Grammar Minute
272 episodes — Page 3 of 6
S3 Ep 176History of the Pound/Hash Sign
What's the history of this social media magic symbol? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 175Why You Shouldn't Plan
If you're writing something long, like a book or a research paper, I argue you shouldn't bother outlining. Learn why on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 174The Most Important Part
When you're writing something new, where should you invest the most time? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 173"On a Dime"
Where do we get this weird expression? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 172Bring Back Blunt Emails
No emojis. No unnecessary words. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 171Against Emoji in Emails
That smiley face isn't conveying what you think it is. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 170Contrary to Contranyms
In this age of government "sanctions," what does this word actually mean? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 169How Many Spaces Belong After a Period?
Unless you're using a typewriter, the simple rule is usually better. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 168History of the Percent Sign
No, it's not just a misprinted 100. And it's not a recent invention. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 167The History of "OK"
There's a surprisingly interesting story behind one of our favorite abbreviations. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 166OK, Okay, and o.k.
It's never OK to misspell "okay." Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 165How to Capitalize Titles
Hint: It's not just the first word. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 164A Bad Book Title
This book title is filled with grammar lessons. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 163The "Enormity" of These Headlines
The Grammar Hall of Shame returns with this classic--and hilarious--word choice error.
S3 Ep 162Are Contractions Acceptable in Formal Writing?
You cannot be too careful ... or can you? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 161The Return of the Biweekly Meeting
We're back with more workplace confusion on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 160"Can" vs. "May" - The Case of the Electric Guitar
You CAN, but you MAY not. (Should you?) Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 159When You Need an Apostrophe (And When You Don't)
Remember: Apostrophes do not make plurals. Ever. Learn more in today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 158How to Self-Edit
The trick to self-editing is making your words look like they aren't your own. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 157The Passivity of the Passive Voice
Skip the passive voice. Stay active. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 156The Eight Parts of Speech (In 60 Seconds)
Here's your entire high school grammar curriculum--in just 60 seconds!
S3 Ep 155Subjective vs. Objective Pronouns
People mix these up all the time ... but the difference is easier than you might think. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 154When Is Concision Too Concise?
How can you tell when you've cut too many words out of your writing? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 153RERUN- Fun Grammar Facts, Part 2
Did you know ...? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 152Valentine's Day (A Grammatical Special)
This Valentine's Day, impress your crush with impeccable grammar. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 151RERUN - Fun Grammar Facts, Part I
Did you know ...? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 150RERUN - Shared Apostrophes
How do you indicate that two people own the same item? Learn more about this special case of apostrophes on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 149RERUN - Irregardless
"Irregardless" isn't a word. Learn why it's wrong on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 148History of the @ (At Sign)
Hint: This punctuation marks long predates email. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 147History of the & (Ampersand)
Where did this weird little squiggle come from? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 146It's Not That Serious! (Exclamation Marks)
Do exclamation marks help or hurt your writing? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 145It Isn't Never Right to Use Double Negatives
What does the title of this episode mean? Is it always right--or never right? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 144Why You Need That Serial Comma
People like to argue about the Oxford comma, but there are some very clear scenarios when its use is not optional. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 143"Ten Items or Less"
Learn about a common grammar error on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 142Show, Don't Tell
This common writing tip is surprisingly difficult to follow. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 141Why "Very Important" Isn't Important At All
Strengthen your descriptors with these simple tricks. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 140Scare Quotes, Emphasis, and Sarcasm
Use quotation marks wisely ... or you may end up adding sarcasm to an awkward situation. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 139Everyone Hates Semicolons
Don't use these funny-looking punctuation marks. Learn more in today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 138A Warning Against Adjective Overuse
You've probably heard it before: "Show, don't tell." Here's one tip to make that happen on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 137Fiction Tip: Create Your Own Style Guide
Make your own writing rules. Stand out on an editor's desk. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 136Chocolate Books and the Dangers of Foreign Words
It's not a good idea to use foreign words in your writing ... unless you're certain everyone knows what they mean. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 135Is Social Media Harming Our Writing Skills?
Social media is once again a hot-button topic after the TikTok ban. Learn more about its possible effects on our writing skills in today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 134"Weary" vs. "Wary"
These two words are commonly confused. Learn the difference on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 133RERUN: The Collar of the Cat - And Why That Sounds Wrong
English has some rules that just don't make sense. Here's one you've probably never thought about if you're a native speaker, on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 132RERUN: One hundred, 100, or one-hundred?
Even English nerds have to use numbers occasionally. Learn how to do it properly on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 131Writing & Artificial Intelligence
Will AI make the writing industry obsolete--or could it actually be a blessing in disguise? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 130Thanksgiving Special: Writing Thank-You Notes
It's Thanksgiving season in the U.S.--and always a time to tell those you love how much you appreciate them! Learn to write a sincere and polite thank-you note on today's episode of Grammar Minute.
S3 Ep 129In Defense of "Skedaddle"
Do you like this word? Learn more about what differentiates a "good" word from a "bad" word on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 128"Warsafe" Cover Reveal + Creating Emphasis
Warsafe is a young adult science fiction novel, coming May 2025. Preorders open today! Learn more at www.laurensmythbooks.com.
S3 Ep 127Don't Use These Words
The title says it all. Find out how to improve your writing in today's episode of Grammar Minute!