Use a comma between consecutive adjectives?
When two consecutive adjectives modify the same noun, you’re supposed to put a comma between them. I sometimes struggle to decide if that’s appropriate. After all, there are cases when the first adjective modifies the second, as in “pale blue paper.” So I was delighted to find this advice from Jan Venolia in Write Right!: […]
Top posts from 2022’s second quarter
Check out my top posts from the second quarter! They’re a mix of practical tips on grammar (#1 & #2), marketing (#3), investment commentary (#4), and blogging (#5). My posts that attracted the most views during 2022’s second quarter: My five favorite reference books for writers—These books would be great additions to your library. “In […]
When to capitalize prepositions in titles
When you’re writing a heading, headline, or title using title case, when do you use initial capitals for prepositions? Simple rule for when to capitalize prepositions Some sources simply lower-case any shorter preposition. I like the approach taken by Jan Venolia in Write Right! She says, “Capitalize prepositions if they consist of four or more […]
MISTAKE MONDAY for June 27: Can YOU spot what’s wrong?
Can you spot what’s wrong in the image below? Please post your answer as a comment. This item has multiple mistakes, but there’s one big one that caught my eye. I post these challenges to raise awareness of the importance of proofreading.
Down with meaningless claims!
This blog post was inspired by a section in Business Blather: Stop Using Words That Sound Good but Say Nothing! by Jerry McTigue. As you know, I agree with the mission of this book. Delete meaningless claims In a section called “Enough with the platitudes already,” McTigue criticizes the “litanies of clichés and banalities writers […]