How to treat code words used in aviation and other fields that rely on radio communications, like the NATO phonetic alphabet? According to Chicago 18 (7.74), it’s not complicated: Initial caps, no italics. So that’s fairly Echo Alfa Sierra Yankee. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
December 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
How to treat code words used in aviation and other fields that rely on radio communications, like the NATO phonetic alphabet? According to Chicago 18 (7.74), it’s not complicated: Initial caps, no italics. So that’s fairly Echo Alfa Sierra Yankee. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Manuscripts sometimes contain instances of i.e. that should be e.g. and vice versa, a confusion common enough that both Chicago 18 (10.48) and Merriam-Webster note it. If you are unsure about which to use, try substituting “that is” for i.e. or “for example” for e.g. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
October 7, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Manuscripts sometimes contain instances of i.e. that should be e.g. and vice versa, a confusion common enough that both Chicago 18 (10.48) and Merriam-Webster note it. If you are unsure about which to use, try substituting “that is” for i.e. or “for example” for e.g. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
In the old days, a title used in apposition before a personal name was considered a descriptive phrase rather than a title: “former president Obama.” As of Chicago 18 (8.22), we are now told to capitalize these formal titles: “former President Obama.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
November 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
In the old days, a title used in apposition before a personal name was considered a descriptive phrase rather than a title: “former president Obama.” As of Chicago 18 (8.22), we are now told to capitalize these formal titles: “former President Obama.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
More on hyphenation. Another reversal in Chicago 18 (7.96): “mid” is now treated as an adjective combining form instead of a prefix, needing hyphenation unless listed as closed in Merriam-Webster. So we have mid-thirties and mid-central (but midair and midafternoon). #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
August 13, 2025 at 7:51 PM
More on hyphenation. Another reversal in Chicago 18 (7.96): “mid” is now treated as an adjective combining form instead of a prefix, needing hyphenation unless listed as closed in Merriam-Webster. So we have mid-thirties and mid-central (but midair and midafternoon). #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
This just in: Writers and editors should no longer use em dashes for any reason. AI has taken them over. We will have to rely on other ways to link ideas within a sentence—I’m sure we’ll figure something out! #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack #AprilFoolsDay #EmDashForever
April 1, 2026 at 4:48 PM
This just in: Writers and editors should no longer use em dashes for any reason. AI has taken them over. We will have to rely on other ways to link ideas within a sentence—I’m sure we’ll figure something out! #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack #AprilFoolsDay #EmDashForever
You probably know that a compound word containing an adverb ending in -ly is not hyphenated. But be careful; this no-hyphen rule doesn’t apply to adjectives (Chicago 18, 7.93). So, for example, you might see a smartly dressed person while taking an early-morning walk. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
November 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
You probably know that a compound word containing an adverb ending in -ly is not hyphenated. But be careful; this no-hyphen rule doesn’t apply to adjectives (Chicago 18, 7.93). So, for example, you might see a smartly dressed person while taking an early-morning walk. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
When it comes to the question of capitalization following a colon, Chicago 18 (6.67) has shifted gears. Put this in your memory bank: Initial cap even a single full sentence following that colon henceforth. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
September 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
When it comes to the question of capitalization following a colon, Chicago 18 (6.67) has shifted gears. Put this in your memory bank: Initial cap even a single full sentence following that colon henceforth. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Chicago 18 (8.91) calls for capitalizing the official names of time zones. So, this Sunday, Pacific Daylight Time will begin. Unofficial names are not capitalized. So we could also say: This Sunday, standard time will yield to daylight saving time. Get ready! #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
March 4, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Chicago 18 (8.91) calls for capitalizing the official names of time zones. So, this Sunday, Pacific Daylight Time will begin. Unofficial names are not capitalized. So we could also say: This Sunday, standard time will yield to daylight saving time. Get ready! #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Attention, author-publishers: According to Chicago 18 (14.36), in citations, “self-published” is out and “published by the author” is in. Chicago notes that “author” is more logical than “self” in this context, and that the platform or distributor is usually omitted. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
June 3, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Attention, author-publishers: According to Chicago 18 (14.36), in citations, “self-published” is out and “published by the author” is in. Chicago notes that “author” is more logical than “self” in this context, and that the platform or distributor is usually omitted. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Even more on hyphenation. In another departure, Chicago 18 (7.96) now hyphenates terms modified by “then” when used in the sense of “former”; for example, “then-president.” If “then” appears before an open compound, use an en dash; for example, “then–vice president.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
August 27, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Even more on hyphenation. In another departure, Chicago 18 (7.96) now hyphenates terms modified by “then” when used in the sense of “former”; for example, “then-president.” If “then” appears before an open compound, use an en dash; for example, “then–vice president.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Compound modifiers, 1/2: Chicago 18 (7.92) has changed some of its hyphenation rules. Certain compound modifiers are now hyphenated both before and after the noun: a task that is all-consuming, a plan that is cost-effective, or a snack that is fat-free. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
July 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Compound modifiers, 1/2: Chicago 18 (7.92) has changed some of its hyphenation rules. Certain compound modifiers are now hyphenated both before and after the noun: a task that is all-consuming, a plan that is cost-effective, or a snack that is fat-free. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Compound modifiers, 2/2: But wait! The rule for adjective compounds containing “half” has changed in the reverse (Chicago 18, 7.96). These compounds should now be hyphenated before the noun but open after the noun: a “half-finished meal” but a “meal half finished.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
July 30, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Compound modifiers, 2/2: But wait! The rule for adjective compounds containing “half” has changed in the reverse (Chicago 18, 7.96). These compounds should now be hyphenated before the noun but open after the noun: a “half-finished meal” but a “meal half finished.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Were you taught that a comma splice should always be corrected? Chicago 18 (6.23) still considers it verboten in formal writing, but now not always so in informal or creative writing. So a comma splice is not strictly a no-no anymore, the sentence might work as is. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
December 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Were you taught that a comma splice should always be corrected? Chicago 18 (6.23) still considers it verboten in formal writing, but now not always so in informal or creative writing. So a comma splice is not strictly a no-no anymore, the sentence might work as is. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Chicago 18 (6.31) has something new to say about appositives, such as in “Bev took her only child, Mira, to school.” Commas can now be safely omitted when the number of kids (or whatever) is unknown or irrelevant, or the tone is casual: “Bev’s kid Mira loves school.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
May 14, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Chicago 18 (6.31) has something new to say about appositives, such as in “Bev took her only child, Mira, to school.” Commas can now be safely omitted when the number of kids (or whatever) is unknown or irrelevant, or the tone is casual: “Bev’s kid Mira loves school.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
To hyphenate or not to hyphenate an adverbial phrase? Chicago 18 (7.96) has simple advice: Check Merriam-Webster. Basically, to tackle adverbial phrases head-on, take them one by one. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
January 21, 2026 at 7:25 PM
To hyphenate or not to hyphenate an adverbial phrase? Chicago 18 (7.96) has simple advice: Check Merriam-Webster. Basically, to tackle adverbial phrases head-on, take them one by one. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
As of Chicago 18 (7.68), instead of getting “straight As” in school, one would get “straight A’s.” Previously, the rule was to forget the apostrophe. But now, to get straight A’s in Chicago style, an apostrophe is required. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
May 6, 2026 at 4:51 PM
As of Chicago 18 (7.68), instead of getting “straight As” in school, one would get “straight A’s.” Previously, the rule was to forget the apostrophe. But now, to get straight A’s in Chicago style, an apostrophe is required. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
When is something a “travesty,” and when is it a “tragedy”? According to Merriam-Webster, a travesty is a “debased, distorted, or grossly inferior imitation.” A tragedy is a generally disastrous or catastrophic event. Of course, some things are both. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
April 29, 2026 at 6:04 PM
When is something a “travesty,” and when is it a “tragedy”? According to Merriam-Webster, a travesty is a “debased, distorted, or grossly inferior imitation.” A tragedy is a generally disastrous or catastrophic event. Of course, some things are both. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Chicago 18 (7.82) notes that a computer keyboard might have a Backspace key, a Return key, an Option key . . . and a space bar. Apparently the initial-capping rule no longer applies to the space bar, maybe because it’s a bar instead of a key? 🤔 #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
February 4, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Chicago 18 (7.82) notes that a computer keyboard might have a Backspace key, a Return key, an Option key . . . and a space bar. Apparently the initial-capping rule no longer applies to the space bar, maybe because it’s a bar instead of a key? 🤔 #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Is something stressful “nerve-racking” or “nerve-wracking”? Per Merriam-Webster, “nerve-racking” was in use about 100 years before “nerve-wracking” appeared, but the latter has become the more common spelling. So there’s no need to rack, or wrack, your nerves over it. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
April 22, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Is something stressful “nerve-racking” or “nerve-wracking”? Per Merriam-Webster, “nerve-racking” was in use about 100 years before “nerve-wracking” appeared, but the latter has become the more common spelling. So there’s no need to rack, or wrack, your nerves over it. #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Emojis, 1/2: Chicago 18 (6.137) is keeping up with modern writing, with new guidance on emojis. Basically, treat an emoji like a word, with a space before and after, except when followed by punctuation. However, there should be no spaces between consecutive emojis. 👍🙌 #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
October 8, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Emojis, 1/2: Chicago 18 (6.137) is keeping up with modern writing, with new guidance on emojis. Basically, treat an emoji like a word, with a space before and after, except when followed by punctuation. However, there should be no spaces between consecutive emojis. 👍🙌 #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
How to credit an AI image? According to Chicago 18 (3.38), you must both name the AI model and give the user’s prompt, for example: “Image generated by DALL-E 2, April 7, 2023, from the prompt ‘An ornate bookshelf with a portal into another dimension.’” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
September 10, 2025 at 6:19 PM
How to credit an AI image? According to Chicago 18 (3.38), you must both name the AI model and give the user’s prompt, for example: “Image generated by DALL-E 2, April 7, 2023, from the prompt ‘An ornate bookshelf with a portal into another dimension.’” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
In another departure from previous editions, Chicago 18 (9.5) has decreed that it’s acceptable to begin a sentence with a year expressed as a numeral—“if necessary”—but that prefacing the numeral with “The year” is better. “2025 was marked by a series of upheavals...” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
June 17, 2026 at 5:04 PM
In another departure from previous editions, Chicago 18 (9.5) has decreed that it’s acceptable to begin a sentence with a year expressed as a numeral—“if necessary”—but that prefacing the numeral with “The year” is better. “2025 was marked by a series of upheavals...” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Emojis, 2/2: If an emoji applies to a whole sentence, place it after the punctuation: “What should I read next? 🤔” If it applies to part of the sentence, place it in that part of the sentence: “Are you excited 🥳 about this book 📖?” (Chicago 18, 6.137) #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
October 8, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Emojis, 2/2: If an emoji applies to a whole sentence, place it after the punctuation: “What should I read next? 🤔” If it applies to part of the sentence, place it in that part of the sentence: “Are you excited 🥳 about this book 📖?” (Chicago 18, 6.137) #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
Here’s the latest from Chicago on citations: List up to 6 authors in a bibliography or reference list; if more than 6, list the first 3, then “et al.” (13.23). In a note or text citation, list up to 2 authors; if more than 2, list the first, then “et al.” (13.107). #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
June 10, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Here’s the latest from Chicago on citations: List up to 6 authors in a bibliography or reference list; if more than 6, list the first 3, then “et al.” (13.23). In a note or text citation, list up to 2 authors; if more than 2, list the first, then “et al.” (13.107). #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
2/2: However, Merriam-Webster notes, only “further” works if you mean “additional,” “to a greater degree,” or “to promote,” as in “further study,” “comment further,” or “further our aims.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack
September 16, 2026 at 5:45 PM
2/2: However, Merriam-Webster notes, only “further” works if you mean “additional,” “to a greater degree,” or “to promote,” as in “further study,” “comment further,” or “further our aims.” #FreelanceEditing #GrammarSnack