Are Double Periods a Thing?

While reviewing a legal contract, a friend saw a sentence that ended “etc..” She called and asked, “If a sentence ends in an abbreviation, do you add a second period?”

  • The short answer is…NEVER.
  • The long answer is…NEVER EVER!

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What’s Your Business Love Language?

My colleague Emily Oliver, owner of Goals Garden, recently shared info about a networking event called, “What is Your Business Love Language?” Not only did this resonated with me, but it inspired this pre-Valentine’s Day Wordsmith Wednesday post!

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Double Negatives

Recently, my partner Jim mentioned that he’s noticed more and more people using double negatives. And he wondered why.

A double negative is when two negative statements are applied to the same subject in a sentence. Double negatives are often used in everyday speech, and examples abound in popular song lyrics – from the Rolling Stones’ “I can’t get no satisfaction” to Pink Floyd’s “We don’t need no education.”

Beyond the fact that communication has become a lot more casual these days, I’m not aware of any reason why people may be using double negatives more often.

But I do know this: when it comes to proper grammar, they are generally considered a no-no. Read more

The Colon/Capitalization Question

As you might suspect, I’m addressing the colon/capitalization question because I often wonder if I’m doing it right. Since I write for a living, you’d think I’d have it figured out. But my confusion is justified – because the answer to the question, “Do you capitalize a word after a colon?” is…sometimes.

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Better Than or Better Then?

It’s August. With any luck, you’re relaxing somewhere, enjoying your favorite {adult} beverage. So, I’ll get right to the point: “then” and “than” are NOT the same word. And here’s the basic difference:

  • “Then” is used when you’re talking about something relating to time. It’s the choice for phrases like “just then,” “back then,” and “every now and then.” And after words like “since” and “until.”
  • “Than” is the got-to when you’re talking about comparisons: “older than,” “stronger than,” “less than,” “bigger than.” It also follows the words “other” and “rather.”

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Love Letters

When I was packing for my move last June, I found them in the hall closet. A small stack of letters, written on gray parchment. Tied with a piece of red ribbon and kept in a small cedar box for over 40 years.

Love letters. From the first man who stole my heart.

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A Gift or a Present?

My significant other {let’s call him Jim} believes that a gift and a present are not the same thing.

He insists that a gift is something the recipient wants to receive – while a present is something you want them to have. And he has a very complicated trick for remembering the difference {I’ll spare your holidazed brain the explanation. Consider it a gift – or a present.}

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Give the Gift of Authenticity

“At its heart, a compelling brand story is a kind of gift that gives your audience a way to connect with you as one person to another.” Ann Handley

Just in time for the holiday shopping blitz, the WSJ reported at least a third of the online reviews for major retailers are phony.

In my neighborhood, inflatables sprouted on front lawns like weeds. Faux reindeer mixed with twirling snow globes and outsized Woodys or Charlie Browns. Read more

The Blacklist

no-more-jargon-content-marketingIt’s kind of a love-hate thing. My feelings about The Blacklist, that is.

If you haven’t seen the NBC crime drama, the basic premise is a most-wanted criminal turns himself in to the FBI and offers to help them track down a “blacklist” of elusive criminals they have a mutual interest in eliminating. Read more

What’s the Magic Word?

word rocksI’m not sure where I first stumbled across the idea of choosing a word to guide the year. But as the calendar turned to January, I found myself doing it again – this time with surprising focus and dedication.

Why bother, you ask?

My friend Stacey says choosing a word reminds us “to live with intention and purpose.” I second that. Last year my word was “MOVE,” and boy, did I ever! From hiring a personal trainer to rebranding my business, it was a year of perpetual forward motion. For 2015, my word is ”EASE.” And since I could use a bit of a breather, I’m hoping lightening strikes twice. Read more