Category: Writing Tips

Defined as the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one.

Examples:

– The doc gave me an interjection.

(should be “injection”)

– She lay prostate for her physical.

(should be “prostrate”)

– The City Council should move to better eliminate the streets at night.

(should be “ illuminate”)

– Kindly massage me when I get home.

(should be “message”)

Nowadays, it’s fine to end a sentence with a preposition.

Many of us grew up being taught that ending a sentence with a preposition was a no-no. The rules have changed, and once the sentence structure is otherwise good, you can ignore the old-time rule.

“What are you sitting on?”

“This is the movie I told you about”

In the two sentences above which both end in prepositions, they sound more natural than: “On what are you sitting?” and “This is the movie about which I told you.”

While the latter two sentences are grammatically correct, modern usage also allows the first two examples where the sentences end in prepositions.

Use “who” when referring to the SUBJECT of a verb and “whom” where reference is to the OBJECT of a verb or preposition.

Incorrect: “Whom likes Miles Alex Writer’s Page?”

Correct: “Who likes Miles Alex Writer’s Page?”

Here “who” is the subject of the verb “likes.”

Incorrect: “Kudos to all my followers who I so appreciate!”

Correct: “Kudos to all my followers whom I so appreciate!”

Here “whom” is the object of the verb “appreciate.”