In favor of avoiding parallel structure debates (misplaced modifiers, ahh!) and a general crusade against passive voice, WordCount is offering a list of common "pet peeves" to satisfy the punctuation junkie in all of you.

Please understand that this list is by no means exhaustive, nor is it original, but it warrants saying from time to time.  Nothing in here is meant to insult you, all rules can be broken, and there are always exceptions.  One should also note that rules about comma usage and "the dash" differ from place to place and country to country, but this list falls back on Oxford's guide to style (because we all need a place to start).



1. Apostrophes are not there to make words look pretty. They do have an actual purpose (namely to indicate contractions or possession);

2. Semicolons connect two related thoughts while simultaneously separating two complete thoughts (or objects in a list);

3. "A lot" and "all right" are not words. They are phrases. If you are using them as words ("alot" and "alright"), you are using them incorrectly.  Even so, "alright" certainly has its uses, mostly related to dialogue, dialect, and slang;

4. Sentimental writing is not the same as good writing, but both have a purpose, can be worthwhile, and should be appreciated in kind;

5. Critiques should be relevant to the writer's skill level. Tearing a text apart because you can, and being rude and insulting because you can, is not appropriate for beginning or struggling writers. Give a person a critique on a level they can both understand and work with. You can be harsh and uncompromising without being cruel, and you can be helpful without being hurtful. This has nothing to do with being "politically correct" or "coddling," but instead deals with being effective as a critic. Much like writing, criticism should be done with style;

6. Words have to be used correctly before someone can take you seriously. Commonly misspelled/misused words include: there, they're, their, its, it's, whose, who's, who, whom, two, to, too, except, accept, than, then, cannot, hear, here, principle, principal, good, well, break, brake, lay, lie, weather, whether, since, sense, your, you're, effect, and affect;

7. Hypothetical tenses (would, etc.) have a very specific purpose, and chances are you are not writing for that purpose. Keep your verb tenses believable and consistent;

8. When trying to sound smart, please use your references correctly. The abbreviation "i.e." means "in other words" and the abbreviation "e.g." means "for example;"

9. Dictionaries represent common usage, not correct grammar (that's why "ain't" is in the dictionary).  It's important to keep that in mind;

10. Irregardless is not a word;

11. Exclamation points are rarely used in formal writing (outside of direct quotations);

12. "Verbing" nouns (or "nouning" verbs) is incredibly annoying (though each has its place if used sparingly);

13. Trite phrases and redundant idioms are often an indication of apathy or laziness;

14. Just because it's in the thesaurus doesn't mean it's a good idea;

15. Incomplete sentences should only be used for dramatic effect. No exceptions;

16. A colon introduces a list, a description, or an incomplete thought related to the complete thought before or after it;

17. Commas are important and should be used correctly. Correct usage does not include using them to connect two complete thoughts (you need a conjunction or a semicolon for that), a complete thought with an incomplete thought (you need a colon or an appropriate revision for that--or sometimes a double dash/em dash), or dropping them randomly throughout sentences for fun;

18. One - is called a hyphen. Two -- are called a dash (em dash or long dash when properly formatted). This "double dash" is used to connect phrases (hyphens are used to connect words). Much like a hyphen, the dash does not have a space on either side of it (although some people have been taught that way and it is acceptable under certain circumstances);

19. Correct spelling is important (please use spell check before posting anything in public); and,

20. Organization is vital.