Search results for “od”

A big drawback to a column like this is being perceived as having insufferable attitude: “So, Mr. Expert, I guess you think you’re so superior.” It’s not like that. Word nerds do custodial work. A lot of brilliant people can’t write. Ernest Hemingway was a terrible speller. Word nerds don’t think they’re “better”—do janitors think …

Bart F. recently wrote, “I read your Bluebook rules, but the examples omitted the common usage found when a sentence ends with a quote that completes the thought.” Bart continued: Texas, with a history of rugged individualism, was part of the “Sagebrush rebellion”. I was taught that this was the one exception to the quotation …

Rule 1 - Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory words such as well, why, hello, no, yes, etc. Examples: Yes, I do need that report. Well, I never thought I'd live to see the day… Rule 2 - Use a comma before and after introductory words such as namely, that is, i.e., for …

Rule 1 - Use a comma to separate a statement from a question. Example: I can go, can't I? Rule 2 - Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence. Example: That is my money, not yours. Pop Quiz Select the correct sentence. 1A. You’re Marvin from my old Denver neighborhood, aren’t you? …

Some words written as one word will differ in meaning when split into two words. So you need to know which word you really want. Anymore: any longer, nowadays Example: Harry doesn't travel anymore. Any more: something additional or further Example: I don't want any more cake.   Anyone: anybody Example: Anyone can learn to …

Good is an adjective while well is an adverb answering the question how. Sometimes well also functions as an adjective pertaining to health. Examples: You did a good job. Good describes job, which is a noun, so good is an adjective. You did the job well. Well is an adverb describing how the job was …

Writing, at its most basic level, is the use of symbols such as letters, words, and punctuation to express thoughts, ideas, or information in a visible or readable form. It is the transmission of our mind's contents to others across space and time through a system they can apply for receipt. Writing can be descriptive, …

English includes two primary groups of letters and sounds. One group is the consonants. We make the consonant sounds by changing and restricting airflow in our mouth or nose as we speak, such as with our teeth, tongue, or lips. The other group is the vowels. We produce vowel sounds with unrestricted airflow shaped mainly …

Our English language—or any language, for that matter—incorporates arrangements of sounds that shape our thoughts into spoken expressions we understand. Our two main sounds are vowels and consonants. Vowels are the sounds we make with an open vocal tract (no major blockage of airflow). Consonants are those we make by partially or completely blocking our …

Language gives us the system to fashion our thoughts into understood expressions. To achieve that, it arranges single-unit characters (letters) into larger units (words) with meanings we assign. We depend on language sounds for our understanding of it just as well. Whether heard by our outer ears or the inner ones in our mind, language …