Should I use a singular or plural verb with a collective noun?
Collective nouns, like team, family, class, group, and host, take a singular verb when the entity acts together and a plural verb when the individuals… Read More
Posts related to writing tips
What’s the difference between who and whom?
Use the pronoun who to refer to the subject of a verb and the pronoun whom to refer to a verb’s object or to the object of… Read More
How should I refer in my prose to a film or TV show that has an original foreign language title and an international title?
When writing about a work known by more than one title, consider your audience. If you are writing for an audience that will know the… Read More
Is it OK to use characters’ nicknames when discussing a work in MLA style, and if so, how should I style them?
If a character is predominantly referred to by a nickname in a work, then you may use that nickname in your paper. For example, in… Read More
How do I shorten a last name in English composed of more than one element?
Last names in English composed of more than one element are usually shortened to the final element, so a name like Harriet Beecher Stowe would… Read More
Me, Myself, or I? Using Pronouns Ending in -Self
Pronouns ending with -self are often used incorrectly. This post explains how to use them. Read More
Rerouting Readers: The Power of Correlative Conjunctions
Learn how correlative conjunctions add emphasis, direct traffic, and determine meaning Read More
How do I style numbers referring to charts of record sales?
Follow the MLA’s general rule for styling numbers (MLA Handbook, sec. 1.4.1). In discussions where few numbers appear, spell out those that can be written… Read More
How do I style examples of grammar principles?
Examples of grammar principles can be styled in various ways. They can be italicized, enclosed in quotation marks, or set as extracts, to name a… Read More
How do I cite the main idea of a work?
To cite the main idea of a work, key your reference to the first element of your works-cited-list entry. This element—usually the author or title—could… Read More