Hello there! I’m back to resurrect this blog with a question from a reader (hi Jenn!): What’s the deal with verbs that have more than one version… Read more “T/ED Talk”
Tag: clarity
A portmanteau does so much more than hold your coat
Athleisure. Brunch. Franglais. What do all these words have in common? They’re known as portmanteau words, which combine portions of two (or more) individual words to create… Read more “A portmanteau does so much more than hold your coat”
Comma chameleon
Reader request time! A friend asked for some information about when to use commas correctly (and when they are unnecessary). It’s a tough topic for me to… Read more “Comma chameleon”
I think I can, I think I can…
I bet most of you can think of a time when you’ve been corrected on your use of the word “can” – probably by an older adult… Read more “I think I can, I think I can…”
Let me lay it out for you
I’m not going to lie: I have been trying to write this blog post for two weeks. Coherently and clearly explaining the correct use of “lie” and… Read more “Let me lay it out for you”
The effect is that it affects your credibility
Affect and effect. What’s the difference? One tiny letter at the beginning of the word. Use the wrong one, and you’re “ffect.” (Go on, say it out… Read more “The effect is that it affects your credibility”
Language, clarity, and connection
I’ve been down with a bad cold for the past two weeks, which has made my brain fuzzy and my voice hoarse. It got me thinking about… Read more “Language, clarity, and connection”
Like, such as, and why the difference matters
When I copy-edit, there’s an invisible checklist of things I look for. Obviously, grammar and spelling errors are the most important things to fix, as they look… Read more “Like, such as, and why the difference matters”
Alison Larabie Chase 