Grammar Girl Quick And Dirty Tips For Better Writing

This week, I have a Quick and Dirty Tip about how to define abbreviations that you use over and over in a document and a tidbit about a fun internet meme called #LaidlawsRule. And, to finish our little poetry kick over the last couple of weeks, I have a tidbit about a word that comes from the old nonsense poem “The Owl and the Pussycat” and the winner of the National Grammar Day haiku contest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to avoid biasing your questions and annoying your respondents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Write a double dactyl poem in honor of National Grammar Day.FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITEDouble Dactyl Poetry: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/node/9136FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODEhttp://quickanddirtytips.com/amazonTAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEYhttp://podsurvey.com/GRAMMAR Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITETumult: http://bit.ly/2lSXWtIAbsolutes: http://bit.ly/2kD6CTfDISCOVERY CHANNEL 'BULL IN A CHINA SHOP' VIDEOhttp://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/videos/bull-in-a-china-shop/FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODEhttp://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk about "toeing the line," "pled" versus "pleaded," and animal idioms such as "There's an eel under the rock."FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODEhttp://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk about the difference between "reluctant" and "reticent" and when to use "which" or "that."FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODEhttp://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk about a common error you should avoid when using "not only" with "but also." We examine why we talk about leaving someone "in the lurch." What's a lurch? And finally, we look at the interesting origins of the month names in English. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are people in the capitol or capital this weekend? Also, why do citations even matter and what should you look for in a source?SPONSORSDownload the Dunkin' app and enroll in DD Perks with the code PODCAST to get a free Dunkin' beverage.GlassesUSA.com/Grammar with the code grammar55 gets you 55% off. (Some exclusions apply.)UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMILFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page (The e-book of "The Grammar Devotional" is just $2.99 right now!AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we discuss the words of the year and four simple ways to write better in the new year.UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMILFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we discuss whether there is really a difference between "enormity" and "enormousness" and about how badminton (not badmitten) got its name. UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A great memory trick to remember the difference between homing and honing (plus a complete aside about spiderwebs). Also, an solution to the mystery of why you sometimes see "farmers market" with and apostrophe and sometimes you see it without an apostrophe.UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMILFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s your favorite book and why? The questions are more than just a way to fill your online dating profile—they’re insights into how beloved stories push our psychological and neurological buttons. How does good writing grab you by the brain? My fellow QDT host, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, leads us through four things your brain relishes in a good story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITEWriting Dialogue http://bit.ly/writing_dialogue'A While' or 'Awhile'? http://bit.ly/a-whileUPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMILFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITEAnxious or Eager? http://bit.ly/anxiouseagerIf Not: http://bit.ly/ifnotSPONSORShttp://sockclub.com/grammar and the code "grammar"http://www.audible.com/ggUPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMILFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODEhttp://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE English Is Flexible http://bit.ly/EnglishIsFlexible Read the Riot Act http://bit.ly/ReadTheRiotAct SPONSORS http://sockclub.com/grammar and the code "grammar" http://blurb.com/grammar and the code "grammar" UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Pronouncing Foreign Words: http://bit.ly/2fiPCQf SPONSOR http://blurb.com/GRAMMAR and the promo code GRAMMAR for 25% off. http://sockclub.com and the promo code GRAMMAR for 15% off. UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE By the Wayside http://bit.ly/2fNt0aq Pronouncing "Biopic" http://bit.ly/2fwymYl SPONSOR http://audible.com/gg UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl GET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-page AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE'Aloud' or 'Out Loud'? http://bit.ly/aloud-out-loudCrafting a Strong Voice: http://bit.ly/strong-voiceSPONSORhttp://blueapron.com/grammarUPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSEhttp://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMILFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODEhttp://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE'Prior To' or 'Before'? http://bit.ly/prior-toForeign Language Syndrome: http://bit.ly/foreign-language-syndromeSPONSORhttp://Audible.com/ggUPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSEhttp://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMILFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKShttp://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODEhttp://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMILFOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRLTwitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirlFacebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirlSnapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirlPinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlInstagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girlGET GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl-book-pageAMAZON AFFILIATE CODEhttp://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.