Are you guilty of using "everyday" as a noun? Don't do it. The one-word form is only an adjective, as in "an everyday occurrence." Never write, "I exercise my brain everyday." Now, see how you do with the rest of these adjectives.
GrammarPhile Blog
Phil Jamieson
Recent Posts
Common, Ordinary, Everyday Adjectives
Posted by Phil Jamieson Dec 18, 2014, 6:00:00 AM
Topics: vocabulary test
You Want an Apostrophe with that Name?
Posted by Phil Jamieson Dec 11, 2014, 7:00:00 AM
When we proofread documents for our business clients, we often find that writers don't know how and when to use an apostrophe. Today, let's explore some rules about using an apostrophe when writing the names of organizations and products that contain words that could be considered either possessive or descriptive terms.
Topics: proofreading, punctuation, apostrophe
Number Nine...Number Nine...Number Nine
Posted by Phil Jamieson Nov 5, 2014, 6:00:00 AM
November was the ninth month in the ancient Roman calendar. Nine is the atomic number of fluorine. We're obsessed with nine today. Can you tell?
Topics: vocabulary test
Can You Pick the Correct Verb?
Posted by Phil Jamieson Oct 23, 2014, 7:00:00 AM
Topics: Nouns
Words Religious
Posted by Phil Jamieson Oct 9, 2014, 5:00:00 AM
People have said that the best advice is to never discuss religion and politics. Well, maybe. Today's post is not about religion itself, but about words having to do with "religion."
What to capitalize. Names of religions, denominations, communions, and sects are capitalized, as are their adherents and adjectives derived from them.
Topics: capitalization, religious words
Words and Phrases People Often Mangle
Posted by Phil Jamieson Sep 24, 2014, 6:00:00 AM
Mark Twain said something like "Say nothing and they'll just wonder if you're a fool. Open your mouth and you'll remove all doubt." If he were living today, he would certainly not aim that remark at you, because you're reading the GrammarPhile blog and that makes you smarter than the average bear (we hope!). You always want to appear intelligent, don't you? Study these words and use them properly. Mark Twain would be proud of you.
Topics: common mistakes, misused words
Let's Play!
Posted by Phil Jamieson Sep 18, 2014, 6:00:00 AM
Most word lovers love Scrabble™, the classic word game developed originally by Depression-era architect Alfred Butts, who sold the rights to James Brunot, who sold the rights to Selchow & Righter, which sold out completely to Coleco, which shortly thereafter went bankrupt, the assets of which were bought up by modern-day Hasbro. Here are some words for your next conquest. (Each word's basic score is in parentheses.) Memorize them and win all the challenges!
Topics: vocabulary test
Omitting Parts of Verbs
Posted by Phil Jamieson Aug 27, 2014, 6:30:00 AM
As the summer winds down, we thought we'd post a short article and perhaps cause you to laugh (or at least chuckle a little). Hope you enjoy today's post.
Topics: verbs
Vocabulary Quiz: Going for the Perfect Ten
Posted by Phil Jamieson Sep 25, 2013, 5:30:00 AM
Here at ProofreadNOW we strive for perfection. See if you can achieve a perfect 10 with these absolutely impeccable words:
1. spot-on: (a) slightly imperfect, with only one blemish; (b) one who insists on exactness or completeness in the observance of something; (c) exactly correct; accurate; perfect; (d) a common dry-cleaning term identifying attention required for a silk necktie.
Topics: vocabulary test
And...and more
Posted by Phil Jamieson Oct 24, 2012, 5:30:00 AM
And. Retain and before the last item in a series, even though that last item consists of two words joined by and.
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