Usage

In today’s News Roundup, some tips for using the internet to find work, plus lessons in journalese, irregular verbs, and more.

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Not having an online presence can prevent freelancers from getting offers. Learn some simple ways to create an online presence in “How to Find Freelance Editing Work.” (Catch the Sun)

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In today’s News Roundup, we learn about the rules of editing, what grammar really is, and more lessons copyeditors can use right now. Plus our friend, Silent E.

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“Rules of the Game”: John McIntyre helpfully categorizes the different types of rules copyeditors follow. Understanding the categories helps you apply the rules expertly. (You Don’t Say)

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Today’s News Roundup looks at several usage questions, plus an amusing use of literally.

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Copyeditors work to make text more concise, but sometimes that can work against a precise reading. Case in point: “Most Awarded.” (Arrant Pedantry)

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I love reader questions. They send me into a flurry of research, challenging any assumptions the reader or I might have. Sometimes the assumption is right, but more often it’s not. As a result, the reader and I learn something. And when I get to share the question with all of our readers, we all learn something.

James Deaton of Brethren Press sent me into such a flurry last week with this question:

Do you need to take an editing test? How are words defined in a dictionary? Can you start a sentence with and? These questions and more are answered in today’s News Roundup.

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Do you need to take an editing test for a new client or job? What else can you do to demonstrate your skills? Rich Adin discusses both in “The Business of Editing: Editing Tests.” (An American Editor)

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It’s Monday, copyeditors, as today’s News Roundup makes clear. Grammar Girl weighs in on the spelling debate, The Chicago Reader argues the need for copyeditors in journalism, and we’ve found some language lessons to get this week started. Let’s go!

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Mignon Fogarty talks common sense about the recent spelling debate in “Should We Abandon Standard Spelling?” (Grammar Girl)

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In today’s News Roundup: using however correctly, avoiding jargon abuse, and more language advice.

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Jonathon Owen offers a quick primer on using—and punctuating—however correctly in “However.” (Arrant Pedantry)

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This News Roundup tackles all kinds of hot buttons for copyeditors: spelling, Microsoft word, political terms, and sentence-ending prepositions. Are you ready?

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English spelling is frightening, it’s true. But should we do away with it? Anne Trubech submits her argument in “Proper Spelling? Its Tyme to Let Luce!” (Wired)

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Today’s News Roundup makes the point that language does not regulate thought. Plus, a look at nauseous, rend, and more.

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Just because a language lacks a word doesn’t mean it lacks a concept. Read more in “No Words for Individual Rights.” (Johnson)

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Today’s News Roundup faces off against the Facts/Truth Dichotomy and governments that legislate language. Plus we look at business advice for freelancers, a checklist for all copyeditors, and some Friday fun.

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Irregardless a word? Kory Stamper explains the Facts/Truth Dichotomy in “Facts and Truth, Irregardless.” (Harmless Drudgery)

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