Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing cover image

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Latest episodes

undefined
Aug 19, 2019 • 14min

715 - POV. Plus 'Tinderella,' 'phubbing,' and more words at the intersection of relationships and technology.

We rock. You rock. They rock. Understanding point of view in fiction. "Tinderella," "phubbing," and more words at the intersection of relationships and technology. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Merrill Financial Advisor Development Program: http:/careers.bankofamerica.com | True & Co.: http://trueandco.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Magoosh Test Prep: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEEVE WARS CARD GAME | https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/grammar-girl-s-peeve-wars | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
undefined
Aug 16, 2019 • 16min

714 - Eponyms: Cardigan, Dunce, Quisling, and More.

Some words get their names from people, and when they do, the stories are usually fascinating. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | True & Co.: http://trueandco.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEEVE WARS CARD GAME | https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/grammar-girl-s-peeve-wars | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
undefined
Aug 12, 2019 • 17min

713 - More Apostrophe Mayhem. Dyslexia Writing Tips

One of the most common questions I get is how to make a word like "Kansas" possessive. There isn't a right or wrong answer, but I can help you decide which is best for you. Also, we have tips on how to make your work easier to read for people with dyslexia. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code:GRAMMAR | Bank of America: http://careers.bankofamerica.com | Relationship Doctor Podcast | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEEVE WARS CARD GAME | https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/grammar-girl-s-peeve-wars | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
undefined
Aug 8, 2019 • 14min

712 - Apostrophe Catastrophe. What (or Who) Is a Cipher?

It's not your fault apostrophes are confusing. We have help. Also, I called someone a "cipher," and my husband didn't know what that meant. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code: GRAMMAR | True & Co.: http://trueandco.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Native: http://nativedeodorant.com code: GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEEVE WARS CARD GAME | https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/grammar-girl-s-peeve-wars | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
undefined
Aug 5, 2019 • 22min

711 - Misheard Song Lyrics and Eggcorns. The Ampersand.

When you mishear song lyrics, the resulting (often funny) error is called a mondegreen. We have the story about why and the run-down on similar funny errors. Also, did you know the ampersand used to be the last "letter" in the alphabet? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code:GRAMMAR | Blinkist: http://blinkist.com/grammar | Bombas: http://bombas.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEEVE WARS CARD GAME | https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/grammar-girl-s-peeve-wars | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
undefined
Aug 1, 2019 • 11min

710 - Vacay. Why Some People Call Green Peppers 'Mangoes'

It's time to take off, and we have 10 words to describe it. Also, we dig in to an interesting mystery: Why some people call green peppers "mangoes." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code:GRAMMAR | Audible: http://audible.com/GG or text GG to 500-500 | Proactiv: http://proactiv.com/grammar | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
undefined
Jul 29, 2019 • 29min

709 - Surprise! The History of Semicolons Is Exciting.

I talked with Cecelia Watson, author of the new book "Semicolon" about how grammar writers in the 1800s became fabulously wealthy, struggled to create rules, and had vicious arguments; and we talked about how researching the book changed her approach to teaching writing and a whole bunch more. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Bank of America: http://careers.bankofamerica.com | Blinkist: http://trueandco/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
undefined
Jul 25, 2019 • 11min

708 - Why Alcohol Is 'Hard.' 'Phenomena' or 'Phenomenon'?

A listener asked why we call some kinds of alcohol hard drinks and spirits, so we found the answer! Also, I'll help you remember the difference between "phenomenon" and "phenomena." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Magoosh: http://magoosh.com code:GRAMMAR | Blinkist: http://blinkist.com/grammar | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
undefined
Jul 22, 2019 • 30min

707 - How and Why the Internet Is Changing Language

Gretchen McCulloch studies how people use language on the internet, and today we talked about her new book, "Because Internet." I bet you'll recognize yourself or your friends in her insights. I did! LINKS AND SPONSORS | Embark: http://embarkvet.com promo code: GRAMMAR | Babbel: http://babbel.com | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
undefined
Jul 18, 2019 • 11min

706 - Sometimes It's Not a Bad Idea to Dumb Down Your Language.

Why sometimes it's not a bad idea to dumb down your language. LINKS AND SPONSORS | True & Co: http://trueandco.com/grammar code:GRAMMAR | Grammar Girl Email Newsletter | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | Grammar Girl's AP style webinar: http://bit.ly/APStyle2019 | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | GRAMMAR GIRL BOOKS | http://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks | GRAMMAR GIRL IS PART OF THE QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS PODCAST NETWORK | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode