Is it hunger pangs or hunger pains? The correct phrase is hunger pangs. While it certainly feels like a “pain,” the word pang specifically describes a sudden, sharp spasm or a brief feeling of distress. “Hunger pains” is a common mishearing that has become a widespread spelling error. The origins of hunger pangs The etymology…
Hunger Pangs Or Hunger Pains? (The Correct Version) Read More »
One of the most powerful tools a writer possesses is the ability to craft word order. Sure, you might think that grammar rules control most aspects, but this is not entirely true. Apart from some standard rules, such as subject-verb-object (SVO), as a writer, you have plenty of options to rearrange words to suit your…
What your characters say in fiction drives your story, but you have two ways to do it. You can use dialogue or reported speech. Active dialogue is the most common. “You never listen to me!” she shouted. However, you can also use reported speech to summarize a character’s words quickly. She told him he had…
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If you had asked me yesterday about this fixed expression, I would have said that when worse comes to worst is the correct form. However, when I stumbled upon a text that used the phrase when worst comes to worst, I wondered if my assumption was correct. The trouble with assumptions is that you can…
Fronting in writing and grammar is a simple but effective tool you can use to modify a sentence. Put simply, it moves parts like an object, adverb, or complement to the very beginning of a sentence. Instead of following the standard subject-verb-object structure, it moves the focus of a sentence to the most important part,…
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When you need to describe pain in writing, relying on adjective phrases alone often isn’t enough. Pain is complex because it is more than just a feeling. It’s a mixture of emotional and physical sensations that lie unseen below the surface. That’s why metaphors can be useful in making pain more relatable for readers. They…
One of the skills you need as a writer is to be able to change a sentence to add more variety to your writing. When you find too many simple subject-verb-object sentences, you have to find alternatives. Sentence transformation helps you avoid texts that readers might find a little bit boring because your sentence forms…
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When someone says something was delivered in spades, they refer to an experience or service that exceeded expectations. It’s a phrase that suggests generosity or excellence far beyond the normal. But what are the origins of the expression? And how does it compare to other ways of describing excess or plenty? What does deliver in…
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Is it free rein or free reign? The correct phrase is free rein. It comes from the world of horse riding, where a rider would loosen the reins to allow the horse to move freely. While “reign” (meaning to rule like a monarch) sounds like it might fit, it is always a misspelling in this…
Your manuscript is ready, or almost ready. But before you rush to publish your book, there are a few essential steps you should take to give it the best possible start. While self-publishing is easy, marketing, promoting, and selling a new book or ebook is much more challenging. To stand a real chance of success,…
Before You Publish: 5 Essential Steps To Prepare Your Book Read More »
