Lauren Smyth

Grammar Minute

Education EN ↓ 279 episodes

Saving the English language 60 seconds at a time.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.laurensmythbooks.com

Author

Lauren Smyth

Episodes

Incomplete Comparisons 17.09.2024 1:01

"Mechanical pencils are just better." Well, yes--but better than what? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Does Your Story Really Need an Ellipsis? 12.09.2024 1:01

The answer is probably no. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Recap: "Affect" vs. "Effect" 10.09.2024 1:01

Your affect will show how effectively you understand the difference between "affect" and "effect." Test your English savvy on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

"Enamored of" or "Enamored With?" 05.09.2024 1:01

Preposition alert! "Enamored" can be used without an object, but the more common usage requires a preposition. The only problem is, which one should you choose? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

How to Get What You Want 03.09.2024 1:01

It's back to school season, and that means it's time to start sending emails. Here are a few quick tips and tricks to make sure your emails are well-received!

You Were Being Chased--By An Alligator! 27.06.2024 1:01

Sentence order matters. Learn why on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Run, Forrest, Run--But Not Too Far! 24.06.2024 1:01

Banish run-on sentences with these tips from today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Way Back Then Was Better Than You Thought 02.05.2024 1:01

Then. Than. Thaen? Learn the difference between these words on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

What Do You Mean, There's No Grammar Minute?! 30.04.2024 1:00

English is weird. Really weird--even weirder than I can explain in almost 100 episodes. Learn how to get your questions answered on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

"She laughed softly" or "she softly laughed?" 25.04.2024 1:01

Weirdly put. Put weirdly? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Why "an hour" but not "a hotel?" 23.04.2024 1:01

It's strange--but easy. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

"Mean You" - Subjective vs. Objective 18.04.2024 1:01

"Mean you" are going to the grocery store. Say it with me: What? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Commas After Adverbs 16.04.2024 1:01

Actually, you might not need that comma. Especially if you're writing conversationally. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview with YA Science Fiction Author Lyndsey Lewellen 15.04.2024 22:01

Where's the best spot to write a book? How do you ask for book blurbs, beta readers, and more? Join me for a conversation with Lyndsey Lewellen, author of the just-released novel The Chaos Grid. Lyndsey Lewellen is a YA science fiction and fantasy author. Her stories are filled with adventure, wonder, and journeys toward redemption. When she’s not writing, reading, or whittling down her endless TB...

Single-Sentence Paragraphs 10.04.2024 1:01

It's official: One-sentence paragraphs are the new sliced bread. (Or is that a case of mixed metaphors?) Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and don't forget to visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks!

SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview with Cathy McCrumb, Science Fiction Author 08.04.2024 21:59

Join me for a conversation with Cathy McCrumb, author of the Children of the Consortium science fiction series! We'll cover everything from what it's like to be a first-time author to picking yourself up after harsh feedback to moving cross-country with your favorite books. Cathy McCrumb graduated from Biola University with a degree in English Literature and a love for stories. She and her husba...

Preposition Endings - When You Don't Need Them 04.04.2024 1:01

Welcome back to another episode of the Grammar Hall of Shame! This unremarkable entry showcases the blandness of short prepositions. For more tips and tricks, visit thegrammarminute.com.

Diaereses: The Best of Diacritical Marks 03.04.2024 1:01

Hats off to this underrated, so-called "archaic" punctuation mark that can make pronunciation a whole lot easier. For more tips and tricks, visit thegrammarminute.com.

The Compelling Case for Admirable Adjectives 28.03.2024 1:01

"Good." "Bad." "Fine." "Very." Learn how to banish these overused words from your lexicon in today's episode of Grammar Minute.

The Infamous "Not Un-" 26.03.2024 1:01

It's not unlikely that you've seen this construction before ... but here's to hoping you never see it again. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.

The Magic of "Iff" 22.03.2024 1:01

I sneeze if I pet cats, but I become joyful iff I pet cats. Learn the difference on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.

The Case for Ungrammatical Emails 21.03.2024 1:00

Toss out your grammar book and your thesaurus when you're writing email subject lines (unless you want to sound like ChatGPT). Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.

You're LITERALLY So Wrong! 14.03.2024 1:01

Learn why you've literally been using "literally" to mean exactly the opposite of what it literally means.

Prepping for the Nuclear Apocalypse 12.03.2024 1:01

After today's episode of Grammar Minute, you'll be able to poetically stare off into the sunset just like the heroes of your favorite dystopian novels.

"Based On" vs. "Based Off" 07.03.2024 1:01

Your tower might be based off a shaky foundation--unless it's on the foundation. Nitpick some popular grammar on today's episode of Grammar Minute.