• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • PowerPoint
  • Writing
  • Editing

punctuation

When to Use Single Quotation Marks

By Erin Wright

Do you follow American-English writing standards? If so, today’s post is for you because it explains two instances when you should use single quotation marks followed by two instances when you may want to use them. Please note that single quotation marks are used more frequently in British English and, therefore, have more applications than the four instances shown … [Read more...] about When to Use Single Quotation Marks

How to Use Suspended Hyphens

By Erin Wright

Suspended hyphens sound like troublemakers, don’t they? Before we accuse them of cutting class or being chronically late for work, let’s look at their less than nefarious definition. We’ll follow up with five guidelines for how to use them in your writing (without getting into mischief). What Are Suspended Hyphens? Suspended hyphens, also called suspensive hyphens, replace … [Read more...] about How to Use Suspended Hyphens

When to Hyphenate Numbers with Units of Time

By Erin Wright

Do you have a minute? The following three guidelines explain when to hyphenate numbers with units of time such as hours, days, months, years, and centuries. Before we begin, here are a couple of brief words on multi-word descriptions: multi-word descriptions, such as three-hour, that come before nouns are called compound adjectives, compound modifiers, and phrasal … [Read more...] about When to Hyphenate Numbers with Units of Time

How to Write Vertical Lists (Ordered and Unordered)

By Erin Wright

Recently, we looked at how to write run-in lists, which are lists that appear inside sentences. In this tutorial, we’ll explore guidelines for how to write vertical lists. Vertical lists are set apart from the surrounding text and are usually prefaced with bullets or sequential numbers or letters. Vertical lists can be ordered or unordered and can be introduced by complete … [Read more...] about How to Write Vertical Lists (Ordered and Unordered)

How to Write Run-In Lists

By Erin Wright

Run-in lists are incorporated into sentences, as opposed to vertical lists that stand apart from the surrounding sentences. Let’s look at four ways to write run-in lists: (1) with commas, (2) with semicolons, (3) with parenthetical letters, and (4) with parenthetical numbers. How to Write Run-In Lists with Commas Commas can separate simple run-in list items.1 Three famous … [Read more...] about How to Write Run-In Lists

How to Write Centuries as Words and Numerals

By Erin Wright

Are centuries spelled out or written as numerals? Are centuries hyphenated when used as adjectives? Writers and editors have been asking these questions for at least a hundred years. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!) So, this post is going to explore present-day recommendations for how to write centuries as words and numerals. Are Centuries Spelled Out or Written as … [Read more...] about How to Write Centuries as Words and Numerals

How to Find and Replace Special Characters in Microsoft Word

By Erin Wright

‎This tutorial shows three ways to find and replace special characters in Microsoft Word: 1. Enter special characters directly into the Find and Replace dialog box 2. Select special characters from within the Find and Replace dialog box 3. Use keyboard shortcuts or caret codes We’ll focus on the preset special characters available through Word’s Symbol dialog box. This … [Read more...] about How to Find and Replace Special Characters in Microsoft Word

Three Ways to Insert Special Characters in Microsoft Word

By Erin Wright

This tutorial shows three ways to insert special characters in Microsoft Word: 1. The Symbol dialog box 2. Keyboard shortcuts 3. AutoCorrect Word’s special characters include twelve text characters, such as the en dash, that don’t appear on traditional keyboards and fifteen formatting characters, such as the nonbreaking hyphen, that affect text layout. The table below lists … [Read more...] about Three Ways to Insert Special Characters in Microsoft Word

What Are Special Characters in Microsoft Word?

By Erin Wright

Microsoft Word includes two types of special characters: (1) text characters that don’t appear on standard keyboards and (2) formatting characters for text layout. Today’s post explains all of the special characters in Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016. Word 2013 and Word 2010 offer similar special character options. See "How to Insert … [Read more...] about What Are Special Characters in Microsoft Word?

How to Use En Dashes

By Erin Wright

En dashes, which are shorter than em dashes but longer than hyphens, have two primary uses: (1) create number ranges and intervals and (2) establish equality between compound adjectives. Use En Dashes in Number Ranges and Intervals En dashes can be used in number ranges and time intervals as replacements for the words to and through.1 Apartments 1–15 will be fumigated on … [Read more...] about How to Use En Dashes

Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Meet the Author

Technical Writer and Editor Erin Wright

Hello! My name is Erin. I am a technical writer and editor who shares writing-related software tutorials on this website and on YouTube.

Recent Tutorials

How to Change the Font Color of Modern Comments in Microsoft Word

How to Add an Updating Date and Time in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Crop Pages in Adobe Acrobat (PC & Mac)

How to Insert and Modify Shapes in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Find and Replace Text in Word for Mac

Explore More Tutorials

  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • PowerPoint
  • Writing
  • Editing

Do you like quick tips? Check out my latest YouTube #Short

Footer

  • Microsoft Word Tutorials
  • Adobe Acrobat Tutorials
  • PowerPoint Tutorials
  • Writing Tips
  • Editing Tips
  • Writing-Related Resources
  • About Me
  • Contact
Email: erinwrightwriting@gmail.com
Phone: 708-669-9503

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

© Erin Wright, 2012–2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this website’s owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Erin Wright with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.