GRAMMARIST | Page 2 of 548 | English grammar, usage, and style blog

How to Use Semicolons in a List – Worksheet & Examples

Semicolons are one of the most misunderstood and underused punctuation marks. Most of my students have never used one, nor do they recognize how it is used. I find it interesting they have never truly learned its use since it is such an easy element to include in their writing. One of the best ways to use this mark is to help clarify lists in complex sentences. Becoming comfortable with this use also makes it easier to use between clauses. …

10 Best Dissertation Editing Services

by Candace Osmond

A dissertation is likely to be the most challenging piece of work a postgraduate student has to complete. It definitely makes me grateful that my uni days are far behind me. A dissertation needs to be organized, coherent, and error-free for the researcher to clearly present their findings. Perfect your writing with the help of our list of the best dissertation editing services to hire. These awesome companies can increase your chances of getting published in scholarly journals and improve …

What is Editing? – Ultimate Guide

by Candace Osmond

If you’ve written a research paper, essay, resume, or book, you need to edit it. Editing is a complex process that entails fixing grammar issues, tightening your arguments, and correcting your document format. I deal with all sorts of editing daily, from working with editors to perfect my works of fiction to self-editing content creation and more. But what is editing in the writing process? Why is editing important? Keep reading, and I’ll show you the definition, types, and importance …

What is Line Editing? Definition & Examples (With Checklist)

by Candace Osmond

You have crafted your story chapter by chapter, ensuring that you have a strong plot with interesting characters. But have you checked if the lines are stringing next to each other? This task is called line editing. It’s the most tedious part of editing, in my opinion, and takes a special skill because you can’t let yourself get too lost in the story. But what is a line edit? I’ll show you everything you need to know about line editing. …

10 Tips to Help You With Punctuation

by Danielle McLeod

Communication is a powerful tool, and if you can speak and write properly, it is much more likely you will be taken seriously. These are the tenets of my classes, and when I have a group of students in front of me, I remind them constantly that proper grammar and punctuation (or otherwise) are likely the first things a future employer will see when they pick up their resume. This simple punctuation guide provides the tips you need to apply …

30 Dog Idioms and Phrases – Origins and Meanings

by Candace Osmond

Have you wondered why people say, “it’s raining cats and dogs”? Or why “every dog has its day”? Some phrases about dogs have been around for centuries, and we’ve integrated them into ordinary conversations. I actually use a ton of these phrases in writing, but I’ve also grown up hearing them used in various ways. Let’s discover more about the meaning and origin of the sayings with “dog” in them. Where Did Dog Idioms Come From? Like most animal idioms, …

Developmental Editing vs Copy Editing: What’s the Difference?

by Candace Osmond

Development and copy editing are two types of editing involved before publishing a book. One focuses on the whole manuscript, while the other looks at it in parts. I often see questions about which one you need, and my answer is always the same: both. But it’s important to understand what each offer is and at what stage to use them. Keep reading to know the difference between the two edits, what they include, and which editing service you must …

How to Punctuate Dialogue – Rules & Examples (Worksheet)

by Danielle McLeod

I’m an avid reader, and I never think twice about the punctuation that makes dialog so easy to read, allowing you to flow from one conversation to the next. With so much exposure to the technique, you’d think it would be easy to reproduce – but nothing could be further from the truth. Punctuating dialogue properly eludes even the most voracious reader. And, it’s truly no surprise since you must remember more than one rule concerning quotations, terminal marks, and …

Using Apostrophes To Show Possession and Ownership

by Danielle McLeod

Despite how easy it is to use apostrophes properly, they are often used incorrectly. This punctuation mark is essential to show possession, and its placement provides clarity and consciousness in written materials. I personally have made mistakes with an apostrophe: placing it improperly or forgetting the basic rules of use when writing. Knowing how to use the apostrophe for possession is incredibly important to avoid confusion. Does an Apostrophe Show Ownership? The apostrophe punctuation mark is used in one of …

18 Best Book Editing Services

by Candace Osmond

Are you ready to bring your book to the public but want to ensure the quality is top-notch? You’ll need professional book editing services. As an author of over twenty books, I’ve worked with tons of online editors, service providers, and even apps. So, I’ll break down some of the top book editor companies money can buy. Choosing a Book Editor Book editors are a dime a dozen but not all of them are a good choice for you. The …

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