Today’s topic is the difference between abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms. Abbreviations and acronyms Any shortened form of a word is…

Here’s a listener: Hi, Grammar Girl. This is Patti from Houston… Patti and her friends are debating about the serial…

This is shaping up to be a nasty flu season, which prompted a listener named Marc to bring up a…

Dave J. asked, “What’s the appropriate phrase—’beckon call’ or ‘beck and call’?” The correct phrase is “beck and call.” If you…

THE QUICK AND DIRTY If you follow Chicago style, spell it “dos and don’ts.” If you follow AP style, spell…

Today, we’ll be looking at two constructions that are correct, but which one you choose depends on your audience. ‘In…

Today’s topic is how to use the word however in a sentence. It’s probably more complicated than you think it…

When you use a string of adjectives, you often separate the adjectives with commas, as in “He is tall, dark,…

Today’s topic is whether — not rain or snow, but whether w-h-e-t-h-e-r, as in whether you like it or not,…

Today’s topic is whether it’s OK to begin a sentence with and, but, or or. The short answer is yes,…