Category Archives: Writing tips

Take a seat
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The phrase is "deep-seated," not "deep-seeded": "She had a deep-seated fear of the ocean."
Don't capitalize "moon," even when referring to the Earth's moon: "The moon was visible behind the clouds." Lunar events such as blue moons are also not capitalized: "Tonight is the last chance to see a super blood moon until 2033." "Supermoon" is one word: "She stayed up to see the supermoon." Don't capitalize "sun," even when referring to the Earth's sun: "After three straight days of rain, they were excited to see the sun come out." Use one word for "sunray," "sunrise" and "sunset": "They stayed outside until sunset."

Monday’s total eclipse
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Although "bad rap" and "bad rep" are often used interchangeably, "bad rap" is the original phrase, and "bad rep" can be interpreted as a misspelling. So stick with "bad rap" to avoid getting a bad rap :wink:: "Ice cream gets a bad rap, but research indicates it might not be as unhealthy as most people think." Do not use "bad wrap."

Bad rap(utation)
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Capitalize "Ides of March" when referencing the bad omen: "He warned her to 'beware the Ides of March.'" "Ides" is a term ancient Romans used to refer to the middle of the month. The Ides of March is March 15, the day of Julius Caesar's assassination. The phrase "beware the Ides of March" comes from Shakespeare’s play "Julius Caesar."

Beware the middle
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Use "OK" instead of "okay": "She said it was OK with her if they went out that night." Use an apostrophe in "OK'd" and "OK'ing" but not in "OKs."

Are you OK?
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"Phase" is both a noun and a verb that's used in reference to a process, cycle or development or the act of carrying out a plan: "He decided to phase in the changes so they wouldn't be overwhelming." Do not use the verb "phase" when you mean "faze," which means to disconcert or daunt: "Despite the withering criticism, she was unfazed and decided to continue with the project."

Fazed and confused
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Do not capitalize "leap day" or "leap year": "Even when it doesn't fall on a weekend, leap day is still a popular wedding date."

Intercalary day is coming up
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Use an apostrophe in "Presidents' Day," a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February: "The store advertised a Presidents' Day sale." The holiday's official name is Washington’s Birthday. Don't capitalize "weekend" in "Presidents' Day weekend": "They were away for Presidents' Day weekend."

Your “weekend” guide
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When referring to a team as a collective unit, use singular verbs and pronouns: "The team is working to improve its penalty rate." Team names, however, take plural verbs: "The Kansas City Royals are on track to go to the World Series again."

Who are playing?
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"Was" and "were" are both the past tense of "be," with "was" being for the first- and third-person singular, and "were" being for the second-person singular and for plurals: "She was there the same time you were. I was there later." Use "were" instead of "was" in the subjunctive mood: "If he were taller, he could have been a great basketball player."

Grammar basics: If I were you…
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