Writer's Digest Questions and Quandaries - Grammar

Lead, Lead or Led?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:24:44 GMT

Q: What's the difference between "lead" and "led"?—Jake S.

A: "Lead" has two specific meanings. As a noun, lead (pronounced like "bread") is a metallic element. It's labeled on the periodic table as "Pb" and sometimes found in really old paint. The U.S. government banned lead paint in 1978. Lead pencils aren't actually made out of lead; they are made out of graphite. (A grammar example and a science lesson all in one!) So whenever the word is used as a noun, it's always spelled l-e-a-d.

Used as a verb, "lead" (pronounced like greed) means "to guide or direct." I always try to lead my children by example. Brian A. Klems leads in the voting for Best-Looking Male Grammar Expert. While I can't confirm the validity of the second example statement, I can confirm that "lead" is used properly.

"Led" comes into play as the past tense of the verb "lead." Derek Jeter led the New York Yankees to a World Series victory. I led you to the correct answer of this grammatical conundrum. If you can substitute the words "guided" or "directed" into the sentence, your correct choice is "led."

Brian A. Klems is the online community editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

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Can You Start a Sentence with "Because"?

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:10:19 GMT

Q: My grammar school teachers always told me that it was wrong to start a sentence with the word “because,” but I commonly see it in books today. What’s the rule?—Roger Allen

A: Grammar teachers across the U.S., please don’t hate me, as I’m about to expose the awful truth you’ve been trying to hide for years: It’s not poor grammar to start a sentence with “because.” That’s right, there’s no rule or law in grammar books that denies you the right to start a sentence with this conjunction. A sentence such as, Because I needed money, I sold my body to science, is not only grammatically correct, it’s also more effective than if it were the other way around (I sold my body to science because I needed the money).

So why do teachers parade this nonexistent rule to our youth? They want to prevent the future scholars from writing in fragments, and kids have a tendency to write incomplete sentences like Because I can or Because he’s smelly. Instead of telling kids that they can’t start a sentence with “because,” it’d be more proper to make them complete their sentences. But I know how difficult it is to get kids to complete anything.

Brian A. Klems is the online community editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwmedia.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line.

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Subjunctive vs. Indicative Mood ("If I Was" or "If I Were"?)

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:45:26 GMT

Q: Could you explain the difference between the indicative mood and the subjunctive mood, and when to use the subjunctive mood? It’s so seldom used correctly that it leaves me scratching my head. When in doubt, should I err with “If I was” or “If I were”?
—Lori McRae

A: Statements of fact require the indicative mood. The indicative verb form follows the usual grammar rules: singular noun, singular verb; plural noun, plural verb. He was president. She owns garden gnomes.

The subjunctive mood is used to express any hypothetical wish, suggestion, situation or condition instead of stating a fact. If I were president—which I’m not—I’d give garden gnomes the right to vote.

As you can see, the verb form changes for subjunctive sentences. Typically, a singular noun or pronoun, such as “I,” “he” or “she,” would require a singular verb like “was,” but the subjunctive mood has atypical verb forms (which are vestiges of Old English). The present tense of the subjunctive uses only the base form of the verb—I demanded that I be switched to a class with less rigorous standards. The past tense of the subjunctive has the same forms as the indicative except for the verb “to be,” which uses “were” regardless of the number of the subject. I wish I were able to climb down chimneys like Santa. But if Santa were here, he’d envy my 32-inch waist.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Bi-annual vs. Biennial

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:46:48 GMT

Q: What's the difference between bi-annual and biennial?—Anonymous

A: I see these words treated as if they were interchangeable—most often by marketing departments—but they aren't. And marketing departments should be extra cautious, as misusing these two words could cost them quite a bit of money.

"Bi-annual" means twice a year, or two times within a 365-day period. So if you hire a heating company to do a bi-annual cleaning of your furnace, they will send someone out once in the summer and once in the winter—of the same year.

"Biennial," on the other hand, means once every two years. Therefore, if you contract the heating company on a biennial basis, they will come out to your house every other year to clean your furnace. For example, I have my gutters cleaned on a biennial basis. The gentleman who does it came out in May 2009, which means I won't see his smiling face again until May 2011.

Be sure to get these words straight. If you say "biannual" when you mean "biennial," you'll be doubling the number of times you'll have to do something in a given year. A mistake like that could really come back to bite you.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Who vs. Whom

Tue, 26 May 2009 18:12:06 GMT

Q: No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to use “who” and “whom” properly. Can you set the record straight on when to use each?—Anonymous

A: The confusion between “who” and “whom” is one of the most common problems writers face. It can be tricky to find the correct use, and sometimes you may feel like locating the person who invented both words and smacking him upside his head. But there is a difference.

“Who” is used as the subject of a verb or complement of a linking verb. It’s a nominative pronoun. It was Carl who broke all the pencils in the house. When writing a sentence, first find the verb(s)—“was” and “broke.” Then, find the subject for each verb: “Carl” and “who.” Since “who” is a subject, it’s correct. Who needs a crayon to write this down?

“Whom” is used as the object of the verb or the object of a preposition. It’s an objective pronoun. You asked whom to the dance? In this case, the subject and verb are “You asked.” The pronoun following the verb is the object of the verb, therefore “whom” is correct. He’s already going the prom with whom? This pronoun is the object of the preposition “with,” so “whom” is the right pick. Be careful, though. Make sure the prepositional pronoun in question isn’t also a subject—if it is, then you use “who.” For example, I cheered for who played hardest. While the pronoun follows a preposition (for), it’s also the subject of the second verb (played). When placed as a subject, always use “who.”

One way to remember is to check to see which pronoun can replace the questionable word. It’s a little trick I learned back in elementary school: If it can be replaced with “he,” you use “who”; if “him” fits better, use “whom.” Sometimes you may need to split the sentence to see it. For example, It was Carl—he broke all the pencils in the house. “Who” should be used here. You asked him to the dance? “Whom” is the correct choice. This doesn’t work all the time, but when applicable, it can save you a few puzzling minutes.

And when in doubt, recast the sentence to avoid the issue altogether.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Dos and Don'ts

Tue, 05 May 2009 18:24:48 GMT

Q: When writing about a list of "dos and don'ts" do you punctuate it like I just did, or does "do's" need an apostrophe. I know it's plural, but it looks odd to spell it "dos." --Heidi Thomas

A: Funny you ask, as this recently came up during an editorial meeting with our managing editor, Zachary "Dr. Awesome" Petit, asking the same question. At the onset this seems pretty tricky, but the answer is fairly simple.

"Dos and don'ts" is plural, so there are no additional apostrophes needed. It's the same as pluralizing "cats" or "dogs" or "hairy-nosed wombats." Apostrophes are only needed for contractions (don't, can't, won't, etc.) and possessives (Heidi's question, Brian's big head, etc.).

Even though it may look weird to leave out the apostrophes, it's grammatically incorrect to put them in. So keep them out.

And those are the dos and don'ts of "do and don't."

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Don't Use "Exact Same"

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:12:57 GMT

Q: Is the term “exact same” correct? As in: “The sisters were raised in the exact same environment?”—Judy R.

A: No, the term “exact same” isn’t correct. Why? For the same reason “end result,” “unexpected surprise” and “basic fundamentals” are wrong—they’re redundant. While all these expressions have sneaked into daily conversations around the water cooler, none of them represents good grammar.

If my pair of pants is exactly like your pair of pants, then—aside from us both having a keen sense of style—we’re wearing the same pants. If you’re comparing items that aren’t exact or the same, then they’re similar—so combining the words to form the phrase “exact same” adds no extra meaning.

If you ever become concerned that a phrase may be redundant, think about it logically and write it out. Just think: A result is always what you get at the end—if you got it in the middle, why continue forward? If your surprise isn’t unexpected, it’s not much of a surprise. And if you study the fundamentals of writing, you’ll avoid such basic mistakes as using redundant phrases.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Complement vs. Compliment

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:10:03 GMT

Q: I'm always getting the words "complement" and "compliment" confused. Can you set me straight once and for all?—Adam P.

A: These two words used to give me a hard time, too, but with a little trick that I learned I was able to set it straight once and for all—and, hopefully, you will too.

First off, let's define both terms. A "complement" is a counterpart to something. The curtains complement the window treatments. My black tie complemented my red shirt.

A "compliment" is what you give someone as an expression of affection, admiration or gratitude. Zac complimented Grace's brown eyes. I take it as a compliment when my wife doesn't complain about what I'm wearing.

Now that we've defined the differences, here's a simple way to remember when to use each: If you are being nice (which has an "i" in it), you are paying a compliment (which also has an "i" in it). If not, you complement (which doesn't have an "i").

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Fewer vs. Less

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:50:26 GMT

Q: I always thought “fewer” and “less” meant the same thing, but a friend told me I was wrong. What’s the difference?—Anonymous

A: Many people believe “fewer” and “less” are interchangeable, but that’s not true. While both words signify a smaller quantity of something, each has a more specific use.

“Fewer” emphasizes number and modifies plural nouns, as in a smaller number of persons or individual items. Fewer than 20 parents attended last night’s PTA meeting. I have fewer strikeouts than anyone on my softball team.

“Less” focuses on matters of degree, bulk or quantity. It often modifies collective nouns, mass nouns and nouns denoting an abstract whole. I asked our former managing editor, Maria Witte, for an example, and she said, “The more you bug me, Brian, the less respect I have for you.” Respect is measured in degrees, so “less” fits.

When examining a sentence, think of it in terms of individual items vs. quantity. I had less than $20 in my wallet (a quantity). I had fewer than 20 one-dollar bills in my wallet (individual items). Once you understand the definitions, you’ll waste less time and have fewer problems with the issue.

Pet peeve alert: Never, under any circumstances, use “fewer in number” or “fewer number of people.” It’s redundant and unnecessary. “Fewer people” works just fine.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Should I Use The Chicago Manual of Style for my Book?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:52:42 GMT

Q: In my writing I strictly follow the rules in The Chicago Manual of Style. For example, in a sentence joined with an "and," I place a comma after the last word before the "and" when the first part of the sentence is a complete sentence. I have received a rejection with the first page sent back and the editor's deletion marks are in contradiction to the rule in the Chicago Manual. Should I follow the Chicago Manual in my fiction writing or not?--Carolyn Boyles

A: According to Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript (and editors I've spoken to at conferences), most book publishers use The Chicago Manual of Style—or some variation of it—as a formatting guide for their books. So when writing your novel or nonfiction work, it's best to follow those guidelines. But if you haven't been using The Chicago Manual of Style or an editor comes back with changes that contradict it, don't panic.

The key to writing any manuscript is to be consistent—in other words, no matter what style you are using (Chicago, AP-style, your sixth-grade English teacher's rulebook), stick with it. Publishers and editors tend to be forgiving when reading a manuscript that doesn't embrace their style, but are less forgiving when the formatting is all over the place (e.g., using a comma in a parallel sentence structure sometimes and not using it other times; italicizing book titles in the first few chapters but underlining it others.) This lack of consistency looks unprofessional and lazy—two traits that could potentially cost you a deal. To a writer it may seem like nitpicking, but to an editor it shows discipline and an author who values the craft.

Most magazine and newspaper publishers, on the other hand, use The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual as a guide for their publications. Although many, like Writer's Digest, take a few liberties with it to fit their own particular house styles. So don't read too much into style edits.

It's probably wise for all writers to have both the Chicago Manual and the AP Stylebook on their bookshelves—along with maybe a good luck charm.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

When to Use a Semicolon

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:22:29 GMT

Q: I would like some help on the use of the semicolon in sentences. —Roger L.

A: The semicolon is a tricky beast, but it does serve specific purposes in sentence structure. Before getting to its uses, it's best to understand what the semicolon really is.

The semicolon is a hybrid of a period and comma. Its construction, according WritersOnlineWorkshops.com's Education Services Manager Joe Stollenwerk, suggests its intention to be stronger than a comma, but not as final as a period.

The four main uses for a semicolon are:

1. To join independent clauses when the comma/coordinating conjunction construction would be stylistically weaker. Dancing is for the birds; the Chicken Dance is for weddings.

2. Separating a statement from a question or a needed shift in mood. Stop goofing around; or should I tell your mother?

3. When the second clause of a compound sentence is introduced by a conjunctive adverb, a semicolon separates the clauses. I enjoy soccer; however, my favorite sport is baseball.

4. The semicolon separates series and clauses that contain internal punctuation (usually commas): My favorite places to hang out include baseball, football and soccer fields; restaurants and eateries; and Las Vegas.

Keep in mind that in the first three uses, the elements on both sides of the semicolon could stand alone as sentences. Semicolons can only connect independent clauses (unless rule 4 applies). As a little trick, substitute a period where you think the semicolon should go. If both elements are correct as sentences, they can be joined by a semicolon. If either element cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, a semicolon cannot be used to join them and you're better served with a comma.

Of course, not all writers love the semicolon. In fact, there are some folks who despise it—namely Kurt Vonnegut who once said, "Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've been to college."

Writer's Digest wants to go on record as saying we take no stance on the semicolon, for or against. It's our obligation to stay neutral on these matters. Though we definitely hate the interrobang?!

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Contractions With Proper Nouns (Brian's a baseball Fan)

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:04:22 GMT

Q: I recently got into a grammar debate with my wife and would like you to settle things for us once and for all: Can you use contractions with a proper noun ("Jodie's in charge" instead of "Jodie is in charge")?—Benjamin W.

A: There are two main reasons to use apostrophes: 1. to form a possessive (Brian's baseball team wears green) and 2. to replace missing letters (Brian has a baseball jersey that's [that is] green). But does that replacement rule apply to names, places and things (Brian's a baseball fan)?

Whether it's a pronoun, plain noun or proper noun, it is acceptable to tack the apostrophe-s onto the end of nouns to replace "is." There are no rules against it. In fact, if you search in stylebooks, online grammar sources and the like, there really isn't any information floating around on this specific use of the apostrophe-s ('s). So I am hereby declaring this the Klems Rule (after all, I've always wanted a grammatical rule named after me).

To make sure something wasn't slipping past me, I contacted my fellow grammarian Bill Walsh, copy chief at The Washington Post and author of The Elephants of Style (McGraw-Hill) and asked him about this rule.

"If Brian's a baseball fan, then Brian's a baseball fan," Walsh says. "Aside from questions of formality, the only stumbling block might be if your proper noun ends in s—Washington's a great town, but Paris ... Paris just 'is.'"

Ultimately this is a style issue and you have the choice whether or not to apply it to your writing. If you're writing something formal, like a white paper or thesis, you probably shouldn't use it—then again, you probably shouldn't use any contractions. But if you're writing an article, short story or book, there's no reason you can't. And if someone challenges you, refer him to the Klems Rule.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Begging The Question: How To Use It Correctly

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:45:33 GMT

Q: I've been told that I often misuse the phrase "begs the question" in my writing. Can you explain to me how to use this phrase correctly and give me an example? Thanks. —Anonymous

A: "Begging the question" is a phrase that's commonly misused. In fact, even I misused it once in an editor's note for my e-newsletter (special thanks to loyal reader Rachel Heslin for catching my misstep, though she's now off my Christmas card list—kidding ... I don't even have a Christmas card list). But the important thing is to get it correct in the future, so let's dive in and define this phrase.

The common misconception is that "begging the question" means to raise or ask a question: This week's writing prompt begs the question, "What are babies really talking about? That is wrong with a capital "W" and, if space permits, an exclamation point. "Begging the question" is a type of logical fallacy that deals with unproven premises and conclusions, which the sentence above doesn't contain.

Merriam-Webster defines "begging the question" as "to pass over or ignore a question by assuming it to be established or settled." In other words, it means that you're stating as fact what you are trying to prove. For example: Brian Klems is funny because he writes humorously. The conclusion is that Brian is funny. The premise assumes that he writes humorously. There's no evidence in the statement that supports the claim that he's funny. Therefore, the sentence should read: Brian Klems is funny because he writes humorously, but that argument begs the question of whether he writes humorously or not.

The term "begging the question" is just circular reasoning, so be sure to use the phrase only when that circular reasoning is being applied. If it's not, use "asks the question" or "raises the question."

But seriously, though, I am funny. I promise.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Allude vs. Elude

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:50:38 GMT

Q: What’s the difference between “allude” and “elude”? Are they interchangeable? —Anonymous

A: “Allude” and “elude” are frequently misused in place of each other, even though they’re about as different as broccoli and ice cream.

“Allude” means to refer to something in a casual or indirect way. Michelle alluded to my tardiness by glancing at her watch when I arrived. My wife alludes to her birthday a week in advance by leaving a Things-I-Want list on the refrigerator.

“Elude,” on the other hand, means to avoid or escape from by quickness or cunning. Justin eludes the police by hiding in a bush. I eluded the school bully—and a wedgie—by ducking behind the principal’s car.

Make sure to use these words correctly in your writing. Otherwise, picky agents and editors may try to elude you.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Quotes Within Quotes

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:19:38 GMT

Q: When should I use single quotes instead of double quotes?—John Batson

A: Double quotation marks signify the exact words of someone else speaking in your writing. Single quotation marks come into play when the person you’re quoting quotes someone or something else.

Look at this example:

“I’m irritated with Dad right now,” said my sister. “Last week he said to me, ‘Jennie, if you don’t wash your own clothes, I’m going to start throwing them in the backyard.’ Last night I found my favorite shirt hanging from the bird-feeder.”

The writer is quoting his sister, Jennie. She gets the double quote marks credited to her speech. But while Jennie is talking, she quotes her dad. His words (which she’s reciting) get the single marks.

As sentences become more complicated with multiple quotes, the rule is to alternate between double and single marks.

“I talked to Mom last night and she said, ‘I agree with your father. And when he says, “I’m going to throw your clothes in the backyard,” he means it.’ This is laundry war!”

So use single quotes only inside double quotes. And you can quote me on that—as long as you use the correct set of marks.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

The A's and An's of Grammar

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:05:15 GMT

Q: I know “a” goes before words beginning with a consonant and “an” before words that start with a vowel. But it seems like lately it’s become fashionable in print to use “an” with any word beginning with the letter “h.” Try to say “an half an hour”: You’ll wind up with a sprained tongue! What’s the correct rule?—Tad C. Rhoden

A: It’s all about the sound of the first letter of the word following “a” or “an.” While “a” generally is used in front of consonants (a dog, a cat, a purple people-eater), every now and again, it creeps its way in front of words that begin with a “u” or “eu.” The true rule here is when the word following the article begins with a consonant sound, use “a.” For example: People gain knowledge and discipline at a university. I’m planning a European vacation in August. The “u” in “university” and “eu” in “European” make a “y” sound—a consonant sound—therefore, “a” is used.

On the flip side, “an” goes before words starting with a vowel sound (an elephant, an anteater, an obnoxious purple people-eater). Some consonants fall into this category, such as the letter “h.” When the “h” is silent—like in “hour” and “honor”—use “an”: Would you like me to bring an hors d’oeuvre? When you hear the “h,” stick with “a”: I’ll meet you in an hour and a half.

I hope that didn’t sprain your tongue too much.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

i.e. vs. e.g.

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:20:42 GMT

Q: What's the difference between "i.e." and "e.g."? I thought they were interchangeable, but I was told that this isn't the case. Can you please explain?—Claire Collord

A: I used to have the most difficult time remembering this rule. After all, both of these terms are derived from Latin and I didn't take Latin in school—I opted for the Spanish class that was taught by an exceptionally attractive maestra (which may have explained the C-). But with a little help from a college friend, I was able to burn the i.e./e.g. grammatical law into my brain once and for all.
The rough translation is as follows:

i.e. means "that is." (id est)
e.g. means "for example." (exempli gratia)

The difference here is that i.e. is exclusive while e.g. is a sample. They are not interchangeable because they change the meaning of the sentence. And if you substitute in the definitions, it'll help you determine which letter-combination you need.

Let's take these examples:

I like summer sports (e.g., baseball, softball, ultimate Frisbee). The sports mentioned (baseball, softball, ultimate Frisbee) represent a few of the summer sports that I like, but aren't the only ones I enjoy (I also like fishing, sand volleyball and golf). I'm just offering some examples. If you read this sentence as "I like summer sports (for example, baseball, softball, ultimate Frisbee)" you see what I mean. So the correct choice is e.g.

On the other hand, Sophie likes winter sports, i.e., skiing and hockey. This sentence indicates that Sophie likes the specific winter sports skiing and hockey, but not necessarily any other winter sports. You can read this sentence: Sophie likes winter sports, that is, skiing and hockey. So the choice here is i.e.

To burn these definitions into your memory and help remind you which letter-abbreviation pairs with which definition, you can follow this mnemonic device a college friend once taught me: i.e. is "in essence" while e.g. is "eggs sample."

"Eggs sample" may make me laugh each time I think about it, but I never forget the rule.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Lay vs. Lie (vs. Laid)

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:05:44 GMT

Q: Lay, lie, laid—when do you use each?
—Annemarie Valian

A: Don’t forget about “lain,” my friend! All these verbs have two things in common: They begin with the letter “L” and confuse the bejeezus out of many people.

Let’s give this a shot. Lay and lie are both present-tense verbs, but they don’t mean quite the same thing. Lay means to put or set something down, so if the subject is acting on an object, it’s “lay.” For example, I lay down the book. You, the subject, set down the book, the object.

Lie, on the other hand, is defined as, “to be, to stay or to assume rest in a horizontal position,” so the subject is the one doing the lying—I lie down to sleep or When I pick up a copy of my favorite magazine, Writer’s Digest, I lie down to take in all its great information. In both these cases, you, the subject, are setting yourself down. Are you with me so far?

In the past tense, “lay” becomes “laid” (I laid down the law and told her it was inappropriate for her to pick her nose) and “lie” becomes “lay” (She lay down for a nap that afternoon and picked her nose anyway). Yes, “lay” is also the past tense of “lie.” And the confusion doesn’t end there.

To throw you for another loop, “laid” is also the past participle form of “lay.” So, when helping verbs are involved, “lay” becomes “laid” and “lie” becomes “lain.” Grandma had laid the chicken in the oven earlier this morning. The chicken had lain there all day until it was cooked all the way through and ready for us to eat.

Remember: Lay and laid both mean to set something down, while lie, lay and lain all mean the subject is setting itself down.

And now, I lay this question to rest.

Infinitive Definition Present Past Past Participle Present Participle

to lay      to put or place    lay(s)      laid   laid                  laying
              something down

to lie   to rest or recline    lie(s)       lay      lain                  lying

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

When Do I Spell Out Numbers?

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:15:30 GMT

Q: Sometimes I see numbers spelled out (nine) and at other times I see them in numeric form (9). Which is correct?—Kevin Tracy

A: Most writers—including me—took on this artistic profession for three reasons: We’re creative, we love to read and, most important, we want to avoid numbers at all costs. Yet somehow, even in writing, numbers have found a way to sneak back into our lives.

There are several rules of thought on how to handle writing numbers, but the most common is pretty simple. Spell out numbers under 10 (zero through nine), and use the numeric symbols for numbers 10 and up. I bought eight candy bars from the vending machine. I average eating 29 candy bars per month.

There are some exceptions to the rule. For example, spell out all numbers that begin a sentence. Forty-seven-thousand contestants were turned down for “American Idol.” Eleven were selected. Of course, there’s an exception to the exception: Don’t spell out calendar years, even at the front end of a sentence. 1997 was the year I met my wife. And, if you don’t feel like writing those long, awkward-looking numbers, just recast the sentence. American Idol turned down 47,000 contestants. I met my wife in the magical year of 1997.

Also, there are other instances where the under-10/over-10 rule doesn’t apply. Always use figures for ages of people (“He’s 9 years old”), dates (February 14), monetary amounts ($8), percentages (14 percent) and ratios (2-to-1).

Again, this is a style issue and other sources may suggest different ways of handling numbers. So please, no hate mail. And let’s agree not to talk about numbers for the rest of the day—they make my head hurt.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Hone vs. Home

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:00:25 GMT

Q: My niece is always misusing the word “hone” when she should be using “home.” I know the difference, but have a tough time explaining it to her. Can you explain this rule for us? —Carol M.

A: No problem at all, Carol. This is a mistake people make all the time. Often people misuse the word “hone” by placing it in sentences where it doesn’t belong, but it’s a simple confusion that can be cleared up by understanding its definition.

The verb “hone” means “to sharpen or make more acute,” as in honing a talent. Alfred honed his negotiation skills to buy a new car at a very reasonable price. I hone my abs by doing 100 sit-ups a day.

Generally, people drop it into sentences where they should use “home.” In verb form, “home” (as in “to home in on”) means “to move or be aimed toward a destination or target with great accuracy.” The leftfielder homed in on the fly ball. “Forget about the abs!” I said as I homed in on a mouth-watering candy bar.

As a simple rule of thumb, if you write the sentence and need the phrase “in on” after the verb, it’s most likely “home.” If not, you probably need to use “hone.”

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Ensure vs. Insure

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:15:46 GMT

Q: Are “ensure” and “insure” interchangeable?—Anonymous

A: Some stylebooks say yes, and some say no. Are you any less confused? These two words are often used in place of each other, but WD’s style separates them. WD—and many other publications—uses “insure” only when referring to financial insurance policies. After signing a contract with a professional baseball team, Jack decided to insure his pitching arm for $1 million.

When the meaning is “to make certain,” WD sticks with “ensure.” It’s my job to ensure that you don’t misuse terms like these.

There are some newspapers and magazines, such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, that still use “insure” in both instances, but it’s fairly archaic to do so. Most publications differentiate the two.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Can I Use Contractions in my Writing?

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:05:43 GMT

Q: I know that grammatically we shouldn’t use contractions at all unless it’s‑in speech, but I see that many nonfiction bestselling authors use them. What are the current guidelines for their use?—Henry

A: Contractions aren’t wrong—they’re just less formal than the expanded forms. Using them depends on your audience. They’re far more acceptable today than they were when your grandpa was just a dad, and there’s nothing wrong with contractions in the right context. And sometimes there can be a good deal wrong without them. As you can probably see, Writer’s Digest uses them quite frequently. Our style is to employ conjunctions when they flow naturally and make the sentence smoother.

If you’re writing a college term paper or a professional study, however, you should probably avoid them. As for novels, short stories and other forms of writing where your own style is required, it’s up to you whether you can, cannot or can’t use them.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Tuesday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Affect vs. Effect

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:26:28 GMT

Q: Could you share some insight on the proper usage of the words “affect” and Effect”?—Charlene Clark

A: The misuse of the words “affect” and “effect” is such an epidemic that some folks are considering assembling regional support groups to deal with the problem. But while the words are often used incorrectly, they aren’t as tough to keep straight as you may think.

“Affect” is generally used as a verb: A affects B. The eye-patch affected my vision. In this sentence, the eye-patch (A) influenced my vision (B).

“Effect,” on the other hand, is almost exclusively used as a noun: A had an effect on B. Acting like a pirate has had a negative effect on my social life.

So the basic rule of thumb is that “affect” is almost always a verb and “effect” is usually a noun. There are deviations from this, but when in doubt, stick to the rule. If you need help remembering, think of this mnemonic device: The action is affect, the end result is effect.

Brian A. Klems is the online managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line. Come back each Friday as I try to give you more insight into the writing life.

Everyday Versus Every Day

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:41:49 GMT

Q: Sometimes I see “everyday” as one word and sometimes I see it as two (“every day”). Are both correct? Is there a difference? —Karen S.

A: The English language is tricky sometimes, and this instance is a perfect example—yes both “everyday” and “every day” are correct, but they can’t be used interchangeably. While they ultimately mean the same thing, they have different functions.

“Everyday” is an adjective that describes an object. My work clothes are separate from my everyday clothes. Around our office, fax-machine meltdowns are an everyday event.

“Every day” is an adverbial phrase (where “every” is actually acting as an adjective describing “day”). I start every day by giving my wife a kiss. Kevin Alexander watches “The View” every day.

If you’re still in doubt, use this little trick to keep it straight: Try to substitute “each and every day” in the place of the “everyday/every day” in question. If it works, go with two words. If not, it’s one word.

Take care of yourself and your writing,
Brian A. Klems

Have a question for me? Feel free to post it in the comments section below or e-mail me at WritersDig@fwpubs.com with “Q&Q” in the subject line.