Peak or Peek (or Pique?)

Love a good set of homophones…

So I jumped on the comment by my SO Jim about how often people confuse “peak” and “peek.” Here are some thoughts on how to keep them straight when you’re writing:

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Are Double Periods a Thing?

While reviewing a legal contract, a friend saw a sentence that ended “etc..” She called and asked, “If a sentence ends in an abbreviation, do you add a second period?”

  • The short answer is…NEVER.
  • The long answer is…NEVER EVER!

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What’s Your Business Love Language?

My colleague Emily Oliver, owner of Goals Garden, recently shared info about a networking event called, “What is Your Business Love Language?” Not only did this resonated with me, but it inspired this pre-Valentine’s Day Wordsmith Wednesday post!

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Double Negatives

Recently, my partner Jim mentioned that he’s noticed more and more people using double negatives. And he wondered why.

A double negative is when two negative statements are applied to the same subject in a sentence. Double negatives are often used in everyday speech, and examples abound in popular song lyrics – from the Rolling Stones’ “I can’t get no satisfaction” to Pink Floyd’s “We don’t need no education.”

Beyond the fact that communication has become a lot more casual these days, I’m not aware of any reason why people may be using double negatives more often.

But I do know this: when it comes to proper grammar, they are generally considered a no-no. Read more

The Colon/Capitalization Question

As you might suspect, I’m addressing the colon/capitalization question because I often wonder if I’m doing it right. Since I write for a living, you’d think I’d have it figured out. But my confusion is justified – because the answer to the question, “Do you capitalize a word after a colon?” is…sometimes.

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Better Than or Better Then?

It’s August. With any luck, you’re relaxing somewhere, enjoying your favorite {adult} beverage. So, I’ll get right to the point: “then” and “than” are NOT the same word. And here’s the basic difference:

  • “Then” is used when you’re talking about something relating to time. It’s the choice for phrases like “just then,” “back then,” and “every now and then.” And after words like “since” and “until.”
  • “Than” is the got-to when you’re talking about comparisons: “older than,” “stronger than,” “less than,” “bigger than.” It also follows the words “other” and “rather.”

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Does Bad Grammar Make You Look Unprofessional?

I get it – not everyone cares as much about good grammar as I do. But proper grammar usage actually DOES make us look more professional – even in this era of fewer words and shorter attention spans.

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Love Letters

When I was packing for my move last June, I found them in the hall closet. A small stack of letters, written on gray parchment. Tied with a piece of red ribbon and kept in a small cedar box for over 40 years.

Love letters. From the first man who stole my heart.

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A Gift or a Present?

My significant other {let’s call him Jim} believes that a gift and a present are not the same thing.

He insists that a gift is something the recipient wants to receive – while a present is something you want them to have. And he has a very complicated trick for remembering the difference {I’ll spare your holidazed brain the explanation. Consider it a gift – or a present.}

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Nothing Beats a Thank You Note

‘Tis the season when we focus on gratitude. And nothing says “I totally appreciated that” like sending a handwritten note.

Okay – maybe diamonds or a big wad of cash would be more impressive. But when it comes to heartfelt and sincere, a simple thank you note takes the cake. It’s classy. It sends a powerful message about what you value {kindness, generosity, manners.} And it makes the recipient feel special. Really special.

So why don’t we actually do it?

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