Author: Dean Koorey

Grammar and Punctuation
Dean Koorey

Q&A: When to use ampersands

Each week, we chat about the quirks & anomalies of the English language. & this week, we explore why we should have used “and’” twice already in this intro… Q: Hi AWC. I have a question about this Q&A. A: That’s very “meta” of you. What would you like to

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Word lovers
Dean Koorey

Q&A: "Mum vs Mom" – the mother of all battles

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, in celebration of Mother’s Day, we wanted to know why mum’s not the word everywhere… Q: Hey there AWC. Did you know that it was Mother’s Day on Sunday? A: We did. Q: And do

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Uncategorized
Dean Koorey

5 websites to visit instead of writing

We get it. You should be writing. But you’re here online instead. You’re not sure exactly when it started — perhaps about an hour ago when you caught yourself alphabetising your bookcase, refolding your towels and cleaning out the cutlery drawer. But it’s now official: you have entered The Procrastizone.

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Our famous Q&As!
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Port of call vs point of call

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week we talk about what happens when we confuse and mix idioms. Q: Hi AWC, I hear people say ‘first point of call’ a lot these days and it bugs me. Is that actually correct usage?

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Word lovers
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Centenary vs Centennial

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week a question that was 100 years in the making… Q: Hi AWC, I have a question – it’s to do with commemorating or celebrating 100 years of something. Is it called a ‘centenary’ or a

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Word lovers
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Double or single L?

Each week, our Australian Writers’ Centre Q&A chats about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, are we seeing double or is it the Americans? Q: I have some exciting news. Want to hear it? A: Sure do. Q: I’m traveling to America! I thought I’d enroll

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Word lovers
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Me, Myself and I

Each week, our Australian Writers’ Centre Q&A chats about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, when you should use ‘myself’ and when you shouldn’t… Q: Happy Easter! I myself am very excited about it. A: We can see that. You’ve even dressed up as the Easter

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Our famous Q&As!
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Explaining i.e. and e.g.

Each week, our Australian Writers’ Centre Q&A chats about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, we’re making an example of ourselves with some common acronyms and how to use them correctly… Q: Hi AWC, I’d like to ask you about i.e. and e.g. Can you tell

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Uncategorized
Dean Koorey

Putting out your bats or putting your bats out?

It’s been a long summer of cricket, and with the Cricket World Cup happening in this part of the world, we are reminded of the quite sensational outpouring of grief back at the beginning of the season, with the passing of young cricketer, Phillip Hughes. Hashtag fever His fatal on-pitch

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Grammar and Punctuation
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Colons and semi-colons

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, we’re taking that fibre-optic camera and exploring your colon and semi-colon usage… Q: Hey there AWC. I’m having trouble with my colon. A: You may have the wrong Q&A session. Perhaps your doctor could help?

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Uncategorized
Dean Koorey

Harper Lee, Dr Seuss… who’s next?

A few weeks back, we were greeted with the news that there would be a belated (55 years) release of Harper Lee’s second and hitherto unknown book – a follow up/prequel to the much studied half-century-old To Kill a Mockingbird. Quite extraordinary really. The book has the title, Go Set

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Uncategorized
Dean Koorey

5 reasons to save writing for a rainy day

Who loves writing on rainy days? A show of hands please. (No, not you mime artists ­– your entire act is a ‘show of hands’…) Okay, so quite a few of you. We agree that writing on a rainy day is awesome – there’s just something about it. But what

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Word lovers
Dean Koorey

Q&A: On-site vs Onsite vs On site

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, we do a little on-site training… Q: Hi AWC, I have a quick question for you. A: Sure thing. That’s why you have a “Q” in front of you, after all. Q: What? Hey, wow,

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Word lovers
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Lie vs Lay?

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, we lay down the grammar law… Q: Hi AWC, I’ve been looking through our mailbag and– A: Wait, what? We have a “mailbag”? Cool! Q: I know, right? Anyway, Samantha was wondering if we could

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Word lovers
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Acclimate vs Acclimatise/Acclimatize

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, we acclimatise to a regional difference… Q: Good morning! A: Yes, it’s definitely morning somewhere on the Internet right now. Q: I always love to start the day with my fill of grammar. Actually, my

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Word lovers
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Inquire vs Enquire

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, an inquiry into enquiring and inquiring… Q: Hi AWC, it’s Valentine’s Day this weekend. Is that apostrophe correct? A: Sure is – the day belongs to St Valentine. The long form is of course “St

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Grammar and Punctuation
Dean Koorey

Q&A: “There’s" vs “there are” – which one?

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, there’s more to this one than meets the eye… Q: Hi AWC, this is going to be a long Q&A today, so please get comfortable. A: How do you know it’s going to be so long?

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Word lovers
Dean Koorey

Q&A: Australianisms and their origins

Each week, we chat about the quirks and anomalies of the English language. This week, it’s Australia Day, so we put on our cork hat and decipher some local language… Q: Hi AWC, have you finished your last minute Australia Day gift shopping? I’m hoping the shops will be open till

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