Double Negatives Don’t Not Make Your Writing Confusing, so Avoid Using Them!
In standard English, double negatives are considered “bad grammar.” Here’s what they are and why you should avoid using them in your writing.
Insights into Good Writing
powered by LanguageToolCorrect and precise writing can be a challenging undertaking. Gaining the right insights into the English language will allow you to skillfully optimize your texts. This will make them more precise, more captivating, but also more individual to your personal taste. Our step-by-step guide shows you how to write better, confidently, and concisely. You will come straight to the point. And the comma. And the colon.
Traveling and Spelling are Both Difficult Maneuvers
British English uses “centre”, and American English prefers “center”. But is this always true? What about doubled consonants?
A Writer’s Block Blog
Writer’s block is an uninvited guest that every writer faces from time to time. But overcoming writer’s block is simple, and we’ll teach you how.
A Peek at the Difference between “Peak”, “Peek”, and “Pique”
All of these words sound identical: “peak”, “peek”, and “pique”. So, how can we tell these homophones apart to correctly use their distinct meanings?
Favoring American Spelling
American English spelling omits letters compared to British English: “-or” instead of “-our”, dropping silent “e’s”, and replacing “ae” or “oe” with “e”.
Correct English Here and Overleaf
The free and practical writing assistant LanguageTool can be integrated into the Overleaf editor. Find out about installing and using both tools.
In our Defense, Spelling Needs Practice
British English favors verbs with the end syllable “-ise”, whereas American English uses “-ize”. But is this always true, and what are other spelling differences?
Why Correct Language Does not Automatically Have to Be an Optimal Style …
The free writing assistant LanguageTool has two modes of operation. Let us introduce you to picky mode.
How They’re Distinguishing Their Homophones Here and There
We explain the difference between the adverb “there”, the possessive pronoun “their”, and the contraction “they’re”.
In Each of Us There Is Another, But Aren't We Just One People?
There once was a difference between “each other” and “one another”. But what’s the situation today—are they synonyms?
LanguageTool’s Mixed Bag—October 2021
Insights summarizes the content of this month with linguistic-related memes and the power of emoji language.
The Oxford Comma: Useful, Necessary[,] or Annoying?
There seem to be two sides when it comes to the Oxford comma: fervent defenders and staunch opponents of its usage and the logic behind it.
The UK Plans to Revert Their Measurement System Back to Fully Imperial
These days, the British government is discussing re-establishing the imperial system instead of the metric system or, to be precise, their current coexistence.
A Person’s Self Is Explained Best with Reflexive Pronouns
What are reflexive pronouns, and how do we form them? We explain why “themselves” is not the same as “them” and “each other”.
Indefinite Articles—Somewhere Between Grammar, Pronunciation, and Language Change
Regarding indefinite articles, this basic rule applies: “a” before a consonant, and “an” before a vowel. But is this always true?
Capitalizing COVID-19, Diabetes, and Down Syndrome Correctly
Diseases, theories, and objects are sometimes named after their discoverers. But do we capitalize the resulting compounds?
What Happens When “Loose” Loses an “O”?
“Loose” is an adjective, and “to lose” is a verb. But why is there confusion when it comes to the forms “looser” and “loser”?
Darkness Is Anything but Sinister
Many applications and websites offer a “Dark Mode” option. LanguageTool is no exception. Read up on installing and using Dark Mode here.
“Let It Be” or “Let It to Be”?
Aside from its many meanings, the verb “to let” offers two challenges: “let’s” versus “lets”, as well as “let + (to) + infinitive”.
LanguageTool’s Mixed Bag—September 2021
Our mixed bag explains how to spell these words correctly: lieutenant, rhythm, miniscule vs. minuscule, and colonel.
Regarding This Regard—The More Meanings, the More Synonyms
“In regard to” and “with regard to”, or “in regards to” and “with regards to”? We explain this conundrum and give some tips on using “regard”.
Dropping the Subject for Stylistic Reasons
Repeating the subject can get redundant sometimes. So, why not simply drop it? We explain how you can omit the subject in your formal writing.
Let’s Revisit the Linguistic Journey of English
Recently, we celebrated the European Day of Languages. How many foreign words are part of the English lexicon, and where do they come from?
A Grammatical Secret between You and I
When should I use “you and I”, and when is it better to say “you and me”? We explain the difference, and two recent changes in their usage.
When the Right Word is on the Tip of your Tongue Again …
LanguageTool provides a handy and free synonym finder for more precise writing. Find out more about this thesaurus function here.