Punctuation isn’t just minutia—it shapes tone and clarity. Let’s analyze the suspensive hyphen, which is supported by major style guides and helps simplify compounds.
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!
Hyphenation Headaches: Navigating -ly Adverb Rules
Should “cost effectively” be hyphenated? Learn the rules for compound modifiers, -ly adverbs, and hyphenation from The Chicago Manual of Style and beyond.
One House, A Third Writing Process: A Video Essayist’s Approach
A third member of the Brenner household, Sean, describes how his unique writing process merges his parents’ styles and is shaped by video storytelling demands.
The Descriptivism–Prescriptivism War, Part 2: The Copyeditor’s Role
Balancing descriptivism and prescriptivism is key for copyeditors. This involves knowing when to apply or discard rules to enhance clarity and communication without blindly following conventions.
The Descriptivism–Prescriptivism War, Part 1: Battlelines
A tweet from Merriam-Webster defending “mad” as “angry” sparked backlash, emphasizing the descriptivism vs. prescriptivism debate that has long fueled heated language arguments.
One House, Two Writing Processes, Part 2: From Outline to Final Draft
This two-part series explores contrasting writing processes: a structured approach versus a spontaneous style. Discover tips for effective outlining, drafting, and revising!
One House, Two Writing Processes, Part 1: Getting Started
Discover how two writers—an editor and a journalist—navigate their unique creative processes, starting with idea generation, brainstorming, and research!
Allow Me to Explain
Are you using “allow” and “allow for” correctly? Discover the nuances of these phrases and avoid common pitfalls in your writing with practical examples.
AP Style and the Serial Comma
It’s well-known that the AP Stylebook rules omit the serial comma, however, there are some lesser-known but important exceptions that help avoid confusion.
Grammar Bite: To Have and to Had
For writers and editors alike, understanding the nuances of the phrase “to have” and its past participle “had” reveals deeper connections between subjects and actions.
