Will copy edit for lodging

In early December 2012, I awoke to a phone call informing me I would be working on the Washington Post’s copy desk in the summer. I was elated. I had wanted to intern for a major newspaper for years, and, with the Post’s offer, my dream appeared to finally be Read More…

A disinterested voter

Ah, election season. The atmosphere and energy surrounding the ASUC elections pale in comparison to those of any school election I have yet lived through, and for good reason. Qualified candidates scatter themselves across campus, asking for votes and explaining their platforms to the lucky few of us plucked from Read More…

Eggcorns

In the fifth season of NBC’s “30 Rock,” Liz Lemon recounts the one time she went to Los Angeles. She asked a passer-by, “How do I get to 10?,” at which he, a rioter for Rodney King, interrupted his hell-raising to deliver this disdainful line: “It’s the 10.” Every city Read More…

Karaoke and hypotheticals

Upon returning to Berkeley after spring break, I came to an unfortunate realization: that it was that time of the semester again. Perhaps I’d survived the first two months of this term, but somehow, April still managed to loom ahead of me. That couldn’t be a good sign — in Read More…

Whether it’s correct

If the distinction between two words is clear, why is there confusion about such words’ use? While editing, I often ask myself this question, as writers often seem uncertain about whether to use “if” or “whether” in sentences. Admittedly, this mistake is somewhat understandable: The words’ usages are somewhat similar Read More…

Just Kik me now

As I write this, my friend Evelyn and I are supposed to be studying political science. But grammar nerds never rest, so Congress will just have to put its problems on hold while I address a more local issue. (From what I have heard about Congress, though, I don’t think Read More…

The object of my affection

I fell in love this weekend. It wasn’t an adorable English accent or a set of mesmerizing blue eyes that got me; it was his perfect command of the use of who vs. whom. Each time he said “for whom” or “to whom,” I could not contain my smile.   Read More…

Ineffective treatments

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of returning to my hometown for an early spring break of sorts. By that, I actually mean I missed school for a week to recover from sudden illness by going home and developing very close relationships with my couch and my family’s Read More…

‘Like’ this if you know the difference…

I have this theory that it’s just about impossible to scroll down one’s Facebook news feed for more than 30 seconds before encountering something that is either completely ridiculous or completely offensive. It must be my lucky day, seeing as I just found something that falls into both categories: I’ll Read More…

The little things: Thanksgiving nausea

Hello readers! Like last week’s tip, my topic today is relevant to the holiday season. (I’m in a festive mood.) Let this post be my Thanksgiving greeting to you, as next week the series and I will take a break to celebrate. Many of us, I am sure, are familiar Read More…