Everything is blooming after a cold, wet winter. For some people, this means pollen allergies. But this spring, in my editing work, I’m noticing another kind of allergy: A punctuation allergy. Those who suffer from this condition have this primary symptom: They refuse to punctuate—not even a period. Every sentence runs into another. I have […]

Despite the title, this post isn’t about the song by the band Chicago; instead, it’s about a rule by The Chicago Manual of Style, one of the most respected style guides used in US English: There should be one space between sentences—not two. There’s still an ongoing debate about the topic of spaces between sentences. […]

Can you choose which punctuation mark to use after the salutation in a formal letter? No. In US English, the only punctuation mark you should use after the salutation in a formal letter is a colon—if you want to be taken seriously and seen as professional and respectful. A colon serves as an announcement. You’re […]

In regard to and with regard to are examples of phrases we use to connect ideas. They mean “with respect to.” But when writing these phrases, people often use the plural of regard: regards. This is incorrect, and it’s colloquial. With (or in) regards to shouldn’t appear in writing, but it does; I see—and edit—it […]

I can’t think of a job that doesn’t require some amount of writing. It’s not always listed in a job description, but people are expected to be able to communicate in writing—especially in today’s technology-based world. (Even if writing isn’t a regular part of a job, the application process will likely involve writing.) Like it […]