Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

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Five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing and feed your love of the English language. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.

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Episodes

555 GG. Toe/Tow the Line. Pled or Pleaded. Animal Idioms.

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 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://...

Feb 09, 2017•10 min•Ep 555•Transcript available on Metacast

554 GG 'Reticent' or 'Reluctant.' Which' or 'That.'

This week we talk about the difference between "reluctant" and "reticent" and when to use "which" or "that." 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.quickanddirtyt...

Feb 02, 2017•9 min•Ep 554•Transcript available on Metacast

553 GG Not Only, But Also. Leave in the Lurch. Month Names.

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 Li...

Jan 27, 2017•11 min•Ep 553•Transcript available on Metacast

551 Capital vs Capitol. Citing Podcasts and Websites

Are people in the capitol or capital this weekend? Also, why do citations even matter and what should you look for in a source? SPONSORS Download 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-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/gramma...

Jan 19, 2017•13 min•Ep 551•Transcript available on Metacast

551 GG. Words of the Year. Writing Tips.

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-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 h...

Jan 12, 2017•13 min•Ep 551•Transcript available on Metacast

550 GG Enormity or Enormousness? Badminton

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.linked...

Jan 05, 2017•6 min•Ep 550•Transcript available on Metacast

549 GG Hone/Home In. Apostrophes.

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-MACMIL FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pint...

Dec 29, 2016•9 min•Ep 549•Transcript available on Metacast

548 GG. What Makes Good Stories.

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.

Dec 22, 2016•9 min•Ep 548•Transcript available on Metacast

547 GG 'A While' or 'Awhile'? Writing Dialogue

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Writing Dialogue http://bit.ly/writing_dialogue 'A While' or 'Awhile'? http://bit.ly/a-while 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 G...

Dec 15, 2016•9 min•Ep 547•Transcript available on Metacast

546 GG Anxious/Eager. If Not.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Anxious or Eager? http://bit.ly/anxiouseager If Not: http://bit.ly/ifnot SPONSORS http://sockclub.com/grammar and the code "grammar" http://www.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....

Dec 08, 2016•14 min•Ep 546•Transcript available on Metacast

545 GG Read the Riot Act. The Changing English Language.

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/realgr...

Dec 01, 2016•12 min•Ep 545•Transcript available on Metacast

544 GG. Pilgrim Names. Pronouncing Foreign Words

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...

Nov 24, 2016•19 min•Ep 544•Transcript available on Metacast

543 GG. By the Wayside. How to Pronounce 'Biopic'

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/compa...

Nov 17, 2016•10 min•Ep 543•Transcript available on Metacast

542 GG. 'Aloud' or "Out Loud'? Strong Voice

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Aloud' or 'Out Loud'? http://bit.ly/aloud-out-loud Crafting a Strong Voice: http://bit.ly/strong-voice SPONSOR http://blueapron.com/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:...

Nov 11, 2016•8 min•Ep 542•Transcript available on Metacast

541 GG Before or Prior To? Foreign Language Syndrome

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Prior To' or 'Before'? http://bit.ly/prior-to Foreign Language Syndrome: http://bit.ly/foreign-language-syndrome 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 Linked...

Nov 03, 2016•8 min•Ep 541•Transcript available on Metacast

540 GG. Cemetery or Graveyard? Peer Editing. To Calendar.

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://quickanddirtyt...

Oct 27, 2016•11 min•Ep 540•Transcript available on Metacast

539 GG Capitalizing Job Titles. I.e. Versus E.g. Sentence Diagramming

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Capitalizing Job Titles http://bit.ly/capitalize-titles I.e. Versus E.g. http://bit.ly/IE-EG Sentence Diagramming http://bit.ly/sentence-diagram SPONSORS http://modcloth.com code:grammar http://blueapron.com/grammar UPDATED AP STYLE INTERACTIVE WEB COURSE http://www.ragan.com/Z5AC03-MACMIL AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snap...

Oct 20, 2016•14 min•Ep 539•Transcript available on Metacast

538 Alumni. Words from Bookmaking. Beyond the Pale

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Alums or Alumni? http://bit.ly/alum-alumni Words from Bookmaking http://bit.ly/bookmaking-words Beyond the Pale http://bit.ly/beyond-the-pale SPONSORS http://modcloth.com code grammar http://audible.com/gg AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagra...

Oct 14, 2016•15 min•Ep 538•Transcript available on Metacast

537 GG "Further" Versus "Farther." Horse's Mouth

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE "Further" Versus "Farther" http://bit.ly/FurtherFarther Straight from the Horse's Mouth http://bit.ly/HorsesMouth SPONSORS ModCloth http://modcloth.com Code: grammar Casper http://casper.com/gg Code: gg AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon 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: ...

Oct 07, 2016•11 min•Ep 537•Transcript available on Metacast

536 GG Hit the Bestseller List: How to Style Your Words Like a Bestselling Author

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Canceled or Cancelled? http://bit.ly/cancelled-canceled Why Homecoming is HoCo: http://bit.ly/homecoming-hoco The Bestseller Code: Jodie Archer and Matthew Jockers, the authors of The Bestseller Code, give some quick tips on how to style your words like a bestselling author. http://bit.ly/BestsellerCode SPONSORS http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. http://blueapron.com/grammar AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips....

Sep 29, 2016•13 min•Ep 536•Transcript available on Metacast

535 GG Anyways or Anyway? Topic Sentences

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Anyway or Anyways? http://bit.ly/AnywayAnyways How to Write a Good Topic Sentence: http://bit.ly/Topic-Sentence SPONSORS http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon 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: ...

Sep 22, 2016•11 min•Ep 535•Transcript available on Metacast

534 GG. Bridget Jones. Pay Dirt. Dashes.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Bridget Jones's Baby: http://bit.ly/JonesPossessive Pay Dirt: http://bit.ly/PayDirtIdiom Dashes: http://bit.ly/HowToUseEmDash SPONSORS http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. http://igloosoftware.com/grammargirl AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://...

Sep 15, 2016•17 min•Ep 534•Transcript available on Metacast

533 GG. Etc. Short Shrift. Prepositions

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE How to Pronounce 'Etcetera': http://bit.ly/pronounce-etc Short Shrift http://bit.ly/short-shrift Prepositions Aren't Literal: http://bit.ly/not-literal SPONSORS http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. http://audible.com/gg AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargi...

Sep 08, 2016•18 min•Ep 533•Transcript available on Metacast

532 GG Loose or Lose. You Wazzock.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Loose' or 'Lose'? http://bit.ly/LooseLose Origin of 'Loose as a Goose' http://bit.ly/LooseGoose You Wazzock! http://bit.ly/wazzock SPONSOR http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl In...

Sep 01, 2016•21 min•Ep 532•Transcript available on Metacast

531 GG Writing Dual POVs. Space Operas and Soap Operas.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Writing Dual POVs: http://bit.ly/DualPOVs Soap Operas: http://bit.ly/Space-Opera SPONSORS http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://ag.co/grammar Use the code "grammar" at checkout for a discount. AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: ht...

Aug 25, 2016•10 min•Ep 531•Transcript available on Metacast

530 GG Whom. Preorder. Badger, Weasel, Ferret.

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE "Who" Versus "Whom": http://bit.ly/Who-Whom Preorder: http://bit.ly/CanISayPreorder Idioms of the Forest: http://bit.ly/BadgerWeaselFerret SPONSORS http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://casper.com/gg Use the code "GG" at checkout for $50 off. AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/gramm...

Aug 18, 2016•13 min•Ep 530•Transcript available on Metacast

529 GG Latin Words. Batten Down the Hatches

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Words from Latin: http://bit.ly/words-with-latin-origins Batten Down the Hatches: http://bit.ly/batten-down SPONSORS http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://igloosoftware.com/grammargirl AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com...

Aug 11, 2016•10 min•Ep 529•Transcript available on Metacast

528 GG Adjectives. Logical Fallacies

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 5 Types of Fallacies: http://bit.ly/2agt9oQ Order of Adjectives: http://bit.ly/2at4U1U SPONSORS: http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://audible.com/gg AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon 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://...

Aug 04, 2016•11 min•Ep 528•Transcript available on Metacast

527 GG 'Lit' or 'Lighted.' Why Some Words Become Homophones

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'LIT' OR 'LIGHTED'? http://bit.ly/LitOrLighted ALVEOLAR FLAPPING: http://bit.ly/AmericanHomophones SPONSORS: http://magoosh.com Use the code "grammar" at checkout for 20% off. http://weebly.com/grammar AMAZON AFFILIATE CODE http://quickanddirtytips.com/amazon FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Snapchat: http://snapchat.com/add/thatgrammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl In...

Jul 29, 2016•16 min•Ep 527•Transcript available on Metacast

526 GG Types of Third Person Point of View. Flammable and Inflammable

FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE WHY DOES "INFLAMMABLE" MEAN "FLAMMABLE"? When we’re describing something that burns easily, we say it’s flammable, but "inflammable" means the same thing and was the original word, so why do we have both? http://bit.ly/inflammableORflammable THIRD PERSON: There are three main types of third person point of view in literature: third person limited, third person omniscient, and third person objective. Each has advantages and disadvantages. ...

Jul 22, 2016•9 min•Ep 526•Transcript available on Metacast

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