Tag Archives: punctuation

What’s the fuss about the controversial SPaG test?

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Carmen Ebner

The 2016 version of the Key Stage 2 Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar test, also known as SPaG test, has made the headlines in the UK again. Michael Rosen has often voiced his concerns about the test publically and did so again … Continue reading →

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Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Morana Lukač

Editors and language advice seem to go hand in hand. When in doubt about language matters, who better to consult than those whose job description includes improving style, formatting, and proofreading.  Mary Norris of The New Yorker has joined the … Continue reading →

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What’s happening to punctuation?

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Ingrid Tieken

Going up to London for the day yesterday, we took the train to London King’s Cross. Not surprisingly (we all know what’s been happening to the apostrophe) the announcement on the train didn’t show the apostrophe. But if punctuation marks are … Continue reading →

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Overused exclamation marks!!!

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Morana Lukač

In the latest issue of Intelligent Life magazine published by the Economist Group, six writers including Julian Barnes, Claire Messud, and Ali Smith discuss their favourite punctuation marks. We have addressed the topic of punctuation in a number of our … Continue reading →

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A few tips from the editor

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Morana Lukač

This October, Joy Burrough, an authors’ editor, gave a talk entitled ‘An Introduction to Editing’ to the humanities PhD students at Leiden University. Aside from describing the editing process, Joy answered some specific questions regarding common issues researchers come across … Continue reading →

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Punishing Princes Street

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Carmen Ebner

Edinburgh’s Princes Street is a true shopper’s delight. Its countless shops and stores make the hearts of shopaholics beat faster and credit cards moan even louder. Yet, it is not all sunshine and roses down Princes Street. Grammar – or … Continue reading →

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Punctuation matters

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Anoeska Bronswijk

Nowadays, people seem to be more tolerant towards language. Punctuation errors, for instance, seem to be accepted more often, as understandability is believed to be more important than correctness. Lynne Truss, the well-known author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The … Continue reading →

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It is not you, it is your grammar.

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Carmen Ebner

This is crucial information which can save and change your life and the lives of others. You may be not aware of the impact your use of grammar, spelling and punctuation can have on your future. Texting ur beautiful to … Continue reading →

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Punctuation. In Political. Contexts.

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Cynthia Lange

There have been many interesting articles about language use related to the 2012 presidential election in the U.S. Some of my favorites include this recent one on the ‘mass-nounification of vote’ by Ben Zimmer and this one on the use … Continue reading →

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Punctuation Party

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Cynthia Lange

Friends, put on your punctuation party hats. Tomorrow – Monday 24 September – is National Punctuation Day (in the U.S.) which was founded in 2004 by Jeff Rubin. The official website contains some funny, interesting, and entertaining items. These include … Continue reading →

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