Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips | Mignon Fogarty | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Learn about common grammar mistakes, such as using the wrong affect/effect, they/their, and the serial comma.

Transcript

Female Presenter: Hi everyone. Has anyone ever fumbled with using a semi-colon or question mark? Struggled with whether it was more appropriate to use 'who' or 'whom'? Further or farther? Authors@Google is happy to welcome grammar guru Mignon Fogarty. Mignon is the host of 'Grammar Girl' and founder of Quick and Dirty Tips. 'Grammar Girl' shares ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💡 Proper grammar and punctuation can have a significant impact on how your ideas are perceived and understood.
• 😐 The use of they as a singular pronoun is becoming more common, especially in gender-neutral contexts.
• 👂 The serial comma is a style choice and can be used to avoid confusion or emphasize the items in a list.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between affect and effect?

Affect is usually a verb, meaning to influence or produce a change. Effect is usually a noun, meaning the result or consequence. For example, "The medicine affected his mood" and "The medicine had a positive effect on his mood."

Q: When should I use they instead of he or she?

Using they as a singular pronoun is becoming more accepted, especially when the gender is unknown or non-binary. For example, "Each student should bring their own lunch."

Q: Should I use the serial comma?

The use of the serial comma, which is the comma before the final item in a list, is a style choice. Some style guides, like the Chicago Manual of Style, recommend using it, while others, like the Associated Press Stylebook, advise against it. Follow the style guide you prefer or the one that is appropriate for your context.

Q: Can I use quotation marks for emphasis?

Quotation marks should not be used solely for emphasis. They should be reserved for indicating a direct quotation or highlighting specific words or phrases. Using quotation marks for emphasis can be confusing and distract from your message.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty, shares her tips and tricks for improving writing skills.

• She discusses common grammar mistakes, such as using the wrong affect/effect, they/their, and the serial comma.

• Fogarty emphasizes the importance of proper language skills for professional success, job applications, and even romantic relationships.