Susan Z. Miller, Author at Writer's Hive Media https://writershivemedia.com/author/susan-z-miller/ Creative writing and publishing magazine. Tue, 30 Jan 2024 19:53:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://writershivemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-writer-bee-2-32x32.png Susan Z. Miller, Author at Writer's Hive Media https://writershivemedia.com/author/susan-z-miller/ 32 32 Writing Signs and Symbols https://writershivemedia.com/writing-signs-symbols/ Tue, 21 Mar 2023 12:47:42 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=51458 Writing signs and symbols are important to know, especially the ones that are most common. Here are 5 common writing signs and symbols.

The post Writing Signs and Symbols appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
In addition to punctuation marks, which are universal among most written languages and indicate how we should interpret the written information, there exists a number of written signs that can take the place of words in the English language. Read on to find a list of 5 commonly used written signs and symbols in English writing and guidelines on how to use them.

1. Ampersand (&)

The & symbol, called an ampersand, is a symbol that means “and.” You may commonly see the ampersand used in brand names and titles. Different writing styles have different guidelines for whether to use the ampersand. For example, Associated Press style instructs not to use one unless it’s part of a formal title, while Chicago style permits its use when stylistic preference calls for it. In any style, you don’t need to use a comma before an ampersand because the two symbols next to each other are considered extraneous.

2. Asterisk (*)

The asterisk, which derives its name from the Greek word asteriskos meaning little star, has multiple uses that you can typically figure out by examining the context. In formal and academic writing, the asterisk indicates the use of a footnote. An asterisk in a newspaper or magazine article may indicate an edited expletive. In social media writing it has evolved to indicate emphasis, as in: You *must* try this new decadent flavor of ice cream.

Oftentimes, an asterisk at the end of a sentence indicates that you should look for another asterisk at the bottom of the page or end of the document for more relevant details, rules, or exceptions. For example:

Phone Plans Available for New Low Price of $40 a Month!*

Visit Bob’s Cell Phones to take advantage of this amazing deal today!

*$40 a month promotional price available to new customers only.

3. Plus (+)

The plus symbol is used to indicate an addition in a mathematical equation, while in writing it is used to mean “more than” or “over.” In the acronym LGBTQI+, the plus symbol indicates that the English language is constantly evolving, and the term seeks to include those who may neither identify as man or woman, extending beyond those who identify as ​​gay, transgender, etc.

4. At (@) 

Today we associate the @ symbol, meaning at, almost exclusively with social media tags and email addresses. Prior to the age of email, @ was most commonly used commercially in purchase orders. The at symbol is considered to be shorthand and is therefore not typically used in any formal writing style.

5. Dollar ($)

Whether you use the American dollar sign in your writing, as opposed to writing out the word “dollars,” will vary depending on the style guide you are using for your writing. For example, MLA style typically writes out number figures with the word dollar whereas Associated Press style writes out numerals with the $ symbol.

In many contexts, our brains are accustomed to seeing the use of the $ sign. For example, when looking at a menu in a restaurant, it would be unusual to see a price listed as 18 dollars rather than $18. 

For specified amounts, the dollar sign indicates that a singular verb should be used.

For example:

Correct: He said $13,000 is the cost of the car.

Incorrect: He said $13,000 are the cost of the car.

The post Writing Signs and Symbols appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
50 Synonyms for Amazing https://writershivemedia.com/synonyms-for-amazing/ Thu, 09 Mar 2023 17:33:12 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=51387 50 synonyms for amazing - astounding, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, brilliant, captivating, dazzling, grand, magnificent...

The post 50 Synonyms for Amazing appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
Every decade has its most popular superlatives. The 1960s were groovy, the ’70s were far out, the ’80s were rad, and the ’90s rocked. 

We don’t use the term “far out” to describe much of anything anymore, other than Elon Musk’s space-exploration ambitions. So what happened to it? There are plenty of descriptive words that come and go over time within the English language, gaining then losing favor. In Shakespeare’s day, we may have described something that was flawless and perfect as absolute. Much like fashion, food, music, and many other things, language evolves and changes over time.

During the past 10 years, one adjective that has exploded in popularity is the word amazing. By definition, when something is amazing, it is startlingly impressive or something that causes great surprise or wonder. Yet we now commonly use the word to describe anything that we find pleasurable, from a tasty slice of pizza to a relaxing massage. See this video on Instagram? It’s amazing. Hear the new Lizzo song? It’s amazing. Taste this boba tea? AMAZING.

Much like the word important, the adjective amazing has dulled because of frequent overuse. If everything is amazing, how can anything truly be amazing? To make your writing stronger, more vivid and more diverse, consider replacing the word amazing with another choice. 

Need some ideas to get you started? Below is a list of 50 synonyms that you can use to replace the word amazing in your writing.

50 Synonyms for Amazing

  1. Awesome–extremely good, impressive, or daunting
  2. Astonishing–surprising
  3. Astounding–very notable, impressive
  4. Awe-inspiring–arousing awe, magnificent
  5. Breathtaking–so astonishing it takes your breath away
  6. Brilliant–bright and radiant, or exceptionally clever and talented
  7. Captivating–charming, holds your interest
  8. Charming–pleasant, attractive, likable
  9. Compelling–evoking interest
  10. Dazzling–extremely bright, beautiful
  11. Delicious–very tasty
  12. Divine–sacred, or use informally to mean delightful 
  13. Elegant–graceful and stylish
  14. Elevated–high-ranking intellectual level or social status
  15. Exalted–noble, held in high regard
  16. Excellent–very good, outstanding
  17. Exquisite–extremely beautiful
  18. Fascinating–drawing attention and interest
  19. Glittering–impressively successful
  20. Glorious–bringing fame or admiration
  21. Gorgeous–very attractive, pleasant, beautiful
  22. Grand–magnificent in size or scale
  23. Grandiose–impressive and imposing in appearance
  24. Heavenly–very pleasing, of the heavens
  25. Incredible–difficult to believe, extraordinary
  26. Imposing–grand and impressive in appearance
  27. Inspiring–creating a positive urge
  28. Lavish–rich, elaborate, luxurious
  29. Magnificent–extravagant, sublime
  30. Majestic–stately, grand
  31. Miraculous–of the nature of a miracle, marvelous
  32. Prodigious–extraordinary in size, degree or extent
  33. Resplendent–gleaming, splendid
  34. Shocking–causing intense surprise
  35. Splendid–grand, superb, gorgeous
  36. Spectacular–dramatically daring, thrilling
  37. Staggering–overwhelming
  38. Striking–attractive, impressive
  39. Stunning–strikingly beautiful
  40. Sublime–inspiring awe, supreme, outstanding
  41. Surprising–causing wonder or astonishment
  42. Standout–outstanding, superior 
  43. Stupefying–stunning, astounding
  44. Stupendous–causing amazement, marvelous
  45. Sumptuous–luxuriously fine, lavish
  46. Superior–above average in excellence
  47. Unbelievable–extraordinary, so remarkable it’s hard to believe
  48. Unimaginable–inconceivable, difficult to believe 
  49. Wonderful–excellent, great, marvelous 
  50. Wondrous–amazing, astonishing 

The post 50 Synonyms for Amazing appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
50 Synonyms for Beautiful https://writershivemedia.com/synonyms-for-beautiful/ Wed, 04 Jan 2023 14:44:03 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=51235 When we can use the same adjective to describe a bride, a stand of trees, and a road, it tends to lose its meaning a bit. Furthermore, the word beautiful is weak because it is subjective, meaning that what makes something beautiful to one person may not be the same as what makes something beautiful to another person. Let’s explore what happens when we replace the adjective beautiful with more descriptive choices.

The post 50 Synonyms for Beautiful appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
Beautiful. It’s a fantastic word, but when used too much, it can diminish the elegance. If you’re looking to find alternatives to the word beautiful, then we have 50 synonyms for you to choose from. 

The word beautiful is a descriptor that we tend to use liberally in English writing and speaking, and if you are aiming to be as illustrative and specific in your writing as possible, it may not be doing you any favors. Let’s take a closer look at why.

The bride was beautiful.

 

A beautiful stand of pine trees stood in the foreground.

 

The longer route through the mountains was a beautiful detour. 

When we can use the same adjective to describe a bride, a stand of trees, and a road, it tends to lose its meaning a bit. Furthermore, the word beautiful is weak because it is subjective, meaning that what makes something beautiful to one person may not be the same as what makes something beautiful to another person. Let’s explore what happens when we replace the adjective beautiful with more descriptive choices.

The bride was exquisitely dressed in a cream satin gown and a crown of fresh red roses.

 

The stand of pine trees stood dark and serene against the fading sunset.

 

The longer route through the mountains was a detour that provided scenic views of dramatic cliff overlooks.

See how the sentences above paint a clearer, more descriptive picture when we take out the word beautiful and replace it with more descriptive language? In essence, what we are doing is swapping out the subjective word beautiful and showing why these things are beautiful. We’re showing instead of telling.

Need some more inspiration to replace the word beautiful in your writing? 

50 Synonyms for Beautiful

  1. Admirable–excellent, worthy of reverence
  2. Alluring–very attractive, enticing, seductive
  3. Angelic–befitting an angel
  4. Beguiling–intriguing, charming
  5. Beseeching–engaging, entrancing
  6. Bewitching–fascinating, charming 
  7. Captivating–attracting and holding attention 
  8. Charming–delightful, pleasing
  9. Classy–stylish, admirably smart 
  10. Cute–attractive in a dainty way
  11. Dazzling–brilliant, amazing, extremely attractive
  12. Delicate–fine in texture or quality
  13. Delightful–giving great pleasure
  14. Divine–of or related to a god
  15. Elegant–graceful, tastefully fine
  16. Exquisite–extraordinarily fine, rare
  17. Enticing–attractive, alluring
  18. Entrancing–capable of attracting and holding interest
  19. Excellent–outstanding, extremely good
  20. Fair–pleasing to the eye, fresh, flawless
  21. Fascinating–captivating, extremely interesting
  22. Fine–superior in appearance
  23. Foxy–physically attractive
  24. Good-looking–having a pleasing appearance
  25. Gorgeous–brilliant, magnificent
  26. Graceful–pleasing in proportion or movement
  27. Grand–lavish, sumptuous
  28. Handsome–having a dignified appearance
  29. Ideal–a standard of perfection or excellence
  30. Knockout–sensationally attractive
  31. Lovely–eliciting feelings of love
  32. Magnificent–extraordinarily fine, superb 
  33. Magnetic–exerting a strong attractive charm
  34. Marvelous–causing wonder or admiration 
  35. Nice–pleasing, agreeable, delightful
  36. Pleasing–agreeable, gratifying
  37. Pleasant–enjoyable, giving pleasure
  38. Pretty–pleasing to the eye
  39. Ravishing–enchanting, entrancing
  40. Refined–free from coarseness or impurities
  41. Resplendent–gleaming, shining brightly
  42. Seductive–captivating, beguiling 
  43. Shapely–having a pleasing shape
  44. Sightly–attractive
  45. Splendid–gorgeous, magnificent
  46. Statuesque–massive in grace or beauty
  47. Stunning–of striking beauty
  48. Superb–admirably fine or excellent
  49. Sublime–inspiring awe, outstanding
  50. Tempting–enticing or inviting

The post 50 Synonyms for Beautiful appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
50 Synonyms for Important https://writershivemedia.com/synonyms-for-important/ Fri, 30 Dec 2022 19:08:26 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=51232 How commonly overused is important? Well, I’ll go ahead and admit to you now that I caught myself writing then deleting it twice already in this article. We can certainly classify it in the category of word crutches–adjectives that we rely on heavily enough that they feel overused and not fresh or compelling.

The post 50 Synonyms for Important appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
If you’re looking to change up your vocabulary by using some different words that mean the same thing as the word important, then you’re in the right place!

Since you’ve landed on this article, you’re probably in the editing phase of whatever you’re writing. As you edit, a great way to sharpen your writing is to keep an eye out for words you may have inadvertently overused. Among the words that writers typically over rely on, particularly in academic writing, is the word important.

How commonly overused is important? Well, I’ll go ahead and admit to you now that I caught myself writing then deleting it twice already in this article. We can certainly classify it in the category of word crutches–adjectives that we rely on heavily enough that they feel overused and not fresh or compelling.

The interesting thing about the word important is that the more you use it, the less important it becomes. In other words, if everything is important, is anything important?

If you find yourself leaning too heavily on the word important, try replacing it with another adjective with a similar meaning. This will help to make your writing more interesting, and in turn, stronger and more memorable. Below are 50 synonyms for the word important to try out in your writing.

50 Synonyms for Important 

  1. Big–large, great 
  2. Bottom line–a deciding, crucial factor
  3. Considerable–worthy of respect and attention
  4. Consequential–of significance
  5. Critical–involving skillful judgment 
  6. Crucial–involving an important decision or result
  7. Decisive–commanding, indisputable, definite 
  8. Demanding–requiring intensive attention or effort
  9. Determining–definitive, conclusive
  10. Earnest–demanding or receiving serious attention
  11. Earth-shattering–momentous
  12. Esteemed–acclaimed, prominent
  13. Essential–absolutely necessary, indispensable 
  14. Extensive–comprehensive, thorough
  15. Exceptional–excellent, superior
  16. Exigent–urgent, pressing 
  17. Far-reaching–extending far in influence
  18. Foremost–first in rank
  19. Front-page–of major importance, headline news
  20. Great–considerable in degree, power, or intensity
  21. High-priority–crucial
  22. Historic–well-known in history
  23. Imperative–unavoidable, absolutely necessary
  24. Influential–prominent, having great influence
  25. Key–essential, central
  26. Large–extensive, broad, on a great scale
  27. Life-and-death–very high stakes, possibly ending in death 
  28. Major–great in size or extent
  29. Meaningful–full of significance or purpose
  30. Momentous–meaningful, fateful, of great consequence
  31. Necessary–essential, indispensable 
  32. Notable–worthy of notice
  33. Of note–well known
  34. Of substance–substantial, solid character
  35. Paramount–superior in power, preeminent
  36. Pivotal–central, vital
  37. Pressing–urgent, demanding immediate attention
  38. Primary–chief, first in rank of importance
  39. Principal–foremost, highest in value
  40. Prominent–leading, well known
  41. Relevant–pertinent, applicable
  42. Serious–weighty, requiring thought
  43. Significant–deserving of attention, of consequence  
  44. Standout–superior to others
  45. Superior–higher in station, rank, or degree
  46. Useful–of practical use, serving a purpose
  47. Urgent–requiring immediate attention
  48. Valid–effective, authoritative
  49. Vital–indispensable, necessary to life
  50. Weighty–exerting influence or power

The post 50 Synonyms for Important appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
How Many Sentences Should Be in a Paragraph of Writing? https://writershivemedia.com/how-many-sentences-in-a-paragraph-of-writing/ Thu, 15 Dec 2022 09:00:32 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=51128 Paragraphs function as visual cues for your reader. They’re a way for you to signal that you are switching topics, or introducing a new idea. When writing dialogue, whether fiction or nonfiction, they signal a change of speaker. While you are writing, you can think of paragraph division as a tool to help readers follow your logic and train of thought.

The post How Many Sentences Should Be in a Paragraph of Writing? appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
For many of us, when determining how many sentences we should include in a paragraph of writing, we think back to our grade school days when our English teachers delivered instructions for writing academic papers. If this is you, you likely recall that your teacher’s guideline was somewhere around 4-6 sentences. But today, the English language, the mediums we use to read, and our attention span for written words have all evolved. As a result, most readers now favor shorter paragraphs. Depending on your purpose for writing, your publication medium, and audience, your paragraph length may vary. Let’s break down some examples.

A Paragraph: the Simple Definition

The dictionary definition of a paragraph is:

A short part of a text that begins on a new line. It consists of one or more sentences dealing with a single idea.



As you can see, this definition doesn’t contain a rule about how many sentences a paragraph must be; in fact, it instead establishes that just one sentence can, technically, be a paragraph. So determining how many sentences should be in a paragraph of your writing has more to do with conveying intent and purpose than it has to do with meeting a quota.

What is the Purpose of a Paragraph?

Paragraphs function as visual cues for your reader. They’re a way for you to signal that you are switching topics, or introducing a new idea. When writing dialogue, whether fiction or nonfiction, they signal a change of speaker. While you are writing, you can think of paragraph division as a tool to help readers follow your logic and train of thought.

Length of Paragraphs for Internet Documents

Staring down a hulking wall of text on a screen is intimidating. So when writing paragraphs for online reading, such as email, blogs and ebooks, it is wise to create paragraphs that are short and sweet. Today, it is quite common (and acceptable) for internet articles, emails, and blogs to contain paragraphs that are only 1-2 sentences long.

Think about reading an article on your phone. With your small screen, 6 sentences would take a whole lot of scrolling to get through, right? Much of the reading and writing we do today is virtual, so this is why the “4-6 sentences in a paragraph” rule is one that you may find a reason to stray from. 



Length of Paragraphs for Written Documents

Paragraphs in printed writing vary in length depending on the medium. Academic papers tend to stick to the 4-6 sentence rule. A good guideline here, when revising your academic writing, is to look at how your paper prints out and revise any full-page blocks of writing. 

Once a paragraph reaches a full page, it tends to be a struggle for your reader. Look for transitions and changes of thought, or the introduction of a new idea, to identify a natural paragraph break.

Magazines and newspapers, while both nonfiction printed media sources, tend to differ in paragraph length, with newspapers typically publishing 1-3 sentences in each paragraph. The reason is because people tend to scan newspapers for highlights and take more time to read and digest magazine articles. 

Tips to Remember for Number of Sentences in a Paragraph

Technically, just one sentence can be a complete paragraph. When in doubt, opt for shorter paragraphs, as this aligns with how most people read today.

The post How Many Sentences Should Be in a Paragraph of Writing? appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
Lay vs. Lie: What’s The Difference? (Grammar Rules) https://writershivemedia.com/lay-lie-laid-lain-grammar-rules/ Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:58:39 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=50778 In a list of confusing English words, lie and lay certainly rank toward the top, and in an unusual way. They’re not exactly homophones, like compliment and complement, which sound the same but have different meanings. And they’re not exactly different spellings of the same word, like grey and gray. They are two different — but similar — verbs with two different meanings. And this is exactly why they tend to confuse the heck out of people. 

The post Lay vs. Lie: What’s The Difference? (Grammar Rules) appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
At the end of yoga class, the instructor will ask you to lie down on your mat for a final resting pose. Or is it lay down?

In a list of confusing English words, lie and lay certainly rank toward the top, and in an unusual way. They’re not exactly homophones, like compliment and complement, which sound the same but have different meanings. And they’re not exactly different spellings of the same word, like grey and gray. They are two different — but similar — verbs with two different meanings. And this is exactly why they tend to confuse the heck out of people. 



Here we’ll break down the different uses of lie and lay in present tense, past tense, and past and present participle.

Lie vs. Lay: The Basics in Present Tense

Lie and lay are present-tense verbs. We’ve already established that they have similar meanings, but not the same meaning. Lie means “to rest or recline” whereas lay means “to put or to place.” 

Present tense lie and lay examples:

I am tired after karate chopping wooden boards all day, so I’m going to lie down on the couch. Please lay my black belt on the table.

When using the verb lie, we’re referring to the subject of the sentence: I lie down/I am lying down. 

When using the verb lay, we’re referring to placing the object of the sentence: I lay the black belt on the table. I am laying the black belt on the table.

Past Tense: Lay vs. Laid

Okay, feeling ready for a twist that is a stumbling block for many? Here it is: The past tense of the verb lie is lay



Yikes, right?

Fortunately the past tense of lay is not out to trick you. The past tense of lay is laid.

Past tense lie and lay examples:

I lay down prone on the table so the artist could tattoo Justin Bieber’s face on my back.

I laid the photo of Justin Bieber on the table so the artist could tattoo it on my back.

Two common errors when using the verb lie in past tense are lied and laid. Sure, these are both words in the English language, they just are not the past tense of the verb to lie when we’re referring to resting or reclining (as opposed to the verb lie that means to tell a fib).

Past tense lie example:

INCORRECT:  I laid down in the grass to daydream about Justin Bieber. 

CORRECT: I lay down in the grass to daydream about Justin Bieber.

Past and Present Participle: Lain and Laid

When we use the helping verb have or had with lie and lay, the verb lie changes again, whereas lay remains the same as its past tense form. With the verb has or had, lie becomes lain. Lay becomes laid

Lie and lay with have/had:

I have lain in bed for hours, lamenting that my box of chocolates is nearly empty.



I had laid the box of chocolates on the bed to eat while binge watching Stranger Things.

Trick to Remembering Lay vs. Lie

The key to remembering the difference in meaning between lie and lay is that when using the word lay, we are always referring to putting or placing an object or thing. When you use the word lie, you can’t lie an object.  

Lie means recline.

Lay means to place. 

When you say these words out loud, their similar vowel sounds create a mnemonic to help you remember which is which.

The post Lay vs. Lie: What’s The Difference? (Grammar Rules) appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
Which vs. That: When to Use Each (Grammar Rules) https://writershivemedia.com/which-that-grammar-rules/ Thu, 03 Nov 2022 10:49:18 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=50870 The two types of clauses that are relevant in the discussion of which vs. that are defining clauses and non-defining clauses. That’s because these are the fancy grammar terms that relate to the primary rule above. If the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence, it’s a defining clause. If the clause is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, it’s a non-defining clause.   

The post Which vs. That: When to Use Each (Grammar Rules) appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
When you’re deciding whether to use which or that in a sentence, you only need to remember one primary rule. Isn’t that great news for the grammar world? So let’s not beat around the which vs. that bush here; let’s get right to it.



The Primary Rule for Which vs. That

When determining whether to use which or that, it depends on the clause that connects the word with the rest of the sentence. A clause is a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex or compound sentence.

If the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence, use that. If the clause is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, use which.

Pretty straightforward, right? Let’s break it down a little further and take a look at some examples.

Defining and Non-defining Clauses

The word clause is a grammar term that refers to a group of words with a subject and verb that make up part of a sentence. Every sentence has at least one clause in it. 

The two types of clauses that are relevant in the discussion of which vs. that are defining clauses and non-defining clauses. That’s because these are the fancy grammar terms that relate to the primary rule above. If the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence, it’s a defining clause. If the clause is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, it’s a non-defining clause.   

If it’s a defining clause, use that.



If it’s a non-defining clause, use which.

A defining clause is sometimes also called an essential clause. This is because a defining clause gives information that is essential to the reader’s understanding of the sentence. If you removed the defining clause from the sentence, the reader’s understanding of the information would not be the same.

A non-defining clause may also be called a nonessential clause because, you guessed it: You could remove a non-defining clause from a sentence and the main idea of the sentence wouldn’t suffer.

Examples of Which vs. That

Correct: The lunchbox that is filled with stinky cheese is going to make for a nasty surprise when Freda opens it later.

Incorrect: The lunchbox, which is filled with stinky cheese, is going to make for a nasty surprise when Freda opens it later.

Above we can see the word that is a better choice because this phrase is crucial to the reader’s understanding of the sentence. Without knowing that the lunchbox is filled with stinky cheese, we don’t know why it will make for a nasty surprise. 

Correct: The sandwich, which was smothered with pickles and grape jelly, was delicious. 

Incorrect: The sandwich that was smothered with pickles and grape jelly was delicious. 

In this case, the main idea of the sentence is that the sandwich was delicious. We don’t need to know the details about the pickles and grape jelly for the sentence to make sense. That makes this a non-defining clause, so we use the word which.

Correct: Her locker that’s plastered with photos of Michael B. Jordan is a great example of Tanisha’s devotion as a superfan.



Incorrect: Her locker, which is plastered with photos of Michael B. Jordan, is a great example of Tanisha’s devotion as a superfan.

Our knowledge of the photos inside Tanisha’s locker is important to the main point of the sentence, so we use the word that.

Trick to Remembering Which vs. That

Typically, a non-defining clause is set off with commas, dashes, or parenthesis. So if you need to use this punctuation, you probably need to use the word which. If you need a chunk of a sentence for the main idea to be conveyed, use that.

The post Which vs. That: When to Use Each (Grammar Rules) appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
Is It Peeked, Peaked, or Piqued My Interest? https://writershivemedia.com/peeked-peaked-or-piqued/ Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:00:03 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=51146 Because you probably use peek, peak, and pique considerably less frequently than these other very commonly used homophones I have listed here, you may find yourself scratching your head each time the occasion rises to write one. So let’s break down each word below, and go over some tips and tricks you can use to remember whether the correct phrase is peeked, peaked, or piqued my interest.

The post Is It Peeked, Peaked, or Piqued My Interest? appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
Peek, peak, and pique are homophones, meaning that they sound exactly alike while they have different meanings and uses. English is brimming with homophones, some of the most commonly used ones being to, too, and two; and there, their, and they’re

Because you probably use peek, peak, and pique considerably less frequently than these other very commonly used homophones I have listed here, you may find yourself scratching your head each time the occasion rises to write one. So let’s break down each word below, and go over some tips and tricks you can use to remember whether the correct phrase is peeked, peaked, or piqued my interest.



Peek: Meaning and Use

The word peek is a noun that means “a quick glance.” It can also be used as a verb to mean “to look quickly.” 

Commonly used phrases with the word peek are:

  • Sneak peek
  • Take a peek 
  • Peek-a-boo

Examples of Peek in a Sentence:

As a noun – A peek into the man’s closet revealed his extensive collection of Nike sneakers.

As a verb – The actor peeked outside the curtain to get a glimpse of the theater filled with people.

To answer our primary question: It is not correct to write “peeked my interest.”

Peak: Meaning and Use

The word peak is a noun that means the maximum point or degree of something. Peak can also be used as a verb to describe reaching this maximum height or point.

Commonly used phrases with the word peak are:

  • Peak visiting hours
  • Peak fitness
  • Mountain peak

Examples of Peak in a Sentence:

As a noun – The crew took two days to climb to the peak of Mount Rainier.

As a verb – Some people think that Michael Jackson’s career peaked when he was just a child.



Again, to single out our primary question: It is not correct to write “peaked my interest.”

Pique: Meaning and Use

The word pique is a verb that means to arouse or provoke. A lesser-used form of the word pique is as a noun, when it means a feeling of displeasure or irritation.

The most commonly used phrase with the word pique is:

  • Piqued my interest

Examples of Pique in a Sentence:

Noun – I was piqued when my doorbell rang as I was sitting down to eat dinner.

Verb – The movie review piqued my interest in seeing the new Star Wars film.

So here it is—the answer to our pressing question. It is correct to write “piqued my interest.”



Tricks for Remembering Peek, Peak, and Pique

The word PEEK has the same meaning as the word PEER.

The letter A in the word PEAK forms the shape of a mountain.

When someone PIQUES your interest, you will ask them a QUESTION.

The post Is It Peeked, Peaked, or Piqued My Interest? appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
When Is It Necessary To Use a Comma Before or After But? https://writershivemedia.com/using-a-comma-before-or-after-but/ Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:00:59 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=51139 The primary rule for inserting a comma before the word but is this: Only add a comma before but when you are separating independent clauses. Independent clauses are parts of a sentence that, if you separated them, could function on their own. In other words, if you put a period after each one, they would be complete sentences, not fragments.

The post When Is It Necessary To Use a Comma Before or After But? appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
You just wrote a sentence with the word but in it; now you’re staring at it, wondering whether you need to insert a comma before but, after but, or not at all. Did I just describe your current predicament? If I did, or you want to learn a few tips for the next time you find yourself in this situation with your writing, read on. We’ll break down a few guidelines to help you determine when you need a comma before or after the word but.

The Primary Rule for Inserting a Comma Before But

The primary rule for inserting a comma before the word but is this: Only add a comma before but when you are separating independent clauses. 



Independent clauses are parts of a sentence that, if you separated them, could function on their own. In other words, if you put a period after each one, they would be complete sentences, not fragments.

Examples of Independent Clauses:

I would like to buy a new pair of shoes, but I don’t have any money. | (I would like to buy a new pair of shoes. I don’t have any money.)

Jen drove to the grocery store, but they were out of the cookies that she wanted to purchase. | (Jen drove to the grocery store. They were out of the cookies she wanted to purchase.)

Minh left for work early, but a traffic jam prevented him from arriving on time. | (Minh left for work early. A traffic jam prevented him from arriving on time.)

I have been training my new puppy, but she still whines all night when I am trying to sleep. | (I have been training my new puppy. She still whines all night while I am trying to sleep.)

In each of these sentences above, we can see that the comma separates two independent clauses, phrases that could stand alone as complete sentences if we decided to write them as such. Therefore, it is correct for us to insert a comma before the word but in each one.

This means that when you don’t insert a comma before but, it is because the word but is separating dependent clauses. Dependent clauses are just the opposite of independent clauses. The two sections of the sentence that are separated by the word but would not stand alone as complete sentences. 

Examples of Dependent Clauses:

Punctuation rules are challenging but important all the same.

The team played well but lost the game.

Being a parent is challenging but rewarding.

Jade went to the concert but didn’t have a backstage pass.

In these sentences, the second half of the sentence, before the word but, is dependent on the first half to give it context. If we were to separate the two parts of the sentence before and after but, they would be fragments.



The Primary Rule for Inserting a Comma After But

The primary rule for inserting a comma after the word but is if you are using the word but to create an interruption of the main idea of your sentence. Generally speaking, you are probably not going to use this in your writing that frequently.

Examples of a Comma After the Word But to Show an Interruption: 

You should always arrive 15 minutes early for a job interview, but, of course, sometimes your interviewer will be running late.

The trunk is full, but, yes indeed, we can rearrange it to fit your suitcase in there.

I’m planning to go to France, but, on the other hand, I might vacation in Italy instead.

I accidentally slept through my alarm, but, well, you know how it is when you stay up way too late watching TV.



Tricks to Remember Whether to Use a Comma Before or After But

Only use a comma before but if you are separating two independent clauses.

Only use a comma after but if you are creating an interruption.

The post When Is It Necessary To Use a Comma Before or After But? appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
Into vs. In To https://writershivemedia.com/into-vs-in-to/ Mon, 17 Oct 2022 09:00:16 +0000 https://writershivemedia.com/?p=51125 When we use the word into, we are describing one thing that is going inside another thing. So when you are deciding whether to use into or in to, think about whether you are describing the movement of placing an object inside another object. If so, what you want to use is the word into.

The post Into vs. In To appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>
Say this word aloud: into.

Now say these two words aloud: in to.

They sound exactly the same when you say them, right? Yet the one-word into and the two-word phrase in to have different meanings and usages in the English language. Let’s break them down together.

Into

The word into is a preposition that is used to describe where something is going. 

A preposition is a part of speech that describes where an object is in relation to something else. Examples of other prepositions are below, inside, through, and under.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

When we use the word into, we are describing one thing that is going inside another thing. So when you are deciding whether to use into or in to, think about whether you are describing the movement of placing an object inside another object. If so, what you want to use is the word into.

Examples of Into

Dorothy slipped her feet into the ruby slippers.

The pirate slowly lowered the treasure chest into a deep pit in the sand.

The girl jumped into the pool to cool off.

Sir Lancelot plunged his sword into the dragon’s heart.

An Exception with Into

OK, we have established that when we use the preposition into, it is because we are describing one thing going inside another thing, or something ending up within something else. An exception to this is when we are describing a transformation, whether it is physical or abstract. 

Examples of this are:

The green caterpillar transformed into a yellow-and-black butterfly.

The hot oven quickly changed the cookie dough into pillowy golden treats.

When I added a cup of vinegar to the pile of baking soda, it turned into a spewing volcano.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

In To

By itself, the word in can be used as an adverb, preposition, adjective, or noun. (That’s a versatile word right there!)

The word to by itself can be used as a preposition, adverb or part of an infinitive verb phrase, such as to jump

When these words end up next to each other, they are used as part of a verb phrase — they are still two separate words. Generally speaking, you can replace the words in to with the phrase in order to and the sentence will still make sense.

Examples of In To

I just dropped in to say “hello.”

Mom likes to tune in to CBS news on Sunday mornings.

Please adjust your monitor arm and log in to your computer.

An Added Cue for In To: Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb that is made up of two words. An important thing to note is that when the word to comes after a phrasal verb ending with in, we keep in to as two separate words. You can think of phrasal verbs as word pairs, and you wouldn’t want to break them up by changing in to into. So what we do instead is keep the word pair together and add the word to.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Some examples of phrasal verbs ending with in are:

  • Move in
  • Give in
  • Break in
  • Fill in
  • Log in
  • Join in
  • Hang in

Tip To Remember for Into vs. In To

If you are describing an object moving into another place or object, or something that is transforming, use the preposition into. Otherwise, use the two words in to.

The post Into vs. In To appeared first on Writer's Hive Media.

]]>