Editing bit: In most cases it's best to eliminate "or not" after "whether."
Readers understand when you say "I wonder whether she went to three identical parties."
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: Don't use the word “different” after a number.
Don’t say, “I crashed three different cars” or “I went to three different parties."
The adjective is unnecessary. It was obviously not the same one three times.
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: lose vs. loose
Lose is to misplace or not win.
Loose is your tooth or your calling style in poker.
Ex: Stop needing to be right. When you are wrong, you lose nothing. You learn something, and that's a good thing.
These shoes are too loose. I may need a smaller size.
#EditorsNote
I used to see this in my college students' writing. Somewhere along the way, nobody told them that we are not British and that "amongst" and "unbeknownst" and similar words are not how we talk or how we should write.
Editing bit: Don't use "whilst" or "amongst."
For clean, professional copy, use "while" and "among."
Also, "use" is better than "utilize" in all instances.
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: anxious vs. eager
To be anxious is to have anxiety.
To be eager is to look forward happily.
Ex: I'm going to understate my fear of flying and just say I'm anxious.
I'm eager to go to Seattle but don't know how I'll get there.
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Know the difference: underway vs. under way
Under way means "begun."
Underway is a boating term that means "having movement."
A few years ago AP Style said underway could mean "begun."
Copy editors everywhere cringed.
In summary, there is no longer a difference. Nothing to see here. Move along.
Editing bit: When writing something official or formal, don't use "since" to mean "because."
Ex: Because I was asked to, I share a tip every day based on common edits I have made over the years.
I've been making the same changes over and over since I started editing copy in 1996.
#EditorsNote
🎯🎯
New Jersey has proposed the F.U.C.K.I.C.E Act. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/n...
Know the difference: golf course vs links
If you're on links, you're playing golf on the shore. It links the land to the water.
If you're not at water's edge, you're on a golf course.
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: the preferred adjectival spelling is "wintry," not "wintery."
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: emeritus vs. emerita
You use emeritus to describe a male and emerita to describe a female.
Always go by the gender a person identifies as.
Examples: Dr. Appleton is president emeritus of the University of Smalltown.
Gloria Steinem is editor emerita of Ms. magazine.
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: more than one octopus
The plural of octopus is octopuses.
If “octopus” were a Latin word, the commonly and erroneously used plural “octopi” might be correct, but “octopus” is a Greek word.
Example: I like octopuses so much that I bought this dress. I call it “frocktopus.”
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: affect vs. effect
Affect is a verb. You affect the outcome.
Effect is the outcome itself, and a noun, usually. (Not doing the verb form today.)
Ex: Vote, even if you don't think you will affect the outcome.
The effect of one vote is stronger than you think.
#EditorsNote
Feb 14: Editing bit: Valentine’s Day
It's Valentine's Day (with apostrophe)
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: Don't use the word "located."
Just take that word out.
#EditorsNote
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BREAKING: The Epstein survivors are releasing this ad on this Super Bowl Sunday to send the message that they will not “move on” from the largest sex trafficking scandal in the world. #standwithsurvivors
Know the difference: In regard to vs. regards
To regard is to concern or be about. As a noun, it can mean esteem
Regards are affections or condolences
Ex: This is in regard to your last editing bit, which I hold in low regard.
Send my regards to Editorzilla for these great editing bits!
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: "Everything from X to Y"
If you use this construction, ensure the "from" and the "to" are on opposite ends of a spectrum.
To just name stuff, use "including."
Ex: The restaurant serves everything from gourmet cuisine to hot dogs.
The menu includes Italian, French and Chinese dishes.
Know the difference: glutinous vs. gluttonous
Gluttonous is food greedy. The first part is pronounced "gluh."
Glutinous means glue-like, as in gummy or sticky. (You thought it meant full of gluten, didn't you? That would be "glutenous.") The first part is pronounced "glue."
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: loathe vs. loath
Loathe is a verb. It means to hate.
Loath is an adjective. It means unwilling or reluctant because of the hate.
Ex: I loathe cilantro.
I am loath to return to restaurants where they have ignored my order and slathered my meal in cilantro.
#EditorsNote
holy shit
Editing bit: Beck and call
This means "available to you without advance notice."
It is not "beckon call," even though that seems to make sense, what with "beckon" meaning to call over.
The word "beck" has no semantic value nowadays, and only exists as part of this expression.
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day doesn't take a possessive or a plural.
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: flaunt vs. flout
To flaunt is to show off.
To flout is to defy.
Ex: She flaunted her cake baking skills at the charity event.
He flouted the rule about wearing pants at the charity event.
Now, experts expect next year's charity event to sell out.
#EditorsNote
Happy National Hot Chocolate Day!
Know the difference: hot chocolate vs. hot cocoa
Hot chocolate is made with melted chocolate
Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder.
#EditorsNote
Know the difference: arcane vs. archaic
Arcane refers to something that is known to only a choice few, something that is possibly mysterious or obscure.
Archaic refers to something that is outdated, antiquated or surviving from an earlier period.
#EditorsNote
Editing bit: bear with me
Spell is "bear," not "bare."
It means "Don't bail on my project or argument."
Editor's note: If you are asking someone to join you in streaking, and you want them to stay with it all the way to the end of the event, you can spell "bear" however you want.
#EditorsNote
