It’s common for writers to confuse “cont.” and “cont’d” or to use them interchangeably, but in essence, “cont.” is an abbreviation, while “cont’d” is a contraction. In some cases, completely spelling out “continued” may be the best course of action to avoid any confusion, although using abbreviations where appropriate can keep your writing concise. Common…

In the realm of writing, precision is paramount, and the abbreviation “e.g.” is a potent tool for clarity. It’s a shorthand way of saying “for example” without detracting from the fluidity of the text.”E.g.” caters perfectly to this by signifying that only a subset of examples is being mentioned, and there are other, unlisted instances…

How to Use a Colon? The colon is a versatile punctuation mark used to introduce a series of related items, a quote, or a clarification. It is a common tool in English grammar that offers a way to give emphasis, present dialogue, and even convey a bulleted list in a way that is cleaner than…

Dramatic irony, a term principally associated with the theatre, refers to a situation where the audience is aware of a pivotal piece of information that characters within the narrative are not. This literary device creates a divide in understanding that is utilized to enhance the emotional resonance and complexities of a narrative. Types of Dramatic…

Gray vs. grey: What’s the difference? When approaching the words gray and grey, one must understand that while both represent the same color, their usage varies by country. The spelling difference reflects a divide between American English and British English, with historical developments influencing each variant. How to Spell Gray in American and British? American…

Colons are punctuation marks used to extend a sentence to highlight what follows, such as a list, a quotation, or simply an expansion on the initial statement. In English, a colon informs the reader that what follows is directly related to the preceding text. The correct use of a colon can often reflect an individual’s…

The past form “gave” indicates an action that was completed in the past. It follows a simple structure and is used without auxiliary verbs in standard past tense sentences. On the other hand, the past participle “given” is mostly used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. The Verb Give and Tens Rules What’s the…

“Advice” is a noun that refers to suggestions or recommendations given to someone. In contrast, “advise” is a verb meaning to give advice or to suggest a course of action to someone. The correct usage of these terms is essential in writing and speech, as they serve different grammatical functions and are not interchangeable. Both…

Definitions and Usage: Accept is a verb that means “to receive something willingly” or “to agree with something offered.” Except, on the other hand, means “to exclude” or “to leave out.” It is important to note that accept and except are not interchangeable and using one instead of the other can completely change the meaning…

The answer to whether periods go inside or outside of quotation marks is not straightforward. Read to find out! Does Periods Go Inside or Outside of Quotation Marks? When it comes to writing, one of the most common questions that people ask is whether periods go inside or outside of quotation marks. The answer to…