‘Hanged’ Versus ‘Hung’
A couple of weeks ago I missed an incorrect use of the word "hung" when I was editing a Grammar...
Simple Steps to Financial Stability Without Giving Up What You Love
Living your best life and feeling financially secure may seem like two separate goals. Many assume that living well means...
The Best Time to Open an IRA: Why Sooner is Better Than Later
When it comes to retirement planning, timing is everything. One of the most effective steps you can take toward securing...
6 Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Retirement Rules You Should Know
If you want to become wealthy, an essential habit you should create is regularly investing a portion of your income...
Pros and Cons of a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
Being a homeowner has its pros and cons. It can help or hurt your finances depending on your location, mortgage...
10 Best Online Form Builders and Creator
Finding the best online form builder can streamline your workflow, whether gathering feedback, organizing registrations, or collecting business data. An...
Staying Social: How Loneliness Can Affect Your Mental Health
Staying social has always been important for health, but the global COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how damaging social isolation can be....
How Does a SEP-IRA Work?
A listener named Wasittha asked me the following question: "I’ve been trying to max out my IRA and 401(k). However,...
Unearthing the Land Development Process: From Vision to Vibrant Reality
The land development process is where dreams take root and transform into tangible communities. It's more than just blueprints and...
What’s the Cheapest Way to Sell a Home?
If you’re a homeowner or want to be one someday, there will likely be a time you want or need...
8 Vital Insurance Strategies Every Small Business Contractor Should Implement
As a small business contractor, you're always on the move—juggling client meetings, overseeing projects, and managing your team. But have...
How to Get Retirement Matching Without an Employer
If you've ever been envious of someone getting free money in their retirement account from an employer that "matches" contributions,...
Am I Saving Enough for Retirement?
Today's topic comes from Scott, who says: "I've contributed to my 401(k) for many years and have a decent balance....
Top 10 Travel Hacks to Make Your Trip Unforgettable
These days, it is simply not enough to book a tour package and pack luggage in order to have a...
4 Ways to Fund a Roth No Matter Your Income
If you're like me, you love the idea of having tax-free income in retirement. The primary way to do that...
Luxury Drug and Alcohol Treatment: How It Helps High-Profile Individuals
Dealing with drug or alcohol addiction is incredibly personal. For high-profile individuals, the stakes are even higher. The demands of...
How Should a Novice Investor Get Started?
Hi again! As you know, on the Money Girl podcast I answer your burning money questions! Today's topic comes from...
5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Bathtub in Montgomery County
Your bathtub is a significant part of your home and provides comfort, relaxation, and functionality. However, over time, bathtubs can...
Tips to Avoid Common Financial Mistakes That College Students Make
Managing money in college can feel like a juggling act. Between tuition, textbooks, food, and maybe even some weekend fun,...
Tips for Better Charitable Giving No Matter Your Budget
Philanthropy for everyone Most of us would like to give more to causes we care about, whether animal welfare, the...
This Debut Book of Poems is A Bit Much
The debut poetry collection from Lyndsay Rush (aka @maryoliversdrunkcousin) is a humorous and joyful celebration of big feelings, tender truths,...
Can Injury Mean The End of What You Love?
Kristy Barrett is a soccer star. She's been a star since elementary school, and now is so good that she's...
Squeeze in One More Summer Read with The Wedding People
A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew....
Peptides and Promises of Easy Recovery and Gains
A few weeks back, I received an email asking me about BPC-157. This is a peptide that is being pushed...
5 Tips to Help Your Child Overcome Math Anxiety
Math occupies every aspect of our lives, from succeeding in school to paying bills or buying vegetables. The subject is...
Become a Grammarpaloozian
Features Apple Podcasts Subtext Ad-Free Podcast in the Apple App via text message Bonus podcast episodes yes yes Fun facts...
Tips to Minimize Credit Damage After a Late Payment
Whether your bank account balance was low, you forgot to make a payment, or the mail arrived late, missing a...
How Oknoplast Products Shield Your Home from Heat
As a renowned provider of high-quality window and door systems, Oknoplast offers not just stylish designs but also cutting-edge technology...
How Do Wealthy People Invest Money?
Today's topic comes from Sarah, who says, "I'm starting my first real job with benefits soon, and I should have...
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome at Work
Quick question for you. Have you ever struggled with Imposter Syndrome? I’m guessing yes. Only because most people around me...
Investment Portfolio Rebalancing–What It Is and Why It’s Critical
If you're an investor or want to be one, you've probably heard that it's critical to rebalance your investment portfolio....
The Right Time to Pay Off Your Mortgage
If you're a homeowner, your mortgage payment is probably your largest monthly expense. So, it's wise to stay alert for...
How to Prove Medical Malpractice in Birth Injury Cases
Birth injuries can have devastating consequences for both babies and their families. In cases where medical negligence may have occurred,...
Can Activation Solve Your Team’s Overwhelm?
The Power of Activation OK. By now, you know I have a crush on this idea of Activation – the...
Amazing Strategies for Saving Smartly in Times of Inflation
Inflation can be daunting, as it diminishes the actual value of your earnings and makes future financial planning a lot...
Are Sweet Proteins the New Stevia?
Let's explore a brand-new ingredient that’s just starting to appear in the food supply: sweet proteins. For a while now,...
Authentic – The Myth of Bringing Your Full Self to Work
From the creator of the viral TED talk "The myth of bringing your full, authentic self to work," a bold...
Dear Black Girls – How to be The True You
This one is for all the girls with an apostrophe in their names. This is for all the girls who...
What Is The Best Debt Payoff Method?
Today's topic comes from Barbara, who says, “I have quite a bit of debt, including mortgages, prep school, and college...
When Should I Do Roth Conversions?
Today's article comes from a question for Money Girl listener Nancy P., who says: "I recently discovered your podcast and...
15 Money Savings Tips for You to Fight Inflation
The annual inflation rate for the United States looks much better than when it shot up to 7% in 2021...
How to Manage Your Kid’s Anxious or Obsessive Thoughts
How do you help kids with anxiety? In today’s digital age, where information and stimuli are abundant, it’s not uncommon...
How Should I Invest for Retirement After a 401(k)?
On our Finance Friday edition of Money Girl, I answer your burning money questions! Last week's topic came from Andrea,...
How Do You Know If You Can Retire Early?
Whether you're feeling stressed out by a high-pressure job or dreaming of a different lifestyle, getting ready for retirement sooner...
Cracking the Code: What Works and What Doesn’t in SEO for Lawyers in 2024
As the legal field becomes increasingly competitive, law firms grapple with a new challenge: how to stand out in the...
How to Combat “Carewashing” at Work
Random story alert: when I was little, I’d sometimes get a weird allergic reaction after eating. Nothing serious – just...
Sibling Harmony: Mastering Conscious Parenting
We are continuing our discussion (that we started last week on episode 764 of Project Parenthood) on how to consciously...
Top AI Technology Penny Stocks to Watch: Potential Growth Opportunities
The realm of artificial intelligence (AI) has gained popularity among businesses for its potential to drive growth and innovation. Investing...
What Should I Do With an Old 401(k)?
Today's topic comes from Jesse F., who says: “I’m 52 and self-employed and my wife is 51 and works for...
Debunking Wellness Myths: A Closer Look at Supplements
The allure of modern gurus and wellness myths I feel like it's been a while since I've "debunked" something, and...
Solopreneur Success: Tips for Running a One-Person Business
Today, I'm excited to be joined by a special guest, Abigail Hale, who goes by Abbie. She’s the Head of...
Adjective Order and Commas
Have you heard about the required order of adjectives in English? A few years ago, a paragraph from Mark Forsyth's...
A 7-Point Mid-Year Checklist for Money Success
If you're like me, some years you get really inspired by setting money goals, but for others, it just doesn't...
How Can You Reduce Your Taxes?
Tax questions answered Today, I have three excellent questions about reducing taxes and saving money. Kari says, "Love your podcast!...
How to Maximize 401(k) Matching Funds
If you work for a company, organization, or government entity that offers a retirement plan, like a 401(k), 403(b), or...
What is the Role of Trust in Fitness?
I want to talk about an important psychological aspect to fitness and its impact on outcomes. This will also hold...
‘Which’ Versus ‘That’
which vs that To understand the difference between “which” and “that,” first you need to understand the difference between a...
How to Use a Spousal IRA to Boost Your Retirement
Retirement accounts offer excellent tax perks, like deferring or eliminating income taxes. However, the downside is that following IRS (Internal...
Dashes, Parentheses, and Commas
Today I'll explain the difference between dashes, commas, and parentheses. Have you ever been sitting at your computer writing, and...
Should I Invest Extra Money or Pay Down My Mortgage?
Today on the Finance Friday edition of your favorite personal finance podcast, Money Girl, I answer a question from a...
How to Use a Mega Backdoor Roth Conversion
If you're like me, you love the idea of having tax-free income in retirement from a Roth IRA. That can...
Maximize Your Retirement: Tax Tips for Investment Profits
This week on the Finance Friday installment of the Money Girl podcast, I reply to a great question from Elaine....
From Swamps to Corporate: Designing for Togetherness with Kevin Kelley
This week on Modern Mentor, I interviewed one of my newest heroes, Kevin Ervin Kelly, author of the new book,...
Maximize Your Investments Effortlessly: 8 Key Benefits of Robo-Advisors Explained
If you're too busy to stay up-to-date on financial markets and investing strategies, one of the best ways to boost...
Exploring the Spectrum: Celebrating Asexuality and Pansexuality this Pride Month
Let's talk about Pride Month It’s Pride Month y’all and on the podcast this month I am going to focus...
Summer Books for Kids (& Podcasts for You)
School’s out for the summer - now what? You may have a toddler at home or in the thick of...
Scan and Grow Green Initiatives
In response to these environmental challenges, the fashion industry is leveraging technology to drive change. One innovative solution is to...
Am I Investing Too Much for Retirement?
We have two great retirement questions today. The first comes from Kevin, who says, "My wife and I have loved...
Time Value of Money (TVM) and Calculating Investment Returns
The time value of money, or TVM, is a fundamental concept that affects your financial planning and investment success. Whether...
The Basics of Business Intelligence: What Every Manager Needs to Know
In these modern times, the amount of data produced, processed, and managed increases every second of the day. Data is...
Why Do Old Documents Have S’s That Look like F’s?
If you studied the U.S. Bill of Rights as a kid — or traveled to the National Archives in Washington,...
The Adventure Zone: The Suffering Game
Taako, Magnus, and Merle are forced to gamble everything in The Adventure Zone: The Suffering Game, a hilarious and heart-wrenching adaptation of...
Your Lion Eyes
Your Lion Eyes is the next fun and sexy book in the fabulous paranormal romance series from New York Times bestselling author Christine...
Can FIRE Help You Retire Early?
If you're like many people, you'd jump at the chance to retire early with plenty of time and money to...
Understanding Refrigerator Circuit Boards: Repair Techniques and Precautions
The refrigerator is one of the main devices in modern homes. The structure and functioning of a refrigerator is a...
Selling Your Home? Will You Owe Taxes?
If you plan to see your primary residence, will you have to pay taxes on your home sale? What are...
Noun Strings and How to Fix Them
Noun strings are groups of nouns or adjectives mashed together to create a single term. Every word in the string...
Keeping Up with Changing Priorities at Work
We all wanna be using our time wisely at work. We want to be focused on top-priority initiatives and projects....
10 Rules for Successful Investing You Should Know
Whether you're new to investing or have been at it for decades, following some tried and true rules can give...
How to Cite AI Chatbots
ChatGPT and other chatbots like Claude and Gemini have seen stunningly rapid adoption in the last year or so. You...
The Aftermath of a Mississippi Truck Accident: Protecting Yourself After a Life-Altering Event
Imagine cruising down a Mississippi highway, the sun warm on your face, the radio playing your favorite tunes. Suddenly, a...
Understanding and Treating Phobias
If you were to walk up on a snake right now or stand on the ledge of a building 20...
Understanding Bitcoin–It’s History, Halving, and Controversy
Whether you're a Bitcoin enthusiast, believe it's a scam, or aren't sure what to think about cryptocurrency, it's wise to...
Investing by Lump Sum versus Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA)
A Money Girl listener named Eric says, "I really appreciate listening to your show and all the great information you...
What Are The Most Effective Modern Marketing Techniques for Attracting Clients for Law Firms?
In today's world, marketing for law firms is undergoing significant changes due to new technologies, changing client behaviors, and increased...
‘Anyway’ or ‘Anyways’?
Anabell asked, "Is it correct or incorrect to say 'anyways' to someone? As in 'Anyways, call me later!' 'Anyways' sounds...
‘Catawampus,’ ‘Kitty-Corner,’ and more
If you watched the recent "Curb your Enthusiasm" finale on HBO, you may have been delighted to see the old...
10 Essential Spanish Phrases to Master Before Your Madrid Adventure
Embarking on a journey to Madrid promises an enchanting experience filled with rich culture, delectable cuisine, and captivating sights. However,...
4 Strategies to Earn More Interest on Savings
A Money Girl listener says, "Hi Laura, my name is Hannah, and I'm from the great state of Maine. I...
Tips for Using a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to Save Money
From expensive over-the-counter medications to prescription drugs to high copayments when you see the doctor, healthcare costs can take a...
Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around
Janae Sanders is a dedicated single mother who lives for her son, James. But when she runs into her secret...
Jasmine Toguchi, Peace-Maker
With more than 150,000 copies sold, the award-winning Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series starring a spunky Japanese American heroine returns with...
The Three-Body Problem
The inspiration for the Netflix series 3 Body Problem! WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL Over 1 million copies...
How to Make a QR Code
If you're familiar with QR Codes, you're probably familiar with their black-and-white design. It looks like the image below: This...
Are Ultra Processed Foods and Chronic Diseases Connected?
I have another little piece of bonus content for you. A little something extra between our regular episodes of the...
Is Bone Broth the Magical Elixir You Need?
Is bone broth good for you, or is it just another wellness fad backed by flimsy evidence? On this week's...
How to be More Impactful in Meetings
Meetings, one of the most criticized elements of the workplace, are often vilified for hindering productivity rather than promoting it....
Is it Better to Have a Traditional IRA or ROTH IRA?
Regularly investing using one or more tax-advantaged retirement accounts is wise if you want a financially comfortable retirement. I'm a...
How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Faster
"Hi Laura, my name is Stephanie. I love what you do with the podcast, and I've been a listener for...
The Art of Empathy: How to Communicate Better At Work
In the busy world of business, communication is the key that unlocks many doors. This article will provide insights into...
10 Ways to Save Money on Car Insurance
If you own or lease a vehicle, every state requires you to have some amount of auto insurance. Even if...
How To Find the Best and Most Reliable Sites for Online Shopping?
The concept of online shopping has gained a lot of precedence recently. From helping people have a streamlined shopping experience...
6 Ways to Prepare Kids for Financial Freedom
Raising financially independent adults involves more than just handing out money or funding their education. It's about providing them with...
What is the Devil’s Workout, Hellishly General or Heaven Sent?
As I booted up my laptop to create the show this week, realized that this is the 666th episode of...
Understanding Zombie Debt: Tackling Old Debts Effectively
One of my students, Darla M., eloquently put, "Your zombie debt information is fascinating. I loved this course and crave...
How to Deal with Rejection
February, often associated with love and romance, can be a challenging month for individuals experiencing moments of heartbreak and rejection....
What is a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA)?
Introduction to self-directed IRAs If you're considering opening a retirement account or have already been shopping for one, you've probably...
Tips for Budgeting with Unpredictable Expenses and Income
Navigating your budget can be challenging, especially when dealing with variable expenses and unpredictable income. This post will provide strategies...
Dissecting “10,000 Steps a Day”: The Logic and the Science
The modus ponens of '10,000 steps a day' I’m going to start with a modus ponens I made for you...
Is Drinking Milk Unnatural ?
There’s a new series on Netflix called “You Are What You Eat,” one of a growing number of documentary films...
6 Ways to Become a Real Estate Investor
Wondering about how to become a real estate investor? Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned investor, understanding different approaches...
4 Common HSA Mistakes and How to Correct Them
Jaishree E. says, "I can't thank you enough for your work educating the world about personal finances. The things you've...
6 Myths That Are Costing You Money on Gas
Looking to save money on gas? We're all pinching pennies where we can, and gas is a big expense. The...
Einstein: A Complex and Intimate Portrait
E = mc² A world-changing equation and a wild head of hair are all most of us know about one...
Starter Villain
Inheriting your uncle's supervillain business is more complicated than you might think. Particularly when you discover who's running the place....
5 Tips for Keeping Tax and Other Financial Records
What tax documents do I need? Knowing how long you should keep tax records and other financial documents can be...
What’s Up with “Food as Medicine”?
Food as medicine: A different approach The notion of food as medicine is certainly nothing new. You’ve probably heard the...
What Are the Differences Between a Sole Proprietorship and an LLC?
What are the differences between a sole proprietorship and an LLC? Wasittha says, “Hello, Laura! I’m a big fan, and...
How to Ease Workplace Tension Between Teams
How to improve communication at work with tense teams In my role, I spend a lot of my time running...
Effective Parent-Child Communication: Roadblock-Free Tips
Do you ever feel like your conversations with your child are hitting a dead end? That no matter what you...
How Much Debt Is Too Much? 8 Warning Signs
Debt is a powerful tool that can boost your success or cause your financial life to crash and burn. The...
Embracing the New Year: A No-Resolution Plan for Success
Introduction As we continue in the new year, the allure of a fresh start and the pursuit of success beckon...
7 Pros and Cons of Investing in a 401(k) Retirement Plan
Introduction A 401(k) retirement plan is a financial powerhouse, offering unparalleled benefits for those fortunate enough to have access to...
13 Things You Must Do for More Financial Success in 2024
Creating your own definition of success and being proactive about reaching it is a surefire way to accomplish more with...
Famous Females in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics You Should Know
When you think of famous figures who have contributed to the study of science, the first names that tend to...
Dry January: Exploring the Benefits of Giving Up Alcohol
Are you participating in Dryuary (or Dry January) this year? If so, you have plenty of company! This month-long observation,...
Embracing Proactivity Over New Year Hype
Looking to get in shape in 2024? As we enter the new year, many folks are looking to get in...
4 Low-Budget Identity Verification Tips for Small Business Owners
Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission released some worrying stats - identity theft and imposter scams cost Americans a...
Make a Winning Year-End Highlight Reel: A Mentor’s Guide
Introduction: A Timeless Practice for Reflection We're posting this at the end of 2023. And my goal today is to...
How to Stay Motivated to Reach Fitness Goals
How Can You Reach Your Fitness Goals? In a recent episode of the Get-Fit Guy podcast from February (you can...
A Few Tips for Adults to Learn Spanish with Audio Guides
When you think of learning Spanish, you probably aren’t daydreaming about grammar exercises or memorizing noun genders. However, incorporating the...
What’s the Difference Between a 401(k) and Solo 401(k)?
What is a 401(k)? A 401(k) is a popular type of tax-advantaged retirement plan that an employer can offer. And...
HSA Hacks–How to Optimize Your Health Savings Account
How do you make the most of an HSA? Jack G. says, "Hi, Laura. I recently enjoyed your finance podcasts...
Getting Started with Binary Options Trading: A Beginner’s Guide
Embarking on the journey of trading binary options can be both exciting and intimidating for beginners. This form of trading...
What is SASE and How Does it Defend Remote Businesses From Hackers?
Secure Access Service Edge, often referred to as SASE, (reads like “sassy”), is designed to protect the businesses of today....
What Does it Mean to Have a Company Vesting Schedule?
If you have a workplace benefits package, some of your perks may come with a "vesting schedule" or "vesting period."...
5 Ways to be SMARTer in the New Year
Reflecting on the past year, you may be realizing that many of the goals you set weren't achieved. To avoid...
9 Money Management Tips for Your Small Business
Passion, dedication, and the will to establish a name for oneself in business are the driving forces behind each successful...
What Should You Wear to the Gym?
Workout Gear and Supplies A few weeks ago, I spoke about training shoes. What kind of shoes should you be...
Your Money and Cybersecurity with Adam Levin
In a recent episode of my personal finance podcast, Money Girl I was joined by a special guest, Adam Levin....
Popularity, First Crushes, and Finding Your Own Path in New Graphic Novel, Best Friends
Anyone who has attended middle school can attest that it’s an especially difficult phase of life. While many have navigated...
10 Best Personal Finance Tools and Budgeting Apps
Chris C. says, "I've used Mint to track my finances for years based on many recommendations you made on the...
HSAs in 2024–Understanding Changes and Maximizing Benefits
What is a health savings account (HSA)? An HSA is a savings account for the sole purpose of paying allowable...
The Impact of Internal Communication on Employee Productivity
In today’s fast-paced business world, effective internal communication plays a vital role in the success of any organization. It serves...
Are Mushrooms a Vegetable?
Nutrition Diva listener Holly wants to know whether mushrooms are a vegetable. And the short answer is: No. But I...
High-Yield Savings Accounts–Pros, Cons, and Tips for Choosing One
“Hi Laura, this is Amy from Alaska, and I'm considering an online bank to open a savings account with higher...
How Much Money Do I Really Need to Retire?
Saving for retirement is the granddaddy of all financial goals because it requires a considerable nest egg. But knowing how...
Why the Bully Pulpit Isn’t What You Think
A few weeks ago we talked about words that have changed meaning over time, like "nice" and "silly." Another one...
7 Tips for Navigating Your Child’s Friendship Challenges
One of the most internally agitating experiences is to see your child struggling in their social relationships. Maybe your kid...
Should We Accept ‘Commentate’ as a Verb?
If you're into sports, entertainment, politics, the news — you encounter commentators all the time. Heck, even the spelling bee...
8 Things to Know About Investing in a Brokerage Account
An anonymous caller left me a message recently saying, “Hi Laura, I'm new to the podcast, have not started investing...
Now Then, What’s a Namesake?
This is a story about how a city got its curious name and what it means to be a namesake....
How to Write a Strong Topic Sentence for Clear, Organized Writing
As we recently discussed in our tight writing segment in episode 940, it is important to have a strong BLUF...
When You Should Use (and Avoid) Contractions
Some years ago I wrote a book called “The Sound on the Page: Style and Voice in Writing.” In it I...
The First Principle of Strength Training
How to get in shape: know step 1 I wanted to take some time to objectively clarify what strength training...
Can You Max Out a 403(B) And 457(B) In the Same Year?
Can you use a 403(b) and a 457(b) together? In this article, let's review who can have 403(b) and 457(b)...
When Burnout at Work Affects the Boss
Know how many Google search results there are for the phrase “manage burnout?” Over 39 million! It seems the struggle...
2024’s Big Savings and Retirement Rule Changes
At the end of 2022, the SECURE Act 2.0, short for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement, became law. It...
Tombstone, Gravestone, or Headstone? What’s the Difference?
When autumn begins in the northern hemisphere, people often decorate their businesses and homes to get ready for Halloween. In...
‘Borrow’ or ‘Lend’?
Sometimes people run afoul of standard grammar if they use the word “borrow” when they should have used “lend” or...
Dogtown – A Shelter for Dogs…and Robot Dogs!
Danger, cheese sandwiches, a charging station, and some unexpected kindnesses are all things listeners can expect from Dogtown, the new audiobook from...
How to Stop Muscle Cramps
This past week, I received an email from an avid listener asking me how to stop muscle cramps. As a...
Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior – An Inspiring Picture Book Biography
From New York Times bestselling author Carole Lindstrom comes Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, an inspiring biography about two Indigenous Rights Activists, Josephine Mandamin...
Proofreading: 11 Tips to Trash Typos
A listener named Andrea once had the job title of "scriptwriter," which spellcheck didn't like. She said in her annual...
Is ‘Preorder’ Redundant?
My tip-a-day-book, "The Grammar Daily," is coming out November 24, and I'm currently encouraging people to preorder it — and...
7 Tips for a Healthy and Happy Cat—and Owner
Kitty First Aid If you accidentally cut your cat’s claw too short, and it bleeds, fill a small bowl with...
Why “We Need to Talk” Isn’t the Best Way to Save Your Relationship
It is a truth universally acknowledged that among the most dreaded four words anyone can hear from a partner are...
The Secret Art of Intimate Communication
I’m sitting in my office, listening to a patient of mine tell me about something that happened over the weekend....
7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Try an Open Relationship
Open relationships get a lot of press these days. According to one prominent online women’s magazine, of the ten most...
Want to Reconnect with Your Partner ? Have an Intimate Conversation!
You and your partner seem to be at a crossroads. The two of you haven’t really connected in a while....
10 Ways a 529 College Savings Plan Makes College More Affordable
If you're a parent or a future college student wondering how you'll ever pay for college, the tax-advantaged 529 college...
5 Ways to Help Your Kids Become Rich
So many people are curious how to build generational wealth. We want the best for our kids and for them...
What Is Masterworks, the Leading Fractional Art Investment Platform?
Investing in blue-chip art probably seems out of reach for most people. Let's be honest - how many of us...
How Many Retirement Accounts Can You Have?
If you want a secure financial future, maxing out a tax-advantaged retirement account as early and as often as possible...
Grandma Knows Best: Your Top Dating Tips
The adage is that dating is a minefield. The modern dating scene can be especially treacherous. In this episode of...
When Is It OK to Write ‘Loosely’?
We recently published a podcast and article on our website about tight writing, and an astute listener asked a follow-up...
Where Did the @ Symbol Come From?
How old is the @ symbol? Every source I found seemed to have a different date for the origin of...
What Is Subject-Complement Agreement?
In today’s episode we’re going to answer some bizarre and puzzling questions: Can two people share a life? Can two...
7 Benefits of SAVE for Student Loans and Your Credit
If you or a loved one has federal student loans, there's good news and bad news. You probably already know...
‘Anxious’ or ‘Eager’?
Anxious "Anxious" means “worried or uneasy,” but it has often been used somewhat interchangeably with the word "eager," to...
How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?
The way things are going in the world, hurricanes this year could be joined by Godzilla or maybe even aliens....
Should You Be Taking Creatine?
This article, and episode 731 of the podcast (listen in the player above), was prompted by an email from Sandi,...
Why Isn’t Your Diet Succeeding?
We’ve likely all been on diets; you might even be on one now! Throughout my lifespan, I’ve probably tried nearly...
‘Personal’ Versus ‘Personnel’
Trent Armstrong (our former Modern Manners Guy) sent me a picture of a sign that mixed up the words "personal"...
Your Privacy Choices
Welcome to the Macmillan Publishers Privacy rights portal. This page tells you how to exercise your privacy rights with respect...
8 Debt Payoff Methods You Should Know
Kerri H. asks, "I have about $20,000 in credit card debt and want to know if it's better to pay...
How People Spend Their Money: Household Budget Averages For 2023
Is your household budget in line with the national averages? There's no harm if it's not, but most working adults...
Books Your Kids Need Before Summer Ends
Storytelling connects audiences. Quick and Dirty Tips tells stories through our fleet of expertly-hosted podcasts, improving lives with each new...
Happy Anniversary! 15 Years of Nutrition Diva
The Nutrition Diva podcast is celebrating a big milestone this summer - 15 years! - and host Monica Reinagel has...
Feeling Overwhelmed at Work? Climb Out with These Tips
I’ve been fortunate in recent weeks to take some amazing time off. I traveled with my family, saw new parts...
10 Tips for Tighter Writing
Back in February, we published a podcast segment and article called How To Actually Improve Your Grammar, specifically your writing....
The Science of Attraction: Understanding the Psychological Factors That Influence Connections
Understanding the science of attraction is essential for gaining insights into human behavior and building healthier relationships. Attraction plays a...
How to Choose the Right Investment Property
The fun begins when you decide that real estate investing is the right choice for your portfolio. There are many...
How to Launch a Windfall Into Wealth
A Money Girl listener named Teresa P. says, "I just listened to your recent podcast on UGMA and UTMA accounts....
The Coffee Shop’s 3 Most Impolite Patrons
As someone who spends a large majority of my week in the car, traveling to meetings, I have become accustomed...
Crypto Hardware Wallet Explained: How Does it Work, and What are its Benefits?
Investing in cryptocurrencies comes with the responsibility of handling your assets and ensuring you’re keeping them in a safe place....
Bank or Credit Union – Which is Better?
Differences Between Banks and Credit Unions The fundamental difference between banks and credit unions is that banks are for-profit businesses...
7 Steps to Recession-Proof Your Finances
Since there’s been so much in the news lately about a potential recession, on top of inflation, stock market volatility,...
How to Encourage Your Child’s Healthy Body Image
Parents often wonder about the best way to work with their kids on weight, dieting, and body image. What can...
8 Words for Walking with Surprising Origins
When you walk, do you amble? Meander? Shuffle? Trundle? I definitely trundle. I walk almost every day, and when it's...
How to Make Words That End in Y Plural
A member of our Facebook Grammar Girl group recently wrote in with a question about plurals. He was wondering if we...
Why Is It Called a Sea ‘Shanty’?
When it comes to popular music, we’re used to hip-hop, indie rock, and even K-pop topping the charts. But back...
‘Less’ Versus ‘Fewer’
If you want a simple rule, the difference between "less" and "fewer" is straightforward: The traditional advice is that "fewer"...
What Is a Diaeresis, and Why Do We Use It?
A listener named Al recently wrote in about our segment on the word “reenter.” Sometimes it’s written with a hyphen, and sometimes...
Benefits and Drawbacks of Credit Card Consolidation
I received a question from Maria M., who said, "I'm a new U.S. immigrant working hard to build good credit...
Fun with Animal Verbs
TEACHERS: Scroll to the bottom of the page for lesson ideas. One of our listeners wrote in with a question...
What Does It Mean to ‘Put the Kibosh’ on Something?
Have you ever heard someone say they were going to “put the kibosh” on something? Did you ever wonder what...
Berberine Supplements: Are They Safe and Effective?
I have gotten a ton of questions recently on a compound called berberine. Is it safe and/or beneficial? So, let’s...
The Difference Between Young Adult and Middle Grade: A Primer
Are you thinking about writing a book for children or teenagers? Good for you! Many children’s book authors feel inspired...
What Does It Mean to Rest on Your Laurels?
Highly-accomplished people are often praised for their deeds. When you use the phrase “to rest on your laurels” to describe...
Retirement Bliss – Ideal Savings Benchmarks by Age
Figuring out how much you should save for retirement can seem more like an art than a science, especially if...
Know Your Score and Improve Your Credit
You've probably heard that you need good credit scores to qualify for the best terms on credit accounts like mortgages,...
How Do You Make it Through After a Loved One Dies?
My predecessor at Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Jade Wu talked about how to cope with the fear of a loved one...
Taylor Swift’s Lessons for Workplace Success
I really do think one of the best ways to enhance the employee experience and your workplace is to ensure...
Counterintuitive Money Advice–9 Surprising Tips That Build Wealth
There's no denying that building wealth takes time and effort—it's a marathon, not a sprint, as the saying goes. While...
9 Things to Stop Doing if You Want More Financial Security
On my award winning personal finance podcast, Money Girl, I mostly talk about things you should do to save more, build net...
Tom Papas’ Hilarious Take on Love, Hangovers, and More
Stand-up is all well and good, but observational humor that’s funny and warm may work best in books. And Tom...
8 Best Bets for Easing Pain from Insect Bites and Stings
First steps when bees strike When you’re stung by a bee, carefully grasp the stinger and pull it out as...
How to Stop Dissociating
Have you ever wondered if you dissociate? Do you have moments where you feel out of touch with yourself, feel...
‘On Accident’ Versus ‘by Accident’
Some of the most difficult questions I get are from non-native English speakers who want to know why we use...
Squelching the Advice Monster: An Interview with Michael Bungay Stanier
I’m excited to share with you a conversation I had recently with leadership and coaching expert Michael Bungay Stanier. Michael...
How Much Savings Will The FDIC Protect?
News of bank collapses has become familiar to Americans, prompting many to fear the possibility of their own bank shutting...
Overcoming Problems Associated with Dental Crowns
What is A Dental Crown? A dental crown is a prosthetic that covers a tooth or implant. It is typically...
How to Prepare for Your First Year of College
Your first year of college is not only exciting, but quite transformative as well. It’s a time of personal growth,...
8 Ways to Cure a Hangover Fast
Rehydrate, replenish, recover Your #1 priority when recovering from a hangover should be to rehydrate. Non-caffeinated sports drinks like Gatorade...
Should You Take Breaks from Working Out?
Taking a Week Off from Working Out Is taking a week off from working out detrimental? Today, I want to...
Think You’re Too Rich for a Roth IRA? Think Again
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how my various retirement accounts will affect my future income, specifically the taxes...
Grammar Quirks: Nicola Harrison Thinks ‘Gotten’ Has Gotta Go
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? NH: "Perfidious." It’s just sounds so good. I managed to use it...
Fiber 2.0—Fiber’s New Science of Health-Boosting Benefits
Fiber may seem like a somewhat frumpy nutrient, but it is actually one of the hottest nutrition topics right now....
Grammar Girl Style Guide
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‘King-size’ or ‘King-sized’?
Recently, you heard me talk about a “king-size” mattress from Casper, and that reminded me that a listener named Louie...
When to Capitalize Disease Names
The name of the coronavirus disease that emerged in late 2019 is not capitalized because most disease names aren't unless...
Toe the Line
Lately, it seems as if politicians are constantly calculating whether they should toe the party line, or not. But is...
How to Find the Perfect Roommate and Tips to Avoid Issues
Living with a roommate can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but finding the perfect roommate can sometimes be a...
Free QR Code Generator to Make Free QR Codes
In today's ever-evolving digital landscape, businesses constantly seek new ways to captivate their target audience and drive impactful marketing campaigns. ...
Parentheses, Brackets, and Braces. What’s the Difference?
Today Bonnie Mills helps us talk about three punctuation marks: one you undoubtedly know how to use, another you possibly...
Starla Jean Cracks the Case
Starla Jean and her pet chicken, Opal Egg, return in this side-splitting third chapter book, just in time to solve...
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Special Edition
The following excerpt is from The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. New York City March 10, 2014 I The...
More Help for Handling Entitled People
Dealing with entitled people can be challenging, as they often believe they deserve special treatment or privileges without having to...
79+ Best Gifts for All Types of Boyfriends in 2023 (according to personality, price range, and zodiac sign!)
“Men are simple,” they said. But anyone who truly loves someone will go the extra mile in making them happy,...
Is Your Partner Onboard with Respectful Parenting?
What if not? Today, let’s talk about the challenges that come with co-parenting with a partner who isn’t on board...
How to Lower Your High Triglycerides
Today we're going to talk about how to lower high triglycerides. But first, a quick listener Q & A. Ken...
Expletive Sentences: Should You Start with ‘There Is’ or ‘There Are’?
Should you start a sentence with "there is" or "there are"? Have you ever heard it’s bad to start...
6 Things You Didn’t Know Could Fertilize Your Plants
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4 Communication Assassins Hurting Your Relationships
Listeners to my Savvy Psychologist podcast really seemed to respond to my boundary episodes. I received so many comments and...
Begs the Question
Today I'm going to beg the question. When I do radio interviews, callers often ask me about the phrase “begs...
Is ‘Very Unique’ Wrong?
The word "unique" means "one of a kind," but the way people use it has been shifting. For example, here...
How Aphasia Causes Difficulty Speaking
Language impairment is often caused by tragic conditions like aphasia, a type of brain damage. This condition can teach us...
Taking a 401(k) Loan – Pros and Cons You Should Know
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What to Avoid – and Improve – for Great Work Conversations
The Importance of Communication Communication is one of the most important things we all need to do—whatever profession we choose....
What’s the Best Squat Variant for You?
Today, I am going to talk about the debate about squat variants. When it comes to the best squat exercise,...
AICAR Peptide And Its Possible Properties
If you want to know about the AICAR peptide's possible properties, look no further. Similarly to AMP, the peptide 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1—D-ribofuranoside...
Why Do You Need Fire Watch Guards For Your Company?
Fires can cause a lot of damage to a business, including the loss of profit and property. To avoid such...
Resolve Challenges With Your ADHD Child
Parenting a Child With ADHD Many of us wonder how to parent a child with ADHD. Raising a kid with...
Thrive in the Workplace by Building on These Pillars
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Post-Training Soreness: Are You Getting Stronger?
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Grammar Quirks: Juan Gomez-Jurado on His ‘False Friend’ in Writing
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? Juan Gomez-Jurado: In English language it’s “daffodil.” I’m not even a great...
Expert Advice on Real Estate Investing and Syndication
In a recent show, I mentioned that I’m celebrating Women’s History Month by bringing you interviews about women and money....
Grammar Quirks: Nick Tabor on Misspelling the Word ‘Minuscule’
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? Nick Tabor: Honestly, I think it’s “prayer.” I’m a person of faith,...
Prevent Identity Theft: 3 Basic Cybersecurity Principles You Should Know
Not a day seemingly goes by without news of some cybersecurity breach or data theft. In such times, the prospect...
Tactics to Prepare for Trading Success
What does it mean to prepare yourself for long-term success as a trader? It means doing all those necessary tactics...
Course Breakdown: What Careers Benefit From an MBA?
An MBA can be an excellent investment for many different types of careers. But what sorts of careers benefit most...
What Is Parallel Structure?
The human brain is wired to look for patterns. Patterns like the golden ratio found in art and nature are...
How Best to Raise Kids with a Healthy Racial Identity
In a recent Black History Month mini-series on the Project Parenthood podcast, host Dr. Nanika Coor talks to Black mental...
Educators: 8 Things You Can Do That Make A Difference
Are you a teacher, tutor, community volunteer, school administrator, or another kind of educator who would like to positively impact...
5 Stupid Grammar Myths (and Why You Should Follow Them at Work)
Ever been chided for doing something that you know isn’t wrong? Your brother-in-law insists that guacamole is made only with...
Women and Money: How to Take Control of Your Finances
You probably know I'm a big financial independence and literacy champion. And March gives me a special opportunity to discuss...
The Angel Maker
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Whisper Man and The Shadows comes The Angel Maker, a dark, suspenseful new thriller...
How to Improve Your Grammar
Lots of people have asked me how they can improve their grammar, and most of them really mean their writing....
Busting Sleep Myths to Help You Get a Much Sweeter Slumber
Sleep is a critical part of emotional health, and twenty-five million Americans are missing out on a blissful slumber. Former...
7 Simple Tips to Help You Feel Safe Online
If you’ve ever felt unsafe online, you are not alone. In 2021, internet users worldwide discussed their fears of online...
Can Futures Contracts Help Companies Fight Against Inflation?
We are now facing the highest inflation rate in four decades after long months of fighting the pandemic and lockdowns...
One Thing to Know in Haven’s Rock: Keep Out of the Forest
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Sponsored Posts – Pay With Credit Card
Thank you for your interest in publishing on QuickandDirtyTips.com. You should have received an invoice for your content contribution. Please...
How to Handle Freeloaders with Grace
There is a major difference between someone who asks to stay with you for a few days and a freeloader....
How to Use LinkedIn to Engage and Connect Like a Polite Pro
What is Proper LinkedIn Etiquette? When it comes to manners and LinkedIn, there are many questions to consider: Whom do...
6 Strategies for Better Management of Your Crypto Portfolio
Crypto has become widely popular worldwide, as many people learn about its benefits on the financial ecosystem. News titles about...
The Pros and Cons of Having Multiple Savings Accounts
Are you looking to get a better handle on your finances? If so, you may be wondering if it's worth...
Top 6 Best QR Codes for Restaurant Menus
The inconvenience of staff shortage, traditional menu service, and disrupted supply chains have brought an impending challenge in running a...
A Tribute to ‘Schoolhouse Rock’!
Holly Hutchings and I made this extra special, multiple-interview episode about the classic children’s cartoon “Schoolhouse Rock” five years ago,...
The Science Behind Successful Sleep, And How to Get More
Are you tired of fighting insomnia? Do you often wonder: - Why do I always wake up at 2:00 am?...
Is Your Best Dark Chocolate Loaded with Lead and Cadmium?
I recently had an episode about the difference between powdered cacao and cocoa powder. But the day AFTER that episode...
How to Be Polite When Discussing Politics in the Workplace
We are post-mid-terms and gearing up for another presidential race. Likely, you can't go five minutes without being caught up...
Are You Guilty of Bad Bathroom Manners?
Whether it’s about professional relationships, romance, or everyday life, nothing makes me happier than to know that I've got mail...
What Are the Benefits of Hot Showers?
If you are a frequent listener of the Get-Fit Guy podcast, you know I am big on being unbiased and...
Raising Healthy Kids Who Live With Neurodivergence
How to Support your Child’s Neurodiversity Today, let's talk about neurodiversity and why it’s important to move away from the...
Do You Need a Comma Before ‘Jr.’?
Should you put a comma before Jr. or not? You see it both ways. Using a comma is an older...
The Brothers Grimm: Rockstar Linguists
The Brothers Grimm are known for their fairy tales. They also wrote a German dictionary and grammar books. Jacob Grimm...
How Teddy Bears Got Their Name
Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear on a hunting trip. A Brooklyn, NY, company heard the story and made...
Building a Stronger Nonprofit: Tips for Improving Operations and Boosting Impact
With over 1.5 million nonprofits in the US alone, the nonprofit space is becoming increasingly competitive. If your nonprofit organization...
A Gripping Search for Justice in a Seemingly Idyllic Town
If you enjoyed the Case Closed podcast, you should check out the latest thriller from Stephen Amidon, Locust Lane. On...
Why Do New Year’s Resolutions Fail?
I get asked all the time if New Year's Resolutions actually work. This week, I will give you some quick...
Hustle & Slow – Is it Time to Rethink Productivity?
It’s time to rethink your “productivity” “Productivity” is the thing we’ve been chasing for years—more, better, faster. But is it...
Old ‘They,’ New ‘They’ — Language Change in Action
Why did the AP style guide say it’s OK to write “Some student forgot their backpack” but suggests that writers...
Top 15 Best Free QR Code Generators in 2025
QR codes have seen tremendous success over the past few years, and they're likely here to stay for good in...
Gripping, Twisty Tale of One Mother’s Search to Find Missing Son
The latest audiobook by Stacy Willingham is perfect for Case Closed podcast fans. One year ago, Isabelle Drake's toddler son...
The Meeting of the Big Three that Changed the Course of WWII
“Brick ... [is] on fire in this audiobook. His enthralling voice builds excitement.” —AudioFile on The Lincoln Conspiracy From the New York Times bestselling...
How to Rent a House with Roommates
Ah, renting with roommates. Sounds like something you want to get done and over with as soon as you graduate...
5 Reasons for Getting Home Appliance Warranty
A home is incomplete without the right furniture, interiors, and appliances. Every component in your home makes it beautiful. However,...
Create the Parent-Child Relationship You Want in 2023
On this week's podcast (listen with the player above!), I’m talking about some first steps you can take toward turning...
Tips to Hosting a Wine Tasting Party at Home
Hosting a party at your house is fun on any occasion. Whether you’re planning on selling to a home buyer,...
Buy These Recession-Proof Stocks for Your Business
Putting up and running a business amidst recessionary headwinds can be scary. That’s why growing cash reserves should be your...
Writing Dates
Can you believe it’s already 2023? I feel like I hadn’t even gotten used to calling it 2022 yet. But...
‘Best Of’ Get-Fit Tips for New Year’s Fitness Goals
As we conclude another year and reflect on areas we may make improvements, many of us will certainly have fitness...
Resolve to Give Better Health Advice in 2023
In the final Nutrition Diva podcast episode of 2022, I reflect on how we in the health media communicate about...
Create Your Best Financial Plan This New Year
A Money Girl podcast listener named Piper says, “I’m a big fan of your podcast and want some advice before...
‘Desert’ Versus ‘Dessert’
It's the time of year when I eat a lot more dessert than I usually do — the pies, the...
What To Pack in Your First Aid Kit for a Camping Trip
If you've ever had the opportunity to go camping, you know it can be a fun and relaxing experience. You...
How to Deal With Family Stress Better This Holiday
It’s that time of year again! My parent clients who gather with extended family during the winter holidays are starting...
How to Use LinkedIn Like a Pro
I’m excited to bring you this interview with Emily Crookston who has schooled me—and will soon do the same to...
So, You Want Stronger Legs
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Five Ways to Save Money When Traveling
In the age of inflation and high gas prices, traveling is way more expensive than it used to be. Travel,...
Unlock the Mystery in This Must Read (or Listen)
If you couldn’t get enough of the murder and mystery in the Case Closed podcast, then this chilling story in...
Cholesterol Clarity – Nutrition Diva’s Greatest Tips
A History of Science-Based Tips Over the last many years, the Nutrition Diva podcast has discussed the effect of cholesterol...
Three Brilliant Communication Tactics Jeff Bezos Pioneered to Fuel Amazon’s Growth, According to Investors and Executives Who Know Him Best
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Four Benefits of Playing Bingo
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Ancient & Present-Day ‘Thank You’ What is a Cornucopia? Thanksgiving Gerunds
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Can We Overcome Our Childhoods? A Discussion with Lori Gottlieb
Somewhere in the rows and rows of office cubicles that make up the emotional business of our brains, there’s one...
Save Yourself from Overeating this Thanksgiving
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5 Innovations Changing the Supermarket Shopping Experience
Despite the wave of digital transformation spreading through the retail sector, the supermarket shopping experience has largely remained the same....
Top Things to Consider When Leasing a Warehouse Space
Industrial rental spaces serve different purposes, including distribution and manufacturing. Each warehouse has unique responsibilities and specifications, so it's crucial...
Credit Scores: The Meaning, Importance, and Effects of Credit Scores on Loans and Jobs
A credit score is essential for every individual to build a sound financial profile. You can get the loan products...
Do You Want to Spot-Reduce Fat?
This week I received an email from one of my listeners and since this is actually a fairly common question,...
Digital Citizenship: What Is It and How Can You Teach It to Your Kids?
The internet has altered the way we work, play, and communicate. But it's also introduced new challenges that many parents...
How To Have Healthy Political Conversations This Midterm (& Holiday) Season
Dr. Jade Wu offered her wisdom during the last election cycle of 2020, and her tips still hold strong through...
How to Dial Up Connection at Work with Ryan Jenkins
I’m excited to bring you this interview with Ryan Jenkins, one of the authors Connectable: How Leaders Can Move Teams...
Favorite Words Like Tintinnabulation and Fafoofian – Grammar Q&A with Author Daniel Stashower
Even award-winning authors have grammar preferences and peeves. When reading a great book by a great author, do you —...
Halloween Curiosities That Deliver The Creeps and Make You Think
Leonard Pickel has made a career of the unexpected. From manipulating architecture to designing impossible floor plans, his Hauntrepreneurs business...
New Mediation Podcast Released on World Mental Health Day
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Wolf Hustle – A Black Woman on Wall Street
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Sci-fi Versus Fantasy
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Recession Survival Hacks for Working Adults
Are you a full-time worker worried about the current recession's long-term effects? If so, you are not alone. Many hard-working...
Could Gold Reach $2,000 Again in 2022?
The value of people's savings and investments is currently going down as a result of the very high levels of...
Split Infinitives
When adults are ambushed with the concept of grammar, for example, when they meet someone who goes by the name...
Curious State Newsletter
Curious State Newsletter Can animals break the law? Haven’t all the possible songs been written by now? Can a "friends...
He’s Beaten 800+ World Records. But How?
Ashrita Furman broke the world record for underwater hoola-hooping in Florida, where a pod of dolphins watched from afar—in what I...
What to Do About Quiet Quitting—If It’s Even Real
Does anyone else feel like the loudest thing on the internet these days is the debate about quiet quitting? Something...
All the Women in My Brain
If you’ve ever felt like you were more, or at least weirder, than the world expected? you're not alone... In...
American Demon
Boston had its Strangler. California had the Zodiac Killer. And in the depths of the Great Depression, Cleveland had the...
A World of Curiosities
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns in the eighteenth book in #1 New York Times bestseller Louise Penny's beloved series. It’s spring and...
Can a “Friends With Benefits” Relationship Last?
What happens when you mix wine with the kernel of a podcast episode idea? In my case, I got Dr....
Three Reasons Web Accessibility is a Digital Marketer’s Best Friend
In the past, marketers have been limited to more traditional methods such as print, television, and radio to reach their...
Six Ways to Get More Value from Your Credit Cards
The latest episode of the Money Girl podcast was inspired by an email I received from Dave K. in New...
Seven Tips to Inflation-Proof Your Financial Life
If you have found inflation is causing your money to be spread a bit thinner than you would like, you...
Introducing Kevin Don, Your New Get-Fit Guy
We would like to introduce you to Kevin Don, the new host of Get-Fit Guy! On the latest episode of...
Could We Have Domesticated a T-Rex?
The following is an article version of the Curious State episode of the same name, edited for content and reading clarity. You can...
Eight Pros and Cons of Investing in Crypto in Your 401(k)
Fidelity Investments recently announced that it would be the first major retirement plan provider to add cryptocurrency to its 401(k)...
Driving Inclusion and Belonging at Work – a Conversation with Bain’s Chief Diversity Officer
There’s a lot of buzz these days around the concepts of Inclusion and Belonging. We know they are important drivers...
Expert Tips to Know If You Should Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)
This Money Girl episode was inspired by several questions I've received from listeners about various buy now pay later offers...
Needs Washed
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Should You Match Your Diet to Your Blood Type?
I got an email this week from a listener who wanted to know if I’d ever done an episode on...
Three Simple Ways to Relieve Post-Exercise Soreness
Ever felt super sore the day after running, hiking, or throwing up some weights at the gym? You’re not alone....
Is the Mafia Really That Violent?
The following is an article version of the Curious State episode of the same name (feat. Elie Honig), edited for content and reading...
‘Backward’ Versus ‘Backwards’
"Backward" and "backwards" can both be adjectives and adverbs, so you can say, “Squiggly jumped backward when Aardvark shouted, 'Boo!'”—that’s...
Nine Resources to Improve Your Life
I’m so happy you’re here as I review these broad categories of resources. There are nine on my list. These...
Capitalizing Titles
When you’re writing a title, you’re confronted with a shocking number of formatting options. How you decide to handle capitalization...
Seven Proven Strategies That Will Help Engage Remote Employees More Effectively
Since the start of Covid-19, remote working has boomed across practically every industry that could facilitate it. And even though...
When to Capitalize Degree Names
Academic degrees tell us what level of study a person has completed and often in what field or specialization. In...
How to be a Purpose and Belonging Informed Leader
[caption id="attachment_48737" align="alignleft" width="197"] Belle Liang and Timothy Klein are the authors of HOW TO NAVIGATE LIFE: The New Science...
How to Prepare for Potential Layoffs
Hey, it’s Rachel Cooke, your Modern Mentor. And today we’re gonna acknowledge the elephant in the room—that after months and...
Insurance, Budget, and Long-Term Storage: What to Consider Before Committing to a Loft Conversion
A loft conversion sounds like a great idea. There’s so much space only getting used by the Christmas decorations, but...
Jessie Stephens takes us to the Beginning of the End
Heartsick, the debut book from author and podcaster Jessie Stephens, follows three stories of heartbreak—the kind of heartbreak that upends...
Why Don’t People Say ‘You’re Welcome’ Anymore?
From our automatic “thank you” as we grab our caramel latte at Starbucks to the genuine “thank you” when a...
How Does a DUI Affect My Auto Insurance?
Getting a single DUI conviction can negatively affect your life in many ways. Having too many drinks may seem harmless...
How To Keep Costs Down In 2022
If you haven't felt the impact of rising costs yet in 2022, you're among the lucky few. Even people who...
5 Tips for Enterprises to Counter the Persistent Ransomware Problem
A mid-year cyber threat report reveals that there has been a dip in the number of ransomware attacks in 2022...
How to be a purpose and belonging informed leader
[caption id="attachment_48737" align="aligncenter" width="674"] Belle Liang and Timothy Klein are the authors of HOW TO NAVIGATE LIFE: The New Science...
Ten Grammar Myths Exposed
Ten Grammar Myths Exposed Read the explanations before you write to express your outrage. A run-on sentence is a really...
The Grammartini
The Grammartini The Grammartini National Grammar Day founder, Martha Brockenbrough, shares her grammartini recipe to spice up your celebrations:2 1/2...
Answer Key for the National Grammar Day Theme-Song Quiz
Answer Key for the National Grammar Day Theme-Song Quiz 1. A. “Slowly” is the adverb. It modifies the verb “drive.”...
NGD – Theme-Song Quiz
NGD - Theme-Song Quiz National Grammar Day is March 4, and we made a song to help you celebrate: March Forth....
Do You Have Better Grammar Than Your Favorite Celebrity?
Do You Have Better Grammar Than Your Favorite Celebrity? Which singer’s album title is incorrectly punctuated? What popular movie name...
Free Materials for Classroom Fun and Learning
Free Materials for Classroom Fun and Learning Do you teach? Thank you! If we ruled the world, we would pay...
National Grammar Day
The official home of National Grammar Day! National Grammar Day is March 4th! On National Grammar Day, we celebrate good...
Savvy Psychologist Newsletter
Savvy Psychologist The Savvy Psychologist uses evidence-based research, real-life scenarios, and a zero-judgment approach to help you meet life's daily...
Nutrition Diva Newsletter
Nutrition Diva Newsletter Healthy eating doesn't have to be hard when Nutrition Diva has your back. Her bi-weekly newsletter separates...
Modern Mentor Newsletter
Modern Mentor Newsletter Wondering the best way to ask for a raise? Looking to perfect your to-do list? Need to...
Get-Fit Guy Newsletter
Get-Fit Guy Newsletter Been meaning to hit the gym for a while now? Looking to start working out but convinced...
Grammar Girl Newsletter
Grammar Girl Newsletter Get back to grammar basics and enrich your life as a writer with Grammar Girl’s newsletter. Every...
Money Girl Newsletter
Money Girl Newsletter Whether you're new to the savings game or you've created quite the nest egg, Money Girl has...
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Grammar Quirks: Rachel Heng on the Word ‘Faff’
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? Rachel Heng: I couldn’t possibly choose just one! Some favorites: "shim," "kerfuffle,"...
Grammar Quirks: Scott Oden on Double Spaces After Periods
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? Scott Oden: One of my all time favorites is “stygian." As far...
Plant Power: Harness the Power of Plants in Your Diet
For dieters who want to utilize the benefits of fruits, vegetables, and complex carbs—without eliminating the meat, dairy, fish, and...
Grammar Quirks: Edward Ashton on Yeeting What Needs to be Yote
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? Edward Ashton: You’re gonna need to define “favorite” here. If you mean...
Grammar Quirks: S.A. Barnes on Shifting Points of View
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? S.A. Barnes: Oh, it changes all the time! At the moment, I’m...
6 Ways to Use Smell as Your Secret Weapon
When my children were young, we had a dog. He could smell when they were arriving home, half a block...
Grammar Quirks: Amanda Foody on Her Vocabulary War
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? AF: It feels impossible to pick a true favorite, but as an...
5 Ways to Manage Anger Using Stoicism
Ancient philosophy—it’s the future! Or at least it’s currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity. That started back in the 1960s...
Grammar Quirks: Rachel Howzell Hall on ‘Huhn’
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? Rachel Howzell Hall: "Discombobulated." It sounds just how it looks—you think it’s going...
The Working Woman’s Revolution of 1964
On February 8, 1964, an eighty-year-old segregationist congressman named Howard Smith stepped onto the floor of the House of Representatives...
The Devil’s Dinner: How Chili Peppers Took Over the World
The taste for hot and spicy food has become an international passion in modern times. Many world cuisines rely on...
The Wild West Heroes Who Rode for Wells Fargo
John Boessenecker is a former police officer, current trial lawyer, and considered one of the leading authorities of crime and...
Grammar Quirks: Courtney Summers on the Word ‘Loveology’
Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why? Courtney Summers: “Sleep,” because it’s also one of my favorite things to...
Grammar Quirks: Cherise Wolas on Cauliflowers and Cacophony
Interview with Cherise Wolas Grammar Girl talks with Cherise Wolas, author of The Family Tabor and The Resurrection of Joan...
Books
QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS BOOKS The Grammar Daily 365 Quick Tips for Successful Writing from Grammar GirlMignon FogartyWho Knew? 10,001...
A (Humorous) Guide to Handling People’s Opinions
My dad called me to talk about sex the other day, more specifically: my sex life. It wasn’t a chat...
Podcasts
PodcastsQDT is home to over a dozen podcasts. Check out our active hosts and their latest episodes below.Learn how to listen...
Top 10 Writing and Grammar Mistakes
Top 10 Writing and Grammar Mistakes All the little details of writing are difficult, and even published authors can struggle...
Download: Grammar Girl’s ‘A’ Versus ‘An’ Quiz
Download: Grammar Girl's 'A' Versus 'An' Quiz A Versus An Downloadable 'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles. They mean the same...
Download: Nutrition Diva’s ‘The Snacker’ Meal Plan
Download: Nutrition Diva's 'The Snacker' Meal Plan 'The Snacker' Meal Plan DownloadableThe Nutrition Diva Snacker Meal Plan divides your 2,000...
Download: Nutrition Diva’s ‘Three-Square’ Meal Plan
Download: Nutrition Diva's 'Three-Square' Meal Plan 'Three-Square' Meal DownloadableBreak down your 2,000 daily calories into three meals (plus a snack!)...
Download This: Can You Ace Grammar Girl’s English Quiz?
Download This: Can You Ace Grammar Girl's English Quiz? English Quiz DownloadableDo you know how to pluralize names for groups...
Download: Grammar Girl’s Homophones and Homographs Quiz
Download: Grammar Girl's Homophones and Homographs Quiz Homophones and Homographs DownloadableWhat's the difference between a homophone and a homograph? Well,...
Download: Grammar Girl’s ‘Lay’ Versus ‘Lie’ Quiz
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Download: Nutrition Diva’s Ultimate Guide to Sweeteners
Download: Nutrition Diva's Ultimate Guide to Sweeteners Ultimate Guide to Sweeteners DownloadableSweeteners may not be the most nutritious, but you...
Download: Fiber 2.0—The New Health Benefits of Fiber
Download: Fiber 2.0—The New Health Benefits of Fiber Fiber has come a long way—this is not your grandma's bran muffin!Fiber...
Download: Grammar Girl’s ‘Who’ Versus ‘Whom’ Quiz
Download: Grammar Girl's 'Who' Versus 'Whom' Quiz Who vs. Whom DownloadableHave you ever mixed up 'who' and 'whom'? Who hasn't?...
Download: Quick and Dirty Tips to Life After College
Download: Quick and Dirty Tips to Life After College Congrats new grad! You’ve put in the effort and now all...
Download: Grammar Girl’s Editing Checklist
Download: Grammar Girl's Editing Checklist Editing Checklist DownloadableYou wrote something great and now you're ready to start editing your work....
Curious State
Oddities and unexpected gems of knowledge are hidden all around us. Let’s dig them up, one offbeat question at a...
Do All Adverbs End in ‘-Ly’?
Last week, I mentioned the concept of flat adverbs when we were talking about the word "funnest," so today, we'll...
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QDT [slide-anything id="48367"][recommended_articles_homepage] [homepage_latest_aricles] [homepage_trending_aricles] HOST SHOWCASE Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty Mignon Fogarty is the founder of the Quick and...
Is ‘Funnest’ a Word?
Researching the word “funnest” and its close relation “funner” turned out to be a lot less fun than I had...
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What’s the point of regret?
Regret is our constant companion, tugging at our ear to remind us of our mistakes. Our follies. The kind of...
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From Data Warehouses To A Shift in Mindset – Everything Your Business Needs To Become Data-Driven
Data has radically changed business, impacting almost every industry and bringing them data-driven insights, automated processes, and clarity within decision...
Sample Page
This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will...
5 Industries That Are Leading in Productivity Innovation
If you polled business owners from a wide range of industries about what they wanted most from their employees and...
Everything You Need to Know About Loans from Direct Lenders
Loans from direct lenders are among the most reliable ways to get yourself a loan. Online direct lenders might not...
What is Ethical Non-Monogamy?
Hello listeners! I'm on maternity leave, but this week I wanted to share with you an episode from another great...
Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Initialisms
Today's topic is the difference between abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms. Abbreviations and acronyms Any shortened form of a word is...
How to Reduce Your Child’s Challenging Behavior
Often parents describe their frustrations with their child in terms of what they perceive to be their child’s purposeful non-compliance...
Serial Comma
Here's a listener: Hi, Grammar Girl. This is Patti from Houston... Patti and her friends are debating about the serial...
Dumbbells, Barbells, Machines, or Bands for Strength Training?
Listener Mia emailed me to ask: “What’s the best equipment to use for strength training?” I get this question a...
Why Am I So Sensitive? Neuroception Explained
Today's episode is all about neuroception and the window of tolerance. Don't worry if you've never heard these terms before!...
How Changing Your Home Design Affects Your Way of Thinking and Productivity
Did you know that enacting some specific strategies while interior decorating can help improve your creativity? Consider using some of...
How to EMPOWER Yourself Against Emotional Triggers
There are so many things happening in the world that are potentially triggering for folks. Events in the news, like...
5 In-Demand Jobs in 2022
There are various in-demand jobs in 2022 as companies begin to fill empty roles. In 2021, several million Americans left...
5 Tips to Remember Before Consolidating Your Debt
Debt consolidation is one of the best ways of reducing your interest payments to a single, affordable payment every month....
7 Tips to Avoid Cryptocurrency and NFT Scams
Prakash U. says, “Your crypto podcast was fascinating, and the interest rates from BlockFi and Gemini for stablecoins blew my...
3 TIPs to Reduce Emotional Overwhelm
We’ve spent quite a bit of time getting into our heads recently, so today we are going to talk about...
How to Use Third-Party Website Analytics to Inform Your Link Building Strategy
At this point, it’s pretty much common knowledge that link building is one of the most critical factors affecting your...
‘Call in Sick’ or ‘Call out Sick’?
This is shaping up to be a nasty flu season, which prompted a listener named Marc to bring up a...
How to Discover Your Ikigai
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that combines the terms iki, meaning “alive” or “life,” and gai, meaning “benefit” or “worth.”...
Using a Guaranteed Stop Loss When Trading
If you don’t use risk management tools to protect your investments when forex trading, there is every chance your next...
Is a Reverse Mortgage the Right Fit for You?
In 1961, a Maine-based bank created the reverse mortgage loan, and it was later adopted by the United States Department...
What Kind of Flirt Are You?
Perhaps the most ambiguous or uncertain part of being in a romantic relationship is understanding signals of attraction. One of...
5 Tips for Growing a Successful Business
Businesses are evolving and there is tough competition among organizations to survive in the market. Startups struggle in their initial...
Social Trading Explained: Should You Copy Other Investors?
There has been lots of buzz and excitement around the crypto market over the past couple of years. This has...
7 Smart Ways to Invest Extra Money
Jessica A. in Texas says, “I’m a long-time listener and huge fan of your podcast! My husband and I are...
How Long Does It Take to See Results from Exercise?
My clients always want to know how long it takes to see progress from exercise. And by progress, they usually...
How to Communicate More Effectively
Hey Project Parenthood listeners! I'm taking a week away from the podcast, but I'll be back next week with a...
5 Ways to Become an Active or Passive Real Estate Investor
Julie S. says, "Hi, Laura! I recently discovered your weekly podcast and have already binged a ton of episodes and...
The Truth Behind 4 Common Relationship Myths
Many of us carry around irrational or unfounded beliefs about how our relationships ought to be. We impart these beliefs...
5 Positive Ways To Use Tech For Your Mental Health
It’s common to see screen time being vilified in mainstream media today, and some practices are toxic. Yet, there are...
4 Ways Parents Can Decrease Screen Time Conflict
Needing help with limiting a child’s screen time is pretty high up on the list of issues parents have these...
How to Build the Perfect Home Gym
If you love working out but find going to the gym inconvenient or unappealing, building a home gym may be...
How to Understand and Fulfill Your Child’s Attachment Needs
Your child came into existence with an instinct to seek closeness to a special person who will provide comfort, protection,...
The Santaback: An Ambiguous Figure of Speech
Here's an interesting question from Lynn. "Hi, my name is Lynn, and I'm calling with a question about the use...
8 Tips to Encourage Productivity in Your Workplace
Productivity can be the key to your business’s success, but increasing productivity in the workplace can be daunting. As a...
Parent the Child You Have, Not the One You Wish You Had
When you find out that you'll be parenting a new child, all sorts of thoughts begin to float around in...
A Beginner’s Guide to Exercising at the Gym
It’s the first week of 2022 and if this year is anything like previous years, getting in shape and losing...
18 Beliefs That Are Ruining Your Life (Part 2)
In part one of this episode, I introduced you to schema. Schemas are deep-set beliefs, or negative patterns, that develop...
18 Beliefs That Are Ruining Your Life (Part 1)
Today, we're going to discuss early maladaptive schemas. There are so many of them that this will be a 2-part...
How to Practice Radical Acceptance as a Parent
Whether your child is a newborn or just graduated from college, you’re going to deal with situations that, as a...
6 Ways to Invest in Cryptocurrency (Including Tax-Friendly Options)
You’ve probably noticed that the use of various cryptocurrencies is exploding! It seems like new coins and blockchain technologies are...
GIVE More to Your Relationships with Effective Communication
Do you have trouble starting or maintaining relationships with others, whether it be a romantic relationship, a relationship with a...
5 Ways to Update Your Childhood Bedroom
Due to the pandemic, many adult “children” were forced to move back with their parents. People who had assumed they...
Become a Smarter Worker….By Doing Jigsaw Puzzles
In a world where demands on workers are higher than ever, it can be hard to stay on top of...
The Right Way to Engage Your Core
You’ve probably heard about the importance of having good core muscle strength. A strong core can improve posture, prevent back...
Your Complete Guide to 401(k) Retirement Accounts
Most people know they should save for retirement; however, using a 401(k) may seem too overwhelming or complicated and prevent...
Good Debt vs Bad Debt: Your Plan for Paying Off Debt Faster
Many people think that all debt is bad and should be avoided or paid down as quickly as possible. However,...
How Trauma Hijacks the Brain
Have you ever wondered how trauma might be impacting your brain? Today, I'm going to introduce the concept of the...
7 Ways to Boost Productivity
Employees working from home have more freedom to choose their hours, as long as they get their work done, and...
Rest Week: Why Taking Breaks From Exercising is Crucial
It’s the week of Thanksgiving and I know that many of you are looking forward to spending quality time with...
Internal Doors Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Internal Doors
The global interior doors market will be valued at $85,410 million within the next few years. Surprisingly, a huge percentage...
Bitcoin for Beginners: Understanding the Future of Cryptocurrency
You’ve probably been hearing a lot about bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the news these days. On October 20, 2021, bitcoin...
Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Stocks?
Is Q4 of 2021 a wise or foolish time to get involved in the equities markets? A quick look at...
Should You Install a VPN On Your Smartphone?
VPNs for smartphones are a reliable way to securely protect your Internet activities. Since tons of personal data is sent...
7 Ways to I.M.P.R.O.V.E. Difficult Moments
Have you ever been in a situation that you truly disliked? And I mean truly. Your displeasure can range from...
The Fastest Way to Relieve Sciatica Pain at Home
Have you ever experienced pain on one side of your butt or hip that radiates down your leg? Describe this...
10 Crucial Money Rules Couples Should Follow
How you manage money as a couple depends on factors such as your commitment level, financial history, and goals. While...
What Should an Internal Ticket Management System Do?
Wouldn't it be nice to have better all-around team productivity from your web help desk? A help desk that is...
How To Make a Long-Distance Relationship Work
I met my husband when I was a freshman in college. We sat across from each other in our computer...
Kids Banking: 3 Account Types Every Parent Should Consider
It's never too early to start teaching kids about money. And what better way to help them hone their financial...
How To Avoid Neck, Back, and Shoulder Pain From Using a Smartphone
Are you experiencing pain or discomfort in your neck, upper back, or shoulder from mobile device usage? You’re not alone—I’ve...
7 Types of Rest You’ve Been Missing
Are you tired? I know I have moments where a spontaneous 2-week vacation sounds amazing! You may be looking around...
How to Succeed at Graduate School
Graduate school involves a huge commitment of time and money, so if you've decided to go, you want to be...
‘Beckon Call’ or ‘Beck and Call’?
Dave J. asked, “What's the appropriate phrase—'beckon call' or 'beck and call'?” The correct phrase is “beck and call.” If you...
The Myth of Love Languages
Last weekend, two married friends and I took our kids to a local theme park for a day out together....
‘Dos’ and ‘Dont’s’
THE QUICK AND DIRTY If you follow Chicago style, spell it "dos and don'ts." If you follow AP style, spell...
Relationshopping: Why Dating Apps Lead to Choice Overload
Using apps and online dating sites can be both an exciting and daunting experience. The next swipe or profile you...
The First Step to Solve Child Behavior Problems
If you’re listening to the Project Parenthood podcast, you might be hoping to learn some respectful parenting tools and collaborative...
What To Know Before You Cancel a Credit Card
Kaitlyn O. says, “I'm a big fan of the Money Girl podcast and have been listening for years! A while...
How Do Boundaries and Self-Esteem Affect Your Relationships?
Do you find that your relationships are affected by poor boundaries and self-esteem? Or do you perhaps have too many...
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Indigenous Parenting Practices and You
Since 1992, when the city of Berkeley, CA officially replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, it’s been a day...
7 Steps to Achieve Your Financial Goals Faster
Achieving your financial goals is all about getting one step closer to the life you daydream about, where you feel...
How To Cope With the Urge to Self-Harm
Have you ever wanted to bang your head on a wall and actually done it? Or secretly tried to cut...
Your Guide to Saving Money with an HSA Now and in Retirement
One of my favorite tax-advantaged accounts is a health savings account or HSA. Not only does it allow you to...
5 Ways You Can Support Your Partner
Have you ever felt like your help went unnoticed or was unappreciated by your partner? Likewise, are there times you...
9 Tips For Building Trust With Your Child Using Validation
Like many parents who want to shift from control-based parenting to collaboration-based parenting, you likely just want things to get...
What to Eat Before, During, and After Your Workout
I’ve mentioned in a previous episode that fitness is like baking a cake. The essential ingredients for this cake are...
Will My On-Again Off-Again Relationship Work Out?
A friend, Jim, recently asked me for advice about his relationship. He said his girlfriend broke up with him because...
What is Sizeism and How to Fight It?
I’ve been following the news around Lizzo, and the sizeist and racist comments she has endured. Keeping it real and...
Stuck in a Situationship? Here’s How to Define the Relationship
In the early stages of a relationship, there usually comes a natural point when both partners feel a desire to...
How to Tell Your Child about Their Neurodivergence
Finding out that your child has a neurodevelopmental diagnosis such as ADHD, autism, or dyslexia can feel like a total departure...
Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Investment Model of Relationships
We all have that one friend who constantly complains about their partner, but won’t actually leave the relationship. A perfect...
10 Things Every First-Time Investor Should Know
If you're like most people, you know investing money is a smart idea. But if you haven't gotten started because...
7 Tips for Great Form on the Assault Bike
The assault bike (also referred to as a fan bike or an air bike) is one of the most effective...
‘Where’ Versus ‘In Which’
Today, we’ll be looking at two constructions that are correct, but which one you choose depends on your audience. 'In...
Never Use Secret Tests in Your Relationship
It can be frustrating when a partner, or potential partner, behaves in a way that makes you feel uncertain: "Why...
Stationary Lunges Versus Squats: Which Is Better?
Lunges and squats are fantastic full body exercises to increase muscle mass, build strength, and improve body tone. Both exercises...
7 Ways to Spot a Predator
Have you ever worried about your safety? Missed potential red flags with a new partner? Been the victim of a...
Starting a Sentence With ‘However’: Right or Wrong?
Today's topic is how to use the word however in a sentence. It's probably more complicated than you think it...
What is Ghosting and Why Do People Do It?
Ghosting is an unfortunately common experience for people who are dating. What is ghosting? Ghosting refers to the experience of...
Supersets: The Key to Shorter and More Effective Workouts
What if you could shorten your strength training routine and make it more effective at the same time? What if this...
3 Ways to Cope When You’re Feeling Bad
After reading the title of this episode, you might be thinking, “But I already know how to feel bad, Dr....
Are Sit-Ups and Crunches Bad for You?
Sit-ups and crunches are popular exercises for working the abdominal muscles. They’re the go-to for most people who want to...
How to Teach Your Child About Body Boundaries
Hi parents! Today we're talking about setting the stage for your child’s early understanding of body autonomy and consent during...
Commas with Adjectives
When you use a string of adjectives, you often separate the adjectives with commas, as in “He is tall, dark,...
5 Ways to Nurture Your Child’s Self-Worth
Today we're talking about the origins of your child’s self-worth, and the everyday ways you can make a regular practice...
13 Things You Must Do for More Financial Success
To celebrate my 13th anniversary writing and hosting the Money Girl podcast, I've compiled a list of 13 things that are...
The Best Stories from 15 Years of Grammar Girl
When I jotted some ideas down on a napkin in a coffee shop called The Kind Grind on the beach...
3 Exercises to Help With Knee Pain
Exercise-related knee pain is one of the most common issues that comes up for my fitness clients, regardless of their...
How to Avoid a Gray Divorce
Welcome to the Relationship Doctor podcast! I’m Dr. Rachel Vanderbilt and I’m excited to bring you advice backed by solid...
Online Dating: Should I Skip the Small Talk?
Welcome to the new and improved Relationship Doctor podcast! I’m Dr. Rachel Vanderbilt and I’m providing advice backed by relationship...
Should We Move In Before Marriage?
Welcome to the new and improved Relationship Doctor podcast! I’m Dr. Rachel Vanderbilt and I’m providing advice backed by relationship...
‘Fish’ or ‘Fishes’?
The noun "fish" has two different, completely acceptable plurals — "fish" and "fishes" — but "fish" is by far the...
Calm Your Nervous System to Calm Your Child
Did you know that during high-stress interactions with your child, your breathing pattern, your facial expressions, your voice, and your...
Walking for Exercise: How to Get the Most Health Benefits?
Welcome to Get-Fit Guy. I’m your new host, Dr. Jonathan Su. Every week, I’ll share science-backed tips to help you get...
‘If’ Versus ‘Whether’
Today's topic is whether — not rain or snow, but whether w-h-e-t-h-e-r, as in whether you like it or not,...
3 Strategies for Becoming a Better Parent
Welcome to the Project Parenthood podcast! I’m Dr. Nanika Coor, a clinical psychologist and respectful parenting therapist. This podcast is...
What Is Respectful Parenting?
Hi parents! I’m so excited to welcome you to the first episode of the Project Parenthood podcast. I’m Dr. Nanika...
Can I Start a Sentence with a Conjunction?
Today’s topic is whether it’s OK to begin a sentence with and, but, or or. The short answer is yes,...
Sentence Length
Long Sentences My dad has a memorable poster in his bathroom: a diagram of a ridiculously long sentence by Marcel...
Is “Graduated College” Wrong?
Because it’s graduation season, my inbox is filling up again with complaints about people who say things such as “We’re...
How to Manage Distractions and Become More Productive
You know how you strive to stay productive during the day…only to get sidetracked by the notifications on your phone...
“Bachelor’s Degree” or “Bachelors Degree”?
Dawn wants to know how to write that someone was awarded a degree. Is it "bachelor's degree," "bachelors degree," or...
Blond or Blonde?
It sounds like a joke, but it's actually a legitimate question: How do you spell “blond"? ‘Blond’ Versus ‘Blonde’ The...
Afraid of a Loved One Dying? How to Keep Yourself Tethered to Now
Recently, a listener wrote to me and asked about how to cope with being afraid of a loved one dying....
When to Use ‘Nor’
Today we’re going to get a bit negative by looking at the various times you can use the word “nor.”...
“People” or “Persons”?
Nowadays, "people" is almost always the right choice when you are talking about more than one person. Some dictionaries don't...
‘People’ or ‘Persons’ ?
Believe it or not, in the 1800s and early 1900s, many people objected to the use of “people” as I...
Why Are You Afraid to Ask Questions at Work?
Here’s a thing that happens to me all the time: I’m facilitating a meeting with a team of executives and...
15 Hidden Cognitive Biases That Cost You Big Money
You’re not rational. I’m not rational. We’re emotional. Sometimes we’re annoyed. Sometimes we’re angry. Sometimes we’re just hangry. We’re really...
Is My Partner a Dark Triad Personality? 5 Red Flags and How to Leave
Recently, I read about a woman’s whirlwind dating experience that started out feeling romantic and ended with her seeking therapy...
Invest Money Wisely at Any Age: 7 Simple Principles
The COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis have triggered extreme stock market volatility. This week, Wall Street also saw the stock...
Beware the Dark Triad in Your Relationship
We've all had our share of relationships we regret. There was the one that went on too long because we...
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The Right Amount of Emergency Money to Keep in Cash
No matter if you call it, an emergency fund or a cash reserve, the idea is that we all need...
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Featured January 14, 2020The 11 Amazing Sunglasses Coming Back This Year To understand the new fashion watches and other pro...
‘Thank-You’ or ‘Thank You’?
I always get a lot of questions about hyphens when I do my AP style webinars, and it’s not surprising...
‘Acedia’: The Lost Name for the Emotion We’re All Feeling Right Now
Julien-Pier Belanger/Unsplash, CC BY By Jonathan L. Zecher, Australian Catholic University With some communities in rebooted lockdown conditions and movement restricted...
4 Myths about Sulfites and Wine Busted
If drinking red wine gives you a headache, you’ve probably had someone tell you that sulfites are the likely culprit....
7 Pros and Cons of Investing in a 401(k) Retirement Plan at Work
A 401(k) retirement plan is one of the most powerful savings vehicles on the planet. If you’re fortunate enough to work for...
Brandon Sanderson on Writing, Character and Place Names, and the Future
Brandon Sanderson is a #1 New York Times bestselling fantasy author with more than 30 books, which have been published...
The Meaning of ‘Just Desserts’
If you’re at all like me, you could live on desserts. That’s with two S’s in the middle. The downside...
Why Am I So Hungry During My Period?
Q. When it's "that time of the month" I feel like my stomach is a bottomless pit. I can eat...
Was Parson Brown from ‘Winter Wonderland’ a Real Person?
The other day, while humming “Winter Wonderland,” these two lines started to make me wonder: Who was Parson Brown? In the...
Ending a Sentence With a Preposition
One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is whether it’s acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition. I...
Where Are You At?
Grammar Girl here, and today I’m going to tell you where it’s at! 'Where It's At' Just kidding. I used...
How Come We Say “How Come”?
A listener named Barbara wrote in wondering about the phrase “how come.” She wrote: The other day I was formulating...
What To Do If You Contribute Too Much to an HSA, IRA or 401k
Amanda M. says: I contributed to my Roth IRA for 2020, but now I realize that my income will exceed...
How Many Credit Cards Should You Have for Good Credit?
Have you ever wondered, "How many credit cards should I have? Is it wise to have a wallet full of...
5 Ways to Deal with Entitled People
Lately, for whatever reason, I’ve been hearing a lot about entitled people. Earlier this week, a journalist emailed me and...
Why Doesn’t ‘Veterans Day’ Have an Apostrophe?
THE QUICK AND DIRTY The official name is "Veterans Day," but "Veterans' Day" is also grammatically correct. In the United...
How to Use the 5 Apology Languages
We continue to live in unprecedented times—there's no playbook. We’re living and working differently than ever before, and we’re breaking...
Are Outdoor Elliptical Bikes Effective?
I am a big fan of cycling because it's fun, a quick way to get around town, and a great...
What Happens to Saltwater Fish in Fresh Water?
Some of my best episodes, in my humble opinion, are inspired by the questions that my daughter asks me. To...
How to Deal with Mean Sarcasm
Sarcasm is like jazz—it’s hard to define, but you know it when you hear it. That’s because sarcasm, which is...
“Although” Versus “While”
Today's topic is “although” versus “while.” I often have to tell people that their pet peeves aren't actually hard-and-fast grammar...
7 Home Remedies for Ulcers: Natural Herbs and Treatments
Stomach pain, bloating, heartburn ... the discomfort of ulcer symptoms is no joke! If you'd like to try some simple...
‘Whoa’ or ‘Woah’?
“Whoa” can mean “stop,” like in this Keanu Reeves clip from “Sweet November,” or it can mean “wow,” like he...
3 Meanings of ‘Out of Pocket’
Out of pocket meaning - is there just one? In July 2015, a listener named Barb Mindel posted a question...
5 Investing Strategies That Can Harm Your Portfolio
If you’re educating yourself on how to invest your money for the first time, books such as Thinking, Fast and Slow, The...
How to Defend Yourself Without Being Defensive
Something went wrong at work and fingers are pointing at you. You know it wasn’t your fault. Do you stand...
How to Have a Conversation with Your Critical Boss
Over the years I’ve had bosses who inspired me, pushed me, challenged me, scared me, bored me, made me laugh,...
‘Each Other’ Versus ‘One Another’
In the movie "Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure," the slacker protagonists Bill and Ted offer this advice to the world:...
‘Historic’ Versus ‘Historical’
The Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, just announced that Kamala Harris is his pick for vice president, and she is...
Should You Add Mineral Water to Your Diet?
Do you need minerals in your water? A lot of people are concerned that fruits and vegetables are less nutritious...
Fire Up Your Personal Brand: An Interview with Dorie Clark
Dorie Clark has become the go-to expert on personal branding and reinvention. She believes we all have something unique and...
7 Simple Tips to Help You Stop Feeling Inadequate
Have you ever sat in a classroom or work meeting and felt small, like you didn’t belong there, as you...
Are You Dissociating? Here’s What to Do
Like gluten or ozone, dissociation is one of those things everyone has heard of, but few can really define. This...
How to Use LinkedIn to Be a Rockstar at Work
Many people use LinkedIn as nothing more than an online Rolodex, a means of finding a job, or a quick...
What Does ‘A Few’ Mean? What Does ‘A Couple’ Mean?
One of our listeners recently wrote in, wondering about the proper way to describe quantities. She said her sixth-grade English...
Is Powdered Milk Bad For You?
Recently, a listener posted a question about powdered milk on my Facebook page. She was wondering whether it’s okay to...
How to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Failed”
You polished your resume, pounded the pavement, and landed the coveted job interview. Congratulations! Now it’s time to prepare and...
What Does ‘Bougie’ Mean? Does It Come From ‘Bourgeois’?
A listener recently wrote in to ask about the word “bougie.” He’d heard it being used to mean something elevated...
‘Re-Enter’ or ‘Reenter’?
Last week, our editor at Quick and Dirty Tips had a question about hyphens as she was working on a...
Bullet Journaling—My Secret to Productivity, Creativity, and Balance
Five years ago I started my own consulting business—cue the terror, stress, exhaustion, and overwhelm. I wanted to succeed and...
9 Exercises to Get Huge Quads at Home
Recently I got a call on the Get-Fit Guy hotline from Dionne asking: I just have to know—what is the...
Productive, Happy, Focused—How Small Habits Bring Big Success
Today’s episode is a conversation with Jeff Sanders, host of The 5 AM Miracle Podcast and author of the The...
Are You Getting Gaslit? Here’s How to Respond
“That never happened; you must be imagining it.” “Everyone agrees with me—you’re overreacting.” “Wow, what’s it like to be insane?”...
3 Different Ways to Style ‘ZIP Code’ (or Is That ‘ZIP code’ or ‘zip code’?)
Today, we’re going to start with rules but go heavy on history at the end because what I thought would...
Everything’s Changed—Is It Time to Reset Your Goals?
We don't typically talk about setting goals in May. But there's nothing typical about this May. Many of you have...
How to Increase Your Muscle Definition
A few weeks ago, I received a voicemail on the Get-Fit Guy hotline from a listener named Erin. She had...
What Does ‘Zhuzh’ Mean (and Why Is It So Hard to Spell)?
I was thinking about the consonant sound /ʒ/ recently. You know, it’s the sound that begins the final syllable in...
How to Think Positive to Be More Productive
At a time when days blend together and uncertainty pervades, there's so much that lives outside of our control. So...
Daylight Saving Time
Many parts of the world are moving from standard time to daylight saving time (also called summer time) this...
3 Ways to Overcome Insecure Attachment in Relationships
This episode is part three of a three-part series on attachment styles. The first describes the four attachment styles. The...
5 Thoughtful Ways to Build Relationships Virtually
As we continue to persist in this new version of normal, it's likely many of us will experience a sense...
4 Ways Your Attachment Style Affects Your Relationships
This is part two of a three-part series of episodes on how attachment affects your intimate relationships. Last week, we...
How to Communicate Successfully When Working Remotely
Working remotely is not a new concept. According to CNBC, as of 2018, roughly 70 percent of the global workforce...
Which of These Four Attachment Styles Is Yours?
Have you seen the show How I Met Your Mother? It's about a bunch of flawed but lovable New Yorkers...
‘Celtic’ Pronunciation: Is It ‘Seltik” or “Keltik’?
My family loves basketball, and from my name, you may have guessed that I have some Irish heritage, so...
How to Curb Your Kid’s Sneaky Behavior
a At some point, our kids begin to test the waters with "little white lies" and other sneaky, manipulative maneuvers....
Top 10 Writing and Grammar Mistakes
All the little details of writing are difficult, and even published authors can struggle to get everything right. Thankfully, these...
What Is Credit Card APR?
If you’ve ever shopped for a loan or gotten a credit card, you’ve seen the term APR, or annual percentage...
Top 10 Writing and Grammar Mistakes That Even Published Authors Make
All the little details of writing are difficult, and even published authors can struggle to get everything right. Thankfully, these...
The History of the Word ‘Woman’
International Women’s Day is March 8. On this day, people around the world celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political...
Sleep Hygiene Doesn’t Cure Insomnia—Do This Instead
Insomnia is one of the most frustrating experiences in our modern existence. You stare up at the ceiling (or worse,...
Is Body Groove the Full-Spectrum Movement Workout for You?
I received an email a while ago from a listener named Victoria who wanted to know what I thought of...
4 Simple Strategies to Boost Your Creativity and Be More Productive
We all want to be productive. Checking boxes, crossing items off our lists—is there anything more satisfying? We tend to...
What Does ‛Mardi Gras’ Mean?
It’s the end of February, which means Mardi Gras is almost here! When we think of Mardi Gras, we...
7 Meaningful Ways to Build an Unbreakable Mother-Daughter Relationship
The mother-daughter connection is like none other. It’s an intense, special bond that is instrumental in the lives of both....
Why ‘XOXO’ Means ‘Hugs and Kisses’
If you want to try something fun this Valentine’s Day, type “XOXO” into a Facebook comment. It’s shorthand for...
Download: Fiber 2.0—The New Health Benefits of Fiber
Fiber has come a long way—this is not your grandma's bran muffin! Fiber may seem like a frumpy nutrient, but...
Why Oxytocin Is Incredible and How to Get More of It
What is oxytocin? You know those warm and fuzzy feelings you get when you cuddle a puppy, hug your friend,...
How Did the Days of the Week Get Their Names?
To talk about how we got the names of the days of the week, we have to go back in...
‘Disinterested’ Versus ‘Uninterested’
You want the referee of your game to be disinterested. You don’t want the referee to have a bet...
Capitalizing Dog Breeds
Although the website for the American Kennel Club and dog-specific publications such as Bark magazine and Dogster seem to capitalize all the words in breed names,...
Leadership is Everyone—Jocko Willink on Owning Your Success
Today’s episode is an interview with Jocko Willink, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer and New York Times #1 bestselling...
High Odds or Low Odds?
High odds mean that if you’ve placed a bet, you’ll win a high payout; and low odds mean that if...
Family Estrangement—Why Families Cut Ties and How to Mend Them
Family estrangement is one of my most requested topics from listeners and readers coping with the loss and isolation they...
‘Could Care Less’ Versus ‘Couldn’t Care Less’
When people tell me their pet peeves, they often mention the phrase “could care less.” They claim it should be...
Play Grammar Pop Free on the Web
Grammar Pop is a mobile game originally developed for iOS devices. Now, for the first time, you can play it...
Plenity Is the New Weight Loss Drug in Town—Does It Work?
Nutrition Diva listener John recently asked me to weigh in on a new FDA approved weight loss drug called Gelesis100. ...
Can Whole-Body Vibration Training Make You Fit?
Although these rather bland-looking platforms are only recently popping up in gyms and spas, whole-body vibration training (WBVT) has been...
Science Says It Takes This Long to Form a Habit
Flossing every day, running more, eating more vegetables—whatever our goals, around four in ten of us will make resolutions to improve ourselves...
Want to Reconnect with Your Partner? Have an Intimate Conversation
You and your partner seem to be at a crossroads. The two of you haven’t really connected in a while....
Is Astrology Real? Here’s What Science Says
Is astrology real? Reading horoscopes is a popular diversion, but is there any science to suggest it means anything? Inspiration...
Do You Have What It Takes to Be an Astronaut?
As of December 4, 2019, 565 people from 41 countries have gone into space. That’s it. 565 out of more than 7...
Set Boundaries at Work with the Awesome Power of “No”
When my first daughter was born, I considered naming her Nola. But as my sage (and handsome!) husband pointed out,...
How to Make Family Names Plural
Spending time with family is a big part of the holidays, and thinking about family reminded me of a few...
‘More Than’ Vs. ‘Over’—Why the Associated Press Changed Its Stance
I recently got a listener question about "more than" and "over": ”Hi, Mignon. My name is Andrea. About 20 years...
Why “We Need to Talk” Isn’t the Best Way to Save Your Relationship
It is a truth universally acknowledged that among the most dreaded four words anyone can hear from a partner are...
How to Self-Promote at Work Without Feeling Icky
Does the idea of having to self-promote leave you feeling like you need a shower? Sometimes, it seems showy and...
What Does ‘Cold Turkey’ Mean? Plus the Meaning of 5 Other ‘Turkey’ Phrases
Thanksgiving is the U.S. holiday that many people jokingly call “Turkey Day.” That’s because most people celebrate the occasion by...
Single Quotation Marks Versus Double Quotation Marks
Today's topic is single quotation marks versus double quotation marks. How to Use Double Quotation Marks Most people think...
The Mariana Trench is 7 Miles Deep—What’s Down There?
Somewhere between Hawaii and the Philippines near the small island of Guam, far below the surface of the water, sits...
What Should You Do if Your Partner Is Addicted to Video Games?
Your partner seems to be spending more and more time playing their favorite online video game. They’re up late at...
How to Show Sarcasm in Text
This sentence begins the best article you will ever read. Chances are you thought that last statement might be sarcasm....
Ghost Words
In 1886, a lexicographer named Walter Skeat first used the phrase “ghost words” to describe words that he said had...
How Can You Tell If You Have Perfect Pitch?
Mariah Carey, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Mozart, Beethoven, Jimi Hendrix, and Yanni. What do these musicians have in common? They're...
3 Rules to Help You With Compound Possession
A listener named Katie wrote in with this question: How do you show possession to more than one noun? For...
Do You Use ‘On’ With Days and Dates?
One of our listeners wrote in recently with a question. He wanted to know whether to use the word “on”...
How to Pronounce ‘Primer’
A couple of weeks ago when I did the show on Esperanto, I mentioned that Dr. Zamenhof wrote a primer...
The Quirky Australian Present Perfect Tense
A listener named Milton asked why Australians use the present perfect tense for the past tense. For example, he said...
Weights versus Cardio: Keep Them Separate or Combine?
A while back, I received a message on Facebook from listener Lindsey. She said: In another episode you talked about...
Weights vs. Cardio: Keep Them Separate or Combine?
A while back, I received a message on Facebook from listener Lindsey. She said: “In another episode you talked about...
‘It Is I’ Versus ‘It Is Me’
It is I, Grammar Girl, here to help you understand when to use the words “I” and “me.” A listener...
‘In Hospital’ or ‘In the Hospital’?
Cathy from Maryland wrote, "I have a question for you. When I read a novel that's written in England, they...
‘Math’ or ‘Maths’?
Let’s start by establishing that both of these words are short for “mathematics,” the science of numbers and their operations....
What Does ‘in Your Wheelhouse’ Mean?
Have you ever wondered about the term “wheelhouse?” Our listener named Heidi did. She asked, “Have you guys noticed the...
9 Tips for Writing Scripts and Speeches
Today, we’re going to tackle two of the scariest things you may ever be asked to do: writing and delivering...
Is ‘Aks a Question’ Proper English?
Today, we have a tidbit about the word that’s spelled A-S-K. You’ll usually hear this pronounced “ask”—but sometimes, you’ll hear...
Apostrophe Catastrophe (Part Two)
You didn’t realize it at the time, but last week was part I of apostrophes, and today is part II. Today's...
What Is Chernobyl Like Today?
Eerie images from the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster still haunt us 30 years later. What is Chernobyl like...
Apostrophe Catastrophe (Part One)
When I was in second grade, I lost a spelling bee because I misspelled the word “its.” I put an apostrophe...
Ampersand
In the recent episode about vacation words, we said that you write the abbreviation for “rest and relaxation” with an...
Spoonerisms, Mondegreens, Eggcorns, and Malapropisms
This is one of a few questions I got about mondegreens after I mentioned them in a recent episode about...
Why Do Some People Call Green Peppers ‘Mango Peppers’?
Here's an interesting question from a Grammar Girl podcast listener: “Hey, Grammar Girl. I have what I think is a...
All the Different Ways We Pronounce the Letter T
A few episodes ago, I talked about why the T sound sometimes seems to be missing from words like “kitten”...
‘All of a Sudden’ or ‘All of the Sudden’?
A few months ago in a Slack channel for podcasters, one of my friends posted a grammar gripe. He wrote,...
‘Foward’ and ‘Forward’
A listener named Paul posted this kindly worded comment on Facebook. He wrote, “Mignon, I love your podcast. I have...
Why Does ‘Love’ Mean ‘Zero’ in Tennis?
The first Wimbledon championships were held in 1877. They featured a field of 22 men, who were advised to bring...
Why Some People Never Apologize
What is the deal with not apologizing? Eminem says no apologies. Demi Lovato is sorry, not sorry. Gibbs on NCIS...
The Importance of Forearm Strength and How to Build It
I received an email from a listener named Trish a few weeks ago all about the importance of forearm strength....
Are You Using Hyphens Correctly?
A lot of people get confused about when to use hyphens when writing ages, and I think it’s because sometimes...
The Scientific Evidence for the Health Benefits of Cordyceps
A stronger immune system, more energy, improved endurance, and better stamina … one ingredient promises all of that. Whether it’s...
Relationship Doctor
Dr. Rachel Vanderbilt is a relationship scientist whose research examines how we communicate in our romantic relationships. On the Relationship...
Dangling Participles
What Is a Participle? Before we talk about what it means to dangle a participle, we have to answer the...
Download: Quick and Dirty Tips to Life After College
Congrats new grad! You’ve put in the effort and now all your hard work has paid off—you have a degree...
‘Dilemma’ or ‘Dilemna’?
Do you have trouble spelling the word “dilemma”? I’m nearly certain I was taught the wrong spelling in school, and...
How Do You Pronounce ‘Chipotle’?
May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, a holiday that celebrates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces in The Battle...
‘So’ and ‘So That’: Coordinating or Subordinating Conjunctions?
Today’s question comes from Matt Mullan, a teacher I met a few years ago at the National Council for Teachers...
‘Sneaked’ or ‘Snuck’?
A listener named Salomé from Santa Clara, California, wrote, “I have a question regarding the word ‘sneaked’ versus ‘snuck.’ I...
Have You Noticed People Not Pronouncing Their T’s?
Two of our listeners wrote in recently to ask about a speech pattern they’d noticed: the habit of people dropping...
Do You Capitalize ‘God’?
Christians, Jews, and Muslims will all be celebrating religious holidays in the coming weeks, so it seems like a good...
What Is a Schwa?
The 1987 movie “The Princess Bride,” directed by Rob Reiner, is the source of more catch phrases and funny lines...
Failure to Launch Syndrome
Failure to launch: it may be a 2006 Matthew McConaughey movie given one star by Roger Ebert, but more often,...
These Ones
(Paraphrased listener question) When my son was in elementary school, I started hearing kids use the phrases “these ones” and...
How Long Can a Person Hold Their Breath?
As a parent, I often find myself asking questions I never thought I would ask: How long can someone survive...
3 Phrases for St. Patrick’s Day … and 1 to Avoid
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up March 17. With that in mind, today we’re going to talk about three phrases...
Why Animal Sounds Are Different in Different Languages
Here’s a question for you: In what world do “baraag,” “toot,” “toerroe,” “baaa,” “paoh-paoh,” and “u-u-u” all mean the...
What Does the ‘D’ in ‘D-Day’ Mean?
The 75th anniversary of D-Day is coming up in just a few months and that made me think about...
Never Forget How to Spell ‘Bureaucracy’ Again
I’ve been interviewing authors for the podcast lately, and one question we always ask is what words give them...
What’s Your Family Slang?
In 2017, I asked people on Twitter what it's called when a family has words only they understand, and some...
How Do Meteorologists Calculate ‘Feels Like’ Temperature?
Meteorologists talk not only about what the temperature will be outside, but also what that temperature “feels like.” Why are...
What to Do When Nothing Feels Good
Listener Maro from Argentina wrote in and noted that recently, he hasn’t been enjoying things the way he used to....
What Does It Mean to ‘Punt’ Something?
The Super Bowl is right around the corner. So with that in mind, today we’re going to talk about “punting.”...
What Are Run-On Sentences?
Today, we turn to run-on sentences. I bet a lot of you think that run-on sentences are just really long...
‘Myriad’ or ‘A Myriad Of’?
I like myriad 10,000 Maniacs songs—"These Are Days," "Candy Everybody Wants," "Few and Far Between," and probably more that I...
How to Use an Asterisk
Today we’re talking about the asterisk: how you use it and how it differs from other footnote symbols. What Is...
‘Purposely’ Versus ‘Purposefully’
A listener named Manasi says she has been avoiding the words “purposely” and “purposefully” because she isn’t sure of the...
Colons
Today's topic is how to use colons. One of my favorite old grammar books, titled "Punctuate It Right," has a wonderful name...
Why Do People Say ‘Yeah, No’?
What part of “no” don’t you understand? Some of you may remember a song with this title released by Lorrie...
‘Methinks’ Isn’t What You Think
Have you ever wondered what's up with the weird word “methinks”? Why does it use an object for a...
Pronouns and Antecedents
Pronouns and Their Antecedents Today we’re going to talk about pronouns that don't clearly match up with the nouns they...
How to Stop Feeling Overly Responsible
Being a responsible person is usually a good thing—it means you’re committed, dependable, accountable, and care about others. It’s the...
How to Get Fit Using Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation, is a protocol that elicits a muscle...
6 Ways to Deal with Nosy Questions
“Are you guys thinking about having kids?” “How much did your new house cost?” “Why aren’t you drinking?” “Haven’t you...
Pronoun Order
Lately, people have been asking a lot of questions about pronouns and what order to put them in relative to...
‘Flier’ or ‘Flyer’?
A question I get a lot is how to spell “flyer” (or is that “flier”?), as in “I want to...
Why ‘Penultimate’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Best’
It’s not uncommon to see people misuse the word “penultimate” to describe something as better than the best, even...
6 Possible Scientific Reasons for Ghosts
If you believe in ghosts, you are far from alone. Around 45% of Americans believe in ghosts and as many...
What Is the Plural of ‘Mouse’?
Today’s topic is irregular plural nouns, odd nouns such as “ox” and “oxen.” Robbie from Keene, New Hampshire, called in...
‘A’ Versus ‘An’
A lot of people learned the rule that you put “a” before words that start with consonants and “an” before words that start with...
‘In Regard To’ Versus ‘In Regards To’
Jackie H. asked, "Is it correct to say 'In regards to...' or 'In regard to...'? I have used 'regards' for...
How to Use ‘Myself’ and Other Reflexive Pronouns
How to use the word “myself” is one of the top 10 or 20 questions I get. Here’s an example:...
Want to Jump Higher? 8 Ways to Improve Your Vertical Leap
Leg muscle power and vertical jump performance are considered critical elements for successful athletic performance, not to mention for simply...
‘None Is’ or ‘None Are’?
When you’re thinking about singulars and plurals, you often consider whether you have one or many of something, but...
How to Use Semicolons
Today's topic is semicolons. I get a lot of questions about semicolons, so it's time to clear up some...
Why Do Victims Go Back to Their Abusers?
According to a CDC survey, one in four women and one in nine men are victims of physical or sexual...
‘Duct Tape’ or ‘Duck Tape’?
Many people have asked whether the correct term is “duct tape” or “duck tape” or if maybe both exist and...
‘Gray’ or ‘Grey’?
Have you ever wondered why you see "gray" spelled two different ways? "Grey" is the preferred spelling in British English, but...
Why ‘Quick and Dirty’ Tips?
Yael, who left a nice review on Apple podcasts, asked a question I get asked a lot. “I get that...
The Legacy of Schoolhouse Rock!
What follows is a lightly edited transcript of a Stitcher Premium bonus podcast. Grammar Girl: Grammar Girl here. I'm Mignon...
Is Drinking Milk Unnatural?
I recently got a note from Diane, who was upset with me for supporting the consumption of dairy products. “No...
Is Your Child Manipulative? 5 Helpful Strategies
When one of my kid's goes out of their way to tell me how great I look, particularly when I'm...
‘Facetious,’ ‘Sarcastic,’ or ‘Sardonic’?
A listener named Carrie asked, "What’s the difference between ‘facetious,’ ‘sarcastic,’ and ‘sardonic'?" "Facetious," "sarcastic," and "sardonic" all have similar...
Is Conversate a Word?
A while ago, I was on a call-in radio program, and one of the callers asked about the words “commentate”...
What Are Chemtrails Made Of?
If you’ve never heard of chemtrails, don't fret. Before spending time in Southern California I hadn't heard of them either....
Why People Say ‘Pardon My French’
Bonjour! Today we're discussing some historical and linguistic connections between French and English, covering topics as varied as the Bastille,...
Norwegians using ‘Texas’ to mean ‘crazy’ actually isn’t so crazy
Laurel Stvan, University of Texas Arlington If you haven’t heard by now, the American press recently picked up on an...
‘Kinda,’ ‘Wanna,’ and ‘Gonna’: Real Words or Not?
How can words that native English speakers say every day not be real words in most dictionaries? Forms like “hafta,"...
The Candida Diet: Separating Fact from Fiction
A listener writes: “I have recurrent problems with candida or yeast. I have seen articles stating that I should eat...
How to Write a Thank-You Note
I write a lot of thank-you notes. I thank donors of organizations that I support, gift givers after the holidays...
Download: Nutrition Diva’s Ultimate Guide to Sweeteners
Ultimate Guide to Sweeteners Downloadable Sweeteners may not be the most nutritious, but you don't have to completely get...
Download: Grammar Girl’s ‘Who’ Versus ‘Whom’ Quiz
Who vs. Whom Downloadable Have you ever mixed up 'who' and 'whom'? Who hasn't? Or wait... is it actually...
Download: Grammar Girl’s ‘Lay’ Versus ‘Lie’ Quiz
Lay Versus Lie Downloadable Are you ready to take this quiz? Lay back, get comfortable... but wait. Is it...
Download: Grammar Girl’s Homophones and Homographs Quiz
Homophones and Homographs Downloadable What's the difference between a homophone and a homograph? Well, it's easy to mistake the...
Download: Nutrition Diva’s ‘Three-Square’ Meal Plan
'Three-Square' Meal Downloadable Break down your 2,000 daily calories into three meals (plus a snack!) with Nutrition Diva's 'Three-Square'...
Download: Grammar Girl’s Editing Checklist
Editing Checklist Downloadable You wrote something great and now you're ready to start editing your work. Don't worry, Grammar...
Download: Nutrition Diva’s ‘The Snacker’ Meal Plan
'The Snacker' Meal Plan Downloadable The Nutrition Diva Snacker Meal Plan divides your 2,000 daily calories among six small...
Download This: Can You Ace Grammar Girl’s English Quiz?
English Quiz Downloadable Do you know how to pluralize names for groups that go by singular names? What about...
Is a Troop One Person or a Group?
Today, Neal Whitman will help us understand why the word “troops” can refer to the number of individuals or groups....
6 Ways to Save and Invest Money for Kids
There’s no doubt that raising kids is expensive. According to a 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the...
10 Nutrition Worries You Can Stop Stressing About
A recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association found that we are more anxious than ever, about health, finances, relationships,...
Fascinating Words for Colors (and the Battle of Magenta)
This a Stitcher Premium exclusive Grammar Girl podcast episode. Want to hear it? Head to Click to check for reference and use...
When to Capitalize Articles (Such as “the”) in Publication Names
Recently, readers wrote in to question why I capitalized "the" as part of the newspaper name in the sentence "Yesterday...
What Is a Cipher?
“Cipher” comes from an Arabic word that means “zero, empty, or nothing.” The Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, and so...
Why Do People Say ‘Warsh’ Instead of ‘Wash’?
A listener named Matt wants to know why some speakers of American English pronounce the word “wash” as “warsh.” This...
‘Lay’ Versus ‘Lie’
Today's topic is "lay" versus "lie." How to Remember the Difference Between 'Lay' and 'Lie' Here are four ways to...
Do Microwaves Cause Cancer? (And 3 Other Microwave Myths)
In 1946, an engineer was working near a piece of equipment known as a magnetron which is part of...
10 Ways to Help Your Stinky Teen Beat Body Odor
Remember that sweet, miraculous smell you inhaled when you held your precious newborn for the first time? Hang on to...
Does BODYPUMP Work? The Science Behind the Workout
After doing some undercover investigation into the Orangetheory Fitness gym chain, I received a flurry of email requests from listeners...
What’s It Called When You Refer to Yourself By Name?
Recently, Grammar Girl listener Mark J. Yevchak wrote in with an interesting question. He’d been watching the HBO miniseries “Generation...
The Difference Between ‘Disinformation’ and ‘Misinformation’
The “mis-“ prefix and the “dis-“ prefix can both negate things in a lot of ways, and they have...
Parts of Speech
Articles Articles are short words that come before nouns. There are two types of articles: indirect articles and direct articles....
Do ‘Pin’ and ‘Pen’ Sound Alike to You?
A listener named Anne wrote in with this question: Have you written anything about the way some people pronounce short...
Top Ten Grammar Myths
March 4 is National Grammar Day, so I have a special top-10 show to celebrate the occasion, and before you...
How to Pronounce ‘Coyote’
A few years ago, I was listening to the Range podcast made by two of my friends — Julia Ritchey...
How Close is Too Close to Live by the Highway?
In Southern California, an estimated 1.2 million people live within 500 feet of the freeway even though the California Environmental...
Can You Absorb Nutrients Through Your Skin?
When we think about taking nutrients into our bodies, we usually think about swallowing them, in the form of pills,...
What Is ‘Synesis’? A Reason to Ignore Prepositional Phrases
Every month or two I get a question like this one from Scott. He says he’s been fighting with...
14 Tips to Stop Impulse Buying and Save Money
No matter how frugal you are, no one is immune from making impulse purchases from time to time. But the...
‘Data Is’ or ‘Data Are’?
Let’s say you just backed up your computer, and you get a message that says, “Your data is now safe.”...
The Best Jump Rope Workouts for Beginners and Experts
Since I was in grade school, Jump Rope for Heart has promoted fitness in schools while also raising money for heart health...
How Do We Measure Time? 5+ Innovative Ways
Most of us take for granted that we have the power to monitor the passage of time, to know at...
When to Delete ‘That’
Several listeners have asked when they should omit the subordinating conjunction "that" in their writing. For example, should you write...
‘Based In’ or ‘Based Out Of’?
A few years ago, I ran an episode about how I was hearing a lot of speakers saying "based off"...
‘Take a Decision’ or ‘Make a Decision’?
In a recent podcast, I talked about some differences between British and American English, and I read a listener comment...
How to Pronounce ‘Caramel’
Jeffrey wrote in after he noticed that I pronounced “caramel” as “car-muhl” a few weeks ago, and that sounded wrong...
What to Do With Fresh Turmeric Root
Turmeric is all the rage for its purported health benefits. Most of us know turmeric as a brilliant orange powder...
‘Sofa’ or ‘Couch’?
What you call a long, upholstered piece of living room furniture depends on where you live and when you were...
‘Cannot,’ ‘Can Not,’ or ‘Can’t’: What’s the Difference?
“Cannot” and “can not” might seem like they mean the same thing, but you use them in different ways. ‘Cannot’...
How to Measure Progress and Achieve Goals
Measurement! I just love measurement. That’s because it tells you how you’re doing and how much progress you’ve made. Progress...
How to Write an Apology (and Avoid Non-Apologies)
OK, let’s admit it. None of us really likes to apologize when we’ve done something wrong. In fact, the ways...
Apostrophes: Ruth’s Chris and Carl’s Jr.
Mike wrote in with a question that I’ve always wondered about too. What’s up with the apostrophe in “Ruth’s Chris...
How to Trust People Again: 8 Easy Steps
A few months ago on the podcast we talked about how to rebuild trust in a relationship. But what...
4 Examples of Toxic Parenting and How to Fix Them
There are so many things in life that are beyond a child's control. That's why kids depend on their parents...
Quotation Marks with Periods and Commas
Today, as promised, we’ll talk about how to mix quotation marks with other punctuation. Quotation Marks with Commas and...
4 Little-Known Differences Between British and American English
Most of us know about the big differences, such as Americans spelling “color” without a U and the British spelling...
“Because,” “Due To,” “Since,” and “As”
Today we’re looking at various ways to say “because,” including “due to,” “since,” and “as.” Wordy Ways to Say “Because”...
When to Use Commas Before Quotations
We recently got a question about commas from one of our listeners, Benjamin Wolfe. Benjamin asked this: “Have you done...
‘Important’ or ‘Importantly’?
You may occasionally hear or read an objection to the phrase “more importantly.” You can ignore it (unless you are...
Why Is ‘Worcester’ Pronounced ‘Wooster’?
I lost the name of the person who asked me why we call the fermented sauce we use in Caesar...
Singular or Plural Verbs with ‘One of The’
A listener named Mwalimu on Facebook asked, Which is correct? “This is one of the novels that has made a...
Phrases from Obsolete Technology
Have you ever wondered about the origin of “cc,” a setting you likely use when sending an email message?...
When to Capitalize Generation Names
My life is super exciting, so Friday night I was looking through the galleys of the new edition of the...
8 Ways to Manage Tangled Wires and Cords
Binder Clips If you’re anything like us, your electrical cables can become a tangled, knotty mess. We’ve discovered an easy...
When Do You Capitalize Directions?
Sometimes directional terms such as south are capitalized and sometimes they aren’t. Directions: Lowercase When you’re describing a direction, south...
The 7 Best Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
As the saying goes, "If you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." These...
5 Ways to Manage Your Child’s First Crush
I’ll never forget the first field trip I chaperoned for my oldest daughter, now 24 years old. Her Kindergarten class...
What Is a Comma Splice?
Once you learn about comma splices, you notice them everywhere, and a listener named Jo has started noticing them. She...
How to Treat Warts
Common household items can help you remove pesky warts and keep them from coming back. Tea Tree Oil Apply straight...
Commas with Transition Words
Two weeks ago, we talked about comma splices—errors that happen when you join two main clauses with just a comma--but...
‘Themself’ or ‘Themselves’?
Back in April after the style guide updates that came out of the American Copy Editors Society meeting, I told...
How to Treat Boils
Tomato Paste Boils, or skin abscesses, are pimple-like skin infections that can swell into large, pus-filled sore-to-the-touch growths. To treat...
2 Potent Ways to Kill Fat Cells and Lose Fat Fast
Think about the last piece of fat loss advice you received. Let me guess? It went something like this: “Move...
“Burned” Versus “Burnt”
I used to be a terrible cook. One problem was that I would get distracted and end up burning things...
How to Keep Candles from Making a Mess
Save your furniture from stuck-on wax and keep your candles clean with everyday items. Clean Candles Easily If your have...
Coconut Milk Versus Cow’s Milk
Coconut milk has become one of the most popular nondairy milk options, and it’s one that wasn’t even on the...
9 Natural Remedies for Breast Pain
Cool Down The solution for sore breasts is right in your freezer: frozen vegetables! Just grab a bag (or two,...
What Is a Harbinger?
In last week’s podcast, we talked about how Captain R.F. Scott’s sick ponies might have been a harbinger of the...
How Human Language Is Different From Animal Communication
Language is one of the most remarkable characteristics that separates humans from other animals. Despite the many remarkable abilities of...
How to Treat and Prevent Cold Sores
Honey Make a cold sore a thing of the past with honey! Just dab unpasteurized honey on the spot three...
8 Ways to Get Rid of Canker Sores
Canker sores are a very common affliction and can arise from any cause, ranging from stress to hormones to vitamin...
8 Tricks for Removing Splinters
Add a Little Salt To remove a wood splinter, add a bit of Epsom salts to a bowl of warm...
6 Ways to Stop Incontinence Naturally
Cut the Carbonated Drinks Avoid bubbly soft drinks and seltzers to cut down on accidents. Carbonation contributes to the acidity...
Preposition or Adverb?
Today’s episode is about parts of speech and the interesting gray area between prepositions and adverbs. Let’s start with the...
6 Foods to Prevent Gout or Relieve a Gout Attack
Here are 6 substances that will help you avoid gout or relieve a gout attack quickly. But first, learn more...
9 Home Remedies for Vomiting
Pedialyte When your little ones are recovering from a tummy bug, you can help them feel better quickly with...
7 Remedies to Stop Diarrhea
Eat Fermented Foods and Probiotics If you suffer from diarrhea, try adding fermented foods such as sauerkraut or kimchi to...
Is Protein Powder Safe for Toddlers?
Once upon a time, the only people who might have had a canister of protein powder in the kitchen were...
Can You Contribute to a 401k and an IRA in the Same Year?
THE QUICK AND DIRTY When your income exceeds annual thresholds for your tax filing status, you might get fewer or...
4 Tips for More Mindful Eating
Whenever I talk about foods that can help control your hunger, I’m aware of the fact that hunger is only...
6 Items You Can Use to Cover Wood Scratches
Shoe Polish Does your wooden coffee table, dresser, or dining room furniture have visible scratches? No sweat! Use a similarly...
How to Stop Feeling Dizzy
Hold Steady Feeling dizzy? Stop what you’re doing and hold still! Focus your attention on a single spot, anything from...
6 Easy Ways to Make Varicose Veins Fade
Wonders of Witch Hazel The astringency of witch hazel makes it a wonderful treatment for varicose or spider veins. As...
8 Easy Tips to Ease Knee Pain
Medicinal Mustard Believe it or not, the yellow mustard in your fridge can help relieve joint pain and even arthritis....
5 Clever Candle Hacks
What to Do If Your Candle is Too Big for Your Candlestick Most taper candles are too large to fit...
What to Do If Your Pants Don’t Fit (and You’re Running Late!)
Quick Way to Make Pants Shorter You’ve bought a great pair of jeans, but they’re too long and you don’t...
Pled or Pleaded
Most sources say that the correct past tense is pleaded. Squiggly pleaded guilty. That dirty rotten scoundrel. Garner’s Modern...
7 Home Remedies for Burns
Ginger for Burns If you sustain a minor burn in the kitchen, reach for some ginger. Cut off the end...
5 Tricks for Making Old Carpet Look New Again
Brighten Faded Carpet Brighten faded carpet and rugs by rubbing them down with a rag that has been soaked in...
How to Get Shingles to Stop Itching
Aloe to the Rescue Aloe is nature’s best moisturizer. If you have an aloe vera plant, you are in luck....
Not Only But Also
When not only is followed by but also (or simply but), it's considered good form to make sure the parts...
5 DIY Moisturizing Foot Masks to Get Your Pre-Winter Feet Back
Oatmeal and Brown Sugar Foot Mask This foot mask is almost good enough to eat! In a food processor, pulse...
Capital vs. Capitol
Capital "Capital" refers a city that is the seat of government for its region or is important in some way. ...
How Badminton Got Its Name
This week’s Radiolab podcast was about a strange Olympic badminton match in which both teams were trying to lose instead of...
‘Hone In’ or ‘Home In’?
When you get closer to finding a difficult truth or finding a hiding criminal, you home in on them, just...
How to Get Mice and Rats Out of Your Home Without Calling an Exterminator
Mice Hate Mint Mice hate the smell of mint! To get rid of mice in your home, head to the...
‘A While’ Versus ‘Awhile’
In a previous Grammar Girl post, I talked about using while to mean although, but another point about "while" can confound...
What Does It Mean to ‘Read the Riot Act’?
To read the riot act means to put someone on notice that their behavior is unacceptable. Antisocial. Just plain wrong!...
How to Clean Jewelry Using Common Household Items
Baking soda Easy DIY jewelry cleaner Baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide is a great cleaner for lots of household objects,...
5 Dashboard Warning Lights You Should Never Ignore
You’re driving down the highway and all of a sudden a warning light pops up on the dash. You pull...
4 Secrets to Make Potpourri Last Longer
Super-Power Your Potpourri If there’s a bad odor in your bathroom, your potpourri has to work overtime. Hide a charcoal...
3 Ways to Make Your Diet More Sustainable
Sustainability is a very hot topic in the food and nutrition world these days and for good reason. Every year,...
How Should We Pronounce Foreign Words?
What is different about words like bread, desk, and sword compared to words like burrito, bureau, and karaoke? If you...
9 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Foot Calluses and Corns
Can the corns and calluses Painful corns and ugly calluses can put a cramp in your style, especially in the...
How to Pronounce ‘Biopic’
What Is a Misle? Today I want to talk about misles, and one misle in particular. What’s a misle,...
How to Get Rid of Raccoons, Possums, and Skunks in Your Yard
Keep Raccoons, Skunks, and Possums Out of Your Yard Besides being pesky mammals, raccoons, skunks, and possums have something in...
Cemetery Versus Graveyard
Cemetery is the much older word, going back to Roman times. Today, a cemetery refers to a large burial ground,...
6 Ways to Make Your Fridge Smell Good Again
Best Baking Soda Substitute Besides baking soda, a number of other kitchen items are capable of removing odors. Our favorite?...
My Non-Stick Pan Is Sticking! How to Get the Non-Stick Back
What to do if your nonstick pan sticks Why do nonstick pans start sticking in the first place? For the...
Capitalizing Job Titles
Capitalizing job titles can be tricky because they aren’t always capitalized, but it seems like a lot of people want...
7 Ways to Get Rid of Dark Age Spots on Your Skin Naturally
Quick Fix for Dark Spots If you have dark spots on your skin and you want them gone now, try...
I.e. Versus E.g.
Misusing these two abbreviations is one of the top five mistakes I used to see when editing technical documents. There's...
Sentence Diagramming
If you follow my YouTube channel, you will have noticed that I’ve posted a few simple videos about how...
‘Alum’ Versus ‘Alumni’
You’ll remember that a couple of weeks ago, I had a piece from Neal Whitman about homecoming being called HoCo,...
‘Further’ Versus ‘Farther’
Today's topic is "further" versus "farther." Almost every week someone asks me to explain the difference between “further” and “farther.”...
17 Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Acne and Pimples
Little bit of lemon (or vinegar) To help clear out clogged pores, simply dab some lemon juice right on your...
When to Use—and Not Use—an Em-Dash
When people think of punctuation marks, it is usually the handy comma, the imperious colon, or the overly excited...
How to Keep Birds Away From Your Patio, Pool, and Garden
Foil Birds with Foil If birds or other critters are wreaking havoc on your garden, place strips of aluminum foil...
Natural Remedies to Prevent and Cure Athlete’s Foot
Basic Athlete’s Foot Treatment To treat athlete’s foot, prepare a solution of water and white vinegar—one part white vinegar to...
16 Natural Remedies to Relieve Itchy Mosquito Bites
Papaya Can’t stop scratching a bug bite? Just place a piece of papaya (the fleshy part, not the skin) on...
When to Worry About Your Dog’s Diarrhea—Plus, How to Fix It
When Should I Worry About My Dog? If your dog has been experiencing diarrhea because he ate something he shouldn’t...
Who Versus Whom
When you’re trying to figure out whether to use who or whom, it helps to know the difference between subjects...
How to Keep Drinks Cold Without a Cooler
DIY Ice Packs If you have time, fill the strongest resealable plastic bags you have with water and lay flat...
11 DIY Face Mask Recipes to Boost Your Skin’s Collagen
Moisturizing Collagen Mask Red grapes contain a chemical called resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant that helps boost the production of collagen....
‘Lit’ or ‘Lighted’?
Have you ever wondered why we have two past tense forms of the verb to light? Should you say Squiggly lit citronella candles,...
Hydrogen Peroxide and Dishwashing Liquid? How to Make and Use This Miracle Cleaner
What Measurements to Use When making a hydrogen peroxide + dishwashing liquid cleaning solution, all you need is 2 parts...
How to Get Squirrels Out of Your Yard
DIY Squirrel Repellent If squirrels are getting into your garden, keep them away with a homemade pepper spray. Take a...
‘Inflammable’ Means ‘Flammable’
Many people mistakenly thought that "inflammable" meant “resistant to burning,” which it doesn’t. The '-in' prefix has multiple meanings The...
‘Affective’ or ‘Effective’?
This tip is essentially an add on to last week’s show about the difference between affect and effect because once...
5 Signs Your Car Needs an Alignment
1.) Your steering wheel is off center: If you’re driving straight down a flat, level road, your steering wheel should...
Affect Versus Effect
I get asked whether to use affect or effect all the time, and it is by far the most requested...
How to Pronounce “The”
Did you know there are two ways to pronounce the word the, and the rule that governs which pronunciation you...
9 Tips to Win a Competitive Eating Contest
528 oysters in under 10 minutes. 8 pounds of bacon in 8 minutes. 113 pancakes in 8 minutes. 14.5 burritos...
6 All Natural Ways to Get Rid of Body Odor
What to Do if You Forgot to Put on Deodorant You’re in the middle of your workday and you suddenly...
Woman Versus Female
First, we had Nancy Pelosi taking over as Speaker of the House, then Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential...
How to Remove Stains from a Driveway, Patio, or Concrete Surface
If you have stains on paving stones or a concrete patio, sometimes the solution is simple. Try pouring hot water...
What I Learned from Walking 15,000 Steps A Day
First off, I know. There's actually an older Get-Fit Guy episode and article on whether you really should self quantify...
‘Between’ Versus ‘Among’
Today we're going to talk about the difference between the words between and among. You may have noticed that I...
‘Among’ or ‘Amongst’?
People sometimes ask about the difference between among and amongst. Both words mean the same thing, but among is the...
Centigrade or Celsius?
Anders Celsius was a Swedish astronomer who invented a thermometer based on the boiling point and freezing point of water....
‘Home Versus Away’ or ‘Away Versus Home’?
A listener named Alan wrote, “When using the word versus, does it make a difference as to what is placed...
Subjunctive Verbs
Today's topic is the subjunctive, or in terms you might recognize, when to use "I was" and when to use...
How to Naturally Get Rid of Fleas, Ear Mites, and Ticks
How to Tell if Your Pet Has Fleas Your pet has been scratching himself, but you’re not entirely sure if...
How S-Backing Causes People to Pronounce ‘Street’ as ‘Schtreet’
Reading note: Read /?/ as “chuh,” and /?/ as “shuh.” Reading note: Read /i/ as a long E as...
9 Genius Ways to Reuse Old Candles
Whether you have a giant pillar candle that you’re never going to use or shrived nubs of candles that once...
How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard
If you live in an area where snakes are common, chances are high that at some point, you may have...
How Does Dairy Affect Your Hormone Levels?
A couple of months ago, I addressed the question of whether eating meat affects your hormone levels. Since then, several...
5 Quick and Easy Ways to Remove Pet Hair
Using a Sponge to Get Rid of Pet Hair To get pet hair off of couches or other upholstery, use...
What Is a Subordinate Clause?
Phrases and clauses are both groups of words that work together in a sentence. The difference is that a clause...
8 Household Items That Could Kill Your Cat
Here are eight things you should keep away from your cat to lessen the chance of him hurting himself—or worse....
20 Foods You Should Never Feed Your Dog
Dogs love eating people food, and with those adorable "feed me, I'm starving" eyes they make, sometimes it's hard to...
15 Little Everyday Ways to Show Your Family Love
You don't need a special holiday to show your family love. Sure, it's great to fuss on special occasions by...
Unknown History
Unknown History brings you surprising, quirky, and remarkable tales from the past, so you can pretend you paid attention in...
How to Deal with a Moody Teenager: 5 Kind Tips for Parents
The teen in your life may leave you continuously scratching your head. She's capable of shifting from super-happy to out-of-control...
Is ‘Pair’ Singular or Plural?
What’s the Trouble? People find "pair" confusing. Is it singular or plural? A pair is two of something, but a...
Hoofs or Hooves?
Here's a question for you: When you hear reindeer clattering on your roof, are you hearing their hoofs (H-O-O-F-S)...
What’s the Best Time to Eat Dessert?
Anita writes: When is the best time to eat dessert? I've heard it is better to eat it immediately following...
Who Knew?
Who Knew collects time-tested household tips and lifehacks to help you live better, solve everyday problems, and save money! Gain...
How to Format URLs in Text
Today's topic is how to treat URLs when you have to use them in text. Web addresses are strange beasts;...
‘Dialog’ or ‘Dialogue’?
Last week, when I was writing about whether you should use italics or quotation marks for internal dialogue, I was...
When to Use an Apostrophe
Apostrophes are one of the more confounding punctuation marks. If you search for signs with “grammar errors” online, most of...
‘Wolf Down’ or ‘Woof Down’?
When someone has eaten something very fast have they "wolfed" or "woofed" it down? @GrammarGirl — Daniel Coe...
Raw Mushrooms: Hazardous or Harmless?
Sandy writes: “Have you studied whether raw mushrooms are safe to eat? I’ve heard a few well-known doctors say there are...
How to Use Commas: A Summary
This chart from Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students gives examples of the 15 most common ways...
Why English Has Words With Silent Letters
The English spelling system is famous for not making sense. The phonetic ideal of having each letter represent exactly one...
Numbers in Parentheses
Two readers recently asked whether they need to repeat a number in parentheses after they write out the word....
Last Name Origins
It's hard to say when last names were first used, but it's easy to group many last names into certain...
Why Does a Circle Have 360 Degrees?
Have you ever thought about how it’s kind of weird that a circle has 360 degrees? At first thought, it...
Food Names That Are Totally Fake
One of our readers, Kris G., wrote that she loved our episode on German chocolate cake and how it isn’t...
Yay, Yea, Yeah, or Yes?
Two of my friends (Trent Armstrong, the former Modern Manners Guy, and Hyatt Bass, author of the novel The Embers) asked about...
Foods to Restore Your Intestinal Flora
We hear a lot about the microbiome these days—the trillions of probiotic bacteria that live on and in us. As...
Are Heart Palpitations During Exercise Normal?
Last week, you learned about whether exercise can actually make you live longer, and how much exercise is enough for...
Smitten
Tara L. from New Jersey asked, "Are you smitten BY someone or smitten WITH someone?" 'Smitten With' or 'Smitten...
Yoda Grammar
Today's topic is Yoda's grammar. Yes, Yoda from Star Wars. Why would I talk about Yoda? Well, a couple of weeks...
Why Do People Say ‘Ain’t’?
Ain’t is possibly the most-maligned word in the English grammar guides. Even though many other contractions are now acceptable in...
Everyday Or Every Day?
Last week, when I was grading my college students’ midterms, I noticed that more than half the students didn’t...
Global English: Monthsary, Updation, and Do the Needful
Doms wrote in with an interesting question that touches on both Latin and global English. He said, "In the Philippines,...
‘Wrong’ or ‘Wrongly’?
Wrongly is an adverb, and the word comes up a lot in news stories: people are wrongly arrested, wrongly jailed,...
Is Starting a Sentence With ‘So’ Condescending?
Readers often write in to complain about starting a sentence with so, even suggesting that it sounds condescending. Anand Giridharadas...
Can You Lose Fat With Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)?
You’ve probably seen it before. The infomercials on TV that features a man or woman lounging happily on the couch...
Dreamed or Dreamt?
A few years ago, a man named D. Chap wrote in and said, “I was thinking about the words dreamed...
How 8 Fonts Got Their Names
Typeface Versus Font First, we have to talk about the difference between a typeface and a font, because what...
How Participle Phrases Can Lead to Time Warps
Sponsor: Visit GoDaddy.com to get your $2.95 .COM domain. Some limitations apply, see website for details. I want to...
Double Possessives
Today’s lesson involves a question of Cathy’s—or should that be “a question of Cathy”? By the end of this podcast,...
Champ or Chomp at the Bit?
Mark E. from Portland, Oregon said he regularly comes across the phrase chomping at the bit, but he believes it...
Why Did People Stop Saying ‘Thou’?
A couple of weeks ago, after I talked about how the pronoun you fills so many roles, I started wondering...
What Does ‘Xmas’ Really Mean?
Many listeners have asked about the origin, meaning, and appropriateness of Xmas, the abbreviation for Christmas. Retailers have long been...
5 Ways to Use a Weighted Vest
A few years ago, a friend of mine took me up on a challenge and raced a Spartan obstacle race...
Why Do People Say “Like” So Much?
Audible, the Internet’s leading provider of spoken audio entertainment, has more than 150,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature,...
Just Between You and Me
Today, we’re going to talk about the pronouns I and me and the phrase between you and me. In...
Ask the Diva: Is Tuna in Pouches Better than Tuna in Cans?
Q. "What do you think of tuna or salmon in pouches? I like adding them to my salads as the...
Is it OK to Pronounce Zero as O?
Sometimes people think that it’s wrong to pronounce zero as “oh,” but it’s actually OK in certain contexts. For example,...
The Truth About Burning Off the Calories You Eat
The pizza looks delicious, bubbling with cheese and studded with pepperoni. And then you see the caption: "A 165-pound woman...
What Are Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry?
By the end of the last episode, we had proven that the interior angles of a triangle always add up...
Vaccine or Vaccination?
A vaccine is the fluid they inject into you or the aerosol you inhale; it's the preparation of an inactivated...
‘Systemic’ or ‘Systematic’?
Steve M. from Springfield, Missouri, wrote, "[What are your] thoughts on the difference between using 'systemic' and 'systematic'?" Both words...
Why Does a Triangle Have 180 Degrees?
You know how the angles of a triangle always add up to 1800? Why is that? After all, 1800 is the...
Crab Canon Poetry
My cousin Pam, who's a teacher, sent me a link to an amazing YouTube video, called the Lost Generation which...
Are Gut Bacteria Affected by Erythritol?
Q. Thank you for your recent podcast episode on artificial sweeteners and their possible effects on gut bacteria. You mentioned...
When You Need Periods After Abbreviations
A reader named Dennis K. asked whether you always put periods after abbreviations or whether it’s different depending on which...
Is Liquid Smoke Safe?
Q. Hello! My family just returned from Hawaii, and I was excited to try a recipe for Kalua Pork until...
When to Use a Comma Before ‘Because’
A reader named JC asked when he needs a comma before the word because. He wondered about this exchange: What...
5 More Tips for Understanding Weights and Measures
A few weeks ago, I realized that I have pretty much zero intuition about how much a gram weighs. I...
‘Fall’ Versus ‘Autumn’
Fall officially starts Tuesday, September 22, this year in North America, but Starbucks doesn't care; the Pumpkin Spice Latte—a hallmark of...
‘Money,’ ‘Monies,’ or ‘Moneys’?
Michael S. asked: "It's accepted to say, 'to hold moneys for payment in trust.' I presume 'moneys' is plural; I've...
How to Use the Conjunction “Nor”
In a recent episode on coordinating conjunctions, I talked about the popular mnemonic word FANBOYS to remember them: for,...
12 Common Words That Will Boost Your Scrabble Score
Scrabble lovers know that the game's all-too-often elusive prize is the bingo—when a player uses all seven tiles at once...
Should You Capitalize the French in French Fries?
Although we often capitalize a country or city name when it’s part of a food name, that’s not always the...
15 Inspirational Words from Commencement Speeches
1. indispensable absolutely necessary; vitally necessary "You need to arrive early, stay late, you need to make yourself indispensable —...
Clever Cookstr
Join the ultimate fun, fast-paced, authoritative source of information on what's hot in the world of food and cooking. Get...
How to Prove That 1 = 2?
Quick, what's 1 + 1? It's obviously 2, right? Not so fast! What if I was to tell you that...
8 Things to Do During Your Last Month of Pregnancy
After enduring a five-year struggle with infertility, I was in total awe of my body when I finally got pregnant....
Grammar Girl’s Editing Checklist
? Wrong Word affect/effect, lay/lie, sit/set, who/whom, toward/towards, etc. ? Vague Pronoun Reference Confusing: Bob annoyed Larry, but that didn’t stop him...
Commas: Oxford, Appositive, Nonrestrictive
Commas are a workhorse punctuation mark. They’re like the people you ride with on the subway every day, the delivery...
Why Do People Say “Can I Help Who’s Next”?
Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by NatureBox. Discover smarter snacking with a new NatureBox each month. Get 50%...
How to Overhaul Your Diet
Stephanie writes, “If you need to overhaul your diet, are there some principles that are more of a priority? What’s...
How Many Minutes of Daylight Do We Gain or Lose Each Day?
Happy Vernal Equinox! Spring is just around the corner for most of the northern hemisphere, and with that comes the...
Is “Cash Money” a Regional Expression?
Blue=one person has heard the phrase "cash money." Red=one person has not heard the phrase "cash money." I first...
‘Canceled’ or ‘Cancelled’?
You’re probably seeing the word “canceled” a lot right now, but should it be spelled with one L or two? Well, it...
Units Of Measure
Today's topic is units of measure—those words and symbols that come after numbers. Put a Space Between Numbers and Units...
Does Blending Destroy Fiber?
Nutrition Diva listener Jeffrey writes: "I feel like I get plenty of fiber, but I recently heard that blending fruits...
What Are Sine, Cosine, and Tangent?
Do you know what two angles living inside the same right triangle said to each other? The first angle goes,...
5 Essential Tips for Handling a Defiant Toddler
Your morning has been a near success. You manage to get your older child to preschool on time despite her...
Does Your Child Act Entitled? 5 Sensible Ways to Curb It
Grocery shopping for eight kids is not for the faint of heart! I strategize my mission to swiftly get in...
Tenterhooks or Tenderhooks?
First, let's get one thing straight: you are on TENTERhooks, not TENDERhooks. To be on tenterhooks is to be...
How to Use Quotation Marks
Quotations can bring your writing to life — the reader imagines someone saying the words?but quotations are also vexing to...
Savvy Psychologist
Meet life’s challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment. Savvy Psychologist uses the best of psychology to...
The Magic of Number 9 (Part 1)
After our 3 frequently asked questions about math puzzles episode last week, math fan Cynthia wrote to tell me about...
The Lord Is Come?
A listener named Kat says her holiday joy is crushed every time she hears the Christmas carol “Joy to the...
Because as a Preposition
Sponsor: Want to save more, invest for the future, but don't have time to be a full-on investor? Betterment.com helps...
How Much Protein Can the Body Absorb?
Nutrition Diva reader Thomas writes: "Some people claim that the body can't absorb more than 20-30 grams of protein at...
How Does Starbucks Decaffeinate Their Coffee?
Q. In your article on decaffeinated coffee, you say that "Almost all decaffeinated coffee is produced using a Swiss water...
“In to” or “Into”?
I'm going to tackle this in parts. "Into" versus "in" "Into" versus "in to" Sample sentences "Into" Versus "In"...
‘Phenomenon’ or ‘Phenomena’
If you watched the children’s program Sesame Street growing up, you probably recognized the little bit I sang earlier. “Phenomenon,...
4 Ways to Know if Your Wine Is Good
Invariably whenever I’m at a friend’s home, there comes a time in the evening when my hosts pull out a...
5 Tips for Faster Mental Division (Part 1)
If you're anything like me, you don't exactly love doing long division. Which is exactly why I avoid it as...
The Carrageenan Controversy
Carrageenan has been the subject of a lot of controversy and several of you have asked me to comment. For...
Can You Start a Sentence with a Preposition?
Many people were taught that they shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition. Today, however, most language experts don't abide...
What Is It Called When You Mishear Song Lyrics?
Oh, English. There are so many different kinds of errors that sometimes it seems overwhelming, but today, we’re going to...
How to Relieve Constipation
Today's show is for all you folks who wish you were more regular…and by that I don’t mean more normal. That’s...
What are Numerators and Denominators?
In the last article, we discovered that integers alone are not sufficient to fully describe the world around us—we need...
How to Remember Your Passwords
I always wanted to be a spy! It seemed like fun. You’d meet a shadowy figure at night. “The cumquats...
Can You Tighten Loose Skin After Weight Loss?
If you’ve lost a lot of weight recently, then you may have noticed that you have a bit of loose...
How to Strengthen Your Lower Back and Avoid Injury
If you are one of those unlucky people who has “thrown their back out,” you know that sinking feeling that...
What to Eat to Avoid Mosquito Bites
Mosquitoes find their victims by smell. Specifically, their sensory organs are trained to zero in on sources of carbon dioxide...
How Should Skinny People Exercise?
Ask Get-Fit Guy: How Should Skinny People Exercise? Q. Luis recently wrote in and asked: "I have thin legs and...
Is Carbonated Water Bad for You?
Although I don’t drink much soda (or, as they call it where I grew up, “pop”), I do enjoy drinking...
17 Gym Terms You Need to Know
In a recent article, “10 Tips For Gym Etiquette,” I taught you how to navigate through your workout without offending...
How to Convert Decimals to Fractions
The numbers we use in our daily lives can be broken up into two main groups: rational and irrational numbers....
How to Convert Repeating Decimals to Fractions, Part 1
Over the last several articles we’ve learned that many of the numbers we deal with in our daily lives...
How to Convert Repeating Decimals to Fractions, Part 2
In the last article, we learned how to turn simple repeating decimal numbers into fractions. Specifically, we learned how to...
How to Tell If a Number is Divisible by 7, 8, or 9
Two weeks ago we looked at how to quickly test whether or not a number is divisible by 2 or...
How to Get a Super-Defined Chest
A while ago, a listener named Jock wrote in and asked: You know those pecs that go all the way...
How to Multiply Any 2-Digit Number by 11
To multiply any two-digit number by 11, simply add the digits of the number together and then put this sum...
8 Strategies for Dealing with a Defiant Child
When a child acts out and demonstrates defiant behavior, there's usually an underlying reason. Maybe your child is seeking attention,...
How to Quickly Calculate Percentages
How to calculate percentages can be easier than you may realize. Keep reading for some simple tricks. Long time math...
6 Ways to Increase Testosterone With Exercise
This article was originally authored by Ben Greenfield. It was significantly updated by Brock Armstrong on March 2, 2020. According...
How to Find Common Denominators
Quick, what's 1/4 + 3/4? If you remember your math from school, you probably know that the answer is 1....
Group Workout Tips for Fitness Boot Camps
Fitness boot camps and group workouts are all the rage these days. From the external social motivation to push yourself...
9 Superhuman Strength Secrets
by Ben Greenfield You’ve probably heard this story. A small child is trapped under a burning car, and in a...
What is the Golden Ratio and How is it Related to the Fibonacci Sequence?
Some math is functional. Some math is fun. And some math is simply stunning. If that last description sounds improbable...
Do Olives and Olive Oil Have the Same Health Benefits?
When I was growing up, there were only two kinds of olives at the grocery store: green olives stuffed with...
Why Exercise Can Cause Weight Gain
A listener named Marcia sent an email asking about weight loss and exercise. This is what she asked: I've been...
Domestic CEO
I’ve got savvy tips and tricks to create an efficient, enjoyable, budget-friendly home – without spending a ton of time...
Ask Science
Why do apples turn brown? Could Jurassic Park really happen? Ask Science will help you make sense of the science...
Modern Mentor
Modern Mentor is your guide to leadership and communication, helping you craft workplace success and an employee experience you can...
Grammar Girl
Mignon Fogarty is the founder of the Quick and Dirty Tips network and creator of Grammar Girl, which has been...
House Call Doctor
Medical terms and conditions can be anxiety-provoking. I’m here with straightforward advice on symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments so you’ll be...
Project Parenthood
Parenting is tough. But with Project Parenthood's practical advice, tips, and tricks you’ll add more balance, perspective, and fun into...
Modern Manners Guy
Live a more polite life in your personal and professional worlds with my humorous, down-to-earth approach to 21st century etiquette.
Money Girl
From credit, to taxes, to retirement, to insurance – Money Girl makes money simple so you rule your finances, pay...
Nutrition Diva
Nutrition Diva will help you sort food facts from fiction, separate the good information from the bad, and make eating...
Tech Talker
Whether you're a seasoned tech pro, or just starting out, I’ll teach you to leverage technology to be a fun,...
Digital Marketer
Want to take your business to the next level? I will help use internet tools to rev up your branding...
The Dog Trainer
My mission is to help you have a wonderful relationship with your dog. Learn how to teach good manners, to...
The Public Speaker
The Public Speaker provides ultra-practical, science-based tips at the intersection of leadership, psychology, and communication.
Get-Fit Guy
Get-Fit Guy will give you the fitness tools to rise above your former self and achieve the healthy balance between...
The Math Dude
Math can be confusing and scary. But it doesn’t have to be! I’ll decode the mystery (and fear) behind all...
Retronyms: Scourge of the Language or Helpful Tool?
What follows is an excerpt from the late Bill Walsh's book Yes, I Could Care Less, Bill was a copy editor at...
Why Does “I” Take Plural Verbs?
A Grammar Girl follower on Twitter named Aaron Heintz tweeted a question earlier this month. He asked, “Why do we use...
The Power of Planning
I’ll bet that a lot of you are just like me. I wake up every morning with the best of...
Can You Compensate for a High Sodium Diet?
Nutrition Diva listener Eddie writes: “I am in my first year of pharmacy school, so naturally I have to eat...
Attributive Nouns: Noun or Adjective?
Every once in a while, I get questions about word pairs such as “wood” and “wooden” or “wool” and “woolen.”...
Chia vs. Hemp vs. Flax
One of the very first Nutrition Diva podcast episodes, back in 2008, was on the nutritional benefits of flaxseeds. Among...
Where Do I Use Commas?
Last week Dale Seiler on Twitter sent me a screenshot of a Garmin ad that had a strange and unnecessary...
Is it “a company who…” or “a company that…”?
Sponsor: Audible.com is the Internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including...
Ask the Diva: Can Triglycerides Be Too Low?
Q. The American Heart Association guidelines say that normal triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL. My triglyceride level is...
When Are Double Words OK?
Today’s today’s podcast podcast is is about words that are doubled, such as “had had” and “is is.” Word’s grammar...
When Is “W” a Vowel?
A question that I get now and then is whether W is ever a vowel. At first, I was...
“Versus”
Olympics season is nearly upon us. Athletes in more than 150 countries are preparing for some of the most significant...
Is Glycerin a Healthy Sweetener?
Nutrition Diva fan Liz writes: “What is vegetable glycerin and is it safe? I've heard some diabetics use it as...
Dashes, Colons, and Commas
People sometimes ask me about the difference between a colon and a dash since they can both be used to...
How to Speak English Like the Irish
Happy St. Patrick's Day! To help you get closer to your Irish heritage or simply celebrate as if you were...
When Should I Capitalize “Constitution”?
Patrick C. asked,"When discussing a Constitutional Amendment, is it instead a 'constitutional amendment'?" "Constitutional" is lowercase because it is an...
Does ‘You’ Come First or Last?
Barbara wants to know how to deal with "you" when it's part of a compound subject or the compound object...
Why Do Kids Say “Versing”?
Ron M. wrote, "The phenomenon of using the word 'verse' instead of 'versus' seems relatively recent, but to this 56...
How to Calculate Fat Percentages
Q. How do you calculate the fat percentage of a food based on the information given on the Nutrition Facts...
Ending a Sentence with an Abbreviation
When you end a sentence with an abbreviation, you don't need an extra period. Apple Computer, Inc. became Apple, Inc.....
How Alcohol is Metabolized
We’ll be ringing in a new year in a few days and I daresay a few glasses of champagne or...
Sentence Fragments
Today's topic is sentence fragments. I often imagine that listeners are writing long things such as articles, essays, and books;...
Protein and Carbohydrate Content in Foods
Lizette writes, “Can you explain what types of foods contain protein, carbohydrates, and starches so that we know exactly what...
Are Your Holiday Cards Grammatically Correct?
The Churches, the Foxes, and the Marshes I was deluged with questions after last week's newsletter about making names plural....
How to Lose Weight Without Dieting
The multi-billion weight loss industry has a dirty little secret: Dieting doesn’t work. To be sure, almost any diet out...
Can You Start a Sentence with “Because”?
"Razorwife" wrote, "I just heard for the first time in my life that you can't use 'because' at the beginning...
Two Weeks’ Notice
Marlene asked whether she should write "one year's time" or "one-years' time." The correct way to give possession to time...
Eachother or Each Other?
Chandra asked, "Is it 'each other' or 'eachother'? I never know whether it's one word or two." In standard English,...
Spendy
When I was researching the regionalism "needs washed," Bill Bevington recommended that I look into "spendy," which means "expensive" or...
What Does “Bow Up” Mean?
Last week during the football game between LSU and Mississippi State, we kept hearing an ESPN announcer say the team...
Should it be “You” or “Your” with Gerunds?
"You" or "Your" with Gerunds Dottie asked which sentence is correct: We appreciate you contacting the office. We appreciate your...
Commas With Participial Phrases
Sometimes You Need a Comma With Participial Phrases, and Sometimes You Don’t Today, we’re revisiting the concept of restrictive versus...
‘A Historic’ Versus ‘an Historic’
So many of you asked whether a historic should have been an historic that I thought I'd better answer the...
“Much Thanks” or “Many Thanks”?
Cindy C. asked, "Which is correct.: much thanks or many thanks? I hear much thanks but it just doesn't sound...
First, Second, and Third Person
You probably know what it means to write in the first person, but you may not be as confident about...
What Is the Plural of “Cul-de-Sac”?
Elizabeth L. asked, "What is the plural of 'cul-de-sac'?" "Cul-de-sac" comes from French that literally means "bottom of the bag"...
“Think Different” or “Think Differently”
In a recent episode, you learned that adverbs do not always end in “-ly,” so perhaps you now think differently...
“Like” Versus “Such As”
Today’s topic is “like” versus “such as.” “Like” Versus “Such As” Should you write, “Chuck enjoys desserts such as brownies,...
Does ‘Until’ Include the Date?
The word “until” appears to be ambiguous, especially when you pair it with a deadline. If a teacher tells you...
Active Voice Versus Passive Voice
Today's topic is active voice versus passive voice. Here's a question from Brian in Iowa. He writes, “It drives me...
Comma Splice
I decided to write about comma splices because my friend Scott Sigler has a book coming out this week, Ancestor, published...
When to Use Articles Before Nouns
Several listeners have written with questions on when to use the definite article “the,” the indefinite article “a,” or neither....
What Type of Rice is Healthiest?
What Type of Rice is Healthiest? There are at least a dozen different types of rice to choose from at...
Is “I’m Loving It” Proper Grammar?
Today, Bonnie Trenga will help us figure out whether a fast-food chain is on the cutting edge of grammar, or it’s just being...
Is “Got” Proper English?
Bonnie Trenga is going to help us get along with the word “get.” Don’t let others’ use of it get...
Is ‘Ain’t’ a Word?
Today's topic is “ain't” and a few other troublesome contractions. To quote the famous opening lines of the first-ever talking...
When Should You Capitalize Titles?
Last week we talked about capitalizing words in the business world. Today we're going to talk about capitalization in general....
Can You Start a Sentence with “Which”?
Grammar Girl here. Today guest-writer Bonnie Trenga will help us talk about “which” clauses and whether it’s OK to start...
Do Rhetorical Questions Need a Question Mark?
Today Bonnie Trenga will help us talk about two kinds of peculiar questions. Isn’t that going to be fun!...
Using “For” to Mean “Because”
The grammar authorities are going to battle it out today. For they all have a different opinion about our topics:...
Dashes Versus Colons
Last week when I was speaking at the Field's End Writers Conference on Bainbridge Island, someone in the audience asked...
When to Use a Comma with “Too”
Today guest-writer Bonnie Trenga is going to tell us how one little comma can change the meaning of a sentence....
Does Grammar Really Matter?
Today's topic is why grammar matters. One thing people said they wanted to hear more about in my print book...
Modifying Phrases at the Beginning of Sentences
Today, Bonnie Trenga helps us understand modifiers that come at the beginning of a sentence. Today, I plan to talk...
Is “Have Got” Acceptable English?
Today’s topic is whether the phrase “have got” is good English or not. And now, Bonnie Mills (author of this...
How to Write Numbers
Since this is my 100th episode, it seems like a fitting time to talk about how to use numbers in...
Starting a Sentence With “Hopefully”
Grammar Girl here. Today's topic is whether it’s OK to start a sentence with the word hopefully. Paul from Long...
Who Versus That
Today's topic is who versus that.Lesley called in with this question: My pet peeve is who versus that, as in...