Then vs Than: Understanding the Difference
Have you ever typed a sentence, paused, and wondered if you should write “then” or “than”? You are not alone. This…
Who vs Whom: A Simple Trick to Get It Right
Most people freeze the moment a sentence needs “who” or “whom.” You are not alone, and honestly, even skilled writers…
Your vs You’re: How to Never Confuse Them Again
Few word pairs cause as much quiet embarrassment as your vs you’re. One is a possessive word, the other is a shortcut for “you…
Common Punctuation Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Most people do not think about punctuation until it embarrasses them. A misplaced comma in an email. An apostrophe in the wrong spot on a…
Punctuation in Lists: Commas, Semicolons and Bullet Points
TL;DR: A comma in a list separates simple, short items. A semicolon in a list is needed once any item already contains a comma. Bullet points…
Parentheses and Brackets: The Correct Usage Guide
TL;DR: Parentheses ( ) add extra, non-essential information to a sentence, while square brackets [ ] clarify or edit a quote that isn’t…
Quotation Marks Rules: Direct Speech and Titles Made Simple
TL;DR: Quotation marks rules tell you where to place commas, periods, question marks, and titles around quoted words. In US English, commas…
Capitalization Rules in English: What to Capitalize and What Not To
TL;DR: The capitalization rules in English come down to three groups: sentence starters, proper nouns, and the pronoun “I.”…
Semicolon vs Colon: What’s the Difference and When to Use Them
TL;DR: A semicolon (;) joins two related independent clauses, while a colon (:) introduces a list, explanation, or example. In short, use a…
Comma Rules in English: When to Use and When to Avoid Them
TL;DR: Comma rules in English mostly come down to four jobs: joining, separating, pausing, and clarifying. Use a comma before…