Patrice Riley, Author at BusinessWritingBlog

Punctuation

How Many Spaces Go After a Period?

Should you use a single or a double space after a period? This is a frequent grammar question. Putting two spaces used to be correct, but now one space is becoming more common. So, which way is correct? Here’s the easy answer: One space is… continue reading

Vocabulary

Choose vs. Chose

Choose and chose can be very confusing, especially for people who speak English as a second language. So, to clear up the confusion, we will give the definitions of chose and choose, explain where these words came from, give tips on how to decide when… continue reading

Benjamin Franklin's quote "a watched pot is slow to boil"

Expressions and Phrases

How to use the phrase: ‘A watched pot never boils’

What does ‘A watched pot never boils’ mean? ‘A watched pot never boils’ is a proverb that refers to feeling like time goes slower when you anxiously wait for something to happen. What is the origin of the phrase? ‘A watched pot never boils’ was… continue reading

Vocabulary

Amicable vs. Amiable | Whats The Difference?

Have you ever had to pause when describing a friendly situation to consider the choice of amiable vs. amicable? Let’s discuss these two similar words and when to use them. Amicable Definition Amicable means “peaceable” or “friendly.” Amicable describes situations that could have turned out… continue reading

Expressions and Phrases

Ace in the Hole – Meaning and Use

The phrase ace in the hole means a resource that is held in reserve until it can be used for an advantage. This idiom refers to a play in stud poker. In this game, a “hole card” refers to a car that is held or… continue reading

Expressions and Phrases

Elephant In The Room – Meaning and Use

What does it mean to say there is an elephant in the room? It indicates that there is an obvious problem that is being ignored. In other words, it is a big issue that is not being acknowledged or talked about. Example: John arrived at… continue reading

Author Archives: Patrice Riley