Grammar Minute
272 episodes — Page 2 of 6
S3 Ep 226In Defense of Bullet Points
Make emails clearerType less... on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 225It's Very Bad to Use the Word "Very"
This irregular adverb is almost always unnecessary. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 224"Further" vs "Farther"
This is your regularly scheduled reminder that "further" and "farther" don't mean the same thing. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 223Antidisestablishmentarianism (Don't Use Long Words)
"Antidisestablishmentarianism" contains a canceling double negative, a long word sandwiched between prefix and suffix, and more confusion than any reader needs. Learn more about this word--and how not to use long words--on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 222Grammar Errors in Song Lyrics
Don't get me wrong: I still like the song. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 221How Long Is Too Long?
Long sentences can be confusing and tough to read. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 220The Longest Word in the English Language
How long is too long for the dictionary? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 219Why Good Reading Makes Good Writing
Read good books--that's how you become a better writer. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Mintue!
S3 Ep 218Why Good Typing Makes Good Grammar
If you want to be a good grammarian, start by being a good typist. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 217How to Differentiate Character Voices
A rare tip about writing fiction on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 216Do You Really Need That Hyphen?
Probably not. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 215What Is an En Dash?
Em dashes and en dashes sound similar--but they're not the same. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 214What Is an Em Dash?
On this podcast, we talk a lot about how to use em dashes correctly--but we rarely talk about what they are. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 213Can Inanimate Nouns Be Possessive?
... Maybe. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 212The History of the Asterisk
Where does our favorite c*nsorship symbol come from? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 211When to Capitalize "Mom" and "Dad"
When should you capitalize "mom" and "dad"--and "grandpa" and "auntie" and all the rest? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 210"U.S." vs. "US"
Let's turn back to the Chicago Manual of Style for another grammar rule!
S3 Ep 209Why Good Writers Need Editors
If you're looking for an editor for your next project--whether that's a query letter, manuscript, or magazine article--look no further! Visit laurensmythbooks.com to learn more.
S3 Ep 208"Capital" vs. "Capitol"
Hint: They're both locations. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Mintue!
S3 Ep 207Good Grammar Doesn't Prove AI
Em dashes and other grammar tricks aren't proof that text is written with AI. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 206PLEASE USE PARAGRAPH BREAKS.
Let's end this bad typing habit once and for all. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 205Em Dashes, En Dashes, and Hyphens
What's the difference between these three similar-looking punctuation marks? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 204Clean-Cut vs Clear-Cut
What's the difference between these two commonly confused phrases? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 203Y'all vs. All Y'all
Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're enjoying the South with all its extreme heat, delicious cooking, and wonderful hospitality!
S3 Ep 202Tips for Effective Foreshadowing
COMING SOON: My fifth dystopian/sci fi novel from Enclave Publishing. Get updates here!
S3 Ep 201"Weary" vs. "Wary"
What's the difference between "weary" and "wary?" Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 200WARSAFE Release Day (& How to Publish a Book)
My fourth science fiction novel, Warsafe, releases today! You can find it on Amazon (where it's the #1 new release in its category!) or directly from the publisher.SYNOPSIS: There’s one building on her island that Halley has never visited: the Mercenary House. Perched atop a mountain, surrounded by unnaturally evergreen foliage, the House is rumored to be a breeding ground for criminals. Mercenaries are liars, cheats, spies . . . and maybe, depending on who you ask, killers.At the Warsafe headquarters in Seattle, Roscoe is beta testing the company’s new video game. It’s her job to track down glitches—but something is different about this one. Lurking behind the lines of malfunctioning code is a secret that threatens to drag her deeper into the game, forcing her to put her life on the line if she ever wants to come home.Worlds collide as Roscoe teams up with Halley to uncover the island’s secret and expose Warsafe’s designs. But some mysteries are better left unsolved. As traitor after so-called traitor is revealed to be on their side, they begin to wonder: Could Warsafe’s mission be critical enough to justify its cruelty?
S3 Ep 199SPECIAL EPISODE - Interview with Samantha Mendell, Editor & Author
Samantha Mendell is an author and editor at Mendell Studios. Learn more about common writing mistakes, incorporating faith into writing, and more in today's special episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 198Thank You, Hillsdale College!
This is (officially) the last episode of Grammar Minute recorded for WRFH Radio Free Hillsdale, 101.7 FM. While we're at it, learn how to write "thank you" when used as an adjective.
S3 Ep 197How to Speed Read
A common tip for speed reading is suppressing your internal narrator. Learn why this might work for you on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 196Making Plurals Possessive (Grammar Hall of Shame)
New to the Grammar Hall of Shame: "You can respond to other's events." Learn why this is wrong on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 195World Pilots' Day: A Study in Grammar
What's the proper way to write "World Pilots' Day?" It turns out, you have options. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 194History of the Dollar Sign
Where does the $ sign come from--and should it have one line or two? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 193REBOOT - Interrobang‽
Learn about this weird and wild punctuation mark on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 192REBOOT - How Are You?
What's the proper response to "How are you?" Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 191REBOOT - Antecedents
Learn about antecedents on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 190REBOOT - Run-On Sentences
Learn how to avoid run-on sentences in today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 189This was the first-ever episode.
It's throwback day on Grammar Minute! Hear the first-ever pilot episode of your favorite writing podcast.
S3 Ep 188"Enormity" Returns
You won't want to miss the enormity of this Grammar Minute episode.
S3 Ep 187What Does SOS Stand For? (Backronyms)
What does "SOS" stand for? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 186Doug Allen's Guide Part 2: Three Tips
Enjoy a continuation of tips from economist Doug Allen's writing guide!
S3 Ep 185Doug Allen's Writing Guide: "Where" vs "In Which"
Enjoy a tip from economist Doug Allen's writing guide in today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 184"In a Nutshell"
Where did this idiom originate? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 183ARCHIVES: Grammar Fun Facts, Part 2
Learn some more fun facts about English grammar in today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 182ARCHIVES: Grammar Fun Facts, Part 1
Learn some fun facts about English grammar in today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 181ARCHIVES: What Does It Mean to "Beg the Question?"
Probably not what you think. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 180ARCHIVES: Every Day vs Everyday
These two words are similar ... but not the same. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 179ARCHIVES: I.E. vs E.G.
We toss around these Latin abbreviations like we know what they mean ... but do we really? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 177When the Music Turns the Volume Down
Adjectival phrases must match the subject of the sentence. Learn why on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 178SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview with Esther Pipkin, YA Fantasy Author
Esther grew up on a farm in Missouri, where she spent her childhood in the woods playing with Peter Pan and the Pevensies. She graduated from The Author Conservatory with a certification in creative writing, and a certification in business and entrepreneurship. When she’s not writing, you might find Esther baking snickerdoodles and singing showtunes or going on adventures (like visiting bookstores) with her husband.