Some speak of the Muse, when discussing their writing. Today, I’m going to ask which one.
No, we’re not talking about Calliope, but we are discussing two words that have the same derivation in the French word muser, which back in the 15th century meant to stare blankly. Here’s the tip you should know just in case Calliope hasn’t whispered it in your ear:More
At this moment in history, I almost can’t bear to tell you to be less polite—in fact, I beg you to consider your words through a lens of respect and kindness—but one way to be considerate is to get your words right. Please stop writing “Please RSVP”!More
There is a trend that new terms often begin as two words (e.g., “electronic mail”) evolve into a hyphenated form (e.g., “e-mail”), and then finally are accepted and commonly used as a single word (e.g., “email”). “Online”—yes, one word—has a similar story.More
“I first met author, editor, and blogger Kris Spisak at the 2015 James River Writers Annual Conference in downtown Richmond, Virginia, when I attended her Friday Master Class, “Nuts and Bolts: Editing your Work like a Pro.” She was an energetic, dynamic, and knowledgeable presenter, and I found the information she conveyed so helpful that the following day, instead of eating alone, I overcame the introverted tendency so stereotypical of writers and attended her Lunch and Learn, ‘Ask an Editor,’ an informal, conversational lunch meeting during which writers could ask Ms. Spisak questions about the writing, revising, and publishing process (or sundry other topics)…”
If drag racing happened yesterday, would it be drug racing? No, that’s not right, though there’s definitely a bad pun of a book idea somewhere in there.More
Is your alarm clock set for 6am, 6AM, 6 A.M., or 6 a.m? (Don’t mind me; I’m just hitting the snooze button while you ponder that one.)
The answer here brings out the Latin dictionaries. This is an abbreviation, after all, just like “i.e.” or “e.g.” When it comes to time, “a.m.” stands for ante meridiem or “before noon,” and “p.m.” stands for post meridiem or “after noon.” So for those of you paying attention, you’ve figured out the answer.
The above time is correctly written as “6 a.m.” Notice the space between the number and the abbreviation? That’s a part of the correct answer too.
In an era of quick emails, writing the time as “10am” or “4pm” has been gaining popularity, but there are a lot of sticklers out there about this one. Give the numbers some space. Give the abbreviations the periods. Keep it in lower case, folks.
Just because spell-check doesn’t flag “waiver” doesn’t mean that it’s the correct word for your sentence.
If you’re feeling weak in the knees, you’re “wavering” not “waivering”—unless, of course, at that moment you are also signing away some prior held privilege. In this case, maybe you’re wavering while you’re waivering? No, that’s still not right. Let’s explore “waiver” vs. “waver” further.
“Waiver” is a noun, meaning an intentional surrendering of a right, interest, or privilege or the written statement detailing this relinquishment.
“Waver” is most commonly a verb, meaning to sway or become unsteady. It can also mean to show indecision.
If you were hit by a wave, maybe you’d waver.
If you’re being indecisive, there’s no need to bring legal documents into it.
Just my two cents. Know what you’re saying. Don’t just trust spellcheck, people.
Words are so much fun sometimes that we often add them in nonsensically, letting them land where they may. Sometimes we stick extra words into sentences where they really have no point. That’s exactly the case when it comes to “equally as.”
Hint: There’s no point to the word “as” next to the word “equally” in most instances. Please clean it up if it spills onto your keyboard.
For example:
The twins were equally tall.
The pigs in space were equally smart.
The muppets were equally hilarious. (Strike that sentence; it’s not true. Sorry, Fozzy.)
Do you see how “as” is never needed in these cases? Yet writers add this little word in all of the time. Why is that? Where did it start? When will it stop?
Admittedly, in instances where you are writing “equally as (adjective) as ____,” making a comparison in the latter half of the sentence, the “as” works–though in this case, there would be two “as”es in the sentence, never just one. I repeat, never just one. Here’s a little grammatical instance of how change can start with you.
Of course, you recall that one lies down (the subject taking the action) or one could lay down a rug (the direct object having something done to it). Now, what happens if this laying and lying happened yesterday?
Suddenly, Bob Dylan’s “Lay, Lady, Lay” is perfectly grammatical! Nonsensical, perhaps, but indeed grammatical. If Bob Dylan somehow is telling this lady to time travel and attempt the actions of yesterday all over again, this “lay” might work. Confusing? Sure. Am I trying too hard? Maybe. Let me elaborate.More