One of my readers has asked about the difference between enquire and inquire as well as enquiry and inquiry. The answer: no difference exists. “Enquire” and “enquiry” are both variants of “inquire.” In general, “inquire” is the more commonly accepted and used word. It’s only the neighbors across the pond who take exception with the generality.
Write Right
Thank You for Believing in Me
This post probably is more suited for Thanksgiving, but it wasn’t ready to go then. Thus, I’m keeping the thankful spirit alive this week and, I hope, every week.
I sometimes forget how far I’ve come in the past year. This year has had difficult moments, but last year? Last year was a year of brokenness. The breaking was necessary. I needed to be stripped of certain things, namely a relationship and some clients. It only was through losing those things that I became teachable. I learned what I would and would not accept in a relationship, both personally and professionally. I learned where I did and did not need to change – alas, I probably am more stubborn than I ever was. I also learned what it was that I wanted and was meant to do, and it was to draw and write and to help people become better communicators.
Why I Draw Comics
Jason Konopinski is to blame for this post. Although I have contemplated writing a post about why I draw comics for a few months, I usually set the topic aside in favor of other subjects. I was content with that reality until Jason published his post about why he podcasts. I then had to ask myself, “Do people wonder why I draw comics?” With that thought, I resolved to write about why I draw the Write Right comics.
Write Right: Commas, Adjectives, and Mashed Potatoes
I thought if I were to address a tricky adjective question, I might as well address a tricky comma question, too. The question goes something like this: Is garlic (or chipotle) mashed potatoes the correct phrasing? At first glance, the question seems simple. The phrase “garlic mashed potatoes” sounds correct. Is it, though? I thought so until I read a convincing argument at Joshua Merritt’s blog that pondered if “mashed garlic potatoes” made more sense. Suddenly, I wasn’t quite as sure which phrasing was correct, and I found myself digging through my grammar handbook.
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Why I Write about the Writing Rules
While I do have a penchant for the writing rules, my love for them is not the primary reason why I write about them. I write about them because they are a means to an end. More effective writing and better communications are found in knowing the rules.
Why I Dislike the Term “Grammar Nazi”
I am not a fan of the term “grammar Nazi.” I refuse to use it in reference to myself or others. The term may be meant as a jest, but I’m not sure that it is. It smarts just a little too much. Even if it is a jest, it’s not a flattering one. I know I joke about wielding a red pen, but such jokes are meant in good fun. No one gets hurt when I say I wield a red pen. While I am serious about writing better and encouraging others to write better, I’m equally serious about poking fun at my own obsessive-compulsive behavior when it comes to finding the right word or punctuation mark.