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.
Articles Categorized Usable Usage
How we use words matters. Get usage right with help from this collection of articles.
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.
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.
When to Stop Defining Abbreviations
Can a copyeditor choose when to stop spelling out an abbreviation? And how do you decide that it’s time?
“More Importantly”: Separating Grammar Myths from Reality
Grammar and language can be confusing, especially when the experts disagree. One of these disagreements involves using “more important” or “more importantly.”
To Have and to Receive: Two Usages of Have
As a main verb, “have” is one of the most common lexical verbs in English. Learn about how emphasis can shift the meaning of “have” and thus, your sentence.
Maybe, May Be Not: Don’t Sweat the Difference Too Much
The English language is fluid and constantly shifting with the times. This may result in the occasional grammatical error, but not all errors are worth a fuss.
Caroling the Lie/Lay Distinction
The distinction between the words “lie” and “lay” can be confusing for both writers and editors. Let’s break it down using well-known holiday carols.
On Account of My Pet Peeve
I’m not usually peevish about language use, but “on account of” is a pet peeve of mine. Here’s why it’s okay to use it anyway.
Rewriting the Zombies: “Try And”
Some language experts learned that you must replace the phrase “try and” with “try to.” So, let’s try and debunk that zombie rule. (Spoiler alert: we do!)
