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We only display blog posts from the last year. For older items, please visit our blog archive page.
May, might and other modals
Our Distinguished Editor returns to tackle modal verbs. We use them every day when we speak and write. What are modal verbs? And which is the correct modal verb to use in your sentence? Elizabeth explains that choosing a modal depends on the message you want to convey, and your attitude and intention at the time.
16 September 2026
Watch your b*d language: guidance on how to deal with profanities
Our blog post helps you answer important questions about profanities in government content. Should you include them when writing for government? If so, should you censor those profanities? And what is the Style Manual's recommended censorship style?
25 March 2026
The subjunctive – if only it were easy!
What is the subjunctive and why is it moody? A Distinguished Editor answers these questions and decides that any report of the subjunctive’s death is merely wishful thinking.
15 December 2025