Whether you’re a blogger, a freelance writer or simply have a special appreciation for the written word – grammar is the key to good writing and good composition. However if you’re a bit rusty on this most overlooked skill and wish to brush up on the basics, below we highlight a few sites that are all about practicing good grammar.
grammar cop is here

image via (Flickr)

The sites and blogs below all aim to inform and educate you on best practices when it comes to putting your best foot forward in your blog and article writing.

As a blogger or freelance writer, having a good command of the English language and all its various nuances can only propel your career (or business) forward. With that in mind, below we showcase and discuss four good blogs aimed at grammar geeks.

1. Grammar Girl

This blog is run by Mignon Fogarty who loves grammar so much, she created an entire blog dedicated to the topic. Grammar Girl is her personal mouthpiece where she shares tips and exercises on improving your choice of words, your punctuation, sentence structure and more. Wondering when is the right time to choose the word affect versus effect? She has you covered. How about the right place to use a comma versus a colon? This is discussed in her blog as well. For all you geeks out there, you’re so going to love Ms. Fogarty.

2. The Grammar Gang

This beacon of hope for Grammarian junkies everywhere comes courtesy of Purdue University and some mighty dedicated fans. It seems to be run by a series of volunteer teachers and other educators who have a clear and marked passion for grammar. How fun. Best use of The Grammar Gang is to perform a search for whatever grammar issues ail you or you can browse through the archives that date back to 2008 and see what “word wisdom” nuggets await.

3. Daily Writing Tips

You’ve probably heard of this one, right? It’s run by popular blogger Daniel Scocco and nicely complements his somewhat related Daily Blog Tips site. Not too mention it’s been around for quite some time. As the name suggests, with this one we get daily tips on writing which many times includes great grammar tips. There’s lots of useful and fun information on Daily Writing Tips that runs the gamut from punctuation and spelling to vocabulary and Grammar 101. We especially like the variety on this blog and how lots of different categories are covered as it pertains to the bigger overall topic of writing. A must visit for anyone interested in grammar improvement.

4. The Grammar Vandal

This one is just plain fun. The premise of this site is to highlight grammar indiscretions and after poking some gentle ribbing at it – correct it. The Grammar Vandal is run by a Bostonian female who obviously gets a major kick out of bad spelling, poor word choices and or wacky punctuations. We get a kick out of her blog and hope she updates it again soon, as it has since taken a no update policy from what we can see. Boo. We want more vandal and we want it now.

There you have it. Four good blogs aimed at grammar geeks who can’t get enough of good composition, proper spelling, clever punctuation and most important of all – a smart and well written article.

Calling All Grammar Geeks:
Would you most like to effect change or affect change? Tell me below in the comment section, promise not to correct you. Maybe.

Guest post courtesy: of Missy, who writes for a translation company on the web. Missy loves the written word so much that she writes ad nauseum and loves it when a good opportunity to improve and expand on her skill set comes a knocking.

Recommended after this: Writing Tips at a Glance!

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Missy is a prolific web content provider that relishes the English language and will forever find a way to profess her love for the written word. Like her articles? If so, follow her on Twitter and or Facebook under her online moniker - Super Blogga.

48 Comments

  • Ileane, July 13, 2012 @ 10:53 pm Reply

    Hi Missy, thanks for all the Grammar resources. I am familiar with Grammar Girl because she has a podcast and I listen to her in the car when I am on my way to work. I think it is a great idea to find fun tips to learn how to use the English language correctly. Very helpful for someone who just started blogging too.

    • Abhi, July 14, 2012 @ 10:01 am Reply

      Hello Ileane,

      Thank you for the comments. I don’t think you but many bloggers out there needs to work on their English and Grammar.

      I am working on it from around half year still needs to work a lot.

  • Missy, July 13, 2012 @ 10:58 pm Reply

    Howdy, Ileane:

    Thanks for coming by and being the first one to comment. You rock woman. Lol. Yes! Grammar Girl is a new discovery for me and it’s quite the vestibule of information and tips on good writing.

    I am not an expert on the English language by any means, but am fascinated by words and writing – always have been. So glad I now get to make it my living. Yay!!!!

    Thanks again for commenting and I am definitely going to keep you in mind, if I ever get my butt in gear regarding podcasting.

    I know you are the podcasting queen.

    Cheers!

    • Abhi, July 14, 2012 @ 10:10 am Reply

      Hello Missy,

      The post was really a good resource for those who are willing to improve English and Grammar, like me. 🙂

      Maximum bloggers out there needs to work on their English.

  • Hajra, July 13, 2012 @ 11:41 pm Reply

    Hi Missy,

    Love your recommendation. I have been to some of these blogs; though I haven’t found time to be regular.

    One of my favorites is Write Right by Erin. I discovered it recently and though it isn’t only on grammar; it does help you learn more about the language!

    • Abhi, July 14, 2012 @ 10:11 am Reply

      Hi Hajra,

      Nice to see you here. And thank you for adding one more resource to this article. 🙂

  • Missy, July 14, 2012 @ 1:15 am Reply

    Thanks for the feedback, Hajra. I’ve not heard of the Write Right by Erin blog, but sounds like a fun site. Will pay her a visit.

    Thanks for coming by, do have a great day.

  • Shalu Sharma, July 14, 2012 @ 3:24 am Reply

    Good tips, I also feel that grammar is important or else readers will see though the poor quality of the posts. Just polish it up, its not that hard. Thanks for these resources, I will be checking them out.

    • Holly Jahangiri, July 14, 2012 @ 8:03 pm Reply

      While it’s true that good grammar and spelling can make a bad post look good, it will still be a let-down to the reader.

      But there’s a riskier chance, Shalu, that readers will THINK the post is poor quality based on their initial impressions of the grammar and spelling, and they will not work hard enough to read it. Bad grammar and spelling can bury an otherwise good post.

    • Missy, July 16, 2012 @ 1:29 am Reply

      Completely agree with you, Shalu. Good grammar although not easy is very doable. If one would just take the time to make sure their ducks are in a row, they’ll be good to go.

      Do come visit (Abhi) again. Thanks.

  • Nimsrules, July 14, 2012 @ 11:41 am Reply

    Outstanding resources in order to improve your grammar. It doesn’t matter if the boundaries of your vocabulary are confined but it’s irritating to read bad grammar.

    • Missy, July 15, 2012 @ 11:38 pm Reply

      Hi, Nimsrules:

      Glad you like my top picks for good grammar blogs. Thanks for stopping by.

      Cheers!

  • Neeraj Rawat, July 14, 2012 @ 3:21 pm Reply

    Well said, vocabulary is not limited but a language rules atleast of English as I know are limited if not small. So its better to learn or revise before starting the blogging career.

    • Missy, July 15, 2012 @ 11:40 pm Reply

      Hey, Neeraj:

      Vocabulary is also part of grammar and what fun it can be. Do take a look at the blogs above for a good primer and some fun tidbits.

      Thanks!

      • Neeraj Rawat, July 16, 2012 @ 1:40 pm Reply

        I think the former database increases with time and cant be done atonce, however the latter should be learnt asap.

    • Abhi, July 16, 2012 @ 10:24 am Reply

      Hello Neeraj,

      It’s good to see you back on my blog. I was missing your comments on my blog and also on my CONTEST ENTRY.

      Where were you, man?

      Did you see the giveaway? The link to contest entry is below, hope to get some support from you. 🙂

      • Neeraj Rawat, July 16, 2012 @ 10:30 pm Reply

        I never left your blog, the thing is I dint find any post of my interest to comment on.

        Yes, I did see the premium giveaway and will try to support as much as I can, btw when the winners will be announced.

        • Abhi, July 17, 2012 @ 1:00 pm Reply

          The giveaway ends in 9 days and the BE contest ends on 30th.

          You never visited my contest entry, did you?

          I would be glad if you visit and join the conversation: http://www.blogengage.com/blogger/how-did-i-win-my-first-3-blogging-contest-back-to-back/

          • Neeraj Rawat, July 18, 2012 @ 1:15 am

            I will join you there soon as if now time to sleep and yeah I did see the giveaway but its not of my interest.

            I am also running a giveaway on EG, you can also take part if the software is of your interest, I really like it.

            I missed your entry as I got confused with it. Most of your entries, I guess have similarity in the title like back to back win, how you won so sometimes I couldnt figure out , what actually was happening.

  • Mariella Lombardi, July 14, 2012 @ 5:16 pm Reply

    Hi Missy,
    it’s nice to see someone that actually cares about Grammar. I have to say that sometimes I am a Grammar freak and I get upset if I see bloggers that don’t care about their spelling or grammatical mistakes.

    • Missy, July 16, 2012 @ 1:23 am Reply

      Hi, Mariella:

      I’m with you on this issue as well. It takes an extra minute or two to check your spelling – but it is worth it.

      Thanks for dropping by.

  • Holly Jahangiri, July 14, 2012 @ 7:52 pm Reply

    Hi, Missy!

    Some days, I’d like to effect change – but only when change is needed. Other days, I’d like to affect change – for example, altering the proposed changes so that they make more sense and don’t end up causing everyone to chase their tails in mindless activities that feel like change, but only bring them full circle to whatever the situation was before the last change was effected.

    Although this blog is not necessarily aimed at grammar geeks, one of the best posts I’ve run across on grammar was this: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html

    I love the blogs you’ve included here, and I often refer people (hi, Abhi!) to Perdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL). Sometimes, the grammar geekdom is too much for beginning to intermediate students – the humor is lost and the confusion only deepens! (Alot. :))

    • Missy, July 16, 2012 @ 1:25 am Reply

      Hi, Holly:

      Another great resource there for us grammar geeks, thanks for linking to it and letting us know about it.

      Appreciate it. Cheers!

    • Mitch Mitchell, August 19, 2012 @ 7:27 pm Reply

      I love Hyperbole & a Half, but there hasn’t been any new content in a long time.

  • Jane Porterfield, July 16, 2012 @ 1:11 am Reply

    Hey, gang! Bravo to Abhi & Missy for these great resources. While I would never claim to be perfect myself, I find it very distracting to read a blog post that is full of grammatical errors. Then again, I also tear the local newspaper apart (in my mind… lol).

    Jane

    http://janeporterfield.com/2012/03/spelling-and-grammar.html

    • Abhi, July 16, 2012 @ 10:08 am Reply

      Hello Jane,

      It’s a great pleasure to see you here on my blog.

      No one should say perfect to anyone or him/herself.

      I hope you don’t find such errors in my post. LOL!

      Thank you for adding one more resource. 😀 I have read this of your post already and I am gonna bookmark it and I will share it to many bloggers out there.

      It would be great if you can drop your valuable thoughts over my contest entry. You will find the link in the article below:

    • Missy, July 18, 2012 @ 1:19 am Reply

      Hi, Jane:

      I love that you came by and do take a moment to visit the blogs above. They’re downright informative and dare I say – fun too. Lol.

      Thanks!

  • Jane @ aweber review, July 16, 2012 @ 12:50 pm Reply

    Hey Missy, Thanks so much for the wonderful recommendations. I read Daily Writing Tips, regularly. Need to visit the other ones 🙂 Thanks again!

    • Missy, July 18, 2012 @ 1:21 am Reply

      Hey, Jane:

      You’re very welcome. Hope they’re useful to you.

      Cheers!

  • sanjib saha, July 17, 2012 @ 11:58 pm Reply

    Hi,

    What a post. I love this as I am a grammar geek. I will browse through all of them. I have been obsessed with grammar since my childhood. I just love it. 🙂

    sanjib saha

    • Missy, July 18, 2012 @ 1:23 am Reply

      Hi, Sanjib:

      As a grammar geek, you’re the one I was targeting with this article. Glad you found it and if it has been helpful, do share it on Twitter and Facebook.

      Thanks for commenting.

  • Bhushan, July 20, 2012 @ 11:01 am Reply

    Hi Missy,
    Yet another Excellent chunk of information.

    Wow, you hit all the right notes on this blog post! It’s all there.As similarly again i’ll take your side. In such looking good creative. I love your blog. Great insights, content and inspiration.

    Thank you very-much for the “Very Very Valuable Information”.I’ll check them out at relaxed weekend.

    • Missy, August 11, 2012 @ 11:22 pm Reply

      Hi, Bhushan:

      Glad you enjoyed my article found it valuable.

      Thanks.

  • Matthew @ Fashion Jewelry Care, July 21, 2012 @ 11:52 am Reply

    Thank you for sharing useful blogs. These blogs are very useful for professional bloggers to give a better perspective on writing.

    • Missy, August 11, 2012 @ 11:36 pm Reply

      @Matthew:

      Yes! Please do visit them, they’re lots of fun. For geeks anyway.

  • Mohideen, July 21, 2012 @ 10:11 pm Reply

    Thanks for the list Abhi which is more useful to correct our grammar

    • Missy, August 11, 2012 @ 11:41 pm Reply

      Sure thing, Mohideen.

      Thanks for commenting, appreciate it.

  • Theresa Torres, July 22, 2012 @ 8:14 am Reply

    Hi Abhi and Missy,
    I’m excited to check out these 4 Grammar resources! Learning is so much easier if it’s also fun.

    I still have a LOT to learn about grammar. I’ve been using English for years but I still commit mistakes in my choice of words.

    Thanks for highlighting these wonderful blogs!

    • Abhi, August 19, 2012 @ 11:00 pm Reply

      Same happens with me, Theresa! I am working on my English from a long but I know there is a lot to improve.

      Thank you for visiting the blog, I hope to see you here more often.

  • sai krishna, July 28, 2012 @ 10:03 pm Reply

    Daily Writing Tips is by my favorite writer daniel, he rocks. He explain very useful writing tips regularly on his blog, Its must read. Thanks for the sharing some more interesting sites mate:)

  • Weteca, July 30, 2012 @ 4:54 am Reply

    Hi Missy Thanks so much for the wonderful recommendations. I read Daily Writing Tips, regularly.

  • Missy, August 11, 2012 @ 11:44 pm Reply

    @Theresa @Sai @Weteca

    Thanks guys for the comments and feedback. Love that you guys appreciate my article and the resources mentioned.

    Cheers!

  • Mitch Mitchell, August 19, 2012 @ 7:28 pm Reply

    Good stuff here Missy, and I’m going to check out each of these sites. Thing is, I’m pretty good at grammar, but I do have some Southernisms that are hard to get rid of here and there. But I think that helps make me who I am. 🙂

    • Missy, August 20, 2012 @ 1:47 am Reply

      Hi, Mitch:

      I understand about Southernisms, I have spent the last 5 years in Mississippi and have picked up quite a few myself. Lol.

      And yes, you’re right – it does make you – *uniquely you*.

  • Paul Butler, August 20, 2012 @ 9:16 am Reply

    Hey Missy,

    I am now hot for teacher. great work here!!
    Paul Butler

    • Missy, October 2, 2012 @ 9:10 pm Reply

      Hey, @Paul:

      There’s a song by that name – “hot for teacher”. Lol. Or maybe it’s just a verse in a song, but still.

      Glad you enjoyed the article. Cheers!

  • Susan, October 1, 2012 @ 1:12 am Reply

    Great suggestions here. I’m a high school English teacher and always looking for sites to share with my students. One you didn’t include, but which my students really love is The Snarky Student’s Guide to Grammar.

    http://snarkygrammarguide.blogspot.com/

    • Missy, October 2, 2012 @ 9:12 pm Reply

      Hi, Susan:

      What a wonderful resource. Thank you so much for sharing it. (appreciate the link as well)

      Kindly!

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