Tag Archives: copy editing

To hyphenate or not to hyphenate

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

  Today we’re discussing words with prefixes and whether we should hyphenate them. In general, English is moving away from hyphenation (it’s coworker, not co-worker, for instance), but there are some situations in which using the hyphen is the better … Continue reading →

Posted in copy editing, style issues | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Compliment vs. complement

Posted on March 19, 2013 by

  compliment (noun): an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration compliment (verb): to express esteem, respect, affection, or admiration to complement (noun): something that fills up, completes, or makes perfect complement (verb): to complete or enhance by providing something … Continue reading →

Posted in copy editing, grammar, semantics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Here! Hear!

Posted on February 6, 2013 by

When you raise your glass after an impressive speech, do you say “Here, here!” or “Hear, hear!”? The correct phrase is: Hear, hear! That is, unless someone is asking, “Who wants more wine?” Then you can say, “Here, here!” and … Continue reading →

Posted in foreign language | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Using brand names

Posted on January 15, 2013 by

Kleenex. Band-Aid. ChapStick. What do these words have in common? They are all trademarked. If you bought a store brand box of thingies to blow your nose into, you’re actually using facial tissues, not Kleenex. Likewise, if you rub something … Continue reading →

Posted in copy editing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

AP vs. Chicago

Posted on January 8, 2013 by

The Onion posted a funny (well, funny to me) article yesterday about copy editing: 4 Copy Editors Killed In Ongoing AP Style, Chicago Manual Gang Violence NEWS IN BRIEF • News Media • News • ISSUE 49•01 • Jan 7, 2013 NEW YORK—Law enforcement officials confirmed Friday that … Continue reading →

Posted in copy editing, punctuation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment