In 1990, the phrase "bona fides" appeared four times in The Times, according to our archive: three times in editorials and once in Sports. Last year we used the term - a Latin phrase meaning "good faith" - 93 times,…

My colleague Mark Bulik points out an oddly oxymoronic construction that has been popping up lately: "an anti-[blank] advocate." It's like saying, "He supports opposing it." Just a few of many recent examples:…

After months of nonstop carping about our missteps, here's the latest, long-overdue sampling of sparkling prose from recent editions. Nominations are always welcome.…

After my recent lineup of sound-alike mix-ups, sharp-eyed readers and colleagues quickly offered examples to refill the file folder. The latest:…

The Times's use or omission of courtesy titles in referring to dead people is an occasional source of confusion. Some readers (and some writers) mistakenly think that once anyone dies, we automatically and immediately stop using Mr., Ms. or Mrs.…

I've held off for a while, but the sound-alike mix-up file is starting to overflow. Here are the latest lapses involving similar-seeming words - some new problems and some familiar ones. And some, frankly, that are pretty embarrassing.…

After Deadline's relentless cliché watch continues, thanks to Patrick LaForge and some other sharp-eyed colleagues. In deadline haste, sometimes it's hard to avoid falling back on a familiar stockpile of words and phrases. But let's stay alert and not write…

It's surprising how often we stumble over constructions involving comparisons with "as" or "than." This is a case where reading aloud (even reading "aloud" to yourself) may save you from a misstep. These lapses are easy to miss by eye…

My colleague Patrick LaForge remains on the prowl for clichés - particularly the clichés of journalese, employed primarily by journalists reaching for the quick and easy phrase on deadline.…

It may be time for another "fresh" reminder. My colleague Missy Prebula points out that despite previous laments on this topic (see the second item here), we seem more enamored than ever of "fresh" as an alternative to "new" or…

It may be time for another "fresh" reminder. My colleague Missy Prebula points out that despite previous laments on this topic (see the second item here), we seem more enamored than ever of "fresh" as an alternative to "new" or…

When appropriate, a light touch or a bit of humor is certainly welcome in our writing. But a colleague pointed out that one leavening device has become so common as to seem more like a tic: the "comma-well-comma" trick.…

When appropriate, a light touch or a bit of humor is certainly welcome in our writing. But a colleague pointed out that one leavening device has become so common as to seem more like a tic: the "comma-well-comma" trick.…

The lack of gender-neutral singular pronouns in English continues to pose a challenge to careful writers. There's a growing tendency to accept "they" or "their" to refer to an indefinite or singular antecedent, and this solution seems likely to win…

The lack of gender-neutral singular pronouns in English continues to pose a challenge to careful writers. There's a growing tendency to accept "they" or "their" to refer to an indefinite or singular antecedent, and this solution seems likely to win…

We all move faster than we used to, because deadlines loom at all hours of the day. But one thing that should still set us apart is our careful consideration of language and our aversion to the easy clichés, hype…

We all move faster than we used to, because deadlines loom at all hours of the day. But one thing that should still set us apart is our careful consideration of language and our aversion to the easy clichés, hype…

I'm reluctant to carp when we use a somewhat out-of-the-ordinary word. Sometimes it's the perfect choice, and many readers appreciate that The Times offers intelligent prose that isn't watered down.…

I'm reluctant to carp when we use a somewhat out-of-the-ordinary word. Sometimes it's the perfect choice, and many readers appreciate that The Times offers intelligent prose that isn't watered down.…

For the harried headline writer, certain tried-and-true devices can seem almost irresistible.…

For the harried headline writer, certain tried-and-true devices can seem almost irresistible.…

We spelled the word "indispensable" correctly 161 times in the last year. Unfortunately, we spelled it incorrectly, as "indispensible," 17 times, an error rate of nearly 10 percent.…

We spelled the word "indispensable" correctly 161 times in the last year. Unfortunately, we spelled it incorrectly, as "indispensible," 17 times, an error rate of nearly 10 percent.…

Everyone loves to quote Shakespeare. "To be or not to be" may be the weariest of clichés, but no one will give it the rest it has earned.…

Everyone loves to quote Shakespeare. "To be or not to be" may be the weariest of clichés, but no one will give it the rest it has earned.…

There are many ways to misuse "like," and we do so, repeatedly.…

There are many ways to misuse "like," and we do so, repeatedly.…

Here's a year-end sampling of one of our most common grammatical errors. Remember that when a participle construction, appositive or other modifying phrase starts a sentence, the person or thing being described should generally come directly after the modifying phrase.…

Here's a year-end sampling of one of our most common grammatical errors. Remember that when a participle construction, appositive or other modifying phrase starts a sentence, the person or thing being described should generally come directly after the modifying phrase.…

AfterDeadline This is a well-worn topic in After Deadline. But it never takes long to refill the file of sound-alike mix-ups. Here are a few of the latest examples - add them to your checklist.…

AfterDeadlineThis is a well-worn topic in After Deadline. But it never takes long to refill the file of sound-alike mix-ups. Here are a few of the latest examples - add them to your checklist.…