Grammar-usage books make it to my desk often. I rarely write about them because they are irritating to read and… Read more »
Posts By: Pam Nelson
Take a Triangle Grammar Guide quiz
The quiz returns with five sentences I have encountered in print. Today’s quiz is all about word choices. Click on… Read more »
If it’s a verb, it’s probably “affect”
Here is a screen caption from a recent MSNBC newscast: The caption writer needed “affect” here, of course. One way… Read more »
This means “war”? No, it doesn’t
A thoughtful reader wrote to ask that we at The N&O avoid using the language of war to refer to… Read more »
Pervasive spelling error hits CBS
This was on the screen Monday night (March 3) on “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” during Bob Schieffer’s commentary… Read more »
A new quiz on the grammar blog
Try the quiz. Click on the icon or here to begin.Tuesday is National Grammar Day. Martha Brockenburgh, founder of the… Read more »
The semicolon in the spotlight
If you think that we who care about grammar, usage and punctuation matters are always in the minority, take a… Read more »
Weird words: Worrywart
A colleague wondered about the word worrywart one day last week. A worrywart is someone who frets, usually about insignificant… Read more »
Try a Triangle Grammar Guide quiz
Today’s quiz has the usual mix of word choice problems. Choose the correct (or better) of two words in parentheses… Read more »
Weird word usage
This sentence in a CNN.com report sent me to the dictionary: Chelsea Clinton will spend three days there to strum… Read more »