A reader asked a question about one adjective modifying multiple nouns. There are some choices that are clearly better than others.

Continue reading One Adjective Paired with Multiple Nouns—A Reader’s Question »

Explore novel ways to look at the use of dialogue tags, especially at “said” and other verbs, such as laugh and smile, used as dialogue tags.

Continue reading Smiling or Laughing Dialogue—A Reader’s Question »

Dangling modifiers continue to be a problem that I find in many manuscripts. But they can be easily identified and removed from your stories.

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Tips for a mix of writing situations you might have trouble with including weaved or wove, may or might, and set or sit.

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A writer asks about comma use with dependent clauses. Includes details about comma use for subordinate clauses before, after, and in the middle of independent clauses.

Continue reading Commas with Subordinate Clauses—A Reader’s Question »

Know when to quit when searching for obscure grammar and punctuation rules.

Continue reading Go For Correct, But Don’t Go Crazy »

A list of common spellings of interjections and exclamations that are often simply spoken sounds.

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Learn how to choose between italics and quotation marks. Learn when more than capital letters are called for and also when capital letters are sufficient.

Continue reading Marking Text—Choosing Between Italics and Quotation Marks »

Adjectives can be paired or grouped to modify a single noun—learn the rules for using multiple adjectives, including the Royal Order of Adjectives. Explanation of coordinate and cumulative adjectives, and tips for using commas with adjectives as well.

Continue reading Keeping Adjectives in Line »

The use of there’s for there are—is it acceptable?

Continue reading Grammatically Correct or Culturally Acceptable Wording »