A vs. An Before an Acronym: Should It Be a LGBTQ or an LGBTQ?

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I received a question several years ago about using “a” vs “an” before an acronym. Most native English speakers understand the “a” vs. “an” difference when the “a” or the “an” comes before a full word. However, it can be fuzzy when the “a” or “an” comes before an acronym. Here’s a good example to help you remember.

Here’s a question from a reader asking which is correct: a LGBTQ or an LGBTQ

OK, Copy Bitch, I’ve got one for you: Is it proper to use “a” or “an” before the acronym LGBTQ? I am a firm believer that “an” should only be used before vowels, so “a” should be used prior to LGBTQ, right?  But everywhere I look, people are writing “an LGBTQ.” What say you?

–Rob F, NYC

For once, the masses are right, Rob.

So saying, for example, “an LGBTQ advocate” would be correct. It’s the vowel or consonant sound that’s critical when making this call, not necessarily what the actual letter is. So, because you’d say “el” for the letter “L” (which is a vowel sound), “an” is appropriate.

  • EXAMPLE: Let’s post an LGBTQ+ message on our website during Pride Month.

Should it be “a urologist” or “an urologist”?

I’ve been encountering this issue lately with the words “urogynecologist” and “urologist.” (I do copywriting work for a urology practice.) Those words don’t use a vowel sound like you hear in the word “undercoat.” They use more of a “y” sound: Yoorologist. The below example demonstrates the difference in how you’d use “a” vs “an” in this case.

  • EXAMPLE: I bought an undercoat today. But now I need to find a urologist.

Hope this helps!

By the way, here are the go-to writing and editing resources that I use and recommend.

Note: I use affiliate links for some of them. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in.

The difference between i.e. and e.g. (plus how to remember)

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The difference between i.e. and e.g. has confounded many writers, including this one back in the day. Not to mention keeping the difference straight once you learn it. I have a trick that works! But first things first.

Let’s discuss the difference between i.e. and e.g.

In Latin, i.e. stands for “id est,” which means “that is.” So, use “i.e.” when you mean “that is” or “in other words.”

In Latin, e.g. stands for “exempli gratia,” which means “for example. So, use “e.g.” when you mean “for example.”

Now, here’s the trick!

  • Think of the e in e.g. and the e in example to help you remember. Some people also use a phonetic trick: “For eggsample.” (And the “eg” in “eggsample” reminds them that’s what the abbreviation stands for.)
  • Likewise, think of the i in i.e. and the first word of the phrase “in other words.” Both begin with the letter i.

OK, here are some examples that demonstrate the difference between i.e. and e.g. in sentences.

1. If George Clooney were ever to speak to me, I’d probably get all supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (i.e., I’d sputter nonsense for lack of anything brilliant to say).

2. I love anything with chocolate (e.g., ice cream, cakes, pies, etc.).

Update: I caught Get Shorty on the telly the other day.

Here’s a funny (NSFW) scene that demonstrates the i.e. vs. e.g. conundrum.

Language is fun. Here’s the writing reference book I recommend to help you keep things like i.e. vs e.g. straight.

I still have my copy (although it’s the fifth edition). The version I’m linking to here is the 10th: A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers. Note: This is an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission.

Cost-Per-Click vs Cost Per Click: Will it Cost Less if You Lose the Hyphens?

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Dear Copy Bitch: We are always having these debates in the office.  I am always on the losing end, but I think I’m right.

1. Is website one word or two?
2. Do you capitalize internet?
3. Do you put dashes between “cost-per-click”?

I know I have others, but now of course, I can’t think of any of them. I thought maybe other people need/want to know the answers.

~ Becca S, New York, New York

Well, you might not love my answer, which is this: It depends. It depends on the style guide you follow (AP, MLA, Chicago, etc.) and/or the rules your company or publication has adopted.

And keep in mind that language is fluid. The so-called “rules” change.

Back in 2002 when I started my copywriting business, I wrote “Web site” as two words, complete with a capital W. Now I write “website” as one word, but I occasionally see it as two words even now.

As for “Internet,” I follow the rule that it’s the name of a place, just like Paris and Boston. So I capitalize it. But plenty of reputable pubs don’t.

As for cost per click vs. cost-per-click (with hyphens), same answer: It depends on the person, the editor, the business owner, the publication. For me, I follow this rule: I don’t usually use hyphens if the term is used as a noun: What was the cost per click for the most recent ad campaign? or The cost per click was $1.45.

However, if a term is used as an adjective, that’s when I’d add hyphens: We need to be mindful of our cost-per-click budget. But again, I see sentences that violate my rule all the time (and I’m sure some smart reader could point out places where I violate my own rule).

The key is consistency. Be consistent with your usage and follow the organization’s style guides. All publications have style guides. Smart companies should have internal style guides that address items like the ones you list above (in addition to other things, such as serial commas). Anyone who creates content for the company (marketers, copywriters, consultants, etc.) should receive copies of the style guide (and adhere to the rules).

Language is fun. Here are my go-to writing and editing resources.

Note: I use affiliate links for some of them. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in.

  • Grammarly. The free version is great at catching critical errors. I used it for about a year before upgrading to the premium tier, and I’m glad I did. You can sign up for the free version here. (If you sign up or buy via my affiliate link, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission.)
  • A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers. (Amazon affiliate link link.) I have the fifth edition, which is excellent. I’m thinking about upgrading to the 10th. Hacker was incredible. She died in 2004, but her memory lives on.
  • Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer. (Amazon affiliate link.) Another gem. I gave this one to Mr. Word Nerd.

Nonetheless vs Nevertheless: Are they interchangeable?

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Dear Copy Bitch: Any thoughts on nonetheless vs nevertheless? Are they interchangeable?

–Jay S., from an email

It depends on who you talk to. Some say nonetheless and nevertheless have slightly different meanings. But the reality is most regular folks aren’t going to know the subtle difference.

And guess what? Merriam-Webster considers nonetheless and nevertheless to be synonyms, along with “however” and “even so.”

I love that Merriam-Webster has a kid’s definition if you scroll far enough down the page. So, according to the kid-friendly definition, nevertheless is an adverb that means “in spite of the facts” or, more simply, “However.”

How to use nevertheless or nonetheless

There’s a great scene in the last season of Succession when Frank is telling Cousin Greg that Greg’s name is on a piece of paper concerning the succession plan for the Roy empire. The newly deceased patriarch of the family (Logan Roy) had apparently added Greg’s name to this piece of paper. When Cousin Greg asked for details, Frank said, “You’re an addendum of ‘miscellaneous matters’ . . . in pencil . . . with a question mark.”

And Cousin Greg gave a cheerful, “Nevertheless!”

Boom! That one word, in this case, says so much. “In spite of those facts, Franky baby, my name is on that piece of paper. Game on.”

Would it have worked with “nonetheless”? Methinks so.

Here’s the thing: Even though Succession is a fictional show, the battle over the words and punctuation someone uses in their final wishes goes to show how important these seemingly little things are. And even the experts don’t always agree on meaning.

As a freelance copywriter, I’m always mindful of the words I use, but I don’t go it alone.

Here are my go-to writing and editing resources.

Note: I use affiliate links for some of them. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in.

  • Grammarly. (Affiliate link.) The free version is great at catching critical errors. I used it for about a year before upgrading to the premium tier, and I’m glad I did. You can sign up for the free version here. (If you sign up or buy via my affiliate link, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission.)
  • A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers. (Amazon affiliate link link.) I have the fifth edition, which is excellent. I’m thinking about upgrading to the 10th. Hacker was incredible. She died in 2004, but her memory lives on.
  • Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer. (Amazon affiliate link.) Another gem. I gave this one to Mr. Word Nerd.

Could Care Less vs Couldn’t Care Less: Which Is It?

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Language isn’t static—no surprise, right? That’s how trendy words get added to the dictionary, like rizz, which means “romantic appeal or charm.”

Because language is constantly evolving, even technically correct answers can sometimes find themselves ignored to the point that the incorrect answer becomes accepted.

And that’s what we’re seeing in the case of could care less vs. couldn’t care less.

Technically, when you make a verbal slam, such as “I couldn’t care less” (which you should most definitely follow with an indignant sniff), you’re essentially saying you have no more cares to give. Not one iota. You are done caring.

But over time, people have flubbed the expression. Picture a pointed exchange between two people where one crosses their arms and spits, “I could care less what you think.”

Oy. Word nerds and writers like me tend to go “D’oh!” followed by giggles because of the illogical statement. If you don’t care about something, is it possible to care even less than that?

The problem is that many people don’t know the technically correct expression. Or perhaps they’re so blinded by fury from the intended insult that their brains are able to gloss over the mistake.

In any event, while “I couldn’t care less” is technically correct, the reality is that “I could care less” has slipped into the mainstream. Dictionaries recognize both phrases as synonymous. If you’re a purist or pedant bemoaning this reality, consider what Merriam-Webster has to say:

But if you are the kind of person who cries out against this abomination we must warn you that people who go through life expecting informal variant idioms in English to behave logically are setting themselves up for a lifetime of hurt.

Similar debates happen between irregardless vs. regardless.

Here, the answer is a little more straightforward.

If someone says, “Irregardless of what you think, I’m really a sensitive person,” are they correct? Or should it be “regardless”?

Answer: It should be “regardless.”

Here’s the catch, though: Many will argue that “irregardless” isn’t a word. But it is a word. And in casual speech, you will hear people say “irregardless.”

Merriam-Webster labels the word “irregardless” as nonstandard.

When a word is nonstandard it means it is “not conforming in pronunciation, grammatical construction, idiom, or word choice to the usage generally characteristic of educated native speakers of a language.” Irregardless is a long way from winning general acceptance as a standard English word. For that reason, it is best to use regardless instead.

Love language stuff like this? Here are my go-to writing and editing resources.

Note: I use affiliate links for some of them. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in.

  • Grammarly. (Affiliate link.) The free version is great at catching critical errors. I used it for about a year before upgrading to the premium tier, and I’m glad I did. You can sign up for the free version here. (If you sign up or buy via my affiliate link, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission.)
  • A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers. (Amazon affiliate link link.) I have the fifth edition, which is excellent. I’m thinking about upgrading to the 10th. Hacker was incredible. She died in 2004, but her memory lives on.
  • Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer. (Amazon affiliate link.) Another gem. I gave this one to Mr. Word Nerd.

Peak vs Peek vs Pique: Easy Tips for Keeping Them Straight

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Peak vs peek vs pique. Oh, my! How the heck can you keep these pesky homophones straight?

Luckily, I have an easy way to remember. Let’s dive in.

When to use peak vs peek vs pique: use this trick

PEEK: You need your eyes to look quickly—or “peek”—at something. There are two e’s in eyes. Same for peek. (You also have two eyes, so you can use that hint as well.)

PEAK: The peak is the top of something, often a mountain. Think of the Alps (“a” in Alps; “a” in “peak”).

PIQUE: If you “pique” someone’s interest, it’s spelled p-i-q-u-e. Think of it this way: Q is one of the craziest, coolest letters in our alphabet (and worth 10 points in Scrabble). If something interests you, it’s probably because it’s cool. So think “cool Q” and write pique correctly.

EXAMPLES

  • I peeked out the window and caught a glimpse of the mountain peak despite the cloud cover.
  • When I was a kid, I peeked in the attic, looking for Christmas presents.
  • She’s scaled the highest peaks in the world.
  • If copywriting piques your interest, be sure to check out my YouTube channel.

Language is fun. Here are my go-to writing and editing resources.

Note: I use affiliate links for some of them. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in.

  • Grammarly. (Affiliate link.) The free version is great at catching critical errors. I used it for about a year before upgrading to the premium tier, and I’m glad I did. You can sign up for the free version here. (If you sign up or buy via my affiliate link, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission.)
  • A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers. (Amazon affiliate link link.) I have the fifth edition, which is excellent. I’m thinking about upgrading to the 10th. Hacker was incredible. She died in 2004, but her memory lives on.
  • Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer. (Amazon affiliate link.) Another gem. I gave this one to Mr. Word Nerd.

When to Use Then vs Than: Here’s an Easy Way to Remember

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If you can never remember when to use then vs than, I’ve got good news for you.

First, you’re not alone.

Second, I learned a great tip a couple of years ago from a writing magazine (I don’t remember which one, which is why I’m not naming names). I haven’t had trouble with these words since following this trick.

When to use then vs than: The ultimate tip for remembering

Think of it like this: The word “than” refers to comparisons, while the word “then” refers to time.

Now, here’s the nifty way to remember:

  • There’s an “a” in “comparisons,” and there’s an “a“ in “than.”
  • There’s an “e” in “time,” and there’s an “e” in “then.”

Don’t even worry about remembering both. If you think “then” and “time,” you’ll be golden. Just ask yourself if what you’re writing as to do with time, and if it does, boom! Use “then.”

Examples:

  • I think George Clooney is hotter than Brad Pitt. (I’m comparing George to Brad. And I’m also dating myself.)
  • First, I’m going to eat ice cream. Then, I’ll work out. (I’m explaining the very sensible timing between my ice cream consumption and exercise.)
  • I enjoy writing more than just about anything. (Comparing writing to everything else.)
  • I started freelancing in 2002. Back then, I didn’t have to think about social media. (I’m talking about a time period.)

Language is fun. Here are my go-to writing and editing resources.

Note: I use affiliate links for some of them. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in.

  • Grammarly. (Affiliate link) The free version is great at catching critical errors. I used it for about a year before upgrading to the premium tier, and I’m glad I did. You can sign up for the free version here. (If you sign up or buy via my affiliate link, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission.)
  • A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers. (Amazon affiliate link link.) I have the fifth edition, which is excellent. I’m thinking about upgrading to the 10th. Hacker was incredible. She died in 2004, but her memory lives on.
  • Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer. (Amazon affiliate link.) Another gem. I gave this one to Mr. Word Nerd.

Is it Homed In or Honed In? (The Answer Might Surprise You)

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The “is it homed in or honed in” debate will never die. This is a note I received from a client. (Edited lightly for readability.)

Question: I think you made a mistake in my copy. You used the word “home in,” and I think it should be “hone in.” Here’s the sentence in question: “She knew exactly what area of the artwork to home in on.”

Listen, I make mistakes, and I’m not above admitting to them. (No copywriter or copy editor is perfect.) But this isn’t a mistake. So many people, including writers and editors, misuse the phrase “hone in.”

When you “hone” your skills, you improve them. When you “home in on something,” you aim your attention to a direct target (think of a homing device). In this example, “she” knew what area of the artwork to direct her attention to. So my original sentence is correct.

But honestly? I should have never used “home in” in the first place. Here’s why.

Plot twist to the “homed in or honed in” conundrum.

So many people say “honing in” now instead of “homing in” that “honing in” has become somewhat accepted. 😭

Language is fluid. Especially English. And this certainly isn’t the first example of mistakes becoming acceptable by the mainstream. (I’m looking at you, literally.)

Even if you decide to use the phrase correctly and say “home in” when you mean zeroing in on something, you might end up looking like the person who’s making a mistake since so many people misuse the term. (Frustrating, I know.)

That’s why I suggest you avoid using “homing in” altogether. Instead, say “zeroing in” or “focusing” (if it works) so that you can avoid confusion and the wrath of people’s ignorance.

So going back to the original sentence in question, here’s how I should have written it: “She knew exactly what area of the artwork to zero in on.” Or this: “She knew exactly what area of the artwork to focus on.”

Fun fact: I used to confuse home in vs. hone in ALL THE TIME, up until the early aughts when someone set me straight.

During a meeting with my writers’ group, someone used “hone in” when they should have used “home in.” Another writer in the group pointed out the error (nicely) and explained the difference. I took note back then, which is why I use it correctly now. (But I still have words that haunt me. For the life of me, I will never be able to keep “lay vs. lie” straight.)

Language is fun. Here are my go-to writing and editing resources.

Note: I use affiliate links for some of them. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in.