More than one Mister? We show you how to address them properly. Also, we investigate why we sometimes ask "How come?" instead of "Why?" LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | Teach for America: https://TeachForAmerica.org/grammargirl | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | http...more
745 - 'More Than' Versus 'Over.' Is a Hamburger a Sandwich?
Dec 02 2019
The AP Stylebook changed its stance on using "over" to mean "more than." Plenty of people were shocked, but they shouldn't have been. And then we debate the linguistics of whether a hamburger is a sandwich. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Waterpik: https://waterpik.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAI...more
744 - Cold Turkey, Talk Turkey, and More. The Weird Origin of the Cornucopia.
Nov 28 2019
Have you ever wondered what cold turkey has to do with quitting a habit? We have the answer to that and we look at other turkey idioms. And continuing the Thanksgiving theme, we also explore the weird origin of the cornucopia. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Teach for America: https://teachforamerica.org/grammargirl | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar code:GRAMMAR | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https:...more
743 - How to Get Your Characters Right (Especially When They Aren't Like You)
Nov 25 2019
In this interview, Diana Pho, a two-time Hugo nominated editor with Tor.com Publishing, helped me understand the role of sensitivity readers and how to write a diverse cast of characters without completely screwing it up. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Earnest: https://earnest.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for ...more
742 - Famous Quotations. Silent Letters.
Nov 21 2019
You may think that quotation you love came from Plato or G. K. Chesterton, but are you sure? Also, we look at why it's tricky to to figure out why a letter is silent in certain words. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Ways to get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code:GRAMMAR| Canvas People: Text GRAMMAR to 64-000 | Proactiv: https://proactiv.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newslet...more
741 - Behind the Scenes in Publishing.
Nov 18 2019
If you're interested in publishing a YA novel (or are just interested in how publishing works), this interview with Kat Brzozowski about Swoon Reads and what happens behind the scenes is for you. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Capterra: https://capterra.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarP...more
740 - Do You Know When to Use Quotation Marks? Also, How to Create a House Style.
Nov 15 2019
Do you know when to use quotation marks? How about single quotation marks? Also, you know about the major style guides (AP, Chicago, etc.), but do you also have your own house style guide? Here's why you should! LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Native: https://nativedeodorant.com code: GG | Waterpik: https://waterpik.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR |&nb...more
739 - The Problem with Sarcasm. Filthy Lucre.
Nov 11 2019
People have been trying to create sarcasm punctuation marks for years, but the solution is already in our hands. Plus, have you ever wondered why we call money "filthy lucre"? We did! LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code:GRAMMAR | Bombas: https://bombas.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP ...more
738 - Can a Boy Raised by Wolves Learn to Speak Human Language? It Depends.
Nov 07 2019
The story of Victor of Aveyron, a boy who was raised by wolves and taught us about language. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code:GRAMMAR | Bombas: https://bombas.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/Gra...more
737 - Curtis Chen: Using NaNoWriMo to Kickstart Your Novel
Nov 04 2019
How you can use NaNoWriMo to jumpstart your fiction writing. Plus, more extreme measures to move your writing forward...if you're up for it. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Waterpik: https://waterpik.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhon...more
736 - Ghastly Words for Ghosts. Quid pro Quo.
Oct 31 2019
In honor of Halloween, we look at ghastly words for ghosts. Also, people have been asking how to properly use the phrase "quid pro quo," so we have the answer. (Do you know the plural?) LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code:GRAMMAR | Knowing: Robin Williams podcast: https://us.macmillan.com/podcasts/podcast/knowing/ | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | h...more
735 - Dave Itzkoff on Writing a Biography of Robin Williams
Oct 28 2019
LINKS AND SPONSORS | Ways to get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Capterra: https://capterra.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEEVE WARS CARD GAME | https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/grammar-girl-s-peeve-wars | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks ...more
734 - Ghost Words
Oct 24 2019
In honor of Halloween, we talk about ghost words such as "phantomnation," "gravy," "twill," and more. Words that shouldn't exist. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Bona: https://bona.com/grammar | Masterclass: https://masterclass.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPa...more
733 - Why People Hate Words Like 'Moist'
Oct 21 2019
When people have a negative physical reaction to a specific word, it's called word aversion (not misophonia as some people mistakenly presume). "Moist," "pustule," and "panties" are just a few of the words that come up over and over. In this episode, I talk with a psychologist to see what we know about these kinds of feelings. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Earnest: https://earnest.com/gr...more
732 - How to Write a Conclusion. ‘Rebut’ or ‘Refute’?
Oct 17 2019
Writing a conclusion can be the hardest part of writing an essay. We have help! Also, a listener asked me to explain the difference between "rebut" and "refute." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Purple: Text GRAMMAR to 84888 | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: ...more
731 - Compound Possession. 'Friday' or 'On Friday'?
Oct 14 2019
In this show, we answer two listener questions: 1. Should you write about "Bill and Ted's trip" or "Bill's and Ted's trip"? 2. Should you say you'll listen "Tuesday" or "on Tuesday"? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Passenger List Podcast: https://passengerlist.org | Masterclass: https://masterclass.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickandd...more
730 - Turning a Podcast into a Novel: 'The Bright Sessions' to 'The Infinite Noise'
Oct 10 2019
Lauren Shippen, the creator of one of my new favorite audio dramas, "The Bright Sessions," talks about turning a podcast into a novel and about going from working alone to working on multiple projects and managing whole teams. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Bona: https://bona.com/grammar | Capterra: https://capterra.com/grammar | Native: https://nativedeodorant.com Promo Code:GG | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWS...more
729 - Making Words That End in Y Plural.'Primer' Pronunciation.
Oct 07 2019
If you've ever wondered why "primer" is sometimes pronounced "primmer," this show is for you! We also talk about why you make words that end in Y plural in different ways. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Bombas: https://bombas.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | Fo...more
728 - How English Words Came Into French After World War II
Oct 03 2019
French authorities tried to keep English out of their language, but “tank,” “bulldozer,” and “jeep” got the ball rolling, and it kept going from there. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Earnest: https://earnest.com/grammar | Purple Mattress: Text GRAMMAR to 84888 | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad...more
727 - The Quirky Australian 'Crime' Tense. 'Hopefully.'
Sep 30 2019
A listener asked why Australians use the present perfect tense in a way you won't hear in British or American English. You'll often hear it in crime reports or on the radio. Also, we look at a slightly controversial use of the word "hopefully." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Proactiv: https://proactiv.com/grammar | Bartleby Writer: https://bartleby.com/write/grammargirl | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimiz...more
726 - A Cup of Joe. ‘Smokey’ and ‘Smoky.’
Sep 26 2019
In honor of National Coffee Day, we talk about the origin of coffee and all its nicknames. Plus, I'll help you remember the difference between "smoky" and "smokey" with a little help from Smokey Bear. LINKS AND SPONSORS | TED Talks Daily: https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/ted-talks/ted-talks-audio | Bona: https://bona.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad:...more
725 - Interviewing, Story Structure, and Writing Tools with Jonathan Small
Sep 23 2019
If you've ever been nervous before interviewing someone, struggled to write a good lede, or just want to get some tips on handy tools for writers, this interview with Jonathan Small is for you. LINKS AND SPONSORS | TED Talks Daily: https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/ted-talks/ted-talks-audio | Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/grammar | Embark: https://embarkvet.com promo code: GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR P...more
724 - Why Esperanto Is an Amazing Language. 'Fall' or 'Autumn'?
Sep 19 2019
Created on purpose and easy to learn, Esperanto will amaze you. Once you learn the origin of "fall," you'll look at trees in a whole new way. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Bona: http:/bona.com/grammar | Masterclass: http://masterclass.com/grammar| Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEEVE WARS CARD GAME | https:...more
723 - Grammar Girl #723. Tips for Fact Checking. Why We Use the Term 'Watershed Moment.'
Sep 16 2019
Learn from our fact checking tips that come from years of experience. Also, we answer a listener question about why we call something a "watershed moment." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Merrill Financial Advisor Development Program: http:/careers.bankofamerica.com | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http:...more
722 - 'Math' or 'Maths'? Irregular Verbs.
Sep 12 2019
Have you ever wondered why the British say "maths" and "in hospital" and Americans say "math" and "in the hospital"? We have some answers. Also, we look at why the most common verbs tend to be irregular. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Native: http://nativedeodorant.com code: GG | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for ...more
721 - Verbing Nouns. 'It Is I' or 'It Is Me'?
Sep 09 2019
Alan wonders what to think about his co-workers "solutioning" problems. Also, we investigate whether you should tell people "It is I" or "It is me." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Merrill Financial Advisor Development Program: http:/careers.bankofamerica.com | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and ...more
720 - Getting Your Tricky Conditionals Right. Wheelhouse.
Sep 05 2019
We think there are better ways to talk about conditionals (such as "If Squiggly knew the answer...") than to use the vague terms first, second, and third conditionals. Also we look at why people talk about things being "in their wheelhouse." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Bombas: http:/bombas.com/grammar | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Blinkist: http://blinkist.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMM...more
719 - Why 'Literally' Doesn't Mean 'Literally' Anymore. Video Games for Language Learning.
Sep 02 2019
If you hate how people misuse words like "literally" and "awesome," at least you can learn that there's a name for that kind of misuse: semantic bleaching. Also, have you ever considered using World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV to learn a language? Research says maybe you should! LINKS AND SPONSORS | Merrill Financial Advisor Development Program: http:/careers.bankofamerica.com | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Embark: http://embarkvet.com code: GRAMMA...more
718 - Writing Scripts and Speeches. Ask and Aks.
Aug 29 2019
Writing for speech is different from writing for print. The "aks" pronunciation for "ask" has a nearly 1000-year history. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Blinkist: http://blinkist.com/grammar Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEE...more
717 - Words that Sound Funny
Aug 26 2019
Use these tricks to get a laugh. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Merrill Financial Advisor Development Program: http:/careers.bankofamerica.com | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Proactiv: http://proactiv.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopM...more
716 - What's Up With Words That Are Spelled the Same but Sound Different?
Aug 23 2019
SUS-pect and sus-PECT. IN-valid and in-VALID. English is filled with words that are spelled the same but sound different. We dug in and found a few interesting reasons. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Bank of America.: http://careers.bankofamerica.com | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: h...more
715 - POV. Plus 'Tinderella,' 'phubbing,' and more words at the intersection of relationships and technology.
Aug 19 2019
We rock. You rock. They rock. Understanding point of view in fiction. "Tinderella," "phubbing," and more words at the intersection of relationships and technology. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Merrill Financial Advisor Development Program: http:/careers.bankofamerica.com | True & Co.: http://trueandco.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Magoosh Test Prep: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl...more
714 - Eponyms: Cardigan, Dunce, Quisling, and More.
Aug 16 2019
Some words get their names from people, and when they do, the stories are usually fascinating. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | True & Co.: http://trueandco.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPh...more
713 - More Apostrophe Mayhem. Dyslexia Writing Tips
Aug 12 2019
One of the most common questions I get is how to make a word like "Kansas" possessive. There isn't a right or wrong answer, but I can help you decide which is best for you. Also, we have tips on how to make your work easier to read for people with dyslexia. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code:GRAMMAR | Bank of America: http://careers.bankofamerica.com | Relationship Doctor Podcast | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletter...more
712 - Apostrophe Catastrophe. What (or Who) Is a Cipher?
Aug 08 2019
It's not your fault apostrophes are confusing. We have help. Also, I called someone a "cipher," and my husband didn't know what that meant. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | True & Co.: http://trueandco.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Native: http://nativedeodorant.com code: GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | G...more
711 - Misheard Song Lyrics and Eggcorns. The Ampersand.
Aug 05 2019
When you mishear song lyrics, the resulting (often funny) error is called a mondegreen. We have the story about why and the run-down on similar funny errors. Also, did you know the ampersand used to be the last "letter" in the alphabet? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code:GRAMMAR | Blinkist: http://blinkist.com/grammar | Bombas: http://bombas.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style...more
710 - Vacay. Why Some People Call Green Peppers 'Mangoes'
Aug 01 2019
It's time to take off, and we have 10 words to describe it. Also, we dig in to an interesting mystery: Why some people call green peppers "mangoes." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code:GRAMMAR | Audible: http://audible.com/GG or text GG to 500-500 | Proactiv: http://proactiv.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iO...more
709 - Surprise! The History of Semicolons Is Exciting.
Jul 29 2019
I talked with Cecelia Watson, author of the new book "Semicolon" about how grammar writers in the 1800s became fabulously wealthy, struggled to create rules, and had vicious arguments; and we talked about how researching the book changed her approach to teaching writing and a whole bunch more. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Bank of America: http://careers.bankofamerica.com | Blinkist: http://trueandco/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Grammar Girl Email News...more
708 - Why Alcohol Is 'Hard.' 'Phenomena' or 'Phenomenon'?
Jul 25 2019
A listener asked why we call some kinds of alcohol hard drinks and spirits, so we found the answer! Also, I'll help you remember the difference between "phenomenon" and "phenomena." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code:GRAMMAR | Blinkist: http://blinkist.com/grammar | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019&nb...more
707 - How and Why the Internet Is Changing Language
Jul 22 2019
Gretchen McCulloch studies how people use language on the internet, and today we talked about her new book, "Because Internet." I bet you'll recognize yourself or your friends in her insights. I did! LINKS AND SPONSORS | Embark: http://embarkvet.com promo code: GRAMMAR | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | ...more
706 - Sometimes It's Not a Bad Idea to Dumb Down Your Language.
Jul 18 2019
Why sometimes it's not a bad idea to dumb down your language. LINKS AND SPONSORS | True & Co: http://trueandco.com/grammar code:GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR...more
705 - 'Blue Collar,' 'Bluestocking,' and 'the Blue Hair Brigade.' 'Oral' Versus 'Verbal.'
Jul 16 2019
We talk about the origins of the phrases "blue collar," "bluestocking," and "blue hair," and discuss whether you should follow a rule you may not have even heard before: Don't use "verbal" to mean "spoken." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Blinkist: http://blinkist.com/grammar Native: http://nativedeodorant.com code:GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: ht...more
704 - Present Tense When Writing About Fiction. The Poop Emoji and Eggcorns.
Jul 11 2019
If you're writing about fiction, especially time-shifting fiction, it can be tricky figuring out whether to use present tense or past tense. We have help! Also, I answer a listener question about a funny mix up about the poop emoji. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Cove: http://withcove.com/gg | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar | http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http...more
703 - Why There Are 9 Different Ways to Pronounce the Letter T
Jul 08 2019
We count nine different allophones of the letter T. Odds are good you'll recognize them all (and some of them may annoy you). LINKS AND SPONSORS | Babbel: http://babbel.com/grammar | True & Co: http://trueandco.com/grammar CODE: GRAMMAR | Bombas: http://bombas.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar | http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iP...more
702 - ‘All of a Sudden’ or ‘All of the Sudden’? ‘Baited’ or ‘Bated’ Breath?
Jul 04 2019
I had a listener insist the wrong way of saying "suddenly" was right, so I had to look into it. Also, I'll help you spell "bated breath" properly (and explain why it looks so weird). LINKS AND SPONSORS | Babbel: http://babbel.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For ...more
701 - ‘Biweekly’ or ‘Semiweekly’? ‘Foward' and ‘Forward.’
Jul 01 2019
Today I have a Quick and Dirty Tip about the difference between “biweekly” and “semiweekly,” and I respond to a listener question about why I pronounce “forward” without the R. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Babbel: http://babbel.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop |...more
700 - When to Capitalize 'Google.' Why Zero is 'Love' in Tennis.
Jun 27 2019
Today I answer a listener question about how to write "Google" when you use it as a verb, and we talk about the strange scoring system in tennis. Wimbledon is upon us! LINKS AND SPONSORS | Blinkist: http://blinkist.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: ht...more
699 - When to Capitalize Computer Terms. StetWalk
Jun 24 2019
Today I answer listener questions about how to write about a Word document, a PDF file, or a zip file. And learn how to play along with #StetWalk! LINKS AND SPONSORS | Stitcher App: http://stitcherapp.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile |...more
698 - 'Subpoena.' When To Capitalize 'The' in Titles.
Jun 20 2019
I could never remember how to spell "subpoena" until I came up with a memory trick! Also, we go over the tricky cases of when to capitalize the word "the" in titles such as The New York Times and The Chicago Manual of Style. Sometimes you do, and sometimes you don't. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimize...more
697 - What Anyone Can Learn From the College Essay Process
Jun 17 2019
Even if you're not applying to college right now, the format of the college essay has a lot to teach about writing and self-reflection. A college essay can be an exploratory journey that ends up being about much more than getting into college. College Essay Guy, Ethan Sawyer, talks about how he helps students find their story. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Stitcher App: http://stitcherapp.com/grammar | True and Co.: http://trueandco.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.qu...more
696 - Hyphens in Ages. The Emphatic 'This.'
Jun 13 2019
We talk about when to use (and not use) hyphens in ages, and when it's OK to say, "I listen to THIS podcast that covers language" instead of "I listen to A podcast that covers language." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Start With This: http://startwiththispodcast.com | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Graduation Sweepstakes: http://bit.ly/qdtlifeaftercollege | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar201...more
695 - 'Armageddon' or 'Apocalypse'? Numbers in Dialogue.
Jun 10 2019
Watching the new show "Good Omens," we started wondering about the difference between Armageddon and the apocalypse. Also after helping a friend with an editing dispute about numbers in dialogue, we wanted to pass on some advice about style guides and editing. LINKS AND SPONSORS | True and Co: http://trueandco.com/grammar CODE: GRAMMAR | Aspiration App | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Graduation Sweepstakes: http://bit...more
694 - Country Names and “The”: The Ukraine or Ukraine. Theater Idioms.
Jun 06 2019
You used to hear people say "the Ukraine," but now it's just "Ukraine." We know why! Plus, in honor of the Tony Awards, we talk about idioms from the theater. LINKS AND SPONSORS | How to Be Yourself Book: http://bit.ly/beyourselfgrammar | Bombas: https://bombas.com/grammar | Campfire Pro: http://campfiretechnology CODE: QUICKNDIRTY | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Graduation Sweepstakes: http:...more
693 - What's Wrong with Saying Something Is 'Very Unique'?
Jun 04 2019
What's wrong with saying something is "very unique"? Plus, autological words like "longer." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Family Ghosts Podcast: https://familyghostspodcast.com/ | Audible: https://audible.com/GG or text GG to 500-500 | Aspiration App Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Graduation Sweepstakes: http://bit.ly/qdtlifeaftercollege | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/Gramma...more
692 - Godzilla, Cryptids, and Dilemma Comments.
May 30 2019
Merriam-Webster added the word “cryptid” to its dictionary, and “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” is hitting theaters, so it seemed like a good time to talk about a few monster words and to answer an important question: Is Godzilla a cryptid? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Feminist Folklore Podcast: https://www.feministfolklore.com/ | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Graduation Sweepstakes: http://bit.ly/qdtlifeaf...more
691 - BONUS: Introducing Science Rules! with Bill Nye
May 27 2019
Bill Nye is on a mission to change the world—one phone call at a time. On his new podcast, Science Rules!, he tackles the curliest questions on just about anything in the universe. Perhaps you’ve wondered: Should I stop eating cheeseburgers to combat climate change? How often should I really be washing my pillowcase? Can I harvest energy from all those static-electricity shocks I get in the winter? Science Rules! is out NOW—find it in your favorite podcast app.
690 - The Spelling Bee Kids
May 23 2019
The author of "Beeline" reveals where those funny example sentences come from in the spelling bee and what the success of young spellers can tell us about Generation Z. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Graduation Sweepstakes: http://bit.ly/qdtlifeaftercollege | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGramma...more
689 - More or most? Majority or plurality? The many (how many?) ways to describe amounts.
May 20 2019
How many do you need for a "majority." When "a couple" isn't two. And more.
688 - Dangling Participles
May 16 2019
What are participles and why do they dangle? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Graduation Sweepstakes: http://bit.ly/qdtlifeaftercollege | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL
687 - What It's Like to Be a Book Editor and Translator
May 13 2019
Palgrave Macmillan executive editor Elisabeth Dyssegaard is from Denmark and also works as a translator. LINKS AND SPONSORS | http://bombas.com/grammar | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICE...more
686 - The 'Dilemma' Dilemma. 'Big Bang Theory" Words and Language.
May 09 2019
The 'Dilemma' Dilemma. 'Big Bang Theory" Words and Language. LINKS AND SPONSORS | http://stamps.com Code:GRAMMAR | http://startwiththispodcast.com | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarWebinar2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART ...more
685 - How to Find Work as a Freelance Writer. Adventure.
May 06 2019
Tips for new graduates or anyone who is trying to get started as a freelance writer. Plus, the adventurous origin of the word "adventure." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: http://bit.ly/YoutubeGrammar | Twitter: http://bit.ly/TwitterGrammarGirl | Facebook: http://bit.ly/FacebookGrammarGirl | Pinterest: http://bit.ly/PinterestGrammarGirl | Instagram: http://bit.ly/InstagramGrammar | LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/LinkedInGrammar | LINKS AND SPONSORS | http://bit.ly/AspirationGrammar ht...more
684 - ‘Unquote’ or ‘End Quote’? Cinco de Mayo. Horse Idioms.
May 02 2019
Today we have a couple of fun, timely segments (Cinco de Mayo! The Kentucky Derby!) and we answer a listener question about whether Grammar Girl is misspeaking. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: http://bit.ly/YoutubeGrammar | Twitter: http://bit.ly/TwitterGrammarGirl | Facebook: http://bit.ly/FacebookGrammarGirl | Pinterest: http://bit.ly/PinterestGrammarGirl | Instagram: http://bit.ly/InstagramGrammar | LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/LinkedInGrammar | LINKS AND SPONSORS | http://bit.ly/Aspiratio...more
683 - ‘So’ and ‘So That’: What Type of Conjunction Are They?
Apr 29 2019
‘So’ and ‘So That’: Coordinating or Subordinating Conjunction? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: http://bit.ly/YoutubeGrammar | Twitter: http://bit.ly/TwitterGrammarGirl | Facebook: http://bit.ly/FacebookGrammarGirl | Pinterest: http://bit.ly/PinterestGrammarGirl | Instagram: http://bit.ly/InstagramGrammar | LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/LinkedInGrammar | LINKS AND SPONSORS | Before Breakfast podcast http://bit.ly/AspirationGrammar Door Dash App (use the code GRAM...more
682 - Do You Drop Your T's? 'Sneaked' and 'Snuck.'
Apr 25 2019
Young women are leading language change again! This time, it's dropping T's in words like "Vermont" and "important." Also, we look at how "snuck" is sneaking up on "sneaked." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: http://bit.ly/YoutubeGrammar | Twitter: http://bit.ly/TwitterGrammarGirl | Facebook: http://bit.ly/FacebookGrammarGirl | Pinterest: http://bit.ly/PinterestGrammarGirl | Instagram: http://bit.ly/I...more
681 - 'The Dictionary of Difficult Words,' an Interview with Jane Solomon
Apr 22 2019
Doppelganger, estival, and funambulist. Jane Solomon shares the story behind her new book, "The Dictionary of Difficult Words." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl |Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl | LINKS AND SPONSORS | Song Salad Podcast | http://ca...more
680 - Wakandan, Groot, and Other Languages of the Marvel Universe. Easter and Passover.
Apr 18 2019
Wakandan, Groot, and more. The movies in the Marvel universe are filled with interesting real and made-up languages. Plus, did you know Easter and Passover are linguistically related? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl | LINK...more
679 - Brussels sprouts? Scotch eggs? Swedish meatballs? Which food names can you trust?
Apr 15 2019
Some foods really do come from a certain city or region, others have names that are tied to the location but not in the way you think, and some are outright fakers. We get to the bottom of Brussels sprouts, Scotch eggs, Swedish meatballs, French dressing, and more. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.c...more
678 - Moolah, Clams, and Scratch. God, Godsend, and Godfather.
Apr 11 2019
Paying our taxes made us think about slang words for money, and all the upcoming religious holidays made us wonder which "god" words to capitalize. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl | LINKS AND SPONSORS | As...more
676 - The Language of 'Game of Thrones'
Apr 04 2019
There’s so much excitement about the 'Game of Thrones' finale that we just had to include a segment about on it this week’s show. Not just because we love dragons and swords—we do! — but because a core part of the series has been the languages the characters speak. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://i...more
675 - Why Verbs Like 'Witness' Are Weird
Apr 01 2019
A listener asked why a sentence using the verb "witness" sounded weird, and we found a surprising answer. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl | LINKS AND SPONSORS | LaVar Burton Reads http://www.levarburtonpod...more
674 - How You Can Benefit Year-Round from NaNoWriMo
Mar 28 2019
Grant Faulkner's organization has worked with hundreds of thousands of writers, and he has some advice for you. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl | LINKS AND SPONSORS | http://campnanowrimo.org | https://ga...more
673 - Schwa-ify This! Scrabble Stories
Mar 25 2019
A scene from "The Princess Bride" will help you understand the schwa. Plus, how one Scrabble tournament got out of hand. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl | LINKS AND SPONSORS http://capterra.com/grammar | ...more
672 - How a Semicolon Brought Two Writers Together
Mar 21 2019
Jennifer Miller and Jason Feifer, authors of "Mr. Nice Guy," talk about how the semicolon brought them together, how they wrangle working as a writing team, and more. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl | LINKS A...more
671 - Why We Have Both 'Color' and 'Colour'
Mar 18 2019
British versus American spelling. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl | SPONSORS AND LINKS | http://bona.com/grammar | http://grammar.robinhood.com | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPad | Fo...more
670 - Equinox. Is Irish the Same as Gaelic?
Mar 14 2019
What Is the Equinox? Is Irish the Same as Gaelic? | FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl | Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl | Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl | Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl | Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl | SPONSORS AND LINKS | http://bona.com/grammar | http://grammar.robinhood.com | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | ...more
669 - 'Red Tape,' 'Red Herring,' 'Paint the Town Red,' and More 'Red' Idioms.
Mar 11 2019
This week, we investigate the origin of "red tape" and other "red" idioms. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS AND LINKS http://calm.com/grammar GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/Gramma...more
668 - What's Wrong with 'These Ones'? Faith and Begorrah, We Have Irish Phrases for St. Patrick's Day!
Mar 07 2019
Faith and begorrah, we have Irish phrases for St. Patrick's Day! Plus, a listener asks whether it's wrong to say "these ones" and "those ones." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS AND LINKS ThirdLove: ...more
667 - Why ducks say "quack-quack" in English but "ga-ga" in Japanese.
Mar 04 2019
FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPad For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPop GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-...more
666 - Double Negatives.
Feb 28 2019
In this week's Grammar Girl podcast, we talk about why double negatives aren't always wrong. You just need to be careful with them. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS AND LINKS Enter the 300 Million Download Con...more
665 - Language News Chat
Feb 25 2019
Mignon and Neal talk about language influencing memory, OFOM, university language programs, and more. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS AND LINKS Enter the 300 Million Download Contest: https://read.macmillan.c...more
664 - Benjamin Dreyer and His Unusual Pet Peeves
Feb 21 2019
New York Times bestselling author Benjamin Dreyer talks about his pet peeves, how he found his voice, why his book largely ignores AP style, and more. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS AND LINKS Capterra: http:...more
663 - D-Day. Why I Want a Salad-Salad.
Feb 18 2019
What does the "D" in "D-Day" mean? What makes a salad-salad different from a plain old salad? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl LINKS AND SPONSORS Unknown History podcast Tales podcast AP Style Webinar: http://ow....more
662 - Never Misspell 'Bureaucracy' Again.
Feb 14 2019
When to use "racket" and "racquet," never forget how to spell "bureaucracy" again, the origin of winter storm words. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS AND LINKS Robinhood: http://grammar.robinhood.com Babbel: ...more
661 - How Paula Brackston picks her characters’ names and uses language to set a tone.
Feb 11 2019
Mignon and Paula Brackston (author of "The Witch's Daughter" and "The Little Shop of Found Things") talk about how Paula picks her characters’ names, how she uses language to set a tone, and how she juggles working on multiple books at once. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl Linke...more
660 - 'Irregardless' or 'Regardless'? Crime Words.
Feb 07 2019
Why do people say "irregardless" and where do we get words like "sleuth," "red herring," and "gumshoe"? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS AND LINKS Mythology Podcast: http://parcast.com/mythology ThirdLove: ht...more
659 - Normans, Ralls, and Voicemail
Feb 04 2019
I want you to share your family's word stories, and I tell one of my own to get you started. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS AND LINKS AP Style Webinar: http://ow.ly/1Z7030nuTU0 Grammar Girl Listener Survey: http://bit.ly...more
658 - 'Wage,' 'Wager,' and 'Wed'
Jan 31 2019
It's a Super Bowl episode! Grammar Girl investigates how "wager" is related to "wed" and "mortgage." Why does the saying "The wages of sin is death," treat "wages" as singular when it's most often plural? Plus, what does it mean to 'punt' something? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargir...more
657 - 'Tip of the Hat" or 'Tip Your Hand'? 'Yeah No.'
Jan 24 2019
This week, we figure out why you tip both your hat and your hand, and then we take a fascinating look at why people use the seemingly illogical phrase "Yeah no." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://pewtrus...more
656 - ‘Relapse’ or ‘Recur’? 'Kneeled' or 'Knelt.' ’Methinks.’
Jan 17 2019
This week, I have a Quick and Dirty Tip about the difference between the words “relapse” and “recur,” another Quick and Dirty Tip about the difference between “kneeled” and “knelt,” and a meaty middle about the word “methinks.” Methinks you’ll like it! FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegramma...more
655 - ‘Myriad’ or ‘Myriad Of’? What Is a Run-On Sentence?
Jan 10 2019
This week, we talk about the controversy over "a myriad of" and (clutch your pearls!) "myriads" and explain why a run-on sentence isn't just a really long sentence. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME ...more
654 - 'Stint' or 'Stent'? How to Pronounce 'Coyote.'
Jan 03 2019
This week, I give you a memory trick--based on an amazing story from history--for remembering the difference between "stint" and "stent," and we look at why people pronounce "coyote" at least five different ways. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com...more
653 - How to Use an Asterisk. Journaling.
Dec 27 2018
This week, we learn the ins and outs of using an asterisk and talk about the many ways to keep a journal. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://meettailor.com/grammar GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/Gr...more
652 - ‘Purposely' or 'Purposefully'? Yule.
Dec 20 2018
In this week's Grammar Girl podcast, I help you stop misusing "purposefully" and delve into the history of yuletide. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarP...more
651 - 'Capitulate' or 'Recapitulate'? Colons.
Dec 13 2018
This week, we investigate why "capitulate" and "recapitulate" have such different meanings when they seem so similar, and we review how to use colons. It's probably more complicated than you think because different style guides have different recommendations. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/the...more
650 - 'Wreaked' or 'Wrought'? 'Crescendo.' Could We Understand Aliens?
Dec 06 2018
This week, we'll explore the difference between "wreaked" and "wrought," learn a trick to never misuse or misspell "crescendo" again, and answer the question: Could we understand alien beings? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-gir...more
649 - 'Ado' or 'Adieu'? Pronouns and Antecedents
Nov 29 2018
This week, we'll tease apart the ado/adieu eggcorn and make some funny sentences using pronoun/antecedent errors. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://littlepassports.com/grammar The Poshmark app: Code GRA...more
648 - Does Your Language Influence How You Think?
Nov 22 2018
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis claims that the language you speak determines the way you think. It's been widely debunked, but we go through some studies that seem to support it and some studies that don't. It's all fascinating! FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www....more
647 - Pronoun Order. ‘Flier’ or ‘Flyer.’ The Plural of ‘Mouse.’
Nov 15 2018
This week, I have a Quick and Dirty Tip about pronouns and how you should order them, another Quick and Dirty Tip about how to spell “flyer” (or is that "flier"?), and a meaty middle about the plural of the word “mouse.” FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.link...more
646 - 'Blond' or 'Blonde'? How 'Trolloping' Became a Word.
Nov 08 2018
Have you ever wondered why we have two ways to spell "blond(e)"? Also, I share some fascinating American frontier history that reveals how "trolloping' became a word. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://...more
645 - Interview with New York Times bestselling author Courtney Summers
Nov 01 2018
This week is a special show. I interview Courtney Summers, the author of the New York Times best-selling novel "Sadie," and learn what it was like to work on a book that also had a podcast component and what inspires Courtney to write such dark novels. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegramma...more
644 - 'Sit' or 'Set'? Monster Names.
Oct 25 2018
This week, teaching a dog to sit can help you remember "sit" versus "set," and we get ready for Halloween with words that come from monster names. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS Book: "I'll Be There for You" UPCOMING CONFERENCE https://www.sounded...more
643 - ‘In the Limelight.’ ‘A’ or ‘An’?
Oct 18 2018
This week, we figure out why we say people are "in the limelight," and we explain the rules for using "a" and "an"--many people misunderstand the rules (or were taught wrong). FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://mgemi.com/grammar http://nutrafol.com/...more
642 - 'Regard' Versus 'Regards.' Languages Without Numbers.
Oct 11 2018
This week, we tease out when to use "regard" and when to use "regards," and we learn about fascinating languages that don't have numbers. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://ancestry.com/grammar http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/women_in_...more
641 - 'Myself.' ‘Get the Skinny.’
Oct 04 2018
This week, I help people learn how to use the word "myself" (and talk about some interesting dialects) and investigate about why we say we "get the skinny" on something. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSOR http://ancestry.com/grammar UPCOMING CONFERENCE h...more
640 - Can a Screw Screw Itself into a Board? (Middle Voice)
Sep 27 2018
This week, we look at an interesting kind of sentence that's written in the "middle voice." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://campaignmonitor.com/grammar GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPad For iPad and iPhon...more
639 - Great Paragraphs. Falling off the Turnip Truck.
Sep 20 2018
Go beyond formulaic essay rules and create paragraphs that will hook your readers. Also, we figure out why people say they didn't just fall off the turnip truck. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://campaignmonitor.com/grammar GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iP...more
638 - 'None.' How Pirates Talked.
Sep 13 2018
Some people say only "none is" is right, but we tackle "none are." Plus, we have an extra fun segment about pirate-speak for Talk Like a Pirate Day. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://blinkist.com/grammar http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer co...more
637 - ‘MacGyver.’ ‘Semicolons.’
Sep 06 2018
Last week, I talked about "MacGyvering" things, so this week, I explain what I meant. Plus, I talk about one of the most contentious punctuation marks: the semicolon. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR)...more
636 - 'To Boot.' Duck Tape. 'Can' and 'May.' Pronouns.
Aug 30 2018
This week, I have more evidence that "quick and dirty" is from the Pacific Northwest, why we say "to boot," whether the correct name is "duct tape" or "duck tape," whether it's really wrong to say "Can I go to the bathroom," and an excerpt from an interview with June Casagrande about pronouns. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl...more
635 - 'Quick and Dirty.' 'Momentarily.' Short Subjects.
Aug 24 2018
For everyone who has wondered why we're called the "Quick and Dirty Tips" podcast network, I have the origin story. Plus, we'll talk about how annoyed you should get when people use "momentarily" to mean "in a moment" and why you should favor shorter subjects and backload your sentences. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl Link...more
634 - 'Rack' or 'Wrack'? How to Eliminate Adverbs.
Aug 16 2018
Did you know that "wrack" is a word for seaweed? I didn't! Also, getting rid of adverbs usually improves your writing, but not always. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://bit.ly/grammarwebinar ...more
BONUS: Words for Color
Aug 14 2018
Hear one of my favorite segments from a recent Stitcher Premium bonus episode. These are normally available for only Stitcher Premium subscribers, but we want you to see what you're missing! Subscribe to Grammar Girl at Stitcher Premium and use the code GRAMMAR for a free month to get ad-free episodes and bonus episodes as well as premium content from other podcasts such as Freakonomics and Tell Me Something I Don't Know. Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/gram...more
633 - Is That Comment Facetious, Sarcastic, or Sardonic? Cleft Sentences.
Aug 09 2018
Is That Comment Facetious, Sarcastic, or Sardonic? Cleft Sentences. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://bombas.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://bit.ly/grammarwebinar GRAMMAR POP iOS G...more
632 - 'Ask' as a Noun. Ships as 'She.'
Aug 02 2018
This week we answer a listener question about "the ask" and look at whether it's OK to call boats, cars, and countries "she." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://blinkist.com/grammar GRAMMA...more
631 - Anniversaries. Conversate.
Jul 26 2018
It's the 12th anniversary of the Grammar Girl podcast! Or is that the 12-year anniversary? No! In honor of this illustrious event, we look at why people say they "conversate" and why they may want to think twice about it. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS ...more
630 - Who Wrote the ABC Song? Shark Idioms!
Jul 19 2018
This week, we talk about who wrote the alphabet song that helps people learn their ABCs, and we investigate six silly idioms about sharks. #SharkWeek FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://babbel.c...more
629 - 'Gourmet' or 'Gourmand'? Why July 14 Is Called Bastille Day.
Jul 12 2018
In honor of Bastille Day (July 14), we talk about the difference between a gourmet and a gourmand, and we talk about words the French and English use to insult each other. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRA...more
628 - Why 'Bag' and 'Beg' Sound the same to some people? Does 'Texas' Mean 'Crazy'?
Jul 05 2018
This week, we’ll talk about why I pronounce the word “aggravate” in a way that irritated many of you, the difference between “interment” and “internment,” and why Norwegians use the word "Texas" to mean “wild” or “crazy.” FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPON...more
627 - How to Write a Great Cover Letter. 'Kinda' and 'Wanna': Real Words or Not?
Jun 28 2018
How to write a great cover letter. Also, we say "kinda," "wanna," and "gonna," so why don't we write them? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://magoosh.com (offer code GRAMMAR) GRAMMAR...more
626 - ‘Aggravate’ Versus ‘Irritate’ What Is a Functional Shift?
Jun 21 2018
Some people say you shouldn't use "aggravate" to mean "irritate" or "annoy." It has to do with the word's origin. Also, does it irritate you when people use "invite" as a noun? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (o...more
625 - ‘Dinner’ or ‘Supper’? How to Write a Thank-You Note
Jun 14 2018
‘Dinner’ or ‘Supper’? How to Write a Thank-You Note FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl YouTube: http://youtube.com/thegrammargirl SPONSORS The Splendid Table Podcast http://awaytravel.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer...more
624 - ‘Trooper’ and ‘Trouper.” Why Is It Called a Spelling Bee?
Jun 07 2018
This week, we talk about the difference between a "trooper" and a "trouper," about why a spelling bee is called a "bee," and about a bunch of other "bee" idioms. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://babbel.com/GG (offer code GG) http://magoo...more
623 - 'Calvary' or 'Cavalry'? Spelling Bee Interview.
May 31 2018
If you have trouble remembering how to pronounce "cavalry," I have a memory trick for you. Plus, if you love the spelling bee (or are just curious about how it works), I have a great interview with Paige Kimble, the executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: http...more
622 - Is a Troop One Person or a Group? Repetition
May 24 2018
Is a troop one person or a group, and what's up with obviously repetitive phrases such as "It is what it is"? FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Troops: http://bit.ly/troop-troops Repetition: http://bit.ly/drink-drink FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gramma...more
621 - ‘Council’ or ‘Counsel’? Direct and Indirect Quotations. Oxymorons.
May 17 2018
People have been confusing "council" and "counsel" since the 16th century. Sometimes you put single words such as "yes" and "no" in quotation marks, and sometimes you don't. We investigate three weird oxymorons: "bridegroom," "spendthrift," and "fail-safe." FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Council' or 'Counsel'? http://bit.ly/council-counsel Direct and Indirect Quotations: http://bit.ly/direc...more
620 - When to Capitalize 'Mom.' In the Doldrums.
May 10 2018
Whether you capitalize "mom" depends on how you are using the word, and did you know that "the doldrums" are an actual location? FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Capitalizing "Mom": http://bit.ly/capitalize-mom In the Doldrums: http://bit.ly/in-the-doldrums FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammar...more
619 - Co-worker. Barefaced and Baldfaced Lies. Mixed Metaphors.
May 03 2018
Co-worker. Barefaced and Baldfaced Lies. Mixed Metaphors. FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Does Co-Worker Always Take a Hyphen? http://bit.ly/co-worker-hyphen Barefaced or Baldfaced Lie? http://bit.ly/barefaced-baldfaced Mixed Metaphors: http://bit.ly/mixed-metaphors FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...more
618 - Jazz and Thunder. Say Your Piece (or Peace)?
Apr 26 2018
Are sports team names singular or plural? Do you say your piece or say your peace? FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE http://bit.ly/sports-teams http://bit.ly/say-your-piece FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://juicebeauty.com/grammar (use the promo co...more
617 - 'Lay' and 'Lie.' 'Grill' and 'Grille.' 'Warsh.'
Apr 19 2018
This week, we talk about why people say "warsh" instead of "wash"(it's called in the intrusive R), about why we have two spellings for the word that sounds like "grill," and how to remember the difference between "lay" and "lie." FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Lay' and 'Lie' http://bit.ly/layLie 'Grill' and 'Grille' http://bit.ly/grill-grille 'Warsh' http://bit.ly/wash-warsh FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: h...more
616 - The Prodigal Tongue. Odoriferous. Battle Royale.
Apr 12 2018
This week, I have a delightful excerpt from Lynne Murphy's new book "The Prodigal Tongue" about the differences between British and American English, a tip about words for smells, and a tidbit about the term "battle royale." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS ...more
615 - Humor with Adverbs. Noisome. Receipts. Case Quarters.
Apr 05 2018
This week, we talk about how adverbs can be squishy in what they modify and how that can lead to funny double meanings, about the difference between "noisy" and "noisome," about why people say they "have the receipts," and about the meaning and origin of "case quarter." FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE: Adverbs: http://bit.ly/funnyAdverbs Noisome: http://bit.ly/Noisome Receipts: http://bit.ly/TheReceipts Case Quarter: http://bit.ly/CaseQuarter FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitte...more
614 - Illeism. Named For or After? Misinformation and Disinformation.
Mar 29 2018
When famous characters or people like Hercule Poirot and LeBron James refer to themselves by their own name, it's called illeism, and it can actually be a useful psychological technique. Then, we explore the difference between being named for someone and named after someone. Finally, we use a carrot hoax from World War II to explain the difference between misinformation and disinformation. FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE: Illeism: http://bit.ly/illeism Named For or After: http://bit.ly/named-...more
613 - Dictionary.com Starts Defining Emoji (an interview with Jane Solomon)
Mar 22 2018
Dictionary.com has added emoji definitions to its site, and I have an interview with the lexicographer behind the decision, Jane Solomon. Emoji are a lot more linguistically complex than you may imagine. Plus, I remind you of the difference between "aw" and "awe" and the origin that will help you use "awe" especially well. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http:...more
612 - The Pin/Pen Merger. American. 'Half-Staff' or 'Half-Mast'?
Mar 16 2018
This week, we talk about why some people say "pin" and "pen" the same way, why citizens of the United States call themselves "Americans" when other people live on the American continent too, and why flags can be flown at half-mast or half-staff. FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE The Pin/Pen Merger http://bit.ly/pin-pen-merger 'American' http://bit.ly/demonyms 'Half-Staff' and 'Half-Mast' http://bit.ly/half-mast-staff FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook:...more
611 - Pudding. "There Are" Sentences. Winning Limerick
Mar 08 2018
This week, we talk about why we say "the proof is in the pudding," why "there are" sentences can be so confusing (what the heck is the subject in such as sentence?), and read the winning limerick from the ACES National Grammar Day limerick contest. FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'The Proof Is in the Pudding' http://bit.ly/ProofPudding 'There Are' Sentences http://bit.ly/expletiveSentences FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammar...more
610 - Top 10 Grammar Myths. How 13 Dog Breeds Got Their Names.
Mar 02 2018
Celebrate National Grammar Day (March 4) by forsaking these common language myths. Also, enter our limerick contest and we might read your limerick in the next Grammar Girl podcast. (Details: http://bit.ly/ACES_limerick2018). Also, some dog breed names are obvious ("retriever," anyone?), but we have the origin of 13 that are more mysterious. FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE GRAMMAR MYTHS http://bit.ly/grammarTop10 DOG BREEDS http://bit.ly/dogBreedNames FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://tw...more
609 - Pull Idioms. Surprising Food Names. Dillydally.
Feb 22 2018
You're sure to be surprised by the origin of at least one of these idioms that use the word "pull." Plus, we talk about foods that get their names from the dish in which they're cooked and the difference between "dilly dilly" and "dillydally." FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE PULL IDIOMS http://bit.ly/PullIdioms FOOD NAMES http://bit.ly/NamesFromPans DILLYDALLY http://bit.ly/Dillydally FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl ...more
608 - Dilly Dilly. How Many Prepositions Can You Put in a Row?
Feb 15 2018
This week, we look a sentence from "Cannery Row" and wonder how it can have so many prepositions in a row, and we find the origin of "dilly dilly." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id6668...more
607 - Brainstorming. Call Out Sick? Synesis.
Feb 08 2018
This week, we talk about tricks to help you get started writing a new essay, article, or novel; whether it's wrong to say you "call out sick"; and what's up with a grammatical concept called "synesis" that can let you break some rules. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl ...more
606 - Levidromes, Tom Swifty Jokes, and new OED Words.
Feb 01 2018
Levidromes, Tom Swifty Jokes, and new OED Words. Plus, how "phony" is related to a jewel con. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt...more
605 - A Homophone Error at the SAG Awards. Lectern or Podium? Capitalizing Award Names
Jan 25 2018
How a homophone mix up led to Judi Dench bread jokes. Also, the difference between a lectern, a podium, and a dais, and a Quick and Dirty Tip about capitalizing award names. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us...more
BONUS: Introducing Launch
Jan 22 2018
This week, I'm excited to share a bonus clip from a new podcast called Launch. Three out of five people dream of writing a book. Few follow through. What does it take to take that from dream to reality? Screenwriter John August (Go, Big Fish, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory) sought to find out as he tackled something he’d only ever dreamed of: writing a novel. From Wondery, this is a show about putting something out into the world. How will it turn out? You’ll know when we do.
604 - Origin of 'Gerrymandering.' Is 'Data' Singular or Plural?
Jan 18 2018
This week we explore the origin of the word "gerrymander" and dive into the debate about whether "data" is singular or plural (or both). FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8...more
603 - Words of the Year, Why You Shouldn't Use 'Eskimo,' 'Canon' or 'Cannon'?
Jan 11 2018
This week I apologize for using the word "Eskimo," go through all the interesting 2017 words of the year, and give you a tip to remember the difference between "canon" and "cannon." SPONSOR: Visit http://audible.com/GG or text GG to 500-500 to start your 30-day trial and get a free audiobook. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagra...more
602 - I'm Chuffed.
Jan 04 2018
This week we talk about Janus words (or contronyms), which get their name from the same Roman god that gives us the name "January." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8...more
601 - 'Based In' or 'Based Out Of.' Omitting 'That'
Dec 28 2017
Based on, based off, based in, based out of...people are changing the way they use prepositions with "based." Also, people can get overzealous about deleting every "that" they can find in a sentence. Here's why you need it sometimes. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gr...more
600 - How to Pronounce 'Caramel.' Sports Idioms
Dec 21 2017
Have you been pronouncing "caramel" wrong your whole life? Also, we discuss interesting sports idioms including "in the crosshairs," "jump the gun," and "slam dunk." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gra...more
599 - Delicious English Words (Chocolate, Guacamole) with Aztec Roots
Dec 14 2017
Chocolate, guacamole, and more yummy words we get from Aztec languages. Also, why "lock, stock, and barrel" means "all of it" and what it has to do with Sir Walter Scott. Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/delicious-english-words-chocolate-guacamole-aztec-roots FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegramma...more
598 - Gifting and Regifting. Take a Decision.
Dec 08 2017
Is "gifting" a word, and is regifting rude? Also, do you "take" a decision or "make" a decision? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-...more
597 - Eskimo Words for Snow. Write a Book!
Nov 30 2017
I bust the myth that Inuit have hundreds of words for snow, and I share an excerpt from Jack Gantos' new book "Writing Radar" that will help you pledge to write a book. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/...more
595 - 'Side' Words. What Is a Bailiwick?
Nov 16 2017
While you're planning your Thanksgiving side dishes, enjoy a segment about English "side" words. Plus, what is a bailiwick? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&am...more
594 - The Plural of 'Batman.' Why Smart People Struggle with Shakespeare Too.
Nov 09 2017
I debate what the plural of "Batman" should be (it's not straightforward!) and explore why the language of Shakespeare is hard to understand, even if you're smart. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/a...more
593 - The Origin of English: Proto-Indo-European.
Nov 02 2017
We explore the origin of English (and other languages) all the way back to the language known as Proto-Indo-European. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&...more
592 - "Sofa" or "Couch"? "Skeleton" Idioms.
Oct 26 2017
This week, we talk about the difference between "sofa," "couch," and all the other words for that piece of furniture. Plus, to get in the mood for Halloween, we explore four idioms about skeletons. SPONSOR http://topcashback.com/grammar FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar...more
591 - 'Cannot' or 'Can Not'? 'Dead' Idioms.
Oct 19 2017
This week, we talk about the difference between "cannot," "can not," "can't," and (horrors!) "cant." Plus, in honor of Halloween, we reveal the origin of three idioms about death. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://topcash...more
590 - How to Write an Apology
Oct 12 2017
How to avoid the worst apologies (the "if" apology, the passive voice apology, the reverse apology, and the florid fauxpology) and write a good apology letter. THE GRAMMAR DAILY 2018 CALENDAR http://amzn.to/2f8jPDG GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl ...more
589 - The "Ruth's Chris" Apostrophe. Thingamajigs.
Oct 05 2017
This week, I talk about what's up with the weird apostrophe in "Ruth's Chris Steak House" and where we get placeholder names like "thingamajig" and "doohickey." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gramma...more
588 - Why People Mimic Accents. Why People "Have Your Six."
Sep 28 2017
This week, I talk about why we mimic accents, about how to pronounce "espresso," about interesting idioms that include the number six. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&a...more
587 - More British & American Differences. Quotation Marks with Periods and Commas
Sep 21 2017
Quotation Marks with Periods and Commas FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 For all iOS Devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign...more
586 - UK and US English. 'Bad' or 'Badly'?
Sep 15 2017
Unusual differences I noticed between British and American English on a recent trip. Plus, why you should say you "feed bad" and not that you "feed badly." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOK...more
585 GG. Rainy Idioms. "Because," "Due To," "Since," and "As"
Sep 07 2017
This week, we talk about rainy idioms and when to use "because" for "due to" and "since." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page THE GRAMMAR...more
584 GG. Pipe Dream. Comma Before a Quotation.
Sep 01 2017
The woman who won more than $750 million in the Powerball lottery described it as a "pipe dream," so we look at the origin of the term. Also, whether to use a comma to introduce a quotation is probably more complicated than you think. We have four rules (and examples) to help you get it right. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammar...more
583 GG Important or Importantly? Time Traveler Words
Aug 25 2017
This week I tell you why you can ignore people who don't like "more importantly," and we talk about words that were new in 1555, 1967, 1977, and more. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www...more
582 GG. How to Use Quotations. Stop Calling Yourself a Grammar Nazi
Aug 17 2017
What do you call yourself? A grammar lover, grammar peever, stickler, grammar grouch, grammando, grammar Nazi? Sure, it's all in fun, but it's time to rethink that last one. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMA...more
581 GG. Riffle and Rifle. Worcestershire Sauce.
Aug 10 2017
Worcestershire is pronounced nothing like it is spelled, and Gloucester and Leicester are the same way. We'll talk about some linguistic phenomena that explain the drastic changes. Also, did you know there's a different between riffling through something and rifling through something? You will after this week's show! FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pint...more
580 GG. Introductory Paragraphs. One of The...
Aug 03 2017
Listeners sent in many more interesting phrases from obsolete technologies, and we also talk about how to write a great introductory paragraph and tricky sentence that include "one of the [plural nouns]"--which verb do you use? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https:...more
579 GG Language Games. Jerry-Built. And Female Juniors
Jul 27 2017
We talked about "jury-rigged" a few months ago, and everybody wanted to know about "jerry-built," so here you go! Also, we have lots of listener feedback about non-English language games that are like Pig Latin. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.c...more
578 GG Words from Obsolete Technology
Jul 20 2017
Some words survive long after the technology that made us use the words in the first place. Today, we look at words we get from typewriters, old telephones, and more. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://...more
577 GG The Trump Jr. Punctuation Kerfuffle. Generation Names.
Jul 13 2017
FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon GRAMMAR GIRL AP STYLE WEBINAR http://bit.l...more
576 GG Critique or Criticize? Games Like Pig Latin
Jul 06 2017
Do you "critique" a novel or "criticize" it? People used to object to one of these two words. And you told me about Pig-Latin-type games in your languages, and I have the run down! This segment is just for fun. Or should that be unfay? Or fubun? Or fulfun? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/the...more
575 GG Gestures. Elbow Grease. Capitalizing Directions.
Jun 29 2017
Knowing when to capitalize a directional word such as "south" can be tricky. I have some guidelines. We also explain why we tell people to use "elbow grease" and review some research on gesturing that will blow your mind. Do you wonder why you talk with your hands, even when you're on the phone? Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat:...more
574 GG Commas with Transition Words. Double Whammy.
Jun 22 2017
Have you ever wondered how to use a comma with 'however' (or if you even should)? We’ve got the scoop on using commas and semicolons with 'however,' 'therefore,' and other conjunctive adverbs and transition words. Also, you can trace 'double whammy' back to the Lil’ Abner comics. How fun! Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://...more
573 GG Until, Till, and 'Til. Dad Jokes.
Jun 15 2017
You've heard them called "dad jokes," but have you ever wondered why? We have a definition and also what we think is the perfect example of a dad joke. Also I'll explain how "until" and "till" are completely separate words and why you should just straight out avoid " 'til." Read the transcript at http://bit.ly/2rSMqR8. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebo...more
572 GG Themself. Comma Splices.
Jun 08 2017
You've finally accepted that it's OK to use the singular 'they'--sometimes--but now you have to decide whether to use 'themself' or 'themselves.' Don't worry, the new Chicago Manual of Style has you covered, and we talk about it today. Also, I've been getting complaints about comma splices, so it's time for a refresher. Read the transcript at http://bit.ly/2ramGjn Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW G...more
571 GG Lego or Legos? Why English Spelling Reform Is Doomed.
Jun 01 2017
If it bothered you last week that I called the toys Legos, you'll like this week's first topic: Lego or Legos? You'll probably like it if you weren't bothered too! Also, in honor of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, we talk about why English spelling reform is doomed. Read the transcript at http://bit.ly/2rAkD9r. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com...more
570 GG Burned or Burnt? Why English Spelling Is a Mess.
May 26 2017
Burned or Burnt? Why English Spelling Is a Mess. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/a...more
569 GG. Explain vs. Explanation. How to Outline.
May 18 2017
If you've ever wondered why "explain" has an I but "explanation" doesn't, we have the answer. Also, need help jumpstarting your writing process? Here's why composing an outline is key. (Plus, could Grammar Girl be replaced by a robot?) FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn...more
568 GG. In or Among. Weird Words.
May 12 2017
This week we talk about why you might describe someone as "among bushes" instead of "in the bushes," and we talk about how we get weird words like "gaga," "flip-flop" and "dillydally." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl ...more
567 Is Pig Latin a Real Language?
May 04 2017
This week we talk about the origin of the word "harbinger" (and I sing about swans) and whether Pig Latin qualifies as a language. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips....more
566 GG. Off Your Feed. Animal Language.
Apr 27 2017
Off Your Feed. Animal Language.
565 GG. Apple, Podcasts, and Prepositions. Forensic Linguistics.
Apr 20 2017
Apple, Podcasts, and Prepositions. Forensic Linguistics.
564 GG. Preposition or Adverb?
Apr 13 2017
The weird complications about words such as "up" and "over" that make people fight about whether they are prepositions or adverbs. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips...more
563 GG Singular 'They'
Apr 07 2017
Singular 'They'
562 GG AP Style and Chicago Manual of Style Updates
Mar 31 2017
AP Style and Chicago Manual of Style Updates FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazo...more
561 GG $10 Million Comma. Ambiguous Sentences. Tribute to Bill Walsh
Mar 23 2017
The $10 Million Comma. Ambiguous Sentences. A Tribute to Bill Walsh.
560 GG Devil's Advocate. 3 Tips for Creating Sentences with Punch
Mar 16 2017
This week we talk about why we call someone a "devil's advocate" and why the rules of writing are the same for good lawyers and good thriller writers. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://ww...more
559 GG. Abbreviations. And Then the Murders Began. Runcible. Haiku.
Mar 10 2017
This week, I have a Quick and Dirty Tip about how to define abbreviations that you use over and over in a document and a tidbit about a fun internet meme called #LaidlawsRule. And, to finish our little poetry kick over the last couple of weeks, I have a tidbit about a word that comes from the old nonsense poem “The Owl and the Pussycat” and the winner of the National Grammar Day haiku contest.
558 GG How to Write Good Survey Questions
Mar 03 2017
How to avoid biasing your questions and annoying your respondents.
557 GG Double Dactyl Poetry
Feb 23 2017
Write a double dactyl poem in honor of National Grammar Day. FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Double Dactyl Poetry: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/node/9136 FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOK...more
556 GG Tumult. Bull in a China Shop. Always, Never, Usually, Often, Most, and More
Feb 16 2017
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Tumult: http://bit.ly/2lSXWtI Absolutes: http://bit.ly/2kD6CTf DISCOVERY CHANNEL 'BULL IN A CHINA SHOP' VIDEO http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/videos/bull-in-a-china-shop/ FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://w...more
555 GG. Toe/Tow the Line. Pled or Pleaded. Animal Idioms.
Feb 09 2017
This week we talk about "toeing the line," "pled" versus "pleaded," and animal idioms such as "There's an eel under the rock." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/g...more
554 GG 'Reticent' or 'Reluctant.' Which' or 'That.'
Feb 02 2017
This week we talk about the difference between "reluctant" and "reticent" and when to use "which" or "that." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-gir...more
553 GG Not Only, But Also. Leave in the Lurch. Month Names.
Jan 27 2017
This week we talk about a common error you should avoid when using "not only" with "but also." We examine why we talk about leaving someone "in the lurch." What's a lurch? And finally, we look at the interesting origins of the month names in English. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http...more
551 Capital vs Capitol. Citing Podcasts and Websites
Jan 19 2017
Are people in the capitol or capital this weekend? Also, why do citations even matter and what should you look for in a source? SPONSORS Download the Dunkin' app and enroll in DD Perks with the code PODCAST to get a free Dunkin' beverage. GlassesUSA.com/Grammar with the code grammar55 gets you 55% off. (Some exclusions apply.) UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://face...more
551 GG. Words of the Year. Writing Tips.
Jan 12 2017
This week, we discuss the words of the year and four simple ways to write better in the new year. UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET...more
550 GG Enormity or Enormousness? Badminton
Jan 05 2017
This week we discuss whether there is really a difference between "enormity" and "enormousness" and about how badminton (not badmitten) got its name. UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn:...more
549 GG Hone/Home In. Apostrophes.
Dec 29 2016
A great memory trick to remember the difference between homing and honing (plus a complete aside about spiderwebs). Also, an solution to the mystery of why you sometimes see "farmers market" with and apostrophe and sometimes you see it without an apostrophe. UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl ...more
548 GG. What Makes Good Stories.
Dec 22 2016
What’s your favorite book and why? The questions are more than just a way to fill your online dating profile—they’re insights into how beloved stories push our psychological and neurological buttons. How does good writing grab you by the brain? My fellow QDT host, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, leads us through four things your brain relishes in a good story.
547 GG 'A While' or 'Awhile'? Writing Dialogue
Dec 15 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Writing Dialogue http://bit.ly/writing_dialogue 'A While' or 'Awhile'? http://bit.ly/a-while UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/...more
546 GG Anxious/Eager. If Not.
Dec 08 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Anxious or Eager? http://bit.ly/anxiouseager If Not: http://bit.ly/ifnot SPONSORS http://sockclub.com/grammar and the code "grammar" http://www.audible.com/gg UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http...more
545 GG Read the Riot Act. The Changing English Language.
Dec 01 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE English Is Flexible http://bit.ly/EnglishIsFlexible Read the Riot Act http://bit.ly/ReadTheRiotAct SPONSORS http://sockclub.com/grammar and the code "grammar" http://blurb.com/grammar and the code "grammar" UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://...more
544 GG. Pilgrim Names. Pronouncing Foreign Words
Nov 24 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Pronouncing Foreign Words: http://bit.ly/2fiPCQf SPONSOR http://blurb.com/GRAMMAR and the promo code GRAMMAR for 25% off. http://sockclub.com and the promo code GRAMMAR for 15% off. UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargi...more
543 GG. By the Wayside. How to Pronounce 'Biopic'
Nov 17 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE By the Wayside http://bit.ly/2fNt0aq Pronouncing "Biopic" http://bit.ly/2fwymYl SPONSOR http://audible.com/gg UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://ww...more
542 GG. 'Aloud' or "Out Loud'? Strong Voice
Nov 11 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Aloud' or 'Out Loud'? http://bit.ly/aloud-out-loud Crafting a Strong Voice: http://bit.ly/strong-voice SPONSOR http://blueapron.com/grammar UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegr...more
541 GG Before or Prior To? Foreign Language Syndrome
Nov 03 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Prior To' or 'Before'? http://bit.ly/prior-to Foreign Language Syndrome: http://bit.ly/foreign-language-syndrome SPONSOR http://Audible.com/gg UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/th...more
540 GG. Cemetery or Graveyard? Peer Editing. To Calendar.
Oct 27 2016
UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http:...more
539 GG Capitalizing Job Titles. I.e. Versus E.g. Sentence Diagramming
Oct 20 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Capitalizing Job Titles http://bit.ly/capitalize-titles I.e. Versus E.g. http://bit.ly/IE-EG Sentence Diagramming http://bit.ly/sentence-diagram SPONSORS http://modcloth.com code:grammar http://blueapron.com/grammar UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl ...more
538 Alumni. Words from Bookmaking. Beyond the Pale
Oct 14 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Alums or Alumni? http://bit.ly/alum-alumni Words from Bookmaking http://bit.ly/bookmaking-words Beyond the Pale http://bit.ly/beyond-the-pale SPONSORS http://modcloth.com code grammar http://audible.com/gg AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagra...more
537 GG "Further" Versus "Farther." Horse's Mouth
Oct 07 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE "Further" Versus "Farther" http://bit.ly/FurtherFarther Straight from the Horse's Mouth http://bit.ly/HorsesMouth SPONSORS ModCloth http://modcloth.com Code: grammar Casper http://casper.com/gg Code: gg AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rea...more
536 GG Hit the Bestseller List: How to Style Your Words Like a Bestselling Author
Sep 29 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Canceled or Cancelled? http://bit.ly/cancelled-canceled Why Homecoming is HoCo: http://bit.ly/homecoming-hoco The Bestseller Code: Jodie Archer and Matthew Jockers, the authors of The Bestseller Code, give some quick tips on how to style your words like a bestselling author. http://bit.ly/BestsellerCode SPONSORS http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. http://blueapron.com/grammar AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtyt...more
535 GG Anyways or Anyway? Topic Sentences
Sep 22 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Anyway or Anyways? http://bit.ly/AnywayAnyways How to Write a Good Topic Sentence: http://bit.ly/Topic-Sentence SPONSORS http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl I...more
534 GG. Bridget Jones. Pay Dirt. Dashes.
Sep 15 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Bridget Jones's Baby: http://bit.ly/JonesPossessive Pay Dirt: http://bit.ly/PayDirtIdiom Dashes: http://bit.ly/HowToUseEmDash SPONSORS http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. http://igloosoftware.com/grammargirl AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargir...more
533 GG. Etc. Short Shrift. Prepositions
Sep 08 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE How to Pronounce 'Etcetera': http://bit.ly/pronounce-etc Short Shrift http://bit.ly/short-shrift Prepositions Aren't Literal: http://bit.ly/not-literal SPONSORS http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. http://audible.com/gg AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatg...more
532 GG Loose or Lose. You Wazzock.
Sep 01 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Loose' or 'Lose'? http://bit.ly/LooseLose Origin of 'Loose as a Goose' http://bit.ly/LooseGoose You Wazzock! http://bit.ly/wazzock SPONSOR http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/...more
531 GG Writing Dual POVs. Space Operas and Soap Operas.
Aug 25 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Writing Dual POVs: http://bit.ly/DualPOVs Soap Operas: http://bit.ly/Space-Opera SPONSORS http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http...more
530 GG Whom. Preorder. Badger, Weasel, Ferret.
Aug 18 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE "Who" Versus "Whom": http://bit.ly/Who-Whom Preorder: http://bit.ly/CanISayPreorder Idioms of the Forest: http://bit.ly/BadgerWeaselFerret SPONSORS http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://casper.com/gg Use the code "GG" at checkout for $50 off. AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http:...more
529 GG Latin Words. Batten Down the Hatches
Aug 11 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Words from Latin: http://bit.ly/words-with-latin-origins Batten Down the Hatches: http://bit.ly/batten-down SPONSORS http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://igloosoftware.com/grammargirl AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinte...more
528 GG Adjectives. Logical Fallacies
Aug 04 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 5 Types of Fallacies: http://bit.ly/2agt9oQ Order of Adjectives: http://bit.ly/2at4U1U SPONSORS: http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://audible.com/gg AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram...more
527 GG 'Lit' or 'Lighted.' Why Some Words Become Homophones
Jul 29 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'LIT' OR 'LIGHTED'? http://bit.ly/LitOrLighted ALVEOLAR FLAPPING: http://bit.ly/AmericanHomophones SPONSORS: http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://weebly.com/grammar AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgr...more
526 GG Types of Third Person Point of View. Flammable and Inflammable
Jul 22 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE WHY DOES "INFLAMMABLE" MEAN "FLAMMABLE"? When we’re describing something that burns easily, we say it’s flammable, but "inflammable" means the same thing and was the original word, so why do we have both? http://bit.ly/inflammableORflammable THIRD PERSON: There are three main types of third person point of view in literature: third person limited, third person omniscient, and third person objective. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Here's the run-down and ...more
525 GG Food Idioms. 'Affective' or 'Effective'
Jul 15 2016
Why do we say 'Take it with a grain of salt' and other food idioms? Is it 'affective' or 'effective'? FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE: http://bit.ly/affective-effective http://bit.ly/food-idioms SPONSORS: http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://igloosoftware.com/grammargirl AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http:...more
524 GG. Affect Versus Effect. How to Pronounce The
Jul 07 2016
HOW TO PRONOUNCE "THE": Did you know there are two ways to pronounce "the," and the rule that governs which pronunciation you choose is kind of like how you choose between "a" and "an"? "AFFECT" VERSUS "EFFECT": I get asked whether to use "affect" or "effect" all the time, and it is by far the most requested grammar topic, so I have a few memory tricks to help you remember. SPONSOR http://audible.com/gg Recommended b...more
523 GG Sightseeing. On Accident Versus by Accident
Jun 30 2016
SIGHTSEEING: A listener asked, “Why is it sightseeing and not siteseeing? Aren't you seeing sites? Sightseeing sounds redundant.” Interesting question! ON ACCIDENT or BY ACCIDENT: A listener asked, "What is the deal with the term on accident? I've always used by accident, but I've noticed a lot of pretty smart people . . . I've noticed them using on accident. So, am I wrong?" Sometimes when I get questions like this I can't find an answer, but in this case, I hit pay dirt! I was lucky enough ...more
522 GG Hearty or Hardy? How English Became English. Jury-Rigged.
Jun 23 2016
HEARTY OR HARDY? A listener named Cheryl left a comment on the Grammar Girl Facebook page asking me to write about the difference between hearty and hardy. She wrote, “I am a writer and get confused on the usage of the two adjectives. Love your podcast and appreciate your shows and tips!” HOW ENGLISH BECAME ENGLISH. Today, I have an excerpt from Simon Horobin’s new book, How English Became English. I especially liked the part about English in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Asia bec...more
521 GG Is Funnest a Word? How to Pronounce Adirondack.
Jun 16 2016
HOW TO PRONOUNCE ADIRONDACK: Apparently, I’ve been mispronouncing "Adirondack" my whole life, and thanks to the listeners who let me know. WRITING FOR AUDIO: A listener named Tim wrote that he heard someone on NPR say that another person “often frequented” a venue, and Tom thought the phrase "often frequented" sounded redundant. IS FUNNEST A WORD? Researching the word “funnest” and its close relation “funner” turned out to be a lot less fun than I had hoped. The opinions are so varied that...more
520 GG Band Names. Woman or Female?
Jun 10 2016
BAND NAMES: When referring to a rock band, do I use the single form "is" or "are"? Does the band name dictate the usage? WOMAN OR FEMALE? The question of word choice is rising again—Is Hilary Clinton the first "female" presidential nominee from a major party or the first "woman" nominee? SPONSOR http://audible.com/gg PODCAST AWARDS: You can vote every day through June 12. http://podcastawards.com AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/ama...more
519 GG RBIs. Principal and Principle. Run of the Mill
Jun 02 2016
HOW TO MAKE RBI PLURAL: Baseball season has started, so it’s a good time to answer questions from listeners who have asked how to make an abbreviation such as "RBI" plural. PRINCIPAL OR PRINCIPLE? Today we’re going to recall that the principal is indeed your “pal,” but we’ll also see that a principal can be so much more. In this episode we’ll talk about the various ways to use “principle”—that’s “p-l-e”—and &...more
518 GG Are You Interurban? Vonnegut's Famous Semicolon Quotation Was Taken Out of Context. Off the Cuff.
May 26 2016
ARE YOU INTERURBAN? When you split your time between the East Coast and the West Coast, you can call yourself “bicoastal.” What about when you’re splitting your time between two cities, like a listener named Jeff, who splits his time between New York City and Boston? VONNEGUT'S FAMOUS SEMICOLON QUOTATION. I couldn’t imagine that any talented writer would so universally dismiss an entire punctuation mark. Not one to take things at face value, I went searching and quickly found that the Vonnegu...more
517 GG Why Do We Call It Commencement? When to Delete "It"
May 19 2016
COMMENCEMENT: Last week a professor in my department asked me why we call a graduation ceremony “commencement” when the event marks the end of college. “To commence” means “to begin,” not end, so it seems like an odd name for the ceremony. DELETE 'IT': Want a timeless, painless tip that quickly helps you clarify your writing? Look for it. What William Cobbett said two centuries ago still rings true: “The word it is the greatest troubler that I know of in language. It is so small, and so conve...more
516 GG Celsius Versus Centigrade. 'Between' Versus 'Among'
May 12 2016
Celsius Versus Centigrade: Anders Celsius was a Swedish astronomer who invented a thermometer based on the boiling point and freezing point of water. We know a slightly improved version of his thermometer by the Celsius name and by the word "centigrade." This centigrade thermometer was named in honor of Celsius in 1948 at the ninth International Conference of Weights and Measures. 'Between' Versus 'Among': Many people believe "between" should be used for choices involving two items and "among...more
515 GG Home vs. Away? How to Make Product Names Plural
May 05 2016
Away Versus Home? A listener named Alan wrote, “When using the word versus, does it make a difference as to what is placed before and what is placed after? For example: Roe versus Wade or Red Sox versus Yankees. In other words, by rule is one the challenger, and the other the challenged?” How to Make Product Names Plural: Two Silicon Valley guys were talking on Twitter about whether they should say they have two iPad Pros or two iPads Pro. Then Schiller jumped in to say: “One need never plur...more
514 GG Brouhaha. New Words. One Fell Swoop.
Apr 29 2016
Last week, ESPN fired Curt Schilling because of offensive remarks he made on social media, and in his follow-up statement, Schilling referred to the brouhaha, but he misspelled the word as brew ha ha, like the name of a beerfest in my hometown. (Follow along on the website: http://j.mp/brouhaha-origin) Merriam-Webster added "athleisure" to the unabridged dictionary, but the editors had been watching the word for a while before they decided to add it. In a "Words We’re Watching” blog post in J...more
513 GG North or Northbound. Subjunctive Verbs.
Apr 21 2016
Carrie from New Orleans asked me to help her understand whether she should say "I wish I were more perceptive" or "I wish I was more perceptive." It's a great question because it's something that a lot of people don't know. (Follow along on the website: http://j.mp/subjunctive-verbs) A listener named Cyndi works in the auto claims department at an insurance company and asked how to use directional words--for example, when should she use "north" and when should she use "northbound"? (Follow al...more
512 GG Titled or Entitled? AP Style Updates. Into Thin Air.
Apr 14 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Titled or Entitled? http://j.mp/titled-entitled AP Style Updates http://j.mp/APstyle2016 Into Thin Air http://j.mp/into-thin-air SPONSORS http://IglooSoftware.com/grammargirl http://casper.com//gg and use the code GG AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon E-BOOK: GRAMMAR GIRL'S QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS FOR BETTER WRITING On sale for $2.99 through April: Kindle: http://amzn.to/1RRJDAe Nook: http://bit.ly/1qmUsBi FOLLOW GRAMMAR GI...more
511 GG Pronouncing Pulitzer. Navajo Codes in WWII
Apr 07 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Pronouncing Pulitzer: http://j.mp/227C9M1 Navajo Codes: http://j.mp/1S3FXIA SPONSORS http://verbling.com (Discount Code: grammargirl) http://audible.com/gg AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon E-BOOK: GRAMMAR GIRL'S QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS FOR BETTER WRITING Kindle: http://amzn.to/1RRJDAe Nook: http://bit.ly/1qmUsBi FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/...more
510 GG How Aphasia Causes Difficulty Speaking
Mar 31 2016
Follow along on the website: Aphasia: http://j.mp/1qcnPWF SPONSORS http://verbling.com Promo code: grammargirl AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl
509 GG Charlie Chaplin Grammar. S-Backing.
Mar 24 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Charlie Chaplin Grammar: http://j.mp/22qGqfA S-Backing: http://j.mp/1nT2mR5 SPONSORS http://verbling.com Promo code: grammargirl http://lifelock.com Promo code: grammar AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargir...more
508 GG. Haiku Winners. Great Story Ideas
Mar 17 2016
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE National Grammar Day Haiku Winners: http://j.mp/1Uk71t5 14 Tips for Coming Up with Freelance Story Ideas You Can Sell: http://j.mp/1Uk7746 "The Essential Guide to Freelance Writing" by Zachary Petit WINNERS INFO https://twitter.com/SnoozeInBrief https://twitter.com/monicasharman https://twitter.com/sesquiotic https://twitter.com/larry_kunz SPONSORS http://verbling.com Promo code: grammargirl http://lifelock.com Promo code: grammar FOLLOW GRAMMAR ...more
507 Patty or Paddy? Needs Washed
Mar 10 2016
Follow along on the website: 'Patty' Versus 'Paddy' http://j.mp/1U4uezm 'Needs Washed' http://j.mp/1QF9QS2 Find Grammar Girl on social media Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl Sponsor: Lifelock.com or 1-800-867-0974. Promo code: Grammar Amazon Affiliate Link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/ama...more
506 GG Subordinate Clause Examples
Mar 04 2016
“Subordinate clause” is the name you’re more likely to have learned in school, but the other name, “dependent clause,” may help you better understand what they do because adding that subordinating conjunction to the head of the clause makes it dependent on a main clause. Today, I have an explanation, plus examples with zombies! Also, featured listeners and National Grammar Day news. Sponsor: http://audible.com/gg Amazon Affiliate Link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Grammar Girl...more
505 GG Maudlin. Vocabulary Words
Feb 25 2016
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504 GG Shined or Shone? Idioms About Tea
Feb 18 2016
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503 GG What Is a Canard?
Feb 11 2016
Follow along on the website: What Is a Canard? http://j.mp/23YcgBZ What's the Origin of 'Straw Man'? Sponsor: http://audible.com/gg Amazon Affiliate Link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon
502 GG. Straw Man. Wicked.
Feb 04 2016
Follow along on the website: What Is a Straw Man Argument? http://j.mp/1T0UtGo Why Do We Pronounce the '-ed' in 'Wicked'? http://j.mp/1K1lg2H Sponsor: http://IglooSoftware.com/grammargirl Amazon Affiliate Link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Share the story of how or why you listen to the podcast: http://facebook.com/grammargirl New: Grammar Girl LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl
501 GG Word Families. Caucus
Jan 28 2016
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500 GG Redundancy. Letters of Recommendation.
Jan 21 2016
Follow along on the website: Redundancy:http://j.mp/1PGcT99 Letters of Recommendation: http://j.mp/20fJRVo Sponsors: http://audible.com/gg http://feverbornbook.com Wow! It's episode 500. Thanks to everyone. Tell me your story about how you listen. Leave it as a comment on the post pinned to the top of the page at http://facebook.com/GrammarGirl.
499 GG Current or Currant? Singular They
Jan 14 2016
Follow along on the website: Current or Currant? http://j.mp/22WDk4j Singular They http://j.mp/1UL2gFO Sponsor http://igloosoftware.com/grammargirl Amazon Affiliate Link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon
498 GG A Joke About a Mongoose. Writing Dates.
Jan 07 2016
Follow along on the website: Mongoose Joke: http://j.mp/1RmNGqh Writing Dates: http://j.mp/1OSwvWV Sponsor: http://audible.com/gg When you shop at Amazon, start at our affiliate link to support the show: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon
497 GG Should You Capitalize 'the Force' from Star Wars?
Dec 31 2015
Should You Capitalize 'the Force' from Star Wars?
496 GG Plural of Hippopotamus
Dec 24 2015
Follow along on the website: http://j.mp/1O78HCs Support the show by using our Amazon affiliate link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Grammar Pop iOS game: http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
495 GG Pair. Misusing “So” and “Very.” Even Keel
Dec 17 2015
Follow along with the articles on the website: http://j.mp/QDTgrammar Recommended book: The Grammar Devotional Sponsors: http://mackweldon.com (20% off with the promo code "grammar") http://thirdlove.com/grammar (30 day free trial)
494 GG Pair. Forensic Linguistics. In Cold Blood
Dec 10 2015
Follow along on the website: http://j.mp/QDTgrammar Pair Forensic Linguistics In Cold Blood Sponsor: http://thirdlove.com/grammar Sponsor: http://SockFancy.com Use the code "grammar" for $10 off. Quick And Dirty Tips Amazon Affiliate Link. Start your shopping here to support the show: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Grammar Girl's Books: http://j.mp/allGGbooks Grammar Pop iPad Game: http://bit.ly/14eeMDb
493 GG Hoofs or Hooves? Color Phrases
Dec 03 2015
Follow along on the website: Hoofs or Hooves? http://j.mp/1lyLAFV Color Phrases: http://j.mp/1NszDMS Sponsor: http://audiblepodcast.com/GG Recommended Book: The Red Queen's Run Support the show when you shop at Amazon: http://quickanddirtytips.com/Amazon Grammar Girl's AP Style Webcast: http://bit.ly/GrammarGirlAPStyle
492. GG. Blue. Kith and Kin
Nov 27 2015
This week, we look at 10 different meanings of the word "blue," including two that are the opposite of each other, and we learn what "kith" means in "kith and kin." Happy Thanksgiving. Follow along on the website: 10 Meanings of 'Blue': http://j.mp/1T2oBOm Kith and Kin: http://j.mp/1jiXWjW Sponsors http://thirdlove.com/grammar http://sockfancy.com Use the code "grammar" If you're shopping at Amazon, we appreciate it when you use our link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon
491 GG Social Media. Internal Dialogue.
Nov 19 2015
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490 GG Formatting URLs in Text
Nov 12 2015
Follow along on the website: How to Format URLs: http://j.mp/1HIBW8x
489 GG Dialogue Tags. Writing Fight Scenes. NaNoWriMo
Nov 05 2015
Follow along on the website: Dialogue Tags: http://j.mp/1Q4HqCm Dialog or Dialogue? http://j.mp/1MbksDL Writing Fight Scenes: http://j.mp/1Mgc4pR Sponsor: http://AudiblePodcast.com/GG Amazon Affiliate Link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/Amazon
488 GG Hallowe'en. Apostrophes. The Garden Path
Oct 29 2015
Follow along on the website: Hallowe'en: http://j.mp/1k7T8yM Apostrophes: http://j.mp/1Ms9wH7 Garden Path: http://j.mp/1PTv9zH Sponsor: EverAlbum.com/grammargirl Amazon Affiliate Link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon AP Style Webinar: http://bit.ly/GrammarGirlAPStyle
487 GG Wolf or Woof. Interrobang. Riding Roughshod
Oct 22 2015
Follow along on the website: Wolf or Woof: http://j.mp/1PFqnFX Interrobang: http://j.mp/1OQWQrY Riding Roughshod: http://j.mp/1jzyQOO EverAlbum http://everalbum.com/grammargirl Amazon Affiliate Link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Open Room Media Podcast: http://j.mp/OpenRoomMediaPodcast
486 - Suffragette. Ginormous
Oct 15 2015
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485 GG Firstly. Exclamation Points. Leeway.
Oct 08 2015
Follow along on the website: First or Firstly? http://bit.ly/1MgTPMZ Exclamation Points: http://bit.ly/1GyzcKj Leeway: http://bit.ly/1VHTZaw http://QuickAndDirtyTips.com/amazon
484 GG Mantel or Mantle? Bulleted Lists
Oct 01 2015
Follow along on the website: 'Mantel' or 'Mantle'? http://bit.ly/1L5bN8A How to Format a Bulleted List: http://bit.ly/1j1P2bz Amazon Affiliate Link: http://quickanddirtytips.com/offers
483 GG Sort, Kind, or Type? Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms
Sep 24 2015
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482 GG Amused or Bemused. Being Bilingual. Positive Anymore.
Sep 17 2015
Follow along on the website: 'Amused' or 'Bemused'? http://bit.ly/1KT1NkH Bilingual: http://bit.ly/1Ko9Lf2 Positive 'Anymore': http://bit.ly/1W4tWHe http://quickanddirtytips.com/offers
481 GG And/Or. That Should Be a Word.
Sep 10 2015
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480 GG Matriculate. Diminutives. Crocodile or Alligator?
Sep 03 2015
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479 GG Scrabble in Different Parts of the World
Aug 28 2015
Scrabble in Different Parts of the World
478 GG Why English Has Silent Letters
Aug 20 2015
Follow along on the website: Fictitious Versus Fictional: http://bit.ly/1Nmnr0A Silent Letters: http://bit.ly/1hqOjQl Adult, Adolescent, Adultery: http://bit.ly/1KwPAvM Sponsor: http://edx.org/gg
477 GG Scrabble Extravaganza
Aug 13 2015
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476 GG Zero Percent, Prefixes and Suffixes, Malapropisms
Aug 06 2015
Follow along on the website: Zero Percent http://bit.ly/1Mnyu8v Prefixes and Suffixes http://bit.ly/1ejOkD3 Malapropisms: http://bit.ly/1eT5tDU Thanks to Audible for supporting our podcast. For a special summer promotion to encourage reluctant readers to embrace books, go to Audible.com/patterson
281 How Do Words Get in the Dictionary?
Jul 31 2015
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475 GG How a Comma Can Get You out of a Parking Ticket
Jul 23 2015
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474 GG Flesh Out. Last Names. Hat Trick.
Jul 16 2015
Follow along on the website: Flesh Out or Flush Out? http://j.mp/1TDrE0x Last Names: http://j.mp/1V57cHH Hat Trick: http://j.mp/1Mv2j4O Help the show by taking our short survey: http://podsurvey.com/grammar Grammar Girl on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/realgrammargirl/
473 GG How Understanding Toy Story Can Help You Get into College
Jul 09 2015
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472 GG Citizen or Resident? Let's and Let Us. Newfangled.
Jun 23 2015
Follow along on the website: Citizen or Resident? http://j.mp/1BBaE67 Let's and Let Us: http://j.mp/1SL2NaP Newfangled: http://j.mp/1NbEVcJ Survey: http://podsurvey.com/grammar Sponsor: http://DiscountFilters.com/GG
471 GG Size versus Sized. When Is It OK to Be Redundant? Mind Your P’s and Q’s.
Jun 18 2015
Follow Along on the Website: 'King-size' or 'King-sized'? http://bit.ly/1AN2M1x When Is It OK to Be Redundant? http://bit.ly/1eRM9rl What Does "Mind Your P's and Q's Mean"? http://bit.ly/1AN1qUh Grammar Pop: j.mp/1H5YiSj]
470 GG Prepositions in Shakespeare
Jun 12 2015
Follow Along on the Website: How Many Spaces After a Colon? http://bit.ly/1EFJVQF Prepositions in Shakespeare http://bit.ly/1Rwb7KU A Treat http://bit.ly/1AAwmqw
469 GG Kudos. Crossword Puzzles. Squad Goals. June 4, 2015.
Jun 04 2015
Follow Along on the Website: The Meaning of Kudos http://bit.ly/1SEAko0 What Does 'Squad Goals' Mean? http://bit.ly/1JhBqmC Crosswords http://bit.ly/1d23nAV
468 GG Congratulations. Food Names That Come From Countries…or Not. Tall Poppy Syndrome.
May 28 2015
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467 GG Deep Seeded or Deep Seated?, Lewis Carroll: He Loved to Play with Language, Japanese Words in English
May 21 2015
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466 GG Healthy Versus Healthful. The Best SAT Essay Ever. Fast and Loose
May 14 2015
Follow along on the website: Healthy Versus Healthful http://bit.ly/1Hem0wb The Best SAT Essay Ever Article: http://bit.ly/1H4dr4c PDF of the Essay: http://j.mp/1cVMKHV Fast and Loose http://bit.ly/1A1704R
465 GG Two Spaces After a Period?
May 07 2015
Follow Along on the Website: Yay, Yea, Yeah, and Yes. Two Spaces After a Period? http://bit.ly/1IlSO7G English Words from Spanish Grammar Pop iPad http://apple.co/1GRVVA6 Grammar Pop Universal http://apple.co/1Kn9gmZ Sponsor: http://AudiblePodcast.com/GG (Recommended book of the week: Station Eleven)
464 GG Weird Conditionals
Apr 30 2015
Follow along on the website: Fiance or Fiancee: http://j.mp/1HI4wcy If-Clauses: http://j.mp/1DA19Qe Dark Horse: http://j.mp/1Othuk5 Sponsors: http://thegreatcourses.com/grammar http://mprofs.com/grammargirl (code GRAMMARGIRL)
463 GG Most or Almost. Parallel Structure. Follow Suit
Apr 23 2015
Follow along on the website: Most or Almost http://j.mp/1bz6joG Parallel Structure http://j.mp/1EwygtV Follow Suit http://j.mp/1yUH2PL Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop http://j.mp/1H5YiSj Sponsor: The Great Courses http://thegreatcourses.com/grammar
462 GG Everyday. Ain't. Eponyms
Apr 16 2015
Follow Along on the Website: Everyday Versus Every Day http://j.mp/1FvEiFz Ain't http://j.mp/1cjF1CP Eponyms http://j.mp/1EjPhGa Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
461 GG Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen
Apr 09 2015
Follow along on the website: Smitten http://j.mp/1aLWFyC Between You and Me (Excerpt) http://j.mp/1H6eg0b Spick and Span http://j.mp/1a7LdMr Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
105 Yoda Grammar (Reissue)
Apr 02 2015
Follow along on the website: Yoda Grammar http://j.mp/1P06VCE
460 GG Global English: Prepone, Do the Needful, and More
Mar 26 2015
Follow along on the website: Parentheses and Subject-Verb Agreement http://j.mp/1FWMySM Global English http://j.mp/19U43aG Stand in Line or Stand on Line? http://j.mp/1bxpONX Try our iOS game, Grammar Pop http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
459 GG Subject-Verb Agreement
Mar 19 2015
Follow Along on the Website: 'Wrong' Versus 'Wrongly' http://j.mp/1xjQN9H Subject-Verb Agreement http://j.mp/1xClTnM Is 'Heighth' a Word? http://j.mp/1GvnEIq Vote in the Podcast Awards http://j.mp/1G4ixy8
458 GG Can You Process These Tricky, but Grammatical, Sentences?
Mar 13 2015
Follow along on the website: Does E-Book Need a Hyphen? http://j.mp/1wCjVs6 Can You Process These Tricky, but Grammatical, Sentences? http://j.mp/1HPgFLq The Meaning of Minions http://j.mp/1Gy6wBx Please Vote in the Podcast Awards http://j.mp/1G4ixy8
457 GG If Versus Whether
Mar 05 2015
Follow along on the website: Homely Versus Homey http://j.mp/1B9kcD3 If Versus Whether http://j.mp/1wZkOWx At Bay http://j.mp/1BMTwIP Vote for Grammar Girl for Best Education Podcast http://j.mp/1G4ixy8 Grammar Pop Sale http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
456 GG Is Starting a Sentence With So Condescending?
Feb 26 2015
Follow Along on the Website When "First" Is Redundant http://j.mp/1wtjhgT Is Starting a Sentence With So Condescending? http://j.mp/1wthqsn Synecdoche http://j.mp/1FAUDua Watch Grammar Girl's TEDx Talk http://j.mp/ggTEDx
Announcement
Feb 20 2015
There was a death in my family, so I don't have a show this week. I'll be back next week. If you're looking for something new to listen to while I'm away, try one of the other Quick and Dirty Tips podcasts. Some of them are listed here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2
455 GG Why Do We Drive on Parkways and Park on Driveways?
Feb 12 2015
Follow along on the website: Dreamed or Dreamt? http://j.mp/1E2oQBF Parkway, Driveway, and Dooryard http://j.mp/1zNdcei Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo http://j.mp/1EbYdtP Watch my TEDx talk: Who Votes for New Words? http://j.mp/ggTEDx
454 GG Splitting Infinitives
Feb 05 2015
Capitalizing Theories. Splitting Infinitives. Samuel Johnson.
453 GG Less Versus Fewer
Jan 29 2015
Follow along on the website: Capitalizing Time Periods http://j.mp/1z4W6bX Less Versus Fewer http://j.mp/1yP50d4 Bee's Knees http://j.mp/1DiC0dw ---- Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
452 GG Why People Misuse Prepositions
Jan 22 2015
Follow along on the website: Compliment Versus Complement http://j.mp/184vjlA Saving Our Prepositions http://j.mp/1yOHBdJ How 8 Fonts Got Their Names http://j.mp/1xZXLdg Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
451 GG Impossible Participals
Jan 15 2015
Follow along on the website. Commas Before "Jr." http://j.mp/1BYaNOx Impossible Participles http://j.mp/1u2BXCZ Onomatopoeia http://j.mp/1AXQQZa Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
450 GG Is Sign Language Universal?
Jan 08 2015
Tons of fascinating tidbits about sign language from interpreter David Peach Follow along online: http://j.mp/1EQ3dsJ Find David online: http://twitter.com/dpeach http://learnsigns.com Sponsor: http://AudiblePodcast.com/GG Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop: http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
449 GG Double Possessives
Jan 01 2015
Follow along on the website: Transitive Versus Intransitive Verbs http://j.mp/1AUkNaZ Double Possessives http://j.mp/1x8OVy2 Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop http://j.mp/1H5YiSj
448 GG How Our Brains Process Hyperbole
Dec 25 2014
Follow along on the website: Champ Versus Chomp http://j.mp/1Cp9TsZ Hyperbole http://j.mp/1HkXt6c Adulting http://j.mp/1sNOALZ
447 GG Weird Ideas About Paragraph Length
Dec 18 2014
Read along on the website: Why Some Disease Names Are Capitalized http://j.mp/16x24qJ How Long Should a Paragraph Be? http://j.mp/13hHVD5 Johannes Gutenberg http://j.mp/1r4cjMs SPONSOR LINKS http://AudiblePodcast.com/GG http://Audible.com/legion
446 GG Why Don't People Say "Thou" Anymore
Dec 11 2014
Read along on the website: What Does "Xmas" Really Mean? http://bit.ly/1xkSUsL Why Don't People Say "Thou" Anymore? http://bit.ly/1sv4joy Who Says "Kitty-Corner" and Who Says "Catty-Corner" http://bit.ly/1yTXXkt Grammar Girl books make a great gift! http://bit.ly/1xkT3fC
445 GG Why Do People Say "Like" All the Time?
Dec 04 2014
Read along on the website" Is "Boughten" a Word? http://j.mp/1tUEecu Did Valley Girls Invent "Like"? http://j.mp/12CCHlG Is German Chocolate Cake from Germany? http://j.mp/1w4pyyW Learn More About my December 12 Writing Webcast http://bitly.com/ggwebcast
444 GG Between You and Me
Nov 27 2014
Read along on the website: Lightning versus Lightening http://bit.ly/121kVb0 Between You and Me http://bit.ly/1AnHpif How Teddy Bears Got Their Name http://bit.ly/1AnH8fc Sign up for my December 12 corporate webcast. http://bitly.com/ggwebcast
443 GG Done Versus Finished
Nov 20 2014
Done Versus Finished (Follow along at the website: http://bit.ly/1uNZgyH) Types of Nouns (http://bit.ly/1vwzG3c) Why Grimm's Fairy Tales Should Make You Think of Linguistics (http://bit.ly/1yzfHOs) Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop: http://bit.ly/14eeMDb
442 GG Make Me a Sandwich
Nov 13 2014
Based on Versus Based off. Make Me a Sandwich: A Joke About Verbs. How to Pronounce Zero
441 GG Mic or Mike? Simple or Simplistic? Uppercase and Lowercase
Nov 06 2014
Mic or Mike? Simple or Simplistic? Uppercase and Lowercase. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1qEiW2m
440 GG How to Plan a Novel
Oct 30 2014
For NaNoWriMo: How to format a character's thoughts, how to plan a novel, and the surprising newness of the novel format. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/13DNlJ8
439 GG Texting, Coffins, and Death
Oct 23 2014
Today, with Halloween in mind, I have a Quick and Dirty tip about the difference between a casket and a coffin; and an excerpt from David Crystal’s new book, Words in Time and Place, that goes through the many words we have for death and dying. Finally, I saw something shocking in a formal document a few weeks ago, so I have a tidbit about text messaging and language. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1sXJDC5
438 GG Why Do People Say Punctuation Out Loud?
Oct 16 2014
"Vaccine" Versus "Vaccination." Syelle Graves explains why people say things such as "We never leave any soldier behind. Period," and more generally, the relationship between speech and writing. A doozy of an eighteenth-century grammar rule: Don't use "who" to refer to children. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1Fc7Lrk
437 GG What’s the difference between England, Great Britain, and the UK?
Oct 09 2014
I know all you European listeners think it’s ridiculous that Americans don’t know the difference between England and Britain, but a British friend told me that many of you don’t know the difference between Britain and the United Kingdom, and that this would be a good topic for a podcast even though people should already know. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1D7rupV
436 GG Why People Have Always Been Confused About Apostrophes
Oct 02 2014
An interview with Ammon Shea about the confusing history of apostrophes. Hanged Versus Hung. The story of the Victorian Great Exhibition, where Adolphe Sax displayed his invention: the saxophone. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/Zsa0po
435 GG We Might Could Harvest the Corn
Sep 25 2014
Yes, you can start a sentence with "because." Here's how to do it. What are helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs), and why do people in some regions say things such as "might could" and "might should"? English writers didn't always use a dot over the letter "i." We'll talk about when and why they started. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1phbhWH
434 GG Ya Shank: The Made-Up Swear Words of 'The Maze Runner'
Sep 18 2014
Insults, swear words, and world-building for young adults: In an interview with James Dashner, I got the inside scoop on the language of "The Maze Runner." Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1poctaV
433 GG Why People Mix Up the Pronouns "Me" and "I"
Sep 11 2014
I can tell you which pronouns to use, but it takes a linguist to explain WHY people get confused. Here, Gretchen McCulloch reveals the fascinating reason that people struggle with sentences such as "Billy and me went to the store." Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1vrTG2g
432 GG When to Use a Comma Before 'Because'
Sep 04 2014
A tip about when you need a comma before the word "because," an interview with Peter Sokolowski from Merriam-Webster about the philosophies behind dictionary definitions, and a tidbit the phrase éminence grise. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1yxWmkA
431 GG Words That Aren't Words
Aug 28 2014
In this podcast, you get a Quick and Dirty Tip about where to put periods and commas relative to quotation marks, an excerpt from Ammon Shea's book "Bad English," and a tidbit about a 1921 poem called "Alphabet of Errors." Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1v0iNsF
430 GG The Plural of Money. This Is Your Brain on Writing. Egregious
Aug 21 2014
In this week's podcast, Grammar Girl discusses the plural of money, how to use "egregious," and talks with Ellen Hendriksen from The Savvy Psychologist podcast about the findings from an experiment done by German researchers in Germany who studied people’s brains while they were actively writing. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1AUhYp5
429 GG How to Use the Conjunction “Nor”
Aug 14 2014
How do you use the conjunction "nor" and why is it so special it deserves a podcast of its own? Neil Whitman explains. Visit the website to read the full transcript: http://bit.ly/1oOCyOR
428 GG Crash Blossoms
Aug 07 2014
Why the Associated Press accidentally made people think another Malaysian airplane had crashed, and what it tells us about language. Visit the website to read the full transcript: http://bit.ly/1rs4BXJ
427 GG 7 French Food-Related Words That Became English
Jul 31 2014
When the Normans took over England in 1066, they brought their food and their language. We talk about seven interesting French words that made it into English, and guest Clever Cookstr shares some of her favorite related recipes. Read the full transcript: http://bit.ly/1octDLT
426 GG A Language Lover's Trip to England
Jul 24 2014
During a short but delightful trip to England, I saw the Rosetta Stone, the White Tower at the Tower of London, ancient alphabet tiles and wax seals, a stained glass window honoring William Caxton, and many more wonders. Hear about them all. Read the transcript on the website: http://bit.ly/1o02vuz
425 GG Why Weird Al's Word Crimes Video Made Me Want to Quit
Jul 17 2014
Why Weird Al's Word Crimes Video Made Me Want to Quit. Visit the website to watch the video and comment: http://bit.ly/1qArtIJ
424GG There's Something Weird About "For," "Yet," and "So"
Jul 10 2014
FANBOYS are a myth and there's something weird about "for," "yet," and "so."
423 GG Is the Semicolon in TL;DR Ironic?
Jul 03 2014
"TL;DR" means "too long; didn't read," but the semicolon is usually associated with long or complex sentences. What is it doing in this abbreviation? Note: This piece originally appeared as a Grammar Girl blog post January 22, 2014 and was rereleased as an audio podcast on July 3, 2014. Visit the website to read the full transcript and leave a comment: http://bit.ly/1g1PtiA
422GG Manipulating Words to Make Things Funny
Jun 26 2014
Why sentences like this are funny: A woman gives birth in the UK every 48 seconds. She must be exhausted.
421 - Part II: Why Do People Say 'A-Whole-Nother'?
Jun 19 2014
Why do people say "a-whole-nother"?It's the same reason we say "an apron" instead if "a napron."
420 - Why 'A-Whole-Nother' Isn’t Like 'Ala-Frickin’-Bama' and 'Hizzouse'
Jun 12 2014
While researching why people say "a-whole-nother," Syelle Graves discovered that even knowing what to call the phrase gets complicated (and interesting).
419 - Using Stick Figures to Understand First, Second, and Third Person
Jun 05 2014
Using Stick Figures to Understand First, Second, and Third Person
418GG Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction: Right or Wrong?
May 29 2014
Many people have been taught that it's wrong to start a sentence with a conjunction, but nearly all major style guides say doing so is fine. Neal Whitman investigates why there seems to be such a difference between what teachers say and what style guides say.
417 - An Unparalleled Letdown
May 22 2014
The authors of "The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation" help us understand parallel structure.
416GG How to Kick Your Annoying Preposition Habit
May 15 2014
How to Kick Your Annoying Preposition Habit
415 - Commas Are Like People on the Subway
May 08 2014
Commas are like people on the subway: You think you know them, but they're awfully complex. This week, we'll dig deeper and get to know some of their jobs: separating items in a series (the Oxford comma), delineating appositives, and surrounding nonrestrictive phrases.
414 - Luisa Zissman's Missing Apostrophe
May 01 2014
Sometimes companies leave apostrophes out of their names when it seems as if the name would need an apostrophe. Why do they do it, and is it wrong?
413 - Words Invented by Shakespeare
Apr 24 2014
In honor of Shakespeare's 450th birthday, we'll look at Shakespeare's words, phrases, insults, and false friends. I bet you don't know them all.
412 - Can I Help Who's Next?
Apr 18 2014
Neal Whitman addresses some annoying phrases you hear in stores and restaurants, such as "Can I help who's next?" and "Did you want cream in your coffee?" Find out why people say such things.
411 - Addictive Versus Addicting
Apr 10 2014
Addictive Versus Addicting
410GG Just Because
Mar 30 2014
It's tricky to pick apart the grammar of a sentence such as "Just because you’re correct doesn’t mean you’re not annoying." Guest writer Neal Whitman explains why such sentences work and what they really mean.
408 - Why We Don't End Sentences With "You're"
Mar 21 2014
Some words have strong forms, weak forms, and even weaker forms.
407GG Why Canadians Don't Really Say "Aboot"
Mar 13 2014
Gretchen McCulloch from the All Things Linguistic explains why Canadians don't say "aboot" and why most Americans think they do.
406GG Begging the Question
Mar 07 2014
Language is changing but that doesn't mean you have to go with the flow.
405 - Is Cash Money a Regional Expression?
Feb 28 2014
Is Cash Money a Regional Expression?
404 - Why "Substitute" Is Weird
Feb 27 2014
Why it’s hard to talk about substituting one thing for another without confusing people. Guest Writer: Neal Whitman Sponsor: AudiblePodcast.com/GG
403 - Preventative and Orientate
Feb 22 2014
Today, we’re going to talk about two cases in which English has two words that mean the same thing and whether one choice is better than the other. Preventative and preventive, and orient and orientate. Sponsor: Grammar Girl’s Peeve Wars. Visits FundAnything.com/peevewars to learn more.
402 - Little Bunny Foo Foo
Feb 21 2014
The Hoax Behind Little Bunny Foo Foo
401 - How Clipping Creates New Words
Feb 14 2014
Great tales of English word evolution: From pantaloons to pants, caravan to van, and much more. Guest Writer: Bonnie Trenga Sponsor: http://FundAnything.com/peevewars
400 - How Reading Tickles Your Neurons
Feb 09 2014
When you read about a character, in some ways your brain acts as though it thinks you ARE the character. It's amazing. Grammar Girl and the Savvy Psychologist explain how. Subscribe to the Savvy Psychologist's show at iTunes. Get the card game Peeve Wars at http://FundAnything.com/peevewars
399 - Your Brain on Fiction
Feb 07 2014
How Literature Changes Your Brain for the Better. If you liked this podcast, check out our new show, The Savvy Psychologist.
071 Units Of Measure
Jan 30 2014
Units Of Measure: Feet, Ft., Lb., Degrees, and Percents
398GG Why Some Band Names Take "The" and Some Don't
Jan 24 2014
Why can we say "the Jefferson Airplane" but not "the Led Zeppelin"?
397 - Secrets of Bestselling Novels
Jan 16 2014
A new study uncovered things that successful novels have in common.
396 GG Tenterhooks or Tenderhooks?
Jan 10 2014
What could this week’s topic be?
192 Do I Hate Your Singing or You Singing?
Jan 02 2014
Do I Hate Your Singing or You Singing?
395 GG How to Use Quotation Marks
Dec 24 2013
How to mix quotation marks with other punctuation.
394GG Hashtag Rap
Dec 17 2013
Did Kanye West Coin the Term "Hashtag Rap"?
393 GG Nonsense Syllables
Dec 13 2013
Why we sing "fra la la" instead of "fa spla spla"
392 GG Orangehead
Dec 06 2013
Why do we call people redheads instead of orangeheads? Guest writer Gretchen McCulloch has the amazing answer. Grammar Pop Winterfest is a new wintery edition of the original Grammar Pop iOS game. It has new winter art and all new sentences, and it's on sale for only 99 cents until December 15. Get it today!
251 - What Is a Gerund?
Nov 28 2013
What Is a Gerund?
391 GG Scrabble Words
Nov 22 2013
A fun romp through some quirky words you may see when you're playing Scrabble. Remember to check out my new game, Grammar Pop, for your iPhone or iPad.
390 - Passive Voice
Nov 15 2013
Avoid one of the biggest passive voice mistakes!
389 GG English Plurals: Wugs and Blicks
Nov 07 2013
Your subconscious controls how you speak. We show why you already know how to make imaginary words such as "wugs" and "blicks" plural. Try the new iPad and iPhone grammar game, Grammar Pop. It's in the App Store.
388 GG Style Sheets
Oct 23 2013
Don't make the mistake of treating your style sheet like a style guide. The new grammar game, Grammar Pop, is now available for the iPhone. Look for it in the App Store and try it today!
387 GG "Because" as a Preposition
Oct 14 2013
What's up with sentences such as I didn't do my homework because Skyrim? Try Grammar Girl's new iPad and iPhone game: Grammar Pop.
386 - Negation in Night Vale
Oct 10 2013
Welcome to Night Vale: Where even “not” isn’t what it seems.
117 - Biweekly Versus Semiweekly
Oct 03 2013
Why "biweekly" can have multiple legitimate meanings. Check out the new word game Grammar Pop in the App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&uo=4&at=11l7m5
385 - Irony
Sep 27 2013
More than five different types of irony? No wonder it's confusing! Guest writer Keith Houston, author of "Shady Characters: The Secret Life of Punctuation, Symbols, and other Typographical Marks" helps us figure out irony.
384 - Homophones
Sep 19 2013
Which English homophones came from polysemy and which came from spelling variation? Try our new iPad game, Grammar Pop. If you like the Grammar Girl podcast, you'll love the game.
383 GG Could Care Less
Sep 12 2013
An excerpt from Bill Walsh's book "Yes, I Could Care Less."
50 GG Like Versus As
Sep 05 2013
Find out which of these words is a preposition and which is a conjunction. Try Grammar Girl's new iPad game called Grammar Pop. You match words with their part of speech to pop clouds. You can also find Grammar Girl's books at http://j.mp/allGGbooks
381 GG Prepositions
Aug 30 2013
The fascinating history of English prepositions (yes, really). If you are trying to learn about prepositions, try Grammar Girl's new iPad game called Grammar Pop. You match words with their part of speech, including prepositions. You can also find Grammar Girl's books at http://j.mp/allGGbooks
380 GG Participles and Gerunds
Aug 22 2013
Prove you know your parts of speech with the new iPad game Grammar Pop. You don't have to know the difference between participles and gerunds to play, but if you're up to the challenge, it's there waiting for you! Look for Grammar Pop in the App Store.
379 GG Apostrophes in Science Fiction and Fantasy Names
Aug 15 2013
Who started it and why? Get Grammar Girl's books at http://j.mp/allGGbooks
378 GG Apostrophes and Plurals
Aug 09 2013
Learn how to use apostrophes by pondering a Victoria's Secret ad. Buy Grammar Girl's books: http://j.mp/allGGbooks
377 GG Royal "We"
Aug 02 2013
In honor of the new royal baby, more formally known as Prince George Alexander Louis, we're pondering a pompous pronoun choice known as the "royal we." Buy Grammar Girl's books at http://j.mp/allGGbooks.
376 GG Why Do We Have Both A and An?
Jul 19 2013
How English evolved to give us two indefinite articles (a and an), and the odd mix of possessive pronouns that don't quite match. Buy Grammar Girl's books: http://j.mp/allGGbooks
375 GG What Is It Called When You Mishear Song Lyrics?
Jul 11 2013
Spoonerisms, Mondegreens, Malapropisms, and Eggcorns. Like the podcast? See Grammar Girl's books: http://j.mp/allGGbooks
374 GG Rebracketing
Jul 05 2013
How to Make Weird Product Names Plural
372 GG Retronyms
Jun 21 2013
Retronyms: Scourge of the Language or Helpful Tool?
371 GG Commma Splice
Jun 14 2013
How to Avoid a Common Comma Error: The Comma Splice
370 GG Why Isn't "Gruntled" A Word?
Jun 07 2013
Why Aren't We Gruntled When We're Happy?
369 GG Why Does "I" Take Plural Verbs?
May 31 2013
"I" is singular, so why do we say "I go" instead of "I goes"?
368 GG Hyphens
May 24 2013
How to Use Hyphens.
367 GG The Old Editor Says
May 17 2013
John E. McIntyre, a veteran editor at The Baltimore Sun, shares pithy editing maxims from his new book.
366 GG Slash
May 10 2013
How Texting Is Changing English
285 GG "Moot" Versus "Mute"
May 03 2013
Moot isn't moot, but it can mean something different in Britain and the U.S.
365 GG The Language of Crime
Apr 26 2013
The Language of Crime
364 GG Why Would Anyone Use "The Chicago Manual of Style"?
Apr 19 2013
Style guides.
363 GG Writing Flashbacks
Apr 12 2013
How to manage verb tense when writing flashbacks.
362 GG Why Are Some Portmanteaus So Awful?
Apr 05 2013
My failed entries for the Clorox Ick-tionary.
361 GG Is That a Wool Sweater or a Woolen Sweater?
Mar 29 2013
What to do when you can use an attributive noun or an adjective.
051 GG I'm Good
Mar 22 2013
Is it OK to answer "How are you?" with "I'm good"?
360 GG Will himself be on the pig's back this St. Patrick's Day?
Mar 15 2013
Irish influences on English.
359 GG Do You Tell People to Pound Sand or Pound Salt?
Mar 08 2013
Deciphering crazy English idioms.
358 GG "Only": The Most Insidious Misplaced Modifier
Mar 01 2013
How putting the word "only" in the wrong place can confuse your readers.
357 GG Why the Plural of "Die" Is "Dice," not "Douse."
Feb 22 2013
Fossils of language
356 GG Where Do I Use Commas?
Feb 15 2013
Are you a comma-kaze? Do you use commas like confetti? Don't use a comma everywhere you would pause when speaking. Check out the rules.
355 GG Subject Object
Feb 08 2013
Why "I love you" is the easiest way ever to remember the difference between subject and object.
354 GG Starting a Sentence with "However": Right or Wrong?
Feb 01 2013
And what about "and" and "but"?
353 GG Can Apple Get Away with "Funness"?
Jan 25 2013
and "renanoing"?
352 GG How to Create and Use Figures of Speech Pt.1
Jan 18 2013
Make your messages more vivid, more memorable, and trigger emotional responses using anaphora, antithesis, and chiasmus.
351 GG Pronouns: Is a Company a "Who" or a "That"?
Jan 11 2013
What pronoun should you use when referring to a company?
350 GG "Who" Versus "That"
Jan 04 2013
Is Your Dog an "It" or a "She"?
349 GG A Word Lover's Highlights of 2012
Dec 28 2012
The good, the bad, and the odd.
348 GG How Webster's Screwed Up
Dec 21 2012
How an editor who hated the word "radical," became a radical.
347 GG How to Use a Hyphen
Dec 14 2012
Learn how to use properly use hyphens with compound adjectives.
346 GG Tuxedo Verbs
Dec 07 2012
Use rich verbs, but don't put them in tuxedos.
342 GG Writing for Dyslexic Readers
Nov 09 2012
Tricks to make make your writing more accessible to people with dyslexia and visual impairments.
341 GG Google Ngram and "Impact" as a Verb
Nov 02 2012
The updated Ngram Viewer gives new insight into word usage.
151 GG Just Say No to Drugs
Oct 12 2012
"Dragged" versus "drug." The Grammar Girl print book is now available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/2pkej7
142 GG When Are Double Words OK?
Sep 28 2012
Are "is is" and "had had" acceptable?
334 GG Using Present Tense in a Story About the Past
Aug 31 2012
The girl who sat next to me is or was? named Stephanie.
333 GG When Is W a Vowel
Aug 24 2012
A E I O U and sometimes Y, but also W?
332 GG How Do You Tell If Something Is True?
Aug 10 2012
Debunking a believable grammar hoax.
331 GG "Pet" or "Petted"? Troublesome Past Tenses
Aug 03 2012
Some verbs are becoming strangely irregular.
330 GG The Rules of Story
Jul 27 2012
Why the Rules of Story Are Even More Immutable than the Rules of Grammar.
329 GG "Versus"
Jul 20 2012
Get ready to write about the Olympics.
328 GG "Decimate" and "All Right"
Jul 13 2012
Two troublesome words from Grammar Girl's new book.
327 GG "Dilemma" and "Gone Missing"
Jul 06 2012
From 101 TROUBLESOME WORDS.
326 GG "Jealousy" Versus "Envy"
Jun 29 2012
From 101 TROUBLESOME WORDS.
325 GG So You Think You Can Edit?
Jun 22 2012
Tips for editing and revising.
324 GG When Bad Grammar Means Good Fiction
Jun 08 2012
Sometimes you gotta break the rules.
323 GG How to Write Numbers
Jun 01 2012
When do you write out numbers, and why do they call it "maths" in England?
133 GG A Historic Podcast
May 18 2012
"Historic" versus "Historical". The Grammar Girl print book is now available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/2pkej7
320 GG You Have No Idea How Weird "Do" Is
May 04 2012
English's meaningless "do."
318 GG Dashes, Colons, and Commas
Apr 20 2012
They can change the way your sentences feel. Learn how they differ.
317 GG What Does "Proper English" Mean?
Apr 13 2012
You say "proper English," but you mean Standard English
316 GG Sentence Fragments
Apr 06 2012
Will they make editors reject your fiction?
315 GG Possessives
Mar 30 2012
Possessives: They aren't just for possession.
314 GG Mary Sue
Mar 23 2012
Truth may be stranger than fiction, but fiction is usually more interesting.
061 GG "Bring" Versus "Take"
Mar 16 2012
Rules for simple and complicated situations.
312 GG This NGD story is "all right."
Mar 02 2012
A Grammar Day tale: When Mr. Brown Met Miss Fox: A Love Story
311 GG Where Are You At?
Feb 24 2012
The surprising reason people say it.
309 GG Why Do Kids Say "Versing"?
Feb 17 2012
It's older than you think.
308 GG Should We Abandon Standard Spelling?
Feb 10 2012
Should we be more lenient? "L8r" for "later"?
310 GG Stationary, Stationery, Complement, and Compliment
Feb 03 2012
Memory tricks!
111 GG Everybody Wants Some
Jan 27 2012
Indefinite pronouns. The Grammar Girl print book is now available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/2pkej7
306 GG "The Night Circus": Well Done Second Person Narrative
Jan 13 2012
Did you know there are three kinds of second person?
305 GG Where Did the @ Symbol Come From?
Jan 06 2012
Why does it look like a snail?
304 GG Should You Point Out Errors?
Dec 30 2011
How can you correct people's errors without coming off like a jerk?
030 GG Sentence Fragments
Dec 23 2011
Learn to recognize them.
200 "Who" Versus "Whom," Advanced
Dec 11 2011
"Who" Versus "Whom," Advanced
302 GG Passive Voice
Dec 09 2011
It's about more than just what verb you use.
301 GG Active Voice
Dec 02 2011
It's about more than just what verb you use.
300 GG Christmas Carol Grammar
Nov 25 2011
Learn about the odd grammar in "What Child Is This?"
299 GG Ten Tips to Banish Typos
Nov 18 2011
Computer and printing tricks to eliminate errors.
298 GG Color Your Readers' Imagination with Words
Nov 04 2011
"Dogs" or "mastiffs"? "Beer" or "ale"? It really does matter.
297 GG How to Search a Corpus
Oct 28 2011
It's a database, not a dead body.
029 GG "They" as a Singular Pronoun
Oct 21 2011
Can you use "they" as a gender-neutral singular pronoun?
294 GG Do You Resent Your Editor?
Oct 07 2011
Tips for dealing with criticism.
293 When to Capitalize Seasons
Sep 29 2011
When to Capitalize Seasons
292 Overcoming Writer’s Block
Sep 23 2011
Overcoming Writer’s Block
288 Compound Nouns
Aug 08 2011
Compound Nouns
287 Compound Subjects
Aug 05 2011
Compound Subjects
284 Who Says “Fun” Can’t Be an Adjective?
Jul 14 2011
Who Says “Fun” Can’t Be an Adjective?
283 Did Oxford Drop the Oxford Comma?
Jul 08 2011
Did Oxford Drop the Oxford Comma?
282 "Each Other" Versus "One Another"
Jul 01 2011
"Each Other" Versus "One Another"
280 Whoever or Whomever?
Jun 16 2011
Whoever or Whomever?
279 Capitalizing Titles
Jun 09 2011
Capitalizing Titles
275 Camel Case
May 12 2011
Camel Case
274 Double Subjects
May 05 2011
Double Subjects
273 "A Hold" or "Ahold"?
Apr 28 2011
"A Hold" or "Ahold"?
272 Do You Capitalize “God”?
Apr 21 2011
Do You Capitalize “God”?
270 Commas With Participial Phrases
Apr 07 2011
Commas With Participial Phrases
269 Ending a Sentence With a Preposition
Mar 31 2011
Ending a Sentence With a Preposition
268 Mixing Verb Tenses
Mar 24 2011
Mixing Verb Tenses
267 How to Speak English Like the Irish
Mar 17 2011
How to Speak English Like the Irish
264 Punctuating Questions
Feb 24 2011
Punctuating Questions
263 How to Write Grammatically Correct Photo Captions
Feb 17 2011
How to Write Grammatically Correct Photo Captions
262 Commas with Adjectives
Feb 10 2011
Commas with Adjectives
260 Contractions
Jan 27 2011
Contractions
259 First, Second, and Third Person
Jan 20 2011
First, Second, and Third Person
258 How to Write Dialogue
Jan 13 2011
How to Write Dialogue
257 Should You Ever Put a Space Before a Period?
Jan 13 2011
Should You Ever Put a Space Before a Period?
256 Serial Comma
Dec 30 2010
Serial Comma
253 "Desert" Versus "Dessert"
Dec 10 2010
"Desert" Versus "Dessert"
252 What Is Plagiarism?
Dec 02 2010
What Is Plagiarism?
250 "Foreword" Versus "Forward"
Nov 19 2010
"Foreword" Versus "Forward"
249 Why Doesn’t “Veterans Day” Have an Apostrophe?
Nov 10 2010
Why Doesn’t “Veterans Day” Have an Apostrophe?
248 How to Write a Better Resume
Nov 04 2010
How to Write a Better Resume
246 Show, Don’t Tell
Oct 28 2010
Show, Don’t Tell
245 "Talk With" versus "Talk To"
Oct 22 2010
"Talk With" versus "Talk To"
243 "Think Different" or "Think Differently"
Oct 07 2010
"Think Different" or "Think Differently"
242 "Like" Versus "Such As"
Sep 30 2010
"Like" Versus "Such As"
240 Do All Adverbs End in "-Ly"?
Sep 16 2010
Do All Adverbs End in "-Ly"?
239 Capitalizing Proper Nouns
Sep 09 2010
Capitalizing Proper Nouns
238 Is It OK to Switch Verb Tenses?
Sep 02 2010
Is It OK to Switch Verb Tenses?
235 Swearing
Aug 12 2010
Swearing
234 Does "Until" Include the Date?
Aug 05 2010
Does "Until" Include the Date?
233 Parentheses, Brackets, and Braces
Jul 29 2010
Parentheses, Brackets, and Braces
232 Active Voice Versus Passive Voice
Jul 22 2010
Active Voice Versus Passive Voice
231 How to Write Clear Sentences
Jul 15 2010
How to Write Clear Sentences
230 When to Use Female Nouns
Jul 08 2010
When to Use Female Nouns
229 Understanding Voice and Tone in Writing
Jul 01 2010
Understanding Voice and Tone in Writing
228 Comma Splice
Jun 25 2010
Comma Splice
226 How to Use Transition Words
Jun 17 2010
How to Use Transition Words
225 Ellipses
Jun 10 2010
Ellipses
224 When to Use Articles Before Nouns
Jun 04 2010
When to Use Articles Before Nouns
222 Dashes, Parentheses, and Commas
May 21 2010
Dashes, Parentheses, and Commas
221 "Although" Versus "While"
May 13 2010
"Although" Versus "While"
219 "Bad" Versus "Badly"
Apr 30 2010
"Bad" Versus "Badly"
220 How to Eliminate Adverbs
Apr 29 2010
How to Eliminate Adverbs
217 What Is Poetic License?
Apr 15 2010
What Is Poetic License?
215 Hey, That's Not Grammar Girl!
Apr 01 2010
Hey, That's Not Grammar Girl!
213 Stacked Modifiers
Mar 18 2010
Stacked Modifiers
209 Does the Olympic Theme Song “I Believe” Have a Grammar Error?
Feb 19 2010
Does the Olympic Theme Song “I Believe” Have a Grammar Error?
206 Is "I'm Loving It" Proper Grammar?
Jan 29 2010
Is "I'm Loving It" Proper Grammar?
205 Readers Share Their Funny Errors
Jan 21 2010
Readers Share Their Funny Errors
203 How Do You Pronounce 2010?
Jan 18 2010
How Do You Pronounce 2010?
204 Is "Got" Proper English?
Jan 14 2010
Is "Got" Proper English?
202 When to Use Nor
Dec 31 2009
When to Use “Nor”
201 Is “Ain't” a Word?
Dec 25 2009
Is “Ain't” a Word?
199 "Alternate" Versus "Alternative"
Dec 05 2009
"Alternate" Versus "Alternative"
197 "Where" Versus "In Which"
Nov 19 2009
"Where" Versus "In Which"
196 Adverbs Ending in -ly
Nov 13 2009
Adverbs Ending in -ly
194 How to Use Italics
Oct 23 2009
How to Use Italics
193 "Diffuse" Versus "Defuse"
Oct 16 2009
"Diffuse" Versus "Defuse"
191 How to Write a Complaint Letter
Oct 02 2009
How to Write a Complaint Letter
190 Ellipses Spurned
Sep 25 2009
Ellipses Spurned
188 "Comprise" Versus "Compose"
Sep 18 2009
"Comprise" Versus "Compose"
187 Should Writers Keep a Journal?
Sep 11 2009
Should Writers Keep a Journal?
186 Funny Misplaced Modifiers
Sep 04 2009
Funny Misplaced Modifiers
185 When Should You Capitalize Titles?
Aug 28 2009
When Should You Capitalize Titles?
183 Verbs Sandwiched Between Singular and Plural Nouns
Aug 14 2009
Verbs Sandwiched Between Singular and Plural Nouns
184 When Should You Capitalize Words?
Aug 01 2009
When Should You Capitalize Words?
181 How Many Spaces After A Period?
Jul 30 2009
How Many Spaces After A Period?
176 What Is Subject-Complement Agreement?
Jul 26 2009
What Is Subject-Complement Agreement?
180 How to Use Parallel Construction Correctly
Jul 24 2009
How to Use Parallel Construction Correctly
119 "Shall" Versus "Will"
Jul 22 2009
"Shall" Versus "Will"
179 Can You Start a Sentence with “Which”?
Jul 17 2009
Can You Start a Sentence with “Which”?
178 Do Rhetorical Questions Need a Question Mark?
Jul 10 2009
Do Rhetorical Questions Need a Question Mark?
174 "Myself"
Jun 12 2009
"Myself"
172 "All Right" Versus "Alright"
May 29 2009
"All Right" Versus "Alright"
170 Swear Words in Text
May 15 2009
Swear Words in Text
169 Using “For” to Mean “Because”
May 09 2009
Using “For” to Mean “Because”
168 Troublesome Contractions (e.g., I'd've)
May 01 2009
Troublesome Contractions (e.g., I'd've)
167 Dashes Versus Colons
Apr 23 2009
Dashes Versus Colons
166 Strunk and White
Apr 17 2009
Strunk and White
165 Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Initialisms
Apr 10 2009
Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Initialisms
182 Are You Annoyingly Redundant?
Apr 07 2009
Are You Annoyingly Redundant?
164 "One" Versus "You"
Apr 03 2009
"One" Versus "You"
177 Why Are British English and American English Different?
Apr 03 2009
Why Are British English and American English Different?
162 How to Write a Great Blog Comment
Mar 20 2009
How to Write a Great Blog Comment
161 "Use" Versus "Utilize"
Mar 13 2009
"Use" Versus "Utilize"
158 "Flammable" Versus "Inflammable"
Feb 20 2009
"Flammable" Versus "Inflammable"
157 GG When to Use a Comma with “Too”
Feb 13 2009
Only you can decide.
156 What is the plural of scissors
Feb 06 2009
What is the plural of scissors.
155 What to Call People With Disabilities.
Jan 30 2009
What to Call People With Disabilities.
153 Do You Overuse "Of"?
Jan 16 2009
Do You Overuse "Of"?
150 How to Podcast a Book
Dec 26 2008
How to Podcast a Book
148 How to Write Your First Novel
Dec 12 2008
How to Write Your First Novel
012 Wordiness And Idioms
Nov 21 2008
Wordiness And Idioms
146 Mixed Metaphors
Nov 13 2008
Mixed Metaphors
144 Concrete Versus Cement
Nov 07 2008
Concrete Versus Cement
141 Appositives
Oct 17 2008
Appositives
140 Modifying Phrases at the Beginning of Sentences
Oct 10 2008
Modifying Phrases at the Beginning of Sentences
139 Is "Data" Singular or Plural?
Oct 03 2008
Is "Data" Singular or Plural?
136 Complex-Compound Sentences
Sep 19 2008
Complex-Compound Sentences
131 Collective Nouns
Sep 02 2008
Collective Nouns
129 Assure Versus Ensure Versus Insure
Aug 25 2008
Assure Versus Ensure Versus Insure
127 Begs the Question
Aug 19 2008
Begs the Question
126 Through, Threw, and Thru
Aug 14 2008
Through, Threw, and Thru
125 Comparatives Versus Superlatives
Aug 12 2008
Comparatives Versus Superlatives
124 Better Versus Best
Aug 08 2008
Better Versus Best
122 Is "Have Got" Acceptable English?
Aug 01 2008
Is "Have Got" Acceptable English?
120 He Said, She Said
Jul 25 2008
He Said, She Said
118 Writing Accents and Dialects
Jul 18 2008
Writing Accents and Dialects
123 How to Avoid Clichés
Jul 15 2008
How to Avoid Clichés
116 "Than I" Versus "Than Me"
Jul 10 2008
"Than I" Versus "Than Me"
114 Phrasal Verbs
Jul 04 2008
Phrasal Verbs
113 Writing with Slang
Jun 27 2008
Writing with Slang
110 When to Leave Out "That"
Jun 06 2008
When to Leave Out "That"
108 Whose for Inanimate Objects
May 23 2008
Whose for Inanimate Objects
107 Graduated versus Graduated From
May 15 2008
Graduated versus Graduated From
104 Sentence Length
Apr 25 2008
Sentence Length
101 How to Write Percents
Apr 04 2008
How to Write Percents
100 How to Write Numbers
Mar 28 2008
How to Write Numbers
007 Which Versus That
Mar 21 2008
Which Versus That
098 Who Versus Whom--Advanced
Mar 07 2008
Who Versus Whom--Advanced
096 May Versus Might
Feb 21 2008
May Versus Might
095 Zeroscape Versus Xeriscape
Feb 15 2008
Zeroscape Versus Xeriscape
093 Hyphens
Jan 31 2008
Hyphens
091 Yo as a Pronoun
Jan 10 2008
Yo as a Pronoun
090 Went Missing
Jan 04 2008
Went Missing
087 Used to Versus Use to, and Other Listener Questions
Dec 07 2007
Used to Versus Use to, and Other Listener Questions
086 Greeting Card Grammar
Nov 23 2007
Greeting Card Grammar
084 People Versus Entities
Nov 16 2007
People Versus Entities
083 Interviewing Tips
Nov 09 2007
Interviewing Tips
082 Daylight-Saving Time
Nov 09 2007
Daylight-Saving Time
078 Formatting Hyperlinks
Oct 05 2007
Formatting Hyperlinks
077 Verbification of a Noun
Sep 28 2007
Verbification of a Noun
076 Starting a Sentence With "Hopefully"
Sep 21 2007
Starting a Sentence With "Hopefully"
073 Simplify Your Writing
Aug 30 2007
Simplify Your Writing
072 The The -- The Double The
Aug 23 2007
The The -- The Double The
070 The Asterisk (Trust Me About Grammar, Not About Baseball)
Aug 10 2007
The Asterisk (Trust Me About Grammar, Not About Baseball)
068 Unlawful Versus Illegal
Jul 20 2007
Unlawful Versus Illegal
067 Your Versus You're
Jul 20 2007
Your Versus You're
065 Regionalisms
Jun 29 2007
Regionalisms
064 Between You and Me
Jun 26 2007
Between You and Me
056 Generating Story Ideas and Overcoming Writer's Block
May 22 2007
Generating Story Ideas and Overcoming Writer's Block
055 Misplaced Modifiers
May 18 2007
Misplaced Modifiers
048 April Fools' Day Episode
Apr 01 2007
April Fools' Day Episode
266 When Should You Capitalize Cocktail and Food Names?
Mar 11 2007
When Should You Capitalize Cocktail and Food Names?
042 Semicolons
Feb 21 2007
Semicolons
036 Grammar Manners
Jan 12 2007
Grammar Manners
031 The Lord Is Come?
Dec 15 2006
The Lord Is Come?
024 Who Versus That
Nov 04 2006
Who Versus That
021 Proofreading Tips
Oct 20 2006
Proofreading Tips
165 Abbreviations, Acronyms, And Initialisms
Oct 10 2006
Abbreviations, Acronyms, And Initialisms
Excessive Redundant Redundancies
Oct 08 2006
Excessive Redundant Redundancies
182 Title Capitalization Rules
Sep 24 2006
Title Capitalization Rules
11 Grammar Style Issues
Sep 07 2006
Grammar Style Issues
126 Threw, Through, Thru
Sep 04 2006
Threw, Through, Thru
276 Is "Graduated College" Wrong?
May 26 2001
Is "Graduated College" Wrong?