What Is Grammar? Grammar is the system and structure of a language, the set of rules used to create phrases and sentences to convey meaning. The English language contains more than one million words so we can precisely express our thoughts, ideas, feelings, emotions, perspectives, desires, messages, and actions. The more you know about English…
“If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” -Robert F. Kennedy…
All Right vs. Alright: Is It All Right to Use Alright? Despite the common appearance of “alright,” it is not officially a word. Some writing resources refer to it as an alternative spelling for “all right,” but “all right” is the correct spelling. To make sure you are right in formal writing, stick with “all…
Cardinal numbers indicate how many, and ordinal numbers indicate a position. For example, “two” tells us that we have two of something. “Second,” the ordinal counterpart of “two,” tells us that someone/something is second from the first in line, ranking or any other type of order. A good way to remember this distinction is that…
Although a successful resume still requires effective content, organization, and presentation, technology platforms such as job boards, career and recruiting sites, social media, and applicant tracking systems (ATS) have had a substantial impact on resume writing and job searches. A winning resume must be readable, well-ordered, and error-free while concisely highlighting your aptitudes and concrete…
As with many English grammar rules, use of the Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is widely debated. The Oxford comma appears before the coordinating conjunctions “and” and “or” in a list of three or more items. For example, “I enjoy coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.” While some commonly used style guides (MLA and…
In October, All About Writing celebrated our 10-year anniversary, thanks to our customers and their loyalty and referrals. Each passing year has brought a sense of accomplishment as All About Writing has continued to attain year-over-year growth, and without your confidence in our writing, editing, and proofreading services, this would not be possible. Take 15%…
Use this “proofreading pointers” checklist for impressive writing in no time flat! Do subjects and verbs agree in number (singular vs. plural)? Do verb tenses correctly indicate timing and completion of actions? Do pronouns and the nouns they replace (antecedents) agree in number (singular vs. plural)? Do pronouns reflect the right gender and form (subjective vs. objective…
With October comes another month of college applications as students finish early decision and early action applications and select additional colleges of interest to round out their list. Most of the application process is straightforward, requiring students to check boxes, enter numbers, and present snippets of background information. When it comes to application essays, though,…
Although the entire college selection and application process is stressful for most students (and parents!), the admissions essays often prove to be the most overwhelming part of the process. While most of the application requires filling in blanks and boxes with short, straightforward, and easy-to-answer responses, the essay demands extended writing, reflection, and thought, with…
