Writing Guide
Welcome! I created the writing guide to help people find answers to their questions about the English language—grammar, punctuation, spelling, rhetoric, and so on.
The End
February 25, 2009
I'm sure this comes as no surprise to anyone who has visited the writing guide here before, but I'd like to make official what has been painfully obvious for too long: this little experiment of a writing guide has come to an end.
It has been nearly 2 1/2 years since I last posted an entry here, and I have neither the time nor the motivation to post another any time soon. My interests, along with my profession, have changed quite a bit in the last five years, and I no longer feel qualified to make any kind of authoritative pronouncement about the English language. The entries will remain available for viewing, but comments will be closed. I've enjoyed seeing the discussion that a few of the entries have generated, but I'm afraid that leaving comments open invites the expectation that I will answer the questions of anyone who happens to ask. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to those discussions.
To those looking for help with English grammar, style, and usage, I hope you can find an answer in one of the previously posted entries or on another website.
Best wishes,
Karl Swedberg
who versus that
October 10, 2006
Someone recently sent me an email asking about the proper use of who and that: When followed by a verb, how does one know when to say "who" and when to say "that"? Ex: The lady that jumped on the couch or The lady who jumped on the couch? I … Read More
lit and lighted
February 10, 2006
I just got a very nice note from Andrew, who asked a good usage question: Hi! I love reading your answers to the grammar questions. Recently, I got into a debate about 'lit' versus 'lighted'. I lit a match. I lighted a candle. The room was lit by the flame. … Read More
Hanged or Hung
December 4, 2005
Here is one of the many questions I've received recently: I was reading a story in the paper and the writer wrote "He hanged himself." My coworkers and I thought it should be, "He hung himself." Are we all wrong or is the journalist? Here is my answer: I'm sorry … Read More
Toward or Towards
September 22, 2005
Someone recently wrote in with the following question: I was recently reading a book that used the word "towards" many times. I have always said, "I went toward the lake." But, in this book the author wrote several sentences such as, "I went towards the lake." The author is a … Read More
historic and historical
September 22, 2005
"The question concerns the appropriate use of the words historic and historical. When is one prefered over the other?" This is a great question, for which the American Heritage Book of English Usage has an excellent answer: Historic and historical have different usages though their senses overlap. Historic refers to … Read More
