Rules for writing numbers depend on the writer and the style guide. Some writers avoid using digits for 0–10 and then use them for anything higher. Others opt to write out the word if the number can be written in two words or fewer. The most important rule is to be consistent.
Continue reading: Rules for Writing Numbers
Somebody left their bag at the store. I hope they come back for it.
The use of a singular they sparks a lot of debate in both the political and linguistics world. Many grammar police believe they or them as a singular pronoun is grammatically incorrect. Well, even if you push politics aside, there’s one thing that cannot be denied: The use of singular they has been around for a long, long time. Below we’ll go over the history of they, them, and their being used as a singular pronoun and their place in modern English.
Continue reading: Can “They” and “Them” Be Singular?
One of the first things we’re taught as young students learning to write in English is not to start a sentence with a conjunction. But if you open up any book, newspaper, or magazine, you’ll notice that sentences that start with conjunctions are everywhere.So, what’s the deal?
It is believed that teachers may have taught not to use conjunctions at the start of sentences because students did so excessively or incorrectly. Instead of teaching them to limit conjunctions at the start of sentences, they were just banned outright. The reality is that starting a sentence with a conjunction is all a matter of style and tone. Below, we’ll teach you what conjunctions are and show you that starting sentences with these words is not always wrong.
Continue reading: Many Sentences Start With a Conjunction. But Is That Okay?
Parallel structure in writing refers to using words, phrases, or clauses that are similar or identical in form, structure, or sound. Not only does it improve readability, but also shows that two or more ideas are equal in importance.
The human brain appreciates patterns. In fact, it craves it. That’s why including parallel structures in your writing significantly enhances your text. You may be wondering what exactly is a parallel structure, and how can you include it in your writing? Below, we’ll provide answers and examples.
Continue reading: What Is Parallel Structure in Writing?
Imagine this: It’s lunchtime, and you’re hungry. You sit down to eat at a restaurant and are surprised to see there are only two options on the menu. One is a single piece of room-temperature bread. The other is toasted bread with avocado, onions, peppers, scallions, and a fried egg on top of it. Which option are you going for?
Think of the room-temperature bread as writing that lacks descriptive details. The avocado toast? That’s descriptive writing that leaves your readers satisfied.
There’s nothing wrong with plain writing. But if you want to paint a picture in your reader’s minds, use descriptive writing.
Intrigued? Continue reading below to learn more about what descriptive writing is, why it’s important, and how to include it in your writing.
Continue reading: What Is Descriptive Writing and Why Is It Important?
Transition words link your paragraphs and ideas to each other. If you want to improve the flow of your writing, make sure to include transitional words and phrases
Continue reading: Transition Words: What They Are and Why You Should Use Them
Among and amongst mean “surrounded by/in the middle of somebody/something,” “in company or association with,” or “occurring in or practiced by.” Both among and amongst can also be used when “indicating a division or choice among three parties or more.” Among is the favored variation in American and British English.
Continue reading: Is There a Difference Between “Among” and “Amongst”?
You may not be aware, but some people get as worked up about anyways as others do when literally is used in a figurative sense. They claim that anyways isn’t a real word, and that the correct form of this word is always anyway. But is this true? Is anyways a valid word or not? Below, we’ll discuss the difference between these two words, explain when to use anyways or anyway, and go over their close cousin, any way.
Continue reading: Is It “Anyway” or “Anyways”?
A wordy phrase is a phrase that is unnecessarily long or uses too many words to get the message across.
Continue reading: Wordy Phrases—11 Examples and Alternatives
Clichés are overused and unoriginal phrases and sayings. An example of a cliché is: all that glitters is not gold.
Clichés are all around us. You might have heard them in everyday conversation, as the theme of movies, or as the subject of popular songs. Today, we’ll dive into what clichés are and why you should avoid including them in your writing.
Continue reading: Avoid Clichés Like The Plague