Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing podcast

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Episodes

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Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

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.

Episodes

645 - Interview with New York Times bestselling author Courtney Summers

This week is a special show. I interview Courtney Summers, the author of the New York Times best-selling novel "Sadie," and learn what it was like to work on a book that also had a podcast component and what inspires Courtney to write such dark novels. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/grammargirl Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammar...

Nov 01, 2018•15 min•Ep 645•Transcript available on Metacast

644 - 'Sit' or 'Set'? Monster Names.

This week, teaching a dog to sit can help you remember "sit" versus "set," and we get ready for Halloween with words that come from monster names. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS Book: "I'll Be There for You" UPCOMING CONFERENCE https://www...

Oct 25, 2018•9 min•Ep 644•Transcript available on Metacast

643 - ‘In the Limelight.’ ‘A’ or ‘An’?

This week, we figure out why we say people are "in the limelight," and we explain the rules for using "a" and "an"--many people misunderstand the rules (or were taught wrong). FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://mgemi.com/grammar http://...

Oct 18, 2018•12 min•Ep 643•Transcript available on Metacast

642 - 'Regard' Versus 'Regards.' Languages Without Numbers.

This week, we tease out when to use "regard" and when to use "regards," and we learn about fascinating languages that don't have numbers. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://ancestry.com/grammar http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/women_in_charge.html UPCOMING CON...

Oct 11, 2018•12 min•Ep 642•Transcript available on Metacast

641 - 'Myself.' ‘Get the Skinny.’

This week, I help people learn how to use the word "myself" (and talk about some interesting dialects) and investigate about why we say we "get the skinny" on something. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSOR http://ancestry.com/grammar UPCOMING CONFERENCE https://www.soundeduc...

Oct 04, 2018•16 min•Ep 641•Transcript available on Metacast

640 - Can a Screw Screw Itself into a Board? (Middle Voice)

This week, we look at an interesting kind of sentence that's written in the "middle voice." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://campaignmonitor.com/grammar GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopiPad For iPad and iPhone: http://bit...

Sep 27, 2018•17 min•Ep 640•Transcript available on Metacast

639 - Great Paragraphs. Falling off the Turnip Truck.

Go beyond formulaic essay rules and create paragraphs that will hook your readers. Also, we figure out why people say they didn't just fall off the turnip truck. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://campaignmonitor.com/grammar GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iPad: ...

Sep 20, 2018•9 min•Ep 639•Transcript available on Metacast

638 - 'None.' How Pirates Talked.

Some people say only "none is" is right, but we tackle "none are." Plus, we have an extra fun segment about pirate-speak for Talk Like a Pirate Day. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://blinkist.com/grammar http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) GRAMM...

Sep 13, 2018•11 min•Ep 638•Transcript available on Metacast

637 - ‘MacGyver.’ ‘Semicolons.’

Last week, I talked about "MacGyvering" things, so this week, I explain what I meant. Plus, I talk about one of the most contentious punctuation marks: the semicolon. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http:...

Sep 06, 2018•9 min•Ep 637•Transcript available on Metacast

636 - 'To Boot.' Duck Tape. 'Can' and 'May.' Pronouns.

This week, I have more evidence that "quick and dirty" is from the Pacific Northwest, why we say "to boot," whether the correct name is "duct tape" or "duck tape," whether it's really wrong to say "Can I go to the bathroom," and an excerpt from an interview with June Casagrande about pronouns. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Insta...

Aug 30, 2018•15 min•Ep 636•Transcript available on Metacast

635 - 'Quick and Dirty.' 'Momentarily.' Short Subjects.

For everyone who has wondered why we're called the "Quick and Dirty Tips" podcast network, I have the origin story. Plus, we'll talk about how annoyed you should get when people use "momentarily" to mean "in a moment" and why you should favor shorter subjects and backload your sentences. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com...

Aug 24, 2018•12 min•Ep 635•Transcript available on Metacast

634 - 'Rack' or 'Wrack'? How to Eliminate Adverbs.

Did you know that "wrack" is a word for seaweed? I didn't! Also, getting rid of adverbs usually improves your writing, but not always. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://bit.ly/grammarwebinar GRAMMAR ...

Aug 16, 2018•8 min•Ep 634•Transcript available on Metacast

BONUS: Words for Color

Hear one of my favorite segments from a recent Stitcher Premium bonus episode. These are normally available for only Stitcher Premium subscribers, but we want you to see what you're missing! Subscribe to Grammar Girl at Stitcher Premium and use the code GRAMMAR for a free month to get ad-free episodes and bonus episodes as well as premium content from other podcasts such as Freakonomics and Tell Me Something I Don't Know. Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar...

Aug 14, 2018•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast

633 - Is That Comment Facetious, Sarcastic, or Sardonic? Cleft Sentences.

Is That Comment Facetious, Sarcastic, or Sardonic? Cleft Sentences. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://bombas.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://bit.ly/grammarwebinar GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME Optimized for iPa...

Aug 09, 2018•15 min•Ep 633•Transcript available on Metacast

632 - 'Ask' as a Noun. Ships as 'She.'

This week we answer a listener question about "the ask" and look at whether it's OK to call boats, cars, and countries "she." FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://blinkist.com/grammar GRAMMAR ...

Aug 02, 2018•12 min•Ep 632•Transcript available on Metacast

631 - Anniversaries. Conversate.

It's the 12th anniversary of the Grammar Girl podcast! Or is that the 12-year anniversary? No! In honor of this illustrious event, we look at why people say they "conversate" and why they may want to think twice about it. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http:/...

Jul 26, 2018•14 min•Ep 631•Transcript available on Metacast

630 - Who Wrote the ABC Song? Shark Idioms!

This week, we talk about who wrote the alphabet song that helps people learn their ABCs, and we investigate six silly idioms about sharks. #SharkWeek FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://babbel.com/GG (offer code...

Jul 19, 2018•12 min•Ep 630•Transcript available on Metacast

629 - 'Gourmet' or 'Gourmand'? Why July 14 Is Called Bastille Day.

In honor of Bastille Day (July 14), we talk about the difference between a gourmet and a gourmand, and we talk about words the French and English use to insult each other. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://bli...

Jul 12, 2018•12 min•Ep 629•Transcript available on Metacast

628 - Why 'Bag' and 'Beg' Sound the same to some people? Does 'Texas' Mean 'Crazy'?

This week, we’ll talk about why I pronounce the word “aggravate” in a way that irritated many of you, the difference between “interment” and “internment,” and why Norwegians use the word "Texas" to mean “wild” or “crazy.” FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http:/...

Jul 05, 2018•12 min•Ep 628•Transcript available on Metacast

627 - How to Write a Great Cover Letter. 'Kinda' and 'Wanna': Real Words or Not?

How to write a great cover letter. Also, we say "kinda," "wanna," and "gonna," so why don't we write them? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://magoosh.com (offer code GRAMMAR) GRAMM...

Jun 28, 2018•12 min•Ep 627•Transcript available on Metacast

626 - ‘Aggravate’ Versus ‘Irritate’ What Is a Functional Shift?

Some people say you shouldn't use "aggravate" to mean "irritate" or "annoy." It has to do with the word's origin. Also, does it irritate you when people use "invite" as a noun? FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://stitcherpremiu...

Jun 21, 2018•9 min•Ep 626•Transcript available on Metacast

625 - ‘Dinner’ or ‘Supper’? How to Write a Thank-You Note

‘Dinner’ or ‘Supper’? How to Write a Thank-You Note FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl YouTube: http://youtube.com/thegrammargirl SPONSORS The Splendid Table Podcast http://awaytravel.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) http://stitcherpremium.com/grammar (offer code GRAMMAR) GRAMMAR P...

Jun 14, 2018•13 min•Ep 625•Transcript available on Metacast

624 - ‘Trooper’ and ‘Trouper.” Why Is It Called a Spelling Bee?

This week, we talk about the difference between a "trooper" and a "trouper," about why a spelling bee is called a "bee," and about a bunch of other "bee" idioms. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://babbel.com/GG (offer code GG)...

Jun 07, 2018•10 min•Ep 624•Transcript available on Metacast

623 - 'Calvary' or 'Cavalry'? Spelling Bee Interview.

If you have trouble remembering how to pronounce "cavalry," I have a memory trick for you. Plus, if you love the spelling bee (or are just curious about how it works), I have a great interview with Paige Kimble, the executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...

May 31, 2018•18 min•Ep 623•Transcript available on Metacast

622 - Is a Troop One Person or a Group? Repetition

Is a troop one person or a group, and what's up with obviously repetitive phrases such as "It is what it is"? FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Troops: http://bit.ly/troop-troops Repetition: http://bit.ly/drink-drink FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://magoosh.com (use the...

May 24, 2018•14 min•Ep 622•Transcript available on Metacast

621 - ‘Council’ or ‘Counsel’? Direct and Indirect Quotations. Oxymorons.

People have been confusing "council" and "counsel" since the 16th century. Sometimes you put single words such as "yes" and "no" in quotation marks, and sometimes you don't. We investigate three weird oxymorons: "bridegroom," "spendthrift," and "fail-safe." FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Council' or 'Counsel'? http://bit.ly/council-counsel Direct and Indirect Quotations: http://bit.ly/direct-quotation Oxymorons: http://bit.ly/odd-oxymorons FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargir...

May 17, 2018•10 min•Ep 621•Transcript available on Metacast

620 - When to Capitalize 'Mom.' In the Doldrums.

Whether you capitalize "mom" depends on how you are using the word, and did you know that "the doldrums" are an actual location? FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Capitalizing "Mom": http://bit.ly/capitalize-mom In the Doldrums: http://bit.ly/in-the-doldrums FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar...

May 10, 2018•15 min•Ep 620•Transcript available on Metacast

619 - Co-worker. Barefaced and Baldfaced Lies. Mixed Metaphors.

Co-worker. Barefaced and Baldfaced Lies. Mixed Metaphors. FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE Does Co-Worker Always Take a Hyphen? http://bit.ly/co-worker-hyphen Barefaced or Baldfaced Lie? http://bit.ly/barefaced-baldfaced Mixed Metaphors: http://bit.ly/mixed-metaphors FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/compa...

May 03, 2018•11 min•Ep 619•Transcript available on Metacast

618 - Jazz and Thunder. Say Your Piece (or Peace)?

Are sports team names singular or plural? Do you say your piece or say your peace? FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE http://bit.ly/sports-teams http://bit.ly/say-your-piece FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/realgrammargirl Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl SPONSORS http://juicebeauty.com/grammar (use the promo code Grammar20) http://mr...

Apr 26, 2018•12 min•Ep 618•Transcript available on Metacast

617 - 'Lay' and 'Lie.' 'Grill' and 'Grille.' 'Warsh.'

This week, we talk about why people say "warsh" instead of "wash"(it's called in the intrusive R), about why we have two spellings for the word that sounds like "grill," and how to remember the difference between "lay" and "lie." FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE 'Lay' and 'Lie' http://bit.ly/layLie 'Grill' and 'Grille' http://bit.ly/grill-grille 'Warsh' http://bit.ly/wash-warsh FOLLOW GRAMMAR GIRL Twitter: http://twitter.com/grammargirl Facebook: http://facebook.com/grammargirl Pinterest: http://pint...

Apr 19, 2018•10 min•Ep 617•Transcript available on Metacast