Grammar Girl Quick And Dirty Tips For Better Writing

Whether you capitalize "mom" depends on how you are using the word, and did you know that "the doldrums" are an actual location? FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITECapitalizing "Mom": http://bit.ly/capitalize-momIn the Doldrums: http://bit.ly/in-the-doldrumsFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlSPONSORShttp://magoosh.com (use the promo code GRAMMAR)http://storyworth.com/grammar (use the promo code GRAMMAR)http://stitcherpremium.com/grammarGRAMMAR POP iOS GAMEOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopGRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co-worker. Barefaced and Baldfaced Lies. Mixed Metaphors.FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITEDoes Co-Worker Always Take a Hyphen? http://bit.ly/co-worker-hyphenBarefaced or Baldfaced Lie? http://bit.ly/barefaced-baldfacedMixed Metaphors: http://bit.ly/mixed-metaphorsFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlSPONSORShttp://juicebeauty.com/grammar (use the promo code GRAMMAR20)http://magoosh.com (use the promo code GRAMMAR)GRAMMAR POP iOS GAMEOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopGRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are sports team names singular or plural? Do you say your piece or say your peace?FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITEhttp://bit.ly/sports-teamshttp://bit.ly/say-your-pieceFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlSPONSORShttp://juicebeauty.com/grammar (use the promo code Grammar20)http://mrclean.com/grammargirlGRAMMAR POP iOS GAMEOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopGRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we talk about why people say "warsh" instead of "wash"(it's called in the intrusive R), about why we have two spellings for the word that sounds like "grill," and how to remember the difference between "lay" and "lie." FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Lay' and 'Lie' http://bit.ly/layLie 'Grill' and 'Grille' http://bit.ly/grill-grille 'Warsh' http://bit.ly/wash-warsh FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://juicebeauty.com/grammar (use the promo code Grammar20) http://mrclean.com/grammargirl GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPad For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPop GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I have a delightful excerpt from Lynne Murphy's new book "The Prodigal Tongue" about the differences between British and American English, a tip about words for smells, and a tidbit about the term "battle royale."FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlSPONSORShttp://juicebeauty.com/grammar (use the promo code Grammar20)http://mrclean.com/grammargirlGRAMMAR POP iOS GAMEOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopGRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we talk about how adverbs can be squishy in what they modify and how that can lead to funny double meanings, about the difference between "noisy" and "noisome," about why people say they "have the receipts," and about the meaning and origin of "case quarter."FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE:Adverbs: http://bit.ly/funnyAdverbsNoisome: http://bit.ly/NoisomeReceipts: http://bit.ly/TheReceiptsCase Quarter: http://bit.ly/CaseQuarterFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POP iOS GAMEOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopGRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When famous characters or people like Hercule Poirot and LeBron James refer to themselves by their own name, it's called illeism, and it can actually be a useful psychological technique. Then, we explore the difference between being named for someone and named after someone. Finally, we use a carrot hoax from World War II to explain the difference between misinformation and disinformation.FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE:Illeism: http://bit.ly/illeismNamed For or After: http://bit.ly/named-for-afterMisinformation and Disinformation: http://bit.ly/dis-misFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POP iOS GAMEOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopGRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri

Dictionary.com has added emoji definitions to its site, and I have an interview with the lexicographer behind the decision, Jane Solomon. Emoji are a lot more linguistically complex than you may imagine. Plus, I remind you of the difference between "aw" and "awe" and the origin that will help you use "awe" especially well.FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POP iOS GAMEOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopGRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we talk about why some people say "pin" and "pen" the same way, why citizens of the United States call themselves "Americans" when other people live on the American continent too, and why flags can be flown at half-mast or half-staff. FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITEThe Pin/Pen Merger http://bit.ly/pin-pen-merger'American' http://bit.ly/demonyms'Half-Staff' and 'Half-Mast' http://bit.ly/half-mast-staffFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POP iOS GAMEOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopGRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we talk about why we say "the proof is in the pudding," why "there are" sentences can be so confusing (what the heck is the subject in such as sentence?), and read the winning limerick from the ACES National Grammar Day limerick contest.FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE'The Proof Is in the Pudding' http://bit.ly/ProofPudding'There Are' Sentences http://bit.ly/expletiveSentencesFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POP iOS GAMEOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopSALE: GRAMMAR GIRL'S NYT BESTSELLER IS CURRENTLY ON SALE AS AN E-BOOK FOR ONLY $2.99BARNES & NOBLE http://bit.ly/2F8WuRuAMAZON http://amzn.to/2ozVfArThank you to Ellen Hendriksen of the Savvy Psychologist podcast for being the voice of this week's show! h

Celebrate National Grammar Day (March 4) by forsaking these common language myths. Also, enter our limerick contest and we might read your limerick in the next Grammar Girl podcast. (Details: http://bit.ly/ACES_limerick2018). Also, some dog breed names are obvious ("retriever," anyone?), but we have the origin of 13 that are more mysterious. FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE GRAMMAR MYTHS http://bit.ly/grammarTop10 DOG BREEDS http://bit.ly/dogBreedNames FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPad For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPop GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Thank you to Ellen Hendriksen of the Savvy Psychologist podcast for being the voice of this week's show! https://www.ellenhendriksen.com/

You're sure to be surprised by the origin of at least one of these idioms that use the word "pull." Plus, we talk about foods that get their names from the dish in which they're cooked and the difference between "dilly dilly" and "dillydally."FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITEPULL IDIOMS http://bit.ly/PullIdiomsFOOD NAMES http://bit.ly/NamesFromPansDILLYDALLY http://bit.ly/DillydallyFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POPOptimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPadFor iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopGRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageGrammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva

This week, we look a sentence from "Cannery Row" and wonder how it can have so many prepositions in a row, and we find the origin of "dilly dilly."FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POPOptimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4For all iOS Devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageGrammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we talk about tricks to help you get started writing a new essay, article, or novel; whether it's wrong to say you "call out sick"; and what's up with a grammatical concept called "synesis" that can let you break some rules.FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POPOptimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4For all iOS Devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageGrammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo

Levidromes, Tom Swifty Jokes, and new OED Words. Plus, how "phony" is related to a jewel con.FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POPOptimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4For all iOS Devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageGrammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a homophone mix up led to Judi Dench bread jokes. Also, the difference between a lectern, a podium, and a dais, and a Quick and Dirty Tip about capitalizing award names. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 For all iOS Devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I'm excited to share a bonus clip from a new podcast called Launch. Three out of five people dream of writing a book. Few follow through. What does it take to take that from dream to reality? Screenwriter John August (Go, Big Fish, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory) sought to find out as he tackled something he’d only ever dreamed of: writing a novel. From Wondery, this is a show about putting something out into the world. How will it turn out? You’ll know when we do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we explore the origin of the word "gerrymander" and dive into the debate about whether "data" is singular or plural (or both).FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGRAMMAR POPOptimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4For all iOS Devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageGrammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I apologize for using the word "Eskimo," go through all the interesting 2017 words of the year, and give you a tip to remember the difference between "canon" and "cannon." SPONSOR: Visit http://audible.com/GG or text GG to 500-500 to start your 30-day trial and get a free audiobook. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 For all iOS Devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podca

Based on, based off, based in, based out of...people are changing the way they use prepositions with "based." Also, people can get overzealous about deleting every "that" they can find in a sentence. Here's why you need it sometimes. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GRAMMAR POP Optimized for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 For all iOS Devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-pop-hd/id666851934?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page THE GRAMMAR DAILY 2018 CALENDAR http://amzn.to/2f8jPDG Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts H