FAQs by Writers

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FAQs by Writers

Here is a list of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) asked by writers. If you read through the list, there is a strong chance you'll spot a question that you've always asked yourself. Be aware that, in answering these FAQs, we have sought to provide a grammatical explanation for the answer. So, if you're not a grammarian, you might encounter some new terminology.

In every lesson relating to a grammatical term (e.g., What are verbs?), there is a useful section at the end explaining why the term matters to a writer.

FAQs Related to the Parts of Speech

• What are adjectives?
• What are adjectives (for kids)?
• What is the difference between adjectives and determiners?
• What are adverbs?
• What are adverbs (for kids)?
• What are the different types of compound adjective?
• What are adverbial phrases and adverbial clauses?
• What are conjunctions?
• What are conjunctions (for kids)?
• What are interjections?
• What are interjections (for kids)?
• What are nouns?
• What are the different types of noun?
• What are nouns (for kids)?
• What are prepositions?
• What are prepositions (for kids)?
• What are pronouns?
• What are the different types of pronoun?
• What are pronouns (for kids)?
• What are verbs?
• What are verbs (for kids)?

FAQs Related to Prepositions

• Can I end a sentence with a preposition?
• When should I use "at," "in," and "on" (with places)?
• When should I use "at," "in," and "on" (with times)?

FAQs Related to Conjunctions

• Can I start a sentence with "and" or "but"?
• Should I use a comma before "and"?
• Can I use a semicolon before "and"?
• Can I use a semicolon before "however"?
• Does "however" always start a sentence?
• Do I need a comma after "however"?

FAQs Related to Plurals

• Are collective nouns treated as singular or plural?
• Is "agenda" singular or plural?
• Is "criteria" singular or plural?
• Is "data" singular or plural?
• Is "either/or" singular or plural?
• Is "media" singular or plural?
• Is "news" singular or plural?
• Is "number" singular or plural?
• What does "the plural form of a word" mean?
• What is the plural of "yes" and "no"?
• How do I form the plurals of compound nouns?
• What are the spelling rules forming plurals?
• Should I write "a box of nails is" or "a box of nails are"?
• Can "they" and "their" be singular?

FAQs Related to Spelling

• How can I improve my spelling?
• What are the most important spelling rules in English?
• How do I write numbers in full?
• How do I spell out fractions in full?
• Should I write "more quickly" or "quicker"?
• What are the most misspelled words?
• Should I write "try and" or "try to"?
• Should I write "better than I" or "better than me"?
• What is the best way to write "dos and don'ts"?
• Should I write "all" or "all of"?
• Should I write "an" or "a"?
• Should I write "bear fruit/witness" or "bare fruit/witness"?
• Should I write "bear with me" or "bare with me"?
• How do I form comparatives and superlatives from adjectives?
• How do I form comparatives and superlatives from adverbs?
• Should I write "me" or "myself"?
• How do I write numbers as compound adjectives?

FAQs Related to Apostrophes

• How do I use apostrophes in time expressions?
• How are apostrophes used in contractions?
• Can apostrophes be used to show awkward plurals?
• How are apostrophes used to show possession?
• Should I write "between you and I" or "between you and me"?
• What is the grocer's apostrophe?
• Should I write "Mother's Day" or "Mothers' Day"?
• Is it "cow's milk" or "cows' milk"?
• Should I write "master's degree" or "masters' degree"?

FAQs Related to Brackets

• What is the difference between round and square brackets?
• How do I use round brackets?
• How do I use square brackets in quotations?
• What type of parentheses should I use?

FAQs Related to Capital Letters

• How do I capitalize titles?
• How are capital letters used in advertising?
• Do I capitalize "Moon," "Sun," and the planets?
• Do I capitalize north, east, south and west?
• What are the rules for using capital letters?
• Do I capitalize the names of the seasons?
• Do all sentences start with capital letters?

FAQs Related to Colons

• How are colons used with quotations?
• How are colons used in references?
• How are colons used to introduce lists?
• How are colons used with bullet points?
• How are colons used to extend sentences?

FAQs Related to Commas

• How are commas used with "dear," "hello," and "hi"?
• What are fronted adverbials?
• Should I use a comma after yes or no?
• Are conjunctions always preceded with commas?
• How do I use commas like brackets?
• How do I use commas in lists?
• What is a comma fault?
• What is an Oxford comma?
• Can I use a comma after a long subject?
• How do I use commas with numbers?
• How do I use commas for direct address?

FAQs Related to Semicolons

• How do I use semicolons in lists?

FAQs Related to Punctuation in General

• What are the most common punctuation errors?
• What is the format for using bullet points?
• What are the four punctuation marks used to extend sentences?

FAQs Related to Hyphens

• Which prefixes are followed by hyphens?
• Are compound adjectives always joined with hyphens?
• How do I use hyphens to join compound adjectives?
• How do I use hyphens to join compound nouns?

FAQs Related to Quotation Marks

• When does punctuation go inside the quotation marks?
• Should I use a comma or colon before a quotation?
• When are three dots (...) used with quotation marks?
• Can quotation marks be used to mean so-called?
• Should I use quotation marks for the names of ships, plays, and books?
• Should I use double or single quotation marks?

FAQs Related to Abbreviations

• When should I use AD, BC, BCE, and CE?
• When do I use periods in honorifics and titles?
• How do I form the plurals of abbreviations?
• When do I use periods in abbreviations?

Miscellaneous FAQs

• What are parallel lists?
• How do I choose the best verb?
• What are verbs of attribution?
• Is "for free" grammatically acceptable?
• Can numbers start sentences?
• What is the order of adjectives in English?
• What is subject-verb agreement?
• What are non-binary pronouns?
• When should I use "Mx" instead of "Ms" or "Miss"?
• What is the difference between "which," "that," and "who"?
• Should I use a comma before "which," "that," and "who"?
• When should I use "whom?"
• Can I use "whose" with inanimate objects?
• Can I write "should of," "would of," or "could of"?
• Can I create a double negative with neither/nor?
• Should I end a letter "yours faithfully" or "yours sincerely"?