Grammar tips
The rules people look up most, each with examples and a quick test you can remember — so you can settle the question and get back to writing.
Looking for something else? See the guides.
Latest
Active vs Passive Voice, With Examples
In the active voice the subject does the action; in the passive it receives it. How to spot the passive, when to fix it, and when it is the right choice.
September 29, 2026
Affect vs Effect: The Difference, and a Test That Works
Affect is usually the verb and effect is usually the noun. Here is the quick test, the two exceptions that trip people up, and examples of each.
September 29, 2026
What Is a Comma Splice? Four Ways to Fix One
A comma splice joins two complete sentences with only a comma. Fix it with a full stop, a semicolon, a joining word, or by making one half depend on the other.
September 29, 2026
Fewer vs Less: When to Use Each
Use fewer for things you can count one by one, and less for amounts you measure. The exceptions — time, money, distance and '10 items or less' — explained.
September 29, 2026
i.e. vs e.g.: What They Mean and How to Punctuate Them
e.g. means 'for example' and introduces a sample; i.e. means 'that is' and introduces the full meaning. Here is how to tell them apart and punctuate each.
September 29, 2026
Its vs It's: The One-Second Test
It's always means 'it is' or 'it has'. Its, with no apostrophe, shows possession. Try expanding it to 'it is' — if the sentence breaks, you want its.
September 29, 2026
The Oxford Comma: What It Is and Whether to Use It
The Oxford comma is the comma before the final 'and' in a list. It is optional, style guides disagree, and it occasionally prevents a real misreading.
September 29, 2026
Their, There or They're? How to Choose
Their shows ownership, there points to a place or starts a sentence, and they're means 'they are'. A test for each, with examples.
September 29, 2026
Adverbs: When to Cut Them and When to Keep Them
Many adverbs prop up a weak verb or repeat what the verb already says. How to find the ones worth cutting, and the ones that carry real meaning.
September 29, 2026
When to Use a Semicolon (and When Not To)
A semicolon joins two complete sentences that belong together, and separates list items that already contain commas. Everything else is usually a mistake.
September 29, 2026
Who vs Whom: The He/Him Test
Use who where you would say he or she, and whom where you would say him or her. The test takes five seconds and works in questions and relative clauses.
September 29, 2026
80 Wordy Phrases to Cut From Your Writing
A reference list of padded phrases and the shorter words that replace them, plus the four patterns that produce nearly all wordiness in professional writing.
June 3, 2026
Sentence Case vs Title Case
Sentence case capitalises only the first word; title case capitalises the important ones. Here is when to use each, and the rule that separates title case from simply capitalising everything.
April 8, 2026
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