Everyone, everywhere, let's come together to discuss the difference between ALTOGETHER and ALL TOGETHER. 

ALTOGETHER is an chameleon-like adverb with three definitions.

(d.) completely:  Randy was so frustrated with online learning, he considered skipping school altogether.

(d.) on the whole, overall:  Altogether, it was a lovely graduation celebration, even though we remained 6 feet apart.  

(d.) in all:  Marilyn signed up for five AP classes altogether. 

                                                 ***
If you seek a harmonious group, you're looking for ALL TOGETHER!

(d.) as a group: All together, let's recite the following words: hope, dream, create, inspire.

(d.) at the same time, in synch: The synchronized swimming team exemplifed the beauty of working all together. 

I'm ALTOGETHER finished with this post. I hope we can safely come ALL TOGETHER in person, very, very soon. 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper

Underneath the Categories heading to the right, you'll find the Sign Up form to receive A Spoonful of Grammar directly in your inbox. 

If you're like me and treasure receiving a personal note, letter, or card, you should make sure to know the difference between STATIONARY and STATIONERY! 

One of these words means note paper and the other means standing still. Do you know which is which? Go ahead and take a guess before I provide the answer. 

(No peeking!)



If you guessed that STATIONERY is another word for note paper (especially the kind with matching envelopes), you are correct! 

STATIONARY means standing still, which is what many of us feel like with so much being done virtually instead of face-to-face. I hope you are enjoying nature and connecting with friends and family in any way possible. STATIONARY can also mean unchanging and consistent. 

That's all for this spoonful. I have to cut it short as I feel inspired to send someone a card! Take care, everyone. I'll be back next Sunday with another short, sweet spoonful. 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper

On this day to honor moms far and wide, it seems appropriate to discuss when to capitalize MOM in your essays and stories. This spoonful will be short and sweet, so you have plenty of time to do something special for the MOMS in your life.

This is the question I hear frequently: Shouldn't I ALWAYS capitalize MOM? I mean, isn't it a sign of respect?


Here's my answer:
Mom is a term of endearment used as a name. If you talk directly to her, capitalize Mom. Here's a common example:
"I'll be ready in 5 minutes, Mom!"
This could be changed to "I'll be ready in 5 minutes, Laura!" 

If you write "your mom" or "my mom," you aren't referring to her by name. In fact, you're talking about her, not directly to her.  
Here's an example: "My mom makes the best brownies ever!" 

In case you're wondering, DAD, SIS, GRAM, GRAMPS, AUNTIE, and any other title used as a name follow the same rule. 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper

EVERYDAY and EVERY DAY are related but not interchangeable. But don't just take my word for it ... the goal of this spoonful is to prove my point with easy-to-understand examples. There's even a little challenge at the end!

​EVERYDAY is an ADJECTIVE that means average, common, or something that's used, seen, or done 7 days of the week. You can put EVERYDAY in front of nouns like uniform, shoes, and life. Here are some sentences:

Meredith's everyday uniform consists of jeans and a sweater. 

Jeremy's everyday shoes are looking worn out. 

Reading, walking the dog, and making meals for my family are all part of my everyday life. 

EVERY DAY split into two words is a NOUN referring to 7 days of the week and answering the question, "When?" Now I'll amend the previous sentences to substitute EVERY DAY for EVERYDAY.

Jeans and a sweater are Meredith's at-home uniform every day. 

The shoes Jeremy wears to school every day are looking worn out. 

I read, walk the dog, and make meals for my family every day. 

I'll leave you with a challenge: can you think of words starting with "ANY" that work the same way? 

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay home as much as possible. 
Sincerely,

Laura Fineberg Cooper
A Spoonful of Grammar

SIGHT, SITE, CITE are HOMOPHONES, tricky words that sound (PHON) the same (HOMO) and love to create confusion. To clear your confusion in the shortest, sweetest way possible, this spoonful contains definitions, example sentences, and related words for each. Enjoy! 



SIGHT = (n.) something that you see or observe; (v.) to catch a glimpse of

*** When at last we meet again, you will be a sight for my tired, lonely eyes!
*** I caught sight of you peering through the window when I drove by your house. 

Related words: eyesight, sightseeing, oversight

SITE = (n.) a location, a place; (v.) to place in a certain location; placed; located

*** That's the site of the proposed playground. 
*** Our house was sited a bit too close to wetlands. 

Related words: website, situation, situate

CITE = (v.) to quote, praise, or summon (to court) 

***Make sure to properly cite your sources in your papers.
***Mr. Jones was cited in the Sunday paper for his heroic deeds.
***Three youths were cited to appear in court as a consequence of their misdeeds.

Related words: citation, recite, recitation 

That's a wrap! I hope I've cleared your confusion. For other tricky homophone duos and trios, check out the following linked Spoonfuls:
#20 - Homophone Fun; #26 - End Past/Passed Confusion and #34 - Peek, Peak, and Pique. 

Stay safe, everyone! Thank you for reading A Spoonful of Grammar.

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper