Metonymy and synecdoche are two related figures of speech in which one thing is meant to represent another. Metonymy is when we talk about something by referring to something related to it — for example, when we say “the White House” to mean “the president and their administration/staff.” Synecdoche is a type of metonymy that … Read more
These three words — insure, ensure, and assure — look and sound close but have different meanings. They are often misused interchangeably. But don’t fear! I assure you, this article will set you straight, ensuring you don’t mix them up ever again. In a nutshell, “insure” means to protect against financial loss, “ensure” means to … Read more
Transition words are like bridges between ideas—they help the reader travel from one idea to another. Additionally, sometimes we use transition phrases, made up of multiple words. You may remember some transition words or phrases from your grade school days: “For example,” “furthermore,” and “in conclusion” being some of the most common. These phrases can … Read more
Let’s get this out of the way from the start: I (John) hate the term “SEO Content.” But, because it’s become common language in the content and digital marketing world, I’ve leaned into using it here to avoid wasting time swimming against the tide, which is exhausting and counter-productive with things like personal preference. I’ve … Read more
There’s a key difference between “compliment” and “complement.” While these two words are often misunderstood and used incorrectly by writers, having a firm grasp of their differences is essential to mastering the nuances of the English language and producing great content. If you don’t want to make the rookie mistake of using “compliment” when you … Read more
Writers and editors always need to be on top of the correct usage of similar words. Failure to understand the correct usage can mean compromising the meaning of a sentence, or even potentially an entire piece. One common pair of words that causes confusion is practise vs practice. Today, we’ll break down the differences between … Read more
“Then” and “than” – these two little words can cause big headaches for even the most seasoned writers. They sound alike, and you may think they’re interchangeable. They are not! “Then” explains a relationship to time, while “than” is used for making comparisons. They are among some of the most commonly confused words. But don’t … Read more
“They’re,” “their,” and “there” — these three homophones (words that sound alike but have different spellings and meanings) trip up lots of people. They’re among some of the most commonly confused words! Though they look similar and sound the same, they are not interchangeable. “There” is about place, “their” is about possession or belonging, and … Read more
When creating content online, you’re probably not just doing it to “make something” out of some high-held ideal of creativity; you’re writing it to be found. But if you don’t optimize your content—your blog posts—for SEO, you’re not going to get nearly as many views. There are many ways to get content found, of course, … Read more
Ah, the English language – what a delightful labyrinth of quirks and inconsistencies, huh? Today, we delve into the depths of two sneaky homophones: faze and phase. They sound the same but have quite different meanings. Don’t get fazed by their trickery! Faze vs. Phase: Definitions Faze: This is a verb. It describes something that … Read more
It’s easy to confuse lose and loose. They are similar looking, with only a minor difference in their pronunciations. This article breaks down their major differences. Lose, which is pronounced “looz,” with a Z sound, is a verb that is all about letting go, missing out, or suffering defeat. Think of it as something slipping … Read more
In academic writing, there are two major style guides: APA and MLA, each with its own citation style. They both have the goal of ensuring clarity and consistency in scholarly works, but they have distinct rules and formats. Let’s take a look. APA and MLA: The Major Distinctions On the whole, APA and MLA are … Read more
Picture yourself at a crossroads in conversation, where the paths of will vs would diverge. Choosing one over the other might seem trivial, but using one or the other can take your message in different directions. You’ll navigate these powerful verbs like a pro after reading this article. We’re talking about nailing future promises with … Read more
In everyday English, it’s easy to confuse “breath” and “breathe,” but the difference is straightforward. “Breath” is a noun that refers to the air taken in or expelled from the lungs. “Breathe,” on the other hand, is a verb meaning to inhale or exhale air. For more on nouns and verbs, check out this article … Read more
Pronouns Substitute for Nouns Simply put, pronouns substitute for nouns. (For more on the parts of speech, check out this article.) Nouns are people, places, things, and ideas. Some nouns are: apple, car, Becky, mountain, kitchen, time, happiness. Pronouns include he, she, it, they, who, and more. Pronouns are used to refer to people and … Read more
Colons (:) and semicolons (;) are easily confused. While they’re similar, they serve distinct purposes in sentence structure. In this article, I’ll describe the nuances of using colons versus semicolons and provide you with the tools to use them correctly. Colons serve primarily as a signpost for what comes next in a sentence: they introduce … Read more
In the English language, we use pronouns as linguistic shortcuts, streamlining communication by replacing nouns. Among these pronouns, who and that are often confused. In general, who refers to people while that refers to things. Would you like more details? Keep reading. Who — The Human Touch Who is a pronoun that refers to people … Read more
Picture this: You’re reading a text when suddenly you stumble upon a familiar word, but it’s wrapped in quotes. Your eyebrows furrow as you wonder why the writer chose to “highlight” that specific term. Welcome to the intriguing world of “scare quotes.” No, they aren’t about making your reader jump with fright. They play a … Read more
Folks often confuse your and you’re in written English. They are homophones, words that sound alike but have different meanings. (Check out our other articles on homophones like whole/hole and it’s/its.) Your is a possessive pronoun, indicating something belongs to someone, while you’re is a contraction of you are. Let’s delve into these distinctions and … Read more
Illusion and allusion are two words that often cause confusion due to their similar-sounding nature, but they have distinct meanings and applications in the English language. In this article, we will unravel the complexities of illusion and allusion, providing clear examples to illuminate their disparate roles. Illusion — A Deceptive Mirage Illusion refers to something … Read more
It looks like you’re making great use of EditorNinja. Nice work!
You have a few options from here:
Remember, you can always adjust priority on documents if you need specific ones back sooner. Just remember to let your editing team know in Slack.
Thank you!