Grammar Handbook

How to Edit your writing

To edit your writing well, you need to understand some basic concepts about writing. Sometimes these concepts are called grammar, mechanics, or conventions. Sometimes they are called rules, but really these rules are just patterns that good writers try to follow so they clearly communicate what they want to say to readers.

Anybody can be a good editor. First, you have to know what's important and then you have to reread your work carefully. Everyone—especially teachers—appreciate a writer who rereads and corrects his or her work.

Handbook: The How-to Go-to Place for the Facts about Conventions

Have questions about the mechanics, usage, grammar, and spelling rules while you're editing? View these quick videos for help with a variety of writing rules.

Punctuation

Commas

Phrases & Clauses
Appositives & More
To Separate Equal Adjectives

Hyphens

Apostrophes

Punctuating Dialogue

Punctuating Titles

Mechanics

Capitalization

Capitalization 1
Capitalization 2

Plurals

Numbers

Abbreviations

Spelling

I Before e
Silent e
Words Ending in y
Consonant Endings
Spelling Review

Using the Right Word

Commonly Confused Words

Using the Right Word 1
Using the Right Word 2
Using the Right Word 3
Using the Right Word 4

Parts of Speech

Subjects & Predicates

Direct & Indirect Objects

Subject-Verb Agreement

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Nouns and Pronouns

Nouns—Uses
Pronouns 1—Types
Pronouns 2—Number & Person
Pronouns 3—Uses

Verbs

Verbs 1—Irregular
Verbs 2—Transitive & Intransitive
Verbs 3—Verbals

Adjectives & Adverbs

Prepositions

Conjunctions

Understanding Sentences

Sentences Combining

Students— Read the winning short story!

Use the glossary to help find the meaning of literary words and writing terms that will help you think and talk about writing.

To edit your writing well, you need to understand the rules. This library of quick, animated grammar lessons...