Language & Style

Writing humour is one of the hardest forms of writing. What makes one person laugh out loud may leave another unmoved. A sense of humour is not the same in everyone.

Dec 14, 2009 - Ann Burnett

Every writer should follow grammar rules, but every writer should also know where to draw the line. Learn more about using prepositions...correctly.

Jul 8, 2009 - KC Morgan

What makes writing bad? Is a freelancer who follows the rules of grammar much more likely to succeed? Do editors really care about split infinitives?

Jul 6, 2009 - KC Morgan

Thus far there have been at least two official attempts to generate lists of the most beautiful words in the English language, as well as numerous unofficial selections.

Mar 13, 2009 - Jennifer Copley

The editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries have handpicked 100 words they believe make writers and speakers sound smart when they use them.

Mar 13, 2009 - Jennifer Copley

There are many common words that are frequently misused because they look and sound alike, leading to embarrassing errors in writing.

Mar 12, 2009 - Jennifer Copley

Fitting dialogue into stories and interviews, and quotes into essays and articles, requires specialist knowledge of punctuation. Here are the basics.

Mar 6, 2009 - Karen Murdarasi

Is it "comprised" or "comprised of"? Saying "comprised of" is common, though the correct word is "comprised."

Feb 28, 2009 - Samantha Garner

Many people are let down by their English. Sometimes you know how something is said, but not how it should be written. Here are some tips to help avoid common errors.

Feb 26, 2009 - Karen Murdarasi

Many people are let down by their written English. When should you use an apostrophe, and where should you put it? Avoid mistakes by learning a few simple rules.

Feb 12, 2009 - Karen Murdarasi

Many people are let down by their written English. What's the difference between "your" and "you're", "its" and "it's"? Avoid mistakes by learning a few simple rules.

Feb 12, 2009 - Karen Murdarasi

Just as the New Year brings change, it is also a new opportunity to update your vocabulary with cool new words to use in 2009.

Jan 1, 2009 - Pamela DeLoatch

Using conjuncts to begin sentences is common amongst respected authors and professional writers. It is also a laudable on-line writing convention.

Oct 21, 2008 - Michelle Strozykowski

The different uses of the apostrophe make it a tricky customer -- when is it used to denote possession and when is it not?

Sep 14, 2008 - Kalyani Candade

Homophones are words that sound alike while having two very different meanings. Common examples are too, two, and to, as well as affect/effect and accept/except.

Jun 23, 2008 - Rachael Shoemaker

It's fine to use however at the beginning, or in the middle of, a sentence, you just need to know when to use a comma.

Jun 11, 2008 - Mignon Fogarty

The founder and managing director of the Quick and Dirty Tips Networks talks to suite101.com about her work and her philosophy on learning.

Jun 9, 2008 - Julie Burtinshaw

Author and award-winning podcaster Mignon Fogarty talks to suite101.com about the challenges of writing about language.

Jun 9, 2008 - Julie Burtinshaw

Use carefully chosen language and settings and tie them together to create atmosphere in your fiction.

Feb 9, 2008 - Blair Hurley

A look at how new words come into the English language through other languages, combinations or inventions, and a list of some of the coolest new words to use in 2008.

Jan 2, 2008 - Pamela DeLoatch

Writing can be made awkward by switching genders, but too much of one gender pronoun may be inappropriate.

Dec 16, 2007 - Lizz Shepherd

Improper word usage by friends and coworkers can be annoying, and everyone has a least favorite. For some, improper usage of one simple word is the most annoying

Dec 15, 2007 - Lizz Shepherd