This is most common in sports and business writing, but it pops up everywhere. It occurs when a writer uses an infinitive (to give, to hurt, etc.) after another verb,
Continue readingDangling modifiers
These most often occur with participles or other introductory phrases or clauses, as in: “After debating the amendment, a vote was taken.” (The vote didn’t debate the amendment.) That introductory
Continue readingClichés
Now and then, a cliché works fine. Most of the time, though, work toward fresh, vivid language, avoiding the likes of seal the deal, sight for sore eyes, ’tis the
Continue readingBelieve, feel, think (how to use them)
Many writers use believe when they really mean think. For the most part, you think with your brain, believe with your soul and feel with your senses. So: “The police
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