Prefixes: A Nonissue, or a Non-Issue?
A prefix is a partial word that joins to the front of another word (and sometimes a phrase) to create a new word with a different meaning. The pre- in prefix is a prefix, for example.
Chicago Style Workout 52: Prepositions
For this month’s quiz we return to the grammar chapter—specifically, paragraphs 5.178–201, which cover prepositions. The main job of prepositions is to set up other words, an important job that usually goes unnoticed (except, maybe, at the end of a sentence).
Chicago Style Workout 51: Adverbs
For this workout we return to chapter 5, on grammar—specifically, paragraphs 5.161–77, which cover adverbs. Adverbs are not only amazingly versatile; they’re also incredibly useful. Find out how useful by taking this quiz.
Your Dog[,] Smurf: Understanding Commas with Appositives
Grammatically speaking, “appositive” is a fancy word for “equivalent.” For example, when we refer to your dog Smurf, “Smurf” and “your dog” are appositives—or the same thing (or animal, in this case) restated in different words.
Chicago Style Workout 50: Source Citations, Part 2
Chicago style supports two systems of source citation. Notes and bibliography, covered in a previous workout, consists of numbered footnotes or endnotes and, usually, a bibliography. Author-date, the subject of this workout, relies on parenthetical references in the text and a corresponding reference list.
Key Terms Every Editor Should Know
In editing as in life, things tend to come in pairs. Life has its ups and downs, left and right, sea and land, victory and defeat. In editing you have capitals and lowercase, justified and ragged right, insert and delete.
A Chicago Style Halloween Quiz
What does Halloween have to do with Chicago style? Not a lot, but that hasn’t stopped us from coming up with ten questions designed to challenge your editorial knowledge and stoke your curiosity about this quirky holiday and some of the words associated with it.
Chicago Style Workout 49: Source Citations, Part 1
To some of our readers, “Chicago style” is synonymous with a conventional system of numbered notes supported by a bibliography. This system is introduced in the first half of chapter 13 and supported by the examples in chapter 14. (The author-date system will be covered in the next quiz.)
Chicago Style Workout 48: Copyright
From public domain and “all rights reserved” to fair use and permissions, many of the basic principles of copyright will be familiar to those of us who work with words. But anyone can use a refresher.
Chicago Style Workout 47: Fun with Articles
How definite is your knowledge of articles? Find out by taking this quiz, which will test your knowledge of paragraphs 5.74–82 of CMOS 18, on articles, a small but essential trio of adjectives. (We’ll also be taking a brief detour into chapter 8 and titles of works.)
