Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

How to pick the right one

Using Bullet Points ( • )

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

We promise you're not the only one who has trouble with these words

Popular

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

A guide to plural and possessive names

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

In which we definitively answer a thoroughly uncontentious question

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Because spelling is tricky

Words You Always Have to Look Up

The dictionary is here to help

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Here's your explanation, and you're welcome

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

When each letter can be seen but not heard

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

We're here to help

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Be dashing—and do it well

Commonly Confused

Commonly Confused

What's the difference between 'sympathy' and 'empathy'?

You don't know how it feels

Usage Notes

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Point of View: It's Personal

First, second, and third person explained

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

Beyond 'simile' and 'metaphor'

Fun! Funner!! Funnest!!!

We got a whole mess of fun here, folks

Can You Use 'Comprised of'?

It's been in use for centuries.

Is it 'graduated' or 'was graduated from'?

No, this will not be on the test
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Spelling & Pronunciation

Spelling & Pronunciation

The Many Plurals of 'Octopus'

But which is correct?

Punctuation

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How to Use Word Division Dots and Syllable Hyphens

Dictionary secrets, revealed!

A Guide to Using Colons

We'll get to semicolons later.

To Use or Not Use the "?" in Requests

"Would you read this, please."

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

The shifting role of the apostrophe

Comma Splices: What They Are and How to Correct Them (or not)

Adventurous writers pull them off regularly
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