QuickAndDirtyTips.com

Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers.

Five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing and feed your love of the English language. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author

QuickAndDirtyTips.com

Category

Education

Podcast website

www.quickanddirtytips.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

754 - The Tie Between Ann Landers and 'Could Care Less.' 16.01.2020

Language experts actually have theories about why people say they "could care less" (instead of they "couldn't care less"). We dig deep to find the root of the problem. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http:...

753 - Take Heart! Here's Why You Still Have Time to Write Your First Novel 09.01.2020

In this interview, I talk with Bourne Morris about starting a writing career after you've retired. Bourne had one amazing career running a large advertising agency, a second as a journalism professor, and is now the author of four novels including her newest, "A Woman of Two Minds." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL...

752 - Why Do Asian Languages Have So Many Different Scripts? 02.01.2020

You don’t have to learn a new script when you learn Norwegian, Czech, or Portuguese, let alone French, so why does every East Asian language require you to learn a new script? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad...

751 - Why Are There So Many Spellings for 'Hanukkah'? (Or Is That 'Chanukah'?) 26.12.2019

Hebrew and English don't use the same alphabet, which is why you see so many different spellings for "Hanukkah." The word is transliterated from Hebrew instead of being directly translated from Hebrew. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS...

750 - Pitch Black. Frankincense and Myrrh. 19.12.2019

The sky is so dark in the Northern Hemisphere these days that it feels pitch black by 5:00 PM. Here's why call it "pitch black." Also, we know what gold is, but why did the three wise men give gifts of frankincense and myrrh? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | GRAMMAR GIRL EMA...

749 - How to Identify Your Main Point. It's Harder Than You Think! 16.12.2019

You think you know what you're trying to say, but are you making it clear? Joel Schwartzberg, author of "Get to the Point" has some great tips for, well, getting to the point. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad...

748 - Your Language Affects Your Perception of Time. 'Star Wars' Languages. 12.12.2019

Do you think of the future as being in front of you or behind you? It might depend on what language you speak. Also, we explore the many languages of 'Star Wars.' LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Waterpik: https://waterpik.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | Teach for America: https...

747 - You Don't Have to Get Up on Stage for Improv to Boost Your Creativity 09.12.2019

Are you looking for a way to jumpstart your creativity and writing? You may be surprised to find out how much techniques from improv can help! You'll love this interview with Jorjeana Marie, the author of "Improv for Writers." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Bombas: https:/...

746 - How to Make Family Names Plural. How Come We Ask 'How Come?' 05.12.2019

Making last names plural? Addressing more than one sister-in-law? More than one Mister? We show you how to address them properly. Also, we investigate why we sometimes ask "How come?" instead of "Why?" LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | Teach for America: https://TeachForAmeri...

745 - 'More Than' Versus 'Over.' Is a Hamburger a Sandwich? 02.12.2019

The AP Stylebook changed its stance on using "over" to mean "more than." Plenty of people were shocked, but they shouldn't have been. And then we debate the linguistics of whether a hamburger is a sandwich. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Waterpik: https://waterpik.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/gram...

744 - Cold Turkey, Talk Turkey, and More. The Weird Origin of the Cornucopia. 28.11.2019

Have you ever wondered what cold turkey has to do with quitting a habit? We have the answer to that and we look at other turkey idioms. And continuing the Thanksgiving theme, we also explore the weird origin of the cornucopia. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Teach for America: https://teachforamerica.org/grammargirl | Hallmark:...

743 - How to Get Your Characters Right (Especially When They Aren't Like You) 25.11.2019

In this interview, Diana Pho, a two-time Hugo nominated editor with Tor.com Publishing, helped me understand the role of sensitivity readers and how to write a diverse cast of characters without completely screwing it up. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Earnest: https://earnest.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | http...

742 - Famous Quotations. Silent Letters. 21.11.2019

You may think that quotation you love came from Plato or G. K. Chesterton, but are you sure? Also, we look at why it's tricky to to figure out why a letter is silent in certain words. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Ways to get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code:GRAMMAR| Canvas People: Text GRAMMAR to 64-000 | Proactiv: https://proactiv.com...

741 - Behind the Scenes in Publishing. 18.11.2019

If you're interested in publishing a YA novel (or are just interested in how publishing works), this interview with Kat Brzozowski about Swoon Reads and what happens behind the scenes is for you. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Capterra: https://capterra.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytip...

740 - Do You Know When to Use Quotation Marks? Also, How to Create a House Style. 15.11.2019

Do you know when to use quotation marks? How about single quotation marks? Also, you know about the major style guides (AP, Chicago, etc.), but do you also have your own house style guide? Here's why you should! LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar code: GRAMMAR | Native: https://nativedeodoran...

739 - The Problem with Sarcasm. Filthy Lucre. 11.11.2019

People have been trying to create sarcasm punctuation marks for years, but the solution is already in our hands. Plus, have you ever wondered why we call money "filthy lucre"? We did! LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code:GRAMMAR | Bombas: https://bombas.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEW...

738 - Can a Boy Raised by Wolves Learn to Speak Human Language? It Depends. 07.11.2019

The story of Victor of Aveyron, a boy who was raised by wolves and taught us about language. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code:GRAMMAR | Bombas: https://bombas.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized...

737 - Curtis Chen: Using NaNoWriMo to Kickstart Your Novel 04.11.2019

How you can use NaNoWriMo to jumpstart your fiction writing. Plus, more extreme measures to move your writing forward...if you're up for it. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Waterpik: https://waterpik.com/grammar Code: GRAMMAR | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME...

736 - Ghastly Words for Ghosts. Quid pro Quo. 31.10.2019

In honor of Halloween, we look at ghastly words for ghosts. Also, people have been asking how to properly use the phrase "quid pro quo," so we have the answer. (Do you know the plural?) LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Hallmark: https://hallmark.com/grammar Code:GRAMMAR | Knowing: Robin Williams podcast: https://us.macmillan.com...

735 - Dave Itzkoff on Writing a Biography of Robin Williams 28.10.2019

LINKS AND SPONSORS | Ways to get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Capterra: https://capterra.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME | Optimized for iPad: http://bit.ly/iPadGrammarPop | For iPad and iPhone: http://bit.ly/GrammarPopMobile | PEEVE WARS CARD GAME | https://www.thegamecrafter.com/game...

734 - Ghost Words 24.10.2019

In honor of Halloween, we talk about ghost words such as "phantomnation," "gravy," "twill," and more. Words that shouldn't exist. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Bona: https://bona.com/grammar | Masterclass: https://masterclass.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR...

733 - Why People Hate Words Like 'Moist' 21.10.2019

When people have a negative physical reaction to a specific word, it's called word aversion (not misophonia as some people mistakenly presume). "Moist," "pustule," and "panties" are just a few of the words that come up over and over. In this episode, I talk with a psychologist to see what we know about these kinds of feelings. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course...

732 - How to Write a Conclusion. ‘Rebut’ or ‘Refute’? 17.10.2019

Writing a conclusion can be the hardest part of writing an essay. We have help! Also, a listener asked me to explain the difference between "rebut" and "refute." LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Purple: Text GRAMMAR to 84888 | GRAMMAR GIRL EMAIL NEWSLETTER | https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/newsletters | GRAMMAR POP iOS GAME |...

731 - Compound Possession. 'Friday' or 'On Friday'? 14.10.2019

In this show, we answer two listener questions: 1. Should you write about "Bill and Ted's trip" or "Bill's and Ted's trip"? 2. Should you say you'll listen "Tuesday" or "on Tuesday"? LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Passenger List Podcast: https://passengerlist.org | Masterclass: https://masterclass.com/grammar | GRAMMAR GIRL EM...

730 - Turning a Podcast into a Novel: 'The Bright Sessions' to 'The Infinite Noise' 10.10.2019

Lauren Shippen, the creator of one of my new favorite audio dramas, "The Bright Sessions," talks about turning a podcast into a novel and about going from working alone to working on multiple projects and managing whole teams. LINKS AND SPONSORS | Learn how you can get my LinkedIn Learning course free: https://t.co/coQuXJRtrT | Bona: https://bona.com/grammar | Capterra: https://capterra.com/gramma...

Listen to the Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers. podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.