Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips For Better Writing Contest Giveaway!
Written by Michele T on June 3, 2009 – 10:05 pm -
First, I’d like to send out a special thank you to Richard Rhorer and Mignon Fogarty for sponsoring this contest.
Is this your first time to visit Writing the Cyber Highway? Be sure to subscribe to my Feed or by e-mail. In the next couple of posts, I’ll be sharing photos and details about my visit to an old-fashioned festival where I dressed up as a pioneer woman (bonnet and all!) and also had the amazing opportunity to meet an Editor and an Editor-In-Chief. Eeek! 
“My philosophy is that learning about language should be fun. I’m not in this for the thrill of running a metaphorical red pen through e-mail messages or blog posts. Although writing badly is like dressing in lime skorts and an orange plaid sweater-people notice-publicly correcting a stranger’s writing is as rude as asking someone with a fashion problem “Did you think that looked good when you got dressed this morning?” I would do neither. Instead, I hope to raise the waters of good writing by distributing quick and dirty tips as widely as possible.”-Mignon Fogarty, aka Grammar Girl
And she’s definitely accomplishing that!
I love the fun way Mignon Fogarty explains difficult English grammar and usage rules. The cartoon examples are fun, too! You don’t have to be a writer to want to improve your grammar. Maybe you’re in college or high school, or maybe you just want to write perfect e-mails to your co-workers or persnickety friends and family. Whatever reason you have for wanting to learn the ins and outs of English, now’s your chance to do just that! I’m excited to offer a contest with Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing as the prize. Wait, not only does one reader get the chance to win-two of you are going to have the opportunity to win this awesome book!
No, you aren’t seeing double!
Two of you will each win a copy of Grammar Girl’s book!
Mignon Fogarty shares her knowledge of the English language in a light-hearted, down-to-earth way all of us can learn from.
From the bright, cheerful cover to the fun and easy-to-understand grammar and usage tips to the oh-so-cute cartoons of Squiggly and Aardvark, Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
A peek inside:
Learning from Aardvark…
You may find it odd that an adult English grammar reference book has cartoon illustrations sprinkled throughout its pages, but you’ll understand once Fogarty explains: “I get flashes of crazy memory tricks, funny phrases, and cartoons where Aardvark (a blue aardvark) and Squiggly (a yellow snail) go on grammar adventures, and I love to share them all with you.” (Isn’t it so nice of her to share with us?!)
Keep up with Grammar Girl
Grammar Girl speeds the cyber highway sharing grammar and usage tips and can be found at the following locations:
- On Twitter: @GrammarGirl
- Subscribe to her daily tip newsletter.
- Visit Grammar Girl’s site and listen to the podcast!
I love the cover design!
I have an endless thirst for knowledge. I love learning, and as a writer and blogger, I especially love honing my craft. I adore writing reference books. Some of you may remember last year I won a contest myself: a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate. You better believe I used every last penny of it on reference books to enhance my writing career. And this is one reason I’m so excited for you, my readers, to have the opportunity to expand your own reference library!
Have a Kindle? You can get a Kindle version of Grammar Girl
Oh, and did I mention Mignon Fogarty is only Oprah’s favorite grammar gal?!
Contest Rules
You’re allowed FIVE entries for this contest:
Note: Please leave a comment for each thing you do (tweet, plurk, etc.) because each comment will be counted as a number when I enter the total number of comments at Random.org once the contest ends. Thanks!
- Leave a comment sharing why you’d benefit from owning a copy of Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
- Do you use Twitter? Tweet about this contest and then leave a comment with your Twitter name.
- Share this contest on your blog, linking back to this post. (The pingback will be counted as your third entry.) If you don’t see your pingback, just contact me and let me know. It may have gone to spam for some reason.
- Add Writing the Cyber Highway to your favorites on Technoratori. Comment to let me know, with a link to your technoratori profile to show you added us.
- Do you Plurk? Share this contest on Plurk and then leave the Plurk page URL in the comments. That will count as your fifth (and last) entry.
NOTE: ANYONE can enter this contest. You DO NOT have to be in the United States. Oh, and I’ll be using Random.org to choose the winners.
Contest ends Saturday, June 13th, at 9 p.m. (Central Time) so you have 10 days to get all your entries in. Have fun trying to win!
Tags: contests, English, Giveaways, Grammar, Grammar Girl, Kindle version, Mignon Fogarty, Oprah, Usage
Posted in Books & Book Reviews, Giveaways, Writers' Reference, contests | 78 Comments »
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Two words: science major – that is why I could use this book! I love the passive voice, “quick” and “light-hearted” are my type of tips!
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Tweet!
greengigs
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:28 pm
[...] This post was Twitted by greengigs – Real-url.org [...]
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Freelance writer who could make very good use of Grammar Girl’s book in my everyday and professional life.
Also tweeted about the contest.
thewordofjeff
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
I need a copy badly because everything I do is a fire drill! “I need a letter…in 5 seconds.” “I need the top 10 green hotels in San Francisco – in 30 minutes.” Any “quick and dirty” help is much appreciated!
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Added you as Technorati favorite, http://www.technorati.com/marxmarv
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Also, I Twitter! @CaliEditor
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Hi Michele,
As requested, a second comment noting the tweet.
thewordofjeff
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I am an aspiring writer who could use every bit of help available to hone my craft in order to be more successful!
Writing is still just a dream for me, but I am hoping to make it a dream come true.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:56 pm
http://www.plurk.com/AutumnWillow
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I need this book because Grammar Girl isn’t only OPRAH’S favorite grammar girl, she’s my favorite, too.
Owning this book would be like having GG always available to answer my most pressing grammar usage questions.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 pm
my speling is bad and my grammer is worser but i can tweet with the bestest of them.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I am a teacher and love to use fun books to teach grammar.
I also Twittered about the contest. My Twitter username is: nullalux.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I tweeted the contest– what fun! I’m WhitePineLane on Twitter.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I’m a true Grammar Geek, so this book would complete me! ;-P
Kim Adams
WhitePineLane
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 pm
[...] This post was Twitted by nullalux – Real-url.org [...]
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:08 pm
I’m a copy editor. I need a copy of Mignon’s book to explain to clients why they should not use “for” when they mean “because,” or “while” when they mean “although,” in language that is clear, concise, and fun! I could probably use an occasional refresher myself!
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Second Tweet:
I also Twittered about the contest. My Twitter username is: nullalux.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I just tweeted about your contest as well, as @Famini. I guess I just lowered my odds of winning by telling all my friends about it!
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I am an American living in Canada. I write a weekly tech column, chiefly for the locals, but I know I also have readers in the USA. I need help in both versions of English, and the Grammar Girl podcast has helped me out of many a jam. It would be even more helpful to have all those examples in a book. I know that’s soooo 20th Century, but sometimes I am not actually online!
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Also, just sent a tweet as @catester.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I could really use this book as I let my writing style become more like internet chat style, and it has gotten me in trouble.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I have plurked this at http://www.plurk.com/p/y86mv
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 pm
twitted http://twitter.com/eaglehawk1980/status/2022881164
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:58 pm
14 years on the internet has ruined my grammar skills so I need a refresher course or something.
On Twitter: JillMichelleNYC
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June 4th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Tweeted! from suzannelewis
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June 4th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Item #1:
I am a HS English teacher. My AP students think they know it all. This book will help show them, in a fun way, that they do not.
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June 4th, 2009 at 12:17 am
[...] Read the rest here: Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips For Better Writing Contest Giveaway! [...]
June 4th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Grammar! It’s a frightful word to be honest. I’ve fudged my way through the ins and outs but don’t really know the ‘rules’. Thankfully, very few people do know all the rules so it’s not so hard to get by in day to day writing but when we’re submitting to the harsh eye of an editor every grammar goof is a glaring admittance of ignorance. Have you tried learning from style guides? I am brain dead in ten seconds. It would be nice to have a resource that makes learning Grammar light, easy, and fun.
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June 4th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Tweeted it! (laffarsmith)
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June 4th, 2009 at 1:49 am
Plurked it, too! (http://www.plurk.com/p/y8ynw)
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June 4th, 2009 at 2:21 am
I tweeted it! I love Grammar Girl. I subscribe to her e-newsletters and learn something new with each issue. She breaks it down in short chunks that are easy to grasp.
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June 4th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Just what I need. I am 54 years young. I was born in London. I am therefore English. My English teacher failed me in English. How can that be? I AM English, I don’t understand how I can possibly fail English. I still don’t.
When I was 12 my family moved to Australia. They teach English here too, go figure. I didn’t do much better at it here either.
The computer grammar checker has given up with me.
Later I learned that the student is NOT dumb if they do not learn. Perhaps this IS the English Teacher who comes at the right time for me.
I am willing to give it another go. Maybe Mignon Fogarty will win for me where others have failed.
Cheers Stephanie
AKA (plurk) fizzgig_sh
no twitter
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June 4th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Dude, I am a grammar nerd and I love to read about it! So I am sure more knowledge would not hurt me one bit
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June 4th, 2009 at 2:35 am
I plurked the comp
http://www.plurk.com/p/y9b9g
Cheers Stephanie
AKA (Plurk) fizzgig_sh
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:16 am
I brought three children into this world, and have done what I can to instill in them the love of reading. Now, I want to make sure they can also express themselves clearly, by providing them with a reference they will be able to read without falling asleep.
I do want to make sure my own writing is clear as well.
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Tweeted this <- RelatedStuff
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:50 am
I could really use this book because I have horrible grammar skills and need to get better
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:52 am
I tweeted about it too
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June 4th, 2009 at 5:53 am
I spent thirty years in business working for companies that offered me many opportunities to write. I learned to write about all sorts of financial and planning situations, and I wrote for myself, too. During this time I wrote stories for my children and grandchildren, mostly short but always special.
Now that I have been laid off with little prospects for employment at my age, I am writing more seriously. I took a copywriting course to learn persuation. I study all types of fiction writing and am developing my own style.
Along the way I have run into many resources upon which I rely for ideas and to hone my skills. Grammar Girl has been one such resource, and that is why I am entering the drawing for this book.
I have followed Grammar Girl on Twitter, too. (I’m bthom526) I’ve learned the writing “community” is actually a very supportive bunch of people that I’m enjoying getting to know.
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June 4th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I am my office’s resident Grammar Geek and so Grammar Girl has quickly become my favorite podcast (not to mention website, Tweeter, and e-mail newsletter LOL). I would love to read Mignon’s book because, after all, who can’t benefit from a bit more grammar in their lives?
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June 4th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I just tweeted about this contest as well @Bixie23
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June 4th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I would love her book, I’m always double checking my grammar on her site. Bad grammar really bothers me, but mine isn’t always so perfect!
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Though I’m not a professional editor, I have a passion for correct usage of English. Because of my knowledge and eye for errors, I already edit my church’s bulletins every other week (~60 pages). Yet I’m always striving to further refine my knowledge-base, which is why I would be thrilled to win a copy of Mignon Fogarty’s exciting new book!
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I would LOVE Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing book! I homeschool my 3 girls and go to her blog frequently. I would love to have a copy of this to use it with my daughters. Thanks!
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Just tweeted about the contest: @bonitasmith Good luck all!
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I”m susieqtpie on twitter! I’m following you and grammargirl! I just tweeted!!!!!! http://twitter.com/susieqtpie/status/2030628171
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I just faved you on Technorati!!! I’m susieqtpie
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June 4th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I just plurked this! I’m susieqtpie n there. Thanks http://www.plurk.com/p/yfxsi
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June 4th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I came, I drooled, I Tweeted!
@plaidearthworm.
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June 5th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Hi there,
I really need this book to improve my writing. I’m not able to take classes right now so this book would be a class for me. I tweeted it and my Twitter ID is Heiddiz. Thanks again!
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June 5th, 2009 at 2:06 am
I need this book because I am a non native english speaker whom for some reason tends to write in English
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June 5th, 2009 at 2:11 am
I absolutely LOVE Grammar Girl. Why would I benefit from owning a copy of her book? Because I’m a grammar nerd and am always working at learning more and more about grammar. Plus, I’d love to review it on my website
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June 7th, 2009 at 2:09 am
I would LOVE Grammar Girl’s book! I teach ninth grade and we do intensive grammar work, but I think Grammar Girl would really help my (all female) students relate more to why grammar doesn’t have to be so boring!
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June 10th, 2009 at 5:09 am
Twitter: emjaydeejay
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June 10th, 2009 at 5:12 am
After subscribing to Mignon’s podcast for about a year, getting her tweets sent directly to my phone and getting her daily email tips, i think I definitely deserve to win a copy of her book which i can’t find for sale in New Zealand!
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June 10th, 2009 at 5:14 am
I would love a copy. I pride myself on using proper grammar, but much like my ingrained Midwestern mispronunciation of “nuclear,” there are still bad habits that trip me up. A guide like this would help me recognize and eliminate those problems!
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June 10th, 2009 at 5:40 am
I tweeted about the contest. Miss_Jubilee. Cool beans!
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June 10th, 2009 at 5:41 am
My grammer is needs much helps!!! Plz to saves me from the dum of internetz lingos!
)
I love GrammarGirls podcast has already helped me out a lot in my writing. I’m an aspiring anthropologist (undergrad), and it’s publish or die in our world, so I’ve got to be engaging and intelligent with my written word. <– c look, another run-on sentence! Better ship that book quick! jk
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June 10th, 2009 at 5:49 am
I forgot to add my twitter to my last comment
elleasea <– sent a tweet today 
thanks!
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June 10th, 2009 at 5:54 am
I do kind of have hope for being a writer, or even possibly a teacher, but apart from that I constantly feel the need to communicate properly to get my thoughts and feelings out the right way, without as much misunderstanding. I really notice the details of grammar and English a lot (to my IM buddies’ annoyance).
Tweeted Here.
Also, I like what I hear from the Grammar Girl podcast
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June 10th, 2009 at 6:09 am
[...] responds to my questions. She has a podcast and a best selling book. In fact, you can win a copy of Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by entering this contest at Writing the… (ends June 13, [...]
June 10th, 2009 at 6:20 am
1. I write professionally and have a blog about fiction writing and social media. I would love a copy of @GrammarGirl ’s book. She was one of the first people I followed on Twitter!
2. I have tweeted about this contest from my Twitter account at @amymstewart
3. I have also blogged about why fiction writers need to know grammar and linked to this contest frommy writing blog at http://www.aboutawriter.com/2009/06/10/why-writers-must-know-grammar/
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June 10th, 2009 at 11:24 am
I follow Grammar Girl on Twitter as well as listen to her podcasts. I jumped when I saw her tweet about her book giveaway contest! I teach reading and writing to teenage boys in a juvenile justice facility. My students are both reluctant readers and generally obstinate people. Grammar is an ongoing focal point in my instruction. Grammar Girl represents something kind of foreign but oh so healthy for them: a model of an intelligent female with a love of learning and knowledge. I’d love to add Grammar Girl’s book to my literary repertoire and use it to sell reading and writing to them!
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June 10th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I recently stumbled upon Grammar Girl’s website when a student asked me the difference between might and may…and I had no idea! I looked it up in Hacker, I looked it up in Chicago, AP, nobody had a satisfactory answer except Grammar Girl. I’ve been scouring the site ever since. I’d love to use the book to supplement my teaching and tutoring, as her explanations are just the sort of accessible I need to reach kiddos these days
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June 10th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I work in academia and read and rework a lot of copy written by people with greater academic credentials than my own. My favorite mistake is the continual mangling of alumni/ae, alumnus, alumna (to me this is akin to not knowing your zip code while working at the post office! ha!). Then there is the forgotten parallel construction, actually so much of basic grammar is forgotten. I do my best to help folks out, but I always LUV a good reference guide to back me up (as sometimes folks don’t believe me and must have proof)!
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June 10th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I love grammar and Grammar Girl! I’m a writer and commonly have moments when I need a quick answer to a crazy grammar question. Grammar Girl’s book would definitely come in handy!
I also tweeted about this. I’m @amykk
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June 10th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I no how spell,right. And am editer. No good.
A writer/editor could always improve her craft, and I love Grammar Girl’s light take. Thanks for the opportunity!
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June 10th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
At my company, people come to me for wisdom about grammar. (See the end of this post: http://madmusingsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/library-20well-of-course.html.) Grammar Girl makes sensible suggestions about coping with grammar questions that don’t have precise answers in the usual reference works. I like that. I need her book.
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June 10th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I tweeted about this contest. My Twitter name is mdrabik.
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June 10th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Blog entry referencing this contest and your site complete! http://madmusingsblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/all-your-grammar-are-belong-to-us.html
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June 10th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I have favorited your site on Technorati.
http://technorati.com/people/technorati/mdrabik
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June 10th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
OK, I plurked it, too! http://www.plurk.com/p/zx9hz
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June 11th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I need this book because it explains American English, and I write in British English, so I could compare the differences…
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June 12th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I’d love this book for several reasons.
My grammar isn’t terrible, but bad enough that someone once said my blog post wasn’t credible because it contained to many grammatical errors. I was sad that someone basically said my opinion was worthless because of a few grammatical mistakes.
And 2nd, because I am trying to relearn grammar so I can teach my children correct principles of grammar.
Leisa Watkins´s last blog ..A Productivity System for Getting Things Done
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June 12th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Just Tweeted your contest under LeisaWatkins:
http://twitter.com/LeisaWatkins/status/2131627994
Leisa Watkins´s last blog ..A Productivity System for Getting Things Done
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June 15th, 2009 at 11:54 am
so sad I miss out this giveway, my grammar is not good.
Sherry´s last blog ..June Weight Loss Blog Contest
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May 19th, 2010 at 6:02 am
[...] internet icon Mignon Fogarty – also known as Grammar Girl – puts her signature “quick and dirty” accessibility to good use by providing her fans with a valuable resource on improving their [...]