Grammar

When do you use a comma before which? Here are the quick answers. YES. Use a comma before which when the clause adds extra, non-essential information about a noun. NO. Do not use a comma when the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence. NOTE. This rule applies only when which introduces a…

Every writer should know how to change passive sentences to active voice. When you learn how to do it, it opens up many more options in your writing. You can then choose between active or passive sentences to suit your text or story. Passive isn’t always bad, just as active isn’t always the best option.…

When do you use setup vs. set up or perhaps set-up? It’s easy to make a mistake when you are writing in a hurry. But there’s a simple way to remember how to use setup and set up correctly. All you need to do is remember that one is a noun and adjective, and the…

Yes, it’s definitely one of the most popular writing tools. But can you replace an editor by using Grammarly? How we write and check our writing is changing so fast because of all the online apps and tools we use. We might not think about artificial intelligence (AI), but it’s the brain behind many writing…

What’s the difference between grammar and syntax? Grammar is a set of rules governing correct word strings in a language or text. Syntax is the arrangement or order of words and phrases to create clear, well-formed sentences. It can be a little confusing at first for new writers or students. But it’s easy once you…

Should you add a comma before and in a list of three or more items? Yes, because it eliminates confusion in a sentence. The comma before the word and in a list of three or more things is the Oxford comma. It’s also called the Serial comma. Writers use it to separate the last item…

Do you ever think about the spelling of the number 40 without a U, while other numbers like four and fourteen have one? It’s a strange exception to the rule, but the number has an interesting history. Spelling the number 40 is one of the little oddities of the English language. So what’s the story…

What are the do’s and don’t’s of making do and don’t plural in writing? It’s always a dilemma. You can easily use many verbs as nouns, in singular and plural. But the verb do is a tough one. As a singular noun, it’s fine, but there is no natural plural. Does only works in the…

There is one basic rule for dialogue punctuation. “Keep your punctuation inside the quotation marks!” There are a few more technical dialogue punctuation rules. But when you develop the habit of enclosing your punctuation, you will be right 95% of the time. How to punctuate dialogue Poor punctuation can confuse and irritate your readers. However,…

When it comes to writing in present perfect vs. past simple, it often depends on which side of the Atlantic you live. The simple past tense is more common in US English, while the present perfect is used more in British English. Of all the tenses in English, these are the two verb tenses that…