Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Jack Caulfield, MA.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
Grawlix is a term for the use of an unpronounceable string of punctuation in place of a curse word or other taboo term. It can also be called โobsceniconโ (a portmanteau of โobscenityโ and โemoticonโ) or โsymbol swearing.โ
Comic strips often use grawlix to show that a character is saying or thinking something โunprintableโโoften to express frustration or surprise. It can also be used on social media to hide profanity. An instance of grawlix can appear alone or as part of a sentence.
Grawlix exampleโI had a $%#! day, and Iโm $%@!%&$ tired!โ
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Jack Caulfield, MA.
Revised on
November 4, 2025
The prepositiondespite means โregardless of,โ โeven though,โ or โnotwithstanding.โ
Despite and in spite of are also synonymous, but itโs important to remember that despite of is incorrect; the โofโ is only needed in the other phrasing. A QuillBot grammar check can help you easily catch errors like “despite of.”
Examples: Despite of in a sentence
The dog keeps whining, despite of the fact that he’s been fed.
The dog keeps whining, despite the fact that he’s been fed.
The dog keeps whining, in spite of the fact that he’s been fed.
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In spite of is a preposition that means โregardless of,โ โeven though,โ or โnotwithstanding.โ
It introduces a prepositional phrase providing some contrasting information (e.g., โIn spite of his lateness, Jimmy strolled into class as if nothing were wrongโ).
In spite of and despite can be used interchangeably (e.g., โDespite his lateness โฆโ).
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Jack Caulfield, MA.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
Simile is a rhetorical device that makes a comparison between two things and/or people using the comparison words โas,โ โthan,โ or โlike.โ
The comparison made in a simile is not a literal one between like things but a figurative one between unlike things. For example, โJohn is as tall as meโ is not a simileโjust a literal comparisonโbut โJohn is as tall as a mountainโ is a simile and shouldnโt be taken literally.
Simile examplesHer hair was red as roses.
The crisp, white snow sparkled like diamonds.
Iโm happier than the morning sun.
Similes are often used in prose or poetry. Do you want to find your creative voice? Try QuillBot’s Paraphraser!
Published on
July 1, 2024
by
Jack Caulfield, MA.
Revised on
November 4, 2025
The adverbial phraseevery time is used to mean โwithout exceptionโ or โwhenever.โ It can also be used alone as an interjection, usually expressing frustration with some repeated problem.
It should always be written as two words with a space in between. Writing everytime is a common mistake that should be avoided. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can fix errors like this automatically.
Examples: Every time or everytime in a sentence
You donโt have to ask me for permission everytime you want to change something.
You donโt have to ask me for permission every time you want to change something.
Everytime! Bill exclaimed as the car engine struggled to start.
Every time! Bill exclaimed as the car engine struggled to start.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Jack Caulfield, MA.
Revised on
October 29, 2025
A metaphor is way to describe something or someone by saying that it is (or sometimes isnโt) something else, as in the examples below.
Metaphor examplesDad is a caveman when it comes to social media.
Paul is my rock when I need someone to support me.
This is a figurative (nonliteral) use of language. A metaphorical statement isnโt literally true, but itโs used to state or imply something true about the thing or person described.
Metaphor can be categorized as a literary device, figure of speech, or rhetorical device. It is encountered in everyday speech, in literature, and in all kinds of writing. QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you explore creative writing devices like metaphors!
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Jack Caulfield, MA.
Revised on
November 4, 2025
Truly is the correct spelling of the adverb used to mean โabsolutely,โ โproperly,โ or โin a truthful manner.โ The related adjective is โtrue.โ
People sometimes write โtruelyโ instead, but this is the wrong spelling and doesnโt appear in the dictionary. The QuillBot Grammar Checker will always catch pesky mistakes like this.
Example: Truely vs truly
Do you truely believe that?
Do you truly believe that?
Iโm truely exhausted after my long journey.
Iโm truly exhausted after my long journey.
Adding โ-lyโ to the end of an adjective is the standard way of forming an adverb. When the adjective ends with โ-ue,โ though, the โeโ is usually dropped for the adverb form, as is the case with โtrue/trulyโ and โdue/duly.โ
