The origin of the idiom to vent your spleen dates back to Hippocrates in 400 BC. The belief endured until the nineteenth century that four bodily fluids controlled physical and mental qualities. Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile were called humours. The word humour, or humor in US spelling, derives from Latin, meaning liquid…
Vent Your Spleen: Is This Odd Anger Idiom Factually Wrong? Read More »
Every article writer needs to know how to write a how-to guide because they are so popular with readers. The great thing about the Internet for content writers is that people are always looking for solutions to their problems. They are also searching to discover how they can learn to do something or develop a…
Learn How To Write A How-To Guide In 6 Easy Steps Read More »
Gapping in grammar means the omission of a verb in the second of two coordinated clauses. Crossword lovers probably know this clue. A grammar rule that deletes the repetition of verbs. The answer is gapping. John R. Ross, an American poet and linguist, coined the word around 1970. Before then, it was probably referred to as a…
Gapping In Grammar And How To Use It In Your Writing Read More »
In most cases, you don’t need a comma before because. The only exception is when a comma helps avoid ambiguity or changes the meaning of the sentence. In simple terms, the rule is easy: when because introduces a reason, leave the comma out. When because connects two parts of a sentence, the meaning is usually…
Comma Before Because? You Don’t Need One (Except in One Case) Read More »
The best writing apps for iPad are often the ones you already have installed, or free apps that help you sync with your laptop or desktop. For most writers and authors, you’re not going to replace your computer with your iPad. However, it’s a very handy backup solution when you’re traveling, on vacation, or even…
The Best Writing Apps For iPad To Write Anywhere Anytime Read More »
It’s easy to overlook all the Amazon book promotion tools when you are busy self-publishing your new book. Even if you have already published your book, there are sometimes changes and new tools added by Amazon. Any book promotion is worthwhile, so you should always look at every means available. Social media, your author’s website,…
Amazon Book Promotion Tools On The KDP Dashboard Read More »
If you’re unsure about past vs passed, you’re not alone. The quick answer is that walked past is always the correct form. Passed is the past tense of the verb to pass, so it can’t be used to modify another verb like walked. In this context, past acts as an adverb or preposition to indicate…
Past vs Passed: Why “Walked Past” Is Correct (Not Passed) Read More »
Yes, of course, you can start a sentence with because to indicate a reason. You probably won’t use it very often. But when you do, you only need to be a little careful and make sure you use it correctly. There is a simple way to check that your grammar is correct when you use…
Can You Start A Sentence With Because? Yes, You Can Read More »
It’s not a question you ask every day, but what happens when a self-published author dies? For the family of an author, you may want to keep the books available for sale. In some cases, it’s relatively easy if there is a publishing contract and the publisher is still in business. However, it is not so…
Free image optimization tools make the job of preparing your images for publishing a quick and easy task. When you plan to use images for your ebook, blog, or anywhere online, you need to make sure you resize and compress your images. You might use images from your camera or phone or download free stock…
7 Free Image Optimization Tools For Online Publishing Read More »
