GrammarPhile Blog

Phil Jamieson

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Common, Ordinary, Everyday Adjectives

Posted by Phil Jamieson   Dec 18, 2014, 6:00:00 AM

 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.

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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.

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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?

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Topics: vocabulary test

Can You Pick the Correct Verb?

Posted by Phil Jamieson   Oct 23, 2014, 7:00:00 AM

Which verbs are correct?

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Topics: verbs

Vocabulary Quiz: Going for the Perfect Ten

Posted by Phil Jamieson   Sep 25, 2013, 5:30:00 AM

Bo Derek in "10"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. 

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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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