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Know the difference: tack vs. tact
A tack, as might be confused with tact, is a course or way.
It's a count noun, so you can say “a tack” or “tacks.”
Tact is sensitivity delivering unpleasant thoughts.
It's a mass noun, & doesn't pluralize or need an article in front of it, like "milk"
#EditorsNote
A tack, as might be confused with tact, is a course or way.
It's a count noun, so you can say “a tack” or “tacks.”
Tact is sensitivity delivering unpleasant thoughts.
It's a mass noun, & doesn't pluralize or need an article in front of it, like "milk"
#EditorsNote
November 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Know the difference: tack vs. tact
A tack, as might be confused with tact, is a course or way.
It's a count noun, so you can say “a tack” or “tacks.”
Tact is sensitivity delivering unpleasant thoughts.
It's a mass noun, & doesn't pluralize or need an article in front of it, like "milk"
#EditorsNote
A tack, as might be confused with tact, is a course or way.
It's a count noun, so you can say “a tack” or “tacks.”
Tact is sensitivity delivering unpleasant thoughts.
It's a mass noun, & doesn't pluralize or need an article in front of it, like "milk"
#EditorsNote
Reposted by Editorzilla
End each chapter with a hook! Give readers a reason to turn the page—whether it’s a question, a revelation, or rising tension. 📖⚡ #KeepReadersHooked #SelfEditing #WritingTips #AmEditing #DesertMysticEditing
November 18, 2025 at 6:04 PM
End each chapter with a hook! Give readers a reason to turn the page—whether it’s a question, a revelation, or rising tension. 📖⚡ #KeepReadersHooked #SelfEditing #WritingTips #AmEditing #DesertMysticEditing
Editing bit: 12 o'clock and change
Our system for a.m. and p.m. is whack.
It goes 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m....
And it goes 11 p.m., 12 a.m., 1 a.m....
#EditorsNote
Our system for a.m. and p.m. is whack.
It goes 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m....
And it goes 11 p.m., 12 a.m., 1 a.m....
#EditorsNote
November 18, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Editing bit: 12 o'clock and change
Our system for a.m. and p.m. is whack.
It goes 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m....
And it goes 11 p.m., 12 a.m., 1 a.m....
#EditorsNote
Our system for a.m. and p.m. is whack.
It goes 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m....
And it goes 11 p.m., 12 a.m., 1 a.m....
#EditorsNote
Possessives Week cont.
If a plural proper noun ends in ess*, (the Gores, the Joneses) put an apostrophe at the end. (The Gores' porch has a rock on it. The Joneses' driveway is lined with rocks they stole off people's porches.)
*By ess I mean all syllabants, including z, sh and zh
#EditorsNote
If a plural proper noun ends in ess*, (the Gores, the Joneses) put an apostrophe at the end. (The Gores' porch has a rock on it. The Joneses' driveway is lined with rocks they stole off people's porches.)
*By ess I mean all syllabants, including z, sh and zh
#EditorsNote
November 17, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Possessives Week cont.
If a plural proper noun ends in ess*, (the Gores, the Joneses) put an apostrophe at the end. (The Gores' porch has a rock on it. The Joneses' driveway is lined with rocks they stole off people's porches.)
*By ess I mean all syllabants, including z, sh and zh
#EditorsNote
If a plural proper noun ends in ess*, (the Gores, the Joneses) put an apostrophe at the end. (The Gores' porch has a rock on it. The Joneses' driveway is lined with rocks they stole off people's porches.)
*By ess I mean all syllabants, including z, sh and zh
#EditorsNote
Possessives Week cont.
Plural common noun that ends in ess:
With a plural common noun (books, glasses), you put the apostrophe at the end.
(Those books' cover pages are all signed by their authors.)(Your wine glasses' stems are beautiful.)
#EditorsNote
Plural common noun that ends in ess:
With a plural common noun (books, glasses), you put the apostrophe at the end.
(Those books' cover pages are all signed by their authors.)(Your wine glasses' stems are beautiful.)
#EditorsNote
November 14, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Possessives Week cont.
Plural common noun that ends in ess:
With a plural common noun (books, glasses), you put the apostrophe at the end.
(Those books' cover pages are all signed by their authors.)(Your wine glasses' stems are beautiful.)
#EditorsNote
Plural common noun that ends in ess:
With a plural common noun (books, glasses), you put the apostrophe at the end.
(Those books' cover pages are all signed by their authors.)(Your wine glasses' stems are beautiful.)
#EditorsNote
Reposted by Editorzilla
ultimate = last in a series
penultimate = second-to-last in a series
antepenultimate = third-to-last in a series
preantepenultimate = fourth-to-last in a series
propreantepenultimate = fifth-to-last in a series
penultimate = second-to-last in a series
antepenultimate = third-to-last in a series
preantepenultimate = fourth-to-last in a series
propreantepenultimate = fifth-to-last in a series
November 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
ultimate = last in a series
penultimate = second-to-last in a series
antepenultimate = third-to-last in a series
preantepenultimate = fourth-to-last in a series
propreantepenultimate = fifth-to-last in a series
penultimate = second-to-last in a series
antepenultimate = third-to-last in a series
preantepenultimate = fourth-to-last in a series
propreantepenultimate = fifth-to-last in a series
Possessives Week cont.
If a singular proper noun ends in ess (Vegas), you use an apostrophe only, no matter what the next word starts with. (Vegas' weather is hot.)
Some nouns change form when they become plural, like children, people, mice, men. Use apostrophe-ess (The women's robes are pink.)
If a singular proper noun ends in ess (Vegas), you use an apostrophe only, no matter what the next word starts with. (Vegas' weather is hot.)
Some nouns change form when they become plural, like children, people, mice, men. Use apostrophe-ess (The women's robes are pink.)
November 13, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Possessives Week cont.
If a singular proper noun ends in ess (Vegas), you use an apostrophe only, no matter what the next word starts with. (Vegas' weather is hot.)
Some nouns change form when they become plural, like children, people, mice, men. Use apostrophe-ess (The women's robes are pink.)
If a singular proper noun ends in ess (Vegas), you use an apostrophe only, no matter what the next word starts with. (Vegas' weather is hot.)
Some nouns change form when they become plural, like children, people, mice, men. Use apostrophe-ess (The women's robes are pink.)
Possessives Week cont.
With a singular common noun that ends in ess (lip gloss), you do the same thing UNLESS the next word starts with an ess. (Correct: My lip gloss's lid is missing.)
If the next word starts with an ess, you use just an apostrophe. (Correct: My lip gloss' stopper came out.)
With a singular common noun that ends in ess (lip gloss), you do the same thing UNLESS the next word starts with an ess. (Correct: My lip gloss's lid is missing.)
If the next word starts with an ess, you use just an apostrophe. (Correct: My lip gloss' stopper came out.)
November 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Possessives Week cont.
With a singular common noun that ends in ess (lip gloss), you do the same thing UNLESS the next word starts with an ess. (Correct: My lip gloss's lid is missing.)
If the next word starts with an ess, you use just an apostrophe. (Correct: My lip gloss' stopper came out.)
With a singular common noun that ends in ess (lip gloss), you do the same thing UNLESS the next word starts with an ess. (Correct: My lip gloss's lid is missing.)
If the next word starts with an ess, you use just an apostrophe. (Correct: My lip gloss' stopper came out.)
November 12, 2025 at 1:49 AM
It's possessives and apostrophes week
Singular owner that doesn’t end in ess
Let's start with the easy one. If a singular common or proper noun not ending in ess (cat, for instance) is possessive, you add an apostrophe and an ess. (Ex: My cat's food is stinky. Newsie's food is stinky)
#EditorsNote
Singular owner that doesn’t end in ess
Let's start with the easy one. If a singular common or proper noun not ending in ess (cat, for instance) is possessive, you add an apostrophe and an ess. (Ex: My cat's food is stinky. Newsie's food is stinky)
#EditorsNote
November 10, 2025 at 5:14 PM
It's possessives and apostrophes week
Singular owner that doesn’t end in ess
Let's start with the easy one. If a singular common or proper noun not ending in ess (cat, for instance) is possessive, you add an apostrophe and an ess. (Ex: My cat's food is stinky. Newsie's food is stinky)
#EditorsNote
Singular owner that doesn’t end in ess
Let's start with the easy one. If a singular common or proper noun not ending in ess (cat, for instance) is possessive, you add an apostrophe and an ess. (Ex: My cat's food is stinky. Newsie's food is stinky)
#EditorsNote
Know the diff: lead v. led
Lead (rhymes w/"greed") is the present-tense verb meaning show the way, or a noun meaning thing or person in front or in charge.
Pronounced like "bed" it's a noun, a metal.
Led is past tense of the verb lead.
Ex: He led me to the lead paint. I took the lead on its removal.
Lead (rhymes w/"greed") is the present-tense verb meaning show the way, or a noun meaning thing or person in front or in charge.
Pronounced like "bed" it's a noun, a metal.
Led is past tense of the verb lead.
Ex: He led me to the lead paint. I took the lead on its removal.
November 9, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Know the diff: lead v. led
Lead (rhymes w/"greed") is the present-tense verb meaning show the way, or a noun meaning thing or person in front or in charge.
Pronounced like "bed" it's a noun, a metal.
Led is past tense of the verb lead.
Ex: He led me to the lead paint. I took the lead on its removal.
Lead (rhymes w/"greed") is the present-tense verb meaning show the way, or a noun meaning thing or person in front or in charge.
Pronounced like "bed" it's a noun, a metal.
Led is past tense of the verb lead.
Ex: He led me to the lead paint. I took the lead on its removal.
Know the difference: course vs. coarse
A course is a path, either physical (like a trail) or conceptual (like a class or a plan). It's part of the idiom "of course."
Coarse means rough, either physically (like the texture of a surface) or conceptually (like a tone or manner).
#EditorsNote
A course is a path, either physical (like a trail) or conceptual (like a class or a plan). It's part of the idiom "of course."
Coarse means rough, either physically (like the texture of a surface) or conceptually (like a tone or manner).
#EditorsNote
November 8, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Know the difference: course vs. coarse
A course is a path, either physical (like a trail) or conceptual (like a class or a plan). It's part of the idiom "of course."
Coarse means rough, either physically (like the texture of a surface) or conceptually (like a tone or manner).
#EditorsNote
A course is a path, either physical (like a trail) or conceptual (like a class or a plan). It's part of the idiom "of course."
Coarse means rough, either physically (like the texture of a surface) or conceptually (like a tone or manner).
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: Should I be saying “an historic” or “a historic”?
According to AP Style, it's "a historic."
#EditorsNote
According to AP Style, it's "a historic."
#EditorsNote
November 7, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Editing bit: Should I be saying “an historic” or “a historic”?
According to AP Style, it's "a historic."
#EditorsNote
According to AP Style, it's "a historic."
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: prophecy vs. prophesy vs. prophesize
Prophecy, a vision or phenomenal knowledge of the future, is a noun.
Prophesy, to have a vision or phenomenal knowledge of the future, is noun or verb.
Prophesize is not recognized as a legitimate spelling by most dictionaries.
#EditorsNote
Prophecy, a vision or phenomenal knowledge of the future, is a noun.
Prophesy, to have a vision or phenomenal knowledge of the future, is noun or verb.
Prophesize is not recognized as a legitimate spelling by most dictionaries.
#EditorsNote
November 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Know the difference: prophecy vs. prophesy vs. prophesize
Prophecy, a vision or phenomenal knowledge of the future, is a noun.
Prophesy, to have a vision or phenomenal knowledge of the future, is noun or verb.
Prophesize is not recognized as a legitimate spelling by most dictionaries.
#EditorsNote
Prophecy, a vision or phenomenal knowledge of the future, is a noun.
Prophesy, to have a vision or phenomenal knowledge of the future, is noun or verb.
Prophesize is not recognized as a legitimate spelling by most dictionaries.
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: Decades
When you abbreviate decades, put apostrophes in lieu of missing numbers, not before the ess.
Example: I love the '80s.
#EditorsNote
When you abbreviate decades, put apostrophes in lieu of missing numbers, not before the ess.
Example: I love the '80s.
#EditorsNote
November 5, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Editing bit: Decades
When you abbreviate decades, put apostrophes in lieu of missing numbers, not before the ess.
Example: I love the '80s.
#EditorsNote
When you abbreviate decades, put apostrophes in lieu of missing numbers, not before the ess.
Example: I love the '80s.
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: burglary vs. robbery
To burgle is to steal people's things when they are not there.
To rob is to steal people things by force in their presence.
#EditorsNote
To burgle is to steal people's things when they are not there.
To rob is to steal people things by force in their presence.
#EditorsNote
November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Know the difference: burglary vs. robbery
To burgle is to steal people's things when they are not there.
To rob is to steal people things by force in their presence.
#EditorsNote
To burgle is to steal people's things when they are not there.
To rob is to steal people things by force in their presence.
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: temblor vs. trembler
A temblor is an earthquake.
A trembler is anything that shakes.
Examples: I felt that! That was quite a temblor we just had.
The big dude sitting next to me at the scary movie was a real trembler, poor scaredy-pants.
#EditorsNote
A temblor is an earthquake.
A trembler is anything that shakes.
Examples: I felt that! That was quite a temblor we just had.
The big dude sitting next to me at the scary movie was a real trembler, poor scaredy-pants.
#EditorsNote
November 3, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Know the difference: temblor vs. trembler
A temblor is an earthquake.
A trembler is anything that shakes.
Examples: I felt that! That was quite a temblor we just had.
The big dude sitting next to me at the scary movie was a real trembler, poor scaredy-pants.
#EditorsNote
A temblor is an earthquake.
A trembler is anything that shakes.
Examples: I felt that! That was quite a temblor we just had.
The big dude sitting next to me at the scary movie was a real trembler, poor scaredy-pants.
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: Daylight Saving Time is written like that.
It does not include the word 'savings.’
#EditorsNote
It does not include the word 'savings.’
#EditorsNote
November 3, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Editing bit: Daylight Saving Time is written like that.
It does not include the word 'savings.’
#EditorsNote
It does not include the word 'savings.’
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: Don't say "a palm tree." Just say "a palm."
A palm is not a tree.
Palms have no cambium and no bark. Morphologically, they are more like grass.
#EditorsNote
A palm is not a tree.
Palms have no cambium and no bark. Morphologically, they are more like grass.
#EditorsNote
November 3, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Editing bit: Don't say "a palm tree." Just say "a palm."
A palm is not a tree.
Palms have no cambium and no bark. Morphologically, they are more like grass.
#EditorsNote
A palm is not a tree.
Palms have no cambium and no bark. Morphologically, they are more like grass.
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: lightning vs. lightening
Lightning is the flash that comes with the thunder. We're going to get some Monday, I expect (NOTE: My expertise as a grammarian gives me zero credence as a meteorologist.)
Lightening is a lessening of heft, color or stress.
#EditorsNote
Lightning is the flash that comes with the thunder. We're going to get some Monday, I expect (NOTE: My expertise as a grammarian gives me zero credence as a meteorologist.)
Lightening is a lessening of heft, color or stress.
#EditorsNote
November 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Know the difference: lightning vs. lightening
Lightning is the flash that comes with the thunder. We're going to get some Monday, I expect (NOTE: My expertise as a grammarian gives me zero credence as a meteorologist.)
Lightening is a lessening of heft, color or stress.
#EditorsNote
Lightning is the flash that comes with the thunder. We're going to get some Monday, I expect (NOTE: My expertise as a grammarian gives me zero credence as a meteorologist.)
Lightening is a lessening of heft, color or stress.
#EditorsNote
Halloween editing bit: Frankenstein
Do not call the big, stitched-forehead, bolted-neck, undersized-jacket green guy Frankenstein. He is not Frankenstein.
The doctor is Frankenstein. The stitched bolted dude with constrained armpits is Frankenstein’s monster.
#EditorsNote
Do not call the big, stitched-forehead, bolted-neck, undersized-jacket green guy Frankenstein. He is not Frankenstein.
The doctor is Frankenstein. The stitched bolted dude with constrained armpits is Frankenstein’s monster.
#EditorsNote
October 31, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Halloween editing bit: Frankenstein
Do not call the big, stitched-forehead, bolted-neck, undersized-jacket green guy Frankenstein. He is not Frankenstein.
The doctor is Frankenstein. The stitched bolted dude with constrained armpits is Frankenstein’s monster.
#EditorsNote
Do not call the big, stitched-forehead, bolted-neck, undersized-jacket green guy Frankenstein. He is not Frankenstein.
The doctor is Frankenstein. The stitched bolted dude with constrained armpits is Frankenstein’s monster.
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: where to put the dollar sign
Out loud, you say, "That cost 30,000 dollars."
But you transcribe that with the symbol pronounced as "dollars" before the number.
Crazy, I know.
Correct: That cost $30,000.
Incorrect: That cost 30,000$
#EditorsNote
Out loud, you say, "That cost 30,000 dollars."
But you transcribe that with the symbol pronounced as "dollars" before the number.
Crazy, I know.
Correct: That cost $30,000.
Incorrect: That cost 30,000$
#EditorsNote
October 30, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Editing bit: where to put the dollar sign
Out loud, you say, "That cost 30,000 dollars."
But you transcribe that with the symbol pronounced as "dollars" before the number.
Crazy, I know.
Correct: That cost $30,000.
Incorrect: That cost 30,000$
#EditorsNote
Out loud, you say, "That cost 30,000 dollars."
But you transcribe that with the symbol pronounced as "dollars" before the number.
Crazy, I know.
Correct: That cost $30,000.
Incorrect: That cost 30,000$
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: foundering vs. floundering
To founder is to totally fail.
To flounder is to struggle.
Examples: That boat had a hole in it, so it didn’t stand a chance. It foundered in five minutes.
I was out there floundering and finally I gave up.
#EditorsNote
To founder is to totally fail.
To flounder is to struggle.
Examples: That boat had a hole in it, so it didn’t stand a chance. It foundered in five minutes.
I was out there floundering and finally I gave up.
#EditorsNote
October 29, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Know the difference: foundering vs. floundering
To founder is to totally fail.
To flounder is to struggle.
Examples: That boat had a hole in it, so it didn’t stand a chance. It foundered in five minutes.
I was out there floundering and finally I gave up.
#EditorsNote
To founder is to totally fail.
To flounder is to struggle.
Examples: That boat had a hole in it, so it didn’t stand a chance. It foundered in five minutes.
I was out there floundering and finally I gave up.
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: Questioning statements
Do not put a question mark after a sentence that begins "I thought," "I wonder" or “Guess.”
If you do, you are wondering aloud if you are really that nuts.
Ex: I thought I was supposed to punctuate it that way.
I wonder if I am that nuts.
Guess what.
#EditorsNote
Do not put a question mark after a sentence that begins "I thought," "I wonder" or “Guess.”
If you do, you are wondering aloud if you are really that nuts.
Ex: I thought I was supposed to punctuate it that way.
I wonder if I am that nuts.
Guess what.
#EditorsNote
October 28, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Editing bit: Questioning statements
Do not put a question mark after a sentence that begins "I thought," "I wonder" or “Guess.”
If you do, you are wondering aloud if you are really that nuts.
Ex: I thought I was supposed to punctuate it that way.
I wonder if I am that nuts.
Guess what.
#EditorsNote
Do not put a question mark after a sentence that begins "I thought," "I wonder" or “Guess.”
If you do, you are wondering aloud if you are really that nuts.
Ex: I thought I was supposed to punctuate it that way.
I wonder if I am that nuts.
Guess what.
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: The expression is spelled "shoo-in."
If something or someone is sure to win, you’ve got a shoo-in.
Imagine the public shooing a guy onto the winner's podium like you would shoo a dog out of the kitchen.
#EditorsNote
If something or someone is sure to win, you’ve got a shoo-in.
Imagine the public shooing a guy onto the winner's podium like you would shoo a dog out of the kitchen.
#EditorsNote
October 27, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Editing bit: The expression is spelled "shoo-in."
If something or someone is sure to win, you’ve got a shoo-in.
Imagine the public shooing a guy onto the winner's podium like you would shoo a dog out of the kitchen.
#EditorsNote
If something or someone is sure to win, you’ve got a shoo-in.
Imagine the public shooing a guy onto the winner's podium like you would shoo a dog out of the kitchen.
#EditorsNote