A few years ago while copy editing an article, I was shocked to see something like this: “I lecture my sales staff about what I call ‘me syndrome,’” Jones said. What shocked me was the punctuation.

It’s hard to believe the year we have had. Even harder that a punctuation mark could help explain it. But when you consider the history of the interrobang—a largely forgotten symbol that marries both ...

Have you seen all seven before? These strange punctuation marks once served a purpose, and can again!

When writing, sometimes one may use a punctuation mark incorrectly. The incorrect use usually happens when lists or a separation of items are involved. Most writers know how to use a “period,” a ...

A panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and proceeds to fire it. "Why?" asks the confused waiter amidst the pandemonium, as the panda makes towards the exit. The ...

In a previous column, the important role that punctuation marks, notably the comma, full stop and semicolon play in giving meaning, direction and flow to writing was discussed. A missing or carelessly ...

Forget black rhinos and the Amazon rainforest: there’s something arguably just as precious joining the endangered species list, only this time, it’s a grammatical rather than biological extinction ...

In the undergraduate history of English course I am teaching this term, I request/require that the students teach me two new slang words every day before I begin class. I learn some great words this ...