Grammar
Plain-English answers to the grammar questions that come up most.
Could Have, Not Could Of: Why the Mistake Happens
“Could of,” “should of” and “would of” are never correct. Here’s the sound that causes the error and how to fix it.
3 min read
Me vs. I: Why “Between You and I” Is Wrong
A simple drop-the-other-person test that settles me versus I every time, including the overcorrections that sound formal but aren’t.
3 min read
A Lot, Allot, Alot: Only Two of These Are Words
“Alot” isn’t a word. Here’s the difference between a lot and allot, and stronger alternatives for formal writing.
2 min read
Into vs. In To: When the Space Belongs There
Into signals movement; in to happens when in and to belong to different parts of the sentence. A short guide with examples.
3 min read
Comma Splices: The Most Common Punctuation Mistake
What a comma splice is, why it weakens sentences, and four clean ways to fix one.
4 min read
Homophones Explained: Words That Sound the Same but Mean Different Things
Learn what homophones are, see common examples like there/their/they’re and wait/weight, and practice choosing the correct word using meaning and context.
9 min read
Noun, Verb, Adjective or Adverb? How to Tell the Difference
A plain-English guide to the four main parts of speech, with real sentences, word-family clues and practice so you can identify any word by the job it does.
9 min read