How to rewrite
Good, simple advice for doing rewriting, an instinctive thing that almost defies explanation.
Ideal lengths for brand names and text
September 5, 2017
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The shorter the better when you're using words or inventing a name.
Same words but opposites
August 1, 2017
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Some expressions are the same but in different ways.
What is a normative question?
July 25, 2017
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A normative question in many cases is scarcely a normal question.
Due to vs. owing to
July 18, 2017
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A quick guide to these two phrases because of many people using them back to front.
Hanged on a comma
July 11, 2017
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Ultimately, it's what the government decides what technicality we get hanged for, regardless of our commas.
To do well in English, don’t bother with Latin
June 27, 2017
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Don't kid yourself. Latin isn't English. Not by a long stretch.
Is ‘news’ an acronym?
June 20, 2017
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This shouldn't be news to anyone that the word 'news' could ever be an acronym.
The longest known English word
June 13, 2017
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The longest known English word will surprise you because it's uncharacteristically shorter than many thought.
Fast-tracking your writing skills
April 8, 2017
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Take a leaf from the pros on how to fast-track your writing skills so that both you and your readers know what the blazes you're supposed to be writing about.
Lacka-lacka-lack: Lack of vs. lack in
November 22, 2016
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We lay down the score on the difference between 'lack of' and 'lack in.'
Time of the day
November 17, 2016
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Stop being ambiguous and call your time of the day a spade.
Didn’t do, or didn’t didn’t do?
August 6, 2015
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By the laws of the planets and logic, "didn't do nothing" means "did something." Only if you're language course is called "maths."
Just don’t do it
July 7, 2015
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Originally posted on language: a feminist guide:
This week everyone’s been talking about an article in the Economist explaining how men’s use of language undermines their authority. According to the author, a senior manager at Microsoft, men have a bad habit of punctuating everything they say with sentence adverbs like ‘actually’, ‘obviously’, ‘seriously’ and ‘frankly’.…
To bullshit or not to bullshit, learn it properly
May 12, 2015
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Remember, the effectiveness of any bullshittery is that it should be readily understandable. If not, then the bullshit is failing its mission.
Origin of the name ‘grammar nazi’
May 10, 2015
Everything you almost wanted to know about the name 'grammar nazi,' when my grammar is gooder than yours.
A classical structure for composition
March 6, 2015
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If you're writing a formal essay or making a formal public speech, the three-part nonsense called 'Introduction,' 'Body' and 'Conclusion' just won't cut the ice. Take a leaf from the classicists and get a 21-gun salute.
How on earth do I write this?
January 10, 2015
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The essay is practically always the one thing that has even literate people beat. Lots of people don't seem to know how to do any kind of extended writing. Indeed, many don't seem to know how to do even a short job cover letter. S.O.P. for those who need a refresher, free of charge.
Why the stars in ‘bad’ words?
October 21, 2014
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Isn't it a bit hypocritical to use 'stars' to hide some letters in a foul word, when we all know what the word is anyway?
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Learn English or Starve 
November 14, 2017
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