I have a confession to make: I made a reflexive edit in a manuscript based on personal preference. Worse, I then boasted about it online.
Articles Categorized The Art of Language
Grammar, spelling, usage, style—this section is all about the mechanics of language. Improve your writing and editing by reading on!
Adverb Placement, Generally and Specifically
Adverbs are usually placed next to the thing they modify. But what do you do when the result is awkward?
Grammar Bite: Snuggling Up to “Only”
“Only” is a delightful little word that can act as an adjective or an adverb; it can modify nouns, verbs, and even other adjectives. Where you place it makes a big impact. Here’s how to do it well.
In Defense of Jargon
Jargon is often criticized as meaningless and opaque. That’s blaming the tool instead of the user.
In Order to Trim the Deadwood
“In order to” is a phrase copyeditors love to delete. But should we?
Rewriting the Zombies: Split Infinitives
Boldly go where grammar peevers don’t want you to go! Splitting verb phrases and infinite verbs is perfectly grammatical in English.
Rewriting the Zombies: “Hopefully”
Don’t start a sentence with “hopefully”? Hopefully, you’ll read this article and learn why you can.
Rewriting the Zombies: “None”
A few grammar peevers will insist that “none” means “not one” and must take a singular verb. But there’s more to the story.
Agreeing to Disagree: Why We Use “Notional” Agreement
Why can “none” take a singular or plural verb? Because of a little thing called notional agreement.
Grammar Bite: Agreeing Pronouns
You know a pronoun should agree with its antecedent, the noun it stands for. But choosing the right pronoun isn’t always clear cut.
