--- title: BriefCatch Blog | Writing Tips description: Writing Tips | The BriefCatch Blog features expert legal writing tips, tech insights, and case study analyses. It's a key resource for legal professionals aiming to enhance their writing skills. image: https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Canva%20images/Court-Graphic.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips#main-content) [![briefcatch-logo-new_dark](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/briefcatch-logo-new_dark.png?width=180&height=29&name=briefcatch-logo-new_dark.png)](https://briefcatch.com/) - [Customers](https://briefcatch.com/customers/) - [Resources](https://briefcatch.com/legal-writing-resources/) - [About](https://briefcatch.com/about-us/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Customers](https://briefcatch.com/customers/) - [Resources](https://briefcatch.com/legal-writing-resources/) - [About](https://briefcatch.com/about-us/) - [Book a Demo](https://briefcatch.com/book-a-demo/) [Book a Demo](https://briefcatch.com/book-a-demo/) **Blog** # The Legal Writing Lounge Discover expert writing tips and insights from Ross Guberman to enhance clarity and impact in your work. Whether you're a legal pro or just aiming to write better, we've got you covered. [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/crisp%20and%20punchy%20briefs.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/eight-ways-to-write-superb-briefs) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Eight Ways to Write a Superb Brief](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/eight-ways-to-write-superb-briefs) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Every word matters when submitting a brief to the court. It’s the difference between winning and... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/eight-ways-to-write-superb-briefs) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Five-Ways-to-Write-Like-Buffett-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-warren-buffett) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Five Ways to Write Like Warren Buffett](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-warren-buffett) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Each year, the world awaits Warren Buffett’s letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. Investment... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-warren-buffett) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_279928138_L-1024x666.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/four-usage-fights) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Four Usage Fights](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/four-usage-fights) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Lawyers love to quibble about everything. But of all the the potential topics to debate, grammar... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/four-usage-fights) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_145957721_XL-scaled.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/judges-gone-wild) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Judges Gone Wild](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/judges-gone-wild) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Is the country’s malaise affecting our judges as well? The Seventh Circuit has referred a lawyer... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/judges-gone-wild) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_167463108_L.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/once-upon-a-time-replace-dates-with-phrases-that-convey-a-sense-of-time) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Once Upon a Time: Replace Dates with Phrases That Convey a Sense of Time](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/once-upon-a-time-replace-dates-with-phrases-that-convey-a-sense-of-time) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Few things are duller than a paragraph stuffed with dates. “Using an exact date signals to the... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/once-upon-a-time-replace-dates-with-phrases-that-convey-a-sense-of-time) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-08-18_00_06_21.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-best-briefs-what-ai-reveals) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [The Best Briefs: What AI Reveals](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-best-briefs-what-ai-reveals) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Curious what top brief-writers do differently from the rest of us? This AI-powered study shares... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-best-briefs-what-ai-reveals) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2023-04-26-at-1_46_07-AM-300x214-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-the-economist) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Five Ways to Write Like The Economist](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-the-economist) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) When I fly both here and abroad, I often spot the SmartPhone-and-Bluetooth set poring over *The...* [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-the-economist) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2023-05-16-at-8_11_16-PM.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/force-majeure-and-coronavirus-a-checklist) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Force Majeure and Coronavirus: A Checklist](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/force-majeure-and-coronavirus-a-checklist) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) I skimmed hundreds of pages of client alerts and other publications. Here’s a distillation. ## **What...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/force-majeure-and-coronavirus-a-checklist) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Five-Ways-to-Write-Like-Justice-Kagan-1-scaled.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-supreme-writer-on-the-court-the-case-for-kagan) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [The Supreme Writer on the Court: The Case for Justice Kagan](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-supreme-writer-on-the-court-the-case-for-kagan) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Justices Scalia and Kagan once joined forces on deer-hunting trips. They share the same gift for... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-supreme-writer-on-the-court-the-case-for-kagan) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2023-04-26-at-7_57_34-PM-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-ted-olson-and-david-boies) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Five Ways to Write Like Ted Olson and David Boies](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-ted-olson-and-david-boies) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Ted Olson and David Boies, opponents of California’s Prop. 8 had some unlikely allies to thank.... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-ted-olson-and-david-boies) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-08-18_00_00_18-2.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/six-ways-to-tighten-motions) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Six Ways to Tighten Motions](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/six-ways-to-tighten-motions) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) An elite litigation boutique filed the rejected motion for Meta (Facebook). The apparently... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/six-ways-to-tighten-motions) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Oscars-1-scaled.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/opening-act-do-your-first-words-fall-flat) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Opening Act: Do Your First Words Fall Flat?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/opening-act-do-your-first-words-fall-flat) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Imagine a judge digging into the next motion on her stack—your motion. Could she have written your... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/opening-act-do-your-first-words-fall-flat) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/no-scaled.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/still-saying-no) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Still Saying No!](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/still-saying-no) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Just like its sister article [Just Say No](https://briefcatch.com/articles/just-say-no), this article adds to our list of quick style fixes. ## **1.** ***...*** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/still-saying-no) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_81073888_L-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-500-million-appellate-brief-five-takeaways) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [The $500 Million Appellate Brief: Five Takeaways](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-500-million-appellate-brief-five-takeaways) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Appellate hotshots from Hogan Lovells and Mayer Brown won a Second Circuit reversal of an order... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-500-million-appellate-brief-five-takeaways) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_12359846_L.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/justice-ginsburg-the-writer-something-in-between) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Justice Ginsburg the Writer: Something in Between](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/justice-ginsburg-the-writer-something-in-between) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) “Delighted to see the Supreme Court is interested in beer drinkers,” wrote Ruth Bader Ginsburg,... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/justice-ginsburg-the-writer-something-in-between) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_67383619_L-1024x1024-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/preliminary-statements-and-introductions-checklists-and-models) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Preliminary Statements and Introductions: Checklists and Models](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/preliminary-statements-and-introductions-checklists-and-models) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Craft a concise, effective, and persuasive introduction in little time by looking at your dispute... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/preliminary-statements-and-introductions-checklists-and-models) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_88707152_L-1024x803.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/just-between-you-and-me) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Just Between You and Me](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/just-between-you-and-me) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Looking to start a fight between two corporate attorneys? Ask whether an agreement is made *between*... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/just-between-you-and-me) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-08-30_15_48_23.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/punctuation-colons) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Punctuation: Colons](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/punctuation-colons) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Touted as the “magician” of punctuation by Noah Lukeman, the colon is as potent as it is... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/punctuation-colons) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture5.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-forebear-forbears) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Commonly Confused Words: Forebear/Forbears](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-forebear-forbears) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Would I need to **forbear** or **forebear** from receiving some future benefit to have a bargained-for... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-forebear-forbears) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-08-18_00_03_56.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/supreme-structure-four-tips-from-the-chief-justice) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Supreme Structure: Four Tips from the Chief Justice](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/supreme-structure-four-tips-from-the-chief-justice) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Good legal writers form coherent paragraphs. Great legal writers like Chief Justice Roberts do far... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/supreme-structure-four-tips-from-the-chief-justice) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture30.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-split-infinitives) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Syntax: Split Infinitives](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-split-infinitives) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) ### **Split Infinitive:** - **What Is a Split Infinitive?** A split infinitive involves placing an adverb or... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-split-infinitives) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture35.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-draw-an-analogy-or-compare) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Logical Transition Examples—To Draw an Analogy or Compare](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-draw-an-analogy-or-compare) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Here are a few examples of how the Greats analogize and compare cases, facts, and contexts. - Case... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-draw-an-analogy-or-compare) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-04-20_00_52_48_3-300x300-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/free-martha-not-with-these-headings) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Free Martha? Not with These Headings!](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/free-martha-not-with-these-headings) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) In 2006, the Second Circuit rejected Martha Stewart’s appeal, which sought to overturn her... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/free-martha-not-with-these-headings) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture7.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-allude-elude) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Commonly Confused Words: Allude/Elude](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-allude-elude) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) ##### Does one **allude** danger or **allude** to an implied point, or both? ### **Allude (verb):** - **Allude** is a verb... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-allude-elude) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture18.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-modifying-count-and-mass-nouns) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Syntax: Modifying Count and Mass Nouns](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-modifying-count-and-mass-nouns) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Were there **fewer** (or **less**) patent infringement suits filed this month than the previous month? ### **...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-modifying-count-and-mass-nouns) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Anal-Retentive-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/hyphenate-or-bust-a-truce-on-phrasal-adjectives) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Hyphenate or Bust? A Truce on Phrasal Adjectives](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/hyphenate-or-bust-a-truce-on-phrasal-adjectives) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) In the legal world, debates about hyphenating “summary judgment standard” or “publicly traded... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/hyphenate-or-bust-a-truce-on-phrasal-adjectives) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_187276624_L-1024x683-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/three-justices-three-100s-three-tips) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Three Justices. Three 100s. Three Tips.](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/three-justices-three-100s-three-tips) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) A single day at the Supreme Court generated three perfect composite BriefCatch scores. What can... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/three-justices-three-100s-three-tips) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-04-19_23_49_09_2.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/warren-buffett-writing-trainer) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Warren Buffett, Writing Trainer?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/warren-buffett-writing-trainer) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Fretting over Plain English? Just pick up one of Warren Buffett’s annual reports for Berkshire... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/warren-buffett-writing-trainer) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/no-scaled-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/just-say-no) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Just Say No!](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/just-say-no) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) A good editor is like **Pavlov’s dog.** Here are five expressions that should make you **salivate**—for... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/just-say-no) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture12.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-eminent-imminent) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Commonly Confused Words: Eminent/Imminent](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-eminent-imminent) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Must the threat of harm be **imminent** or **eminent** for a plaintiff to have pre-enforcement standing? ### **...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-eminent-imminent) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gavel.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/four-motion-mistakes) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Four Motion Mistakes](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/four-motion-mistakes) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) A federal judge in Florida once “corrected” dozens of errors in a routine motion. He mainly fixed... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/four-motion-mistakes) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Garland-Photo-150x150.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/judge-garland-the-writer) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [What Kind of Writer Is Judge Merrick Garland? Seven Clues](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/judge-garland-the-writer) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) *Originally written in March 2016* We’ve heard a lot about Merrick Garland’s sterling CV and... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/judge-garland-the-writer) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2023-04-26-at-1_40_48-PM-300x215.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-apple-of-our-eye-scoring-the-apple-v-samsung-openings) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [The Apple of Our Eye: Scoring the Apple v. Samsung Openings](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-apple-of-our-eye-scoring-the-apple-v-samsung-openings) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) In one of the greatest patent cases of all time, *Apple v. Samsung*, Apple won a stunning... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-apple-of-our-eye-scoring-the-apple-v-samsung-openings) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/imply.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-imply-infer) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Commonly Confused Words: Imply/Infer](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-imply-infer) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Can a holding **imply** the court’s unwillingness to consider an issue, or does it **infer** such an... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-imply-infer) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture22.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-which-that) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Syntax: Which/That](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-which-that) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Which “**which**” vs. “**that**” rules make you wish that grammar evaporated? Do “**which**” hunts sometimes... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-which-that) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Briefcatch%20Blog%20Hero%20-%20Is%20the%20Impeachment%20Resolutions%20Prose%20Unimpeachable.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/is-the-impeachment-resolutions-prose-unimpeachable) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Is the Impeachment Resolution's Prose Unimpeachable?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/is-the-impeachment-resolutions-prose-unimpeachable) ![Picture of BriefCatch](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Briefcatch%20Square.png?width=50&name=Briefcatch%20Square.png) [BriefCatch](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/briefcatch) Impeachment language is stuffy and overwrought, and the middling [BriefCatch](https://www.briefcatch.com) scores for the new... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/is-the-impeachment-resolutions-prose-unimpeachable) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture24.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/word-choice-as-such) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Word Choice: As Such](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/word-choice-as-such) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) If you tend to use the phrase “**as such**” to avoid using another “thus” or “therefore,” then you’re... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/word-choice-as-such) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture23.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-active-passive-voice) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Syntax: Active/Passive Voice](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-active-passive-voice) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Can you ***actively*** identify the difference between an active or passive sentence construction? Or... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/syntax-active-passive-voice) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture39.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-provide-another-point) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Logical Transition Examples—To Provide Another Point](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-provide-another-point) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Does enumerating your supporting reasons with “First . . . Second . . . Third . . .” feel too... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-provide-another-point) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/briefcatch%20-%20adverbs%20on%20trials%20-%20hero.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/adverbs-on-trial-innocent-on-two-counts-but-guilty-on-three-more) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Adverbs on Trial: Innocent on Two Counts, but Guilty on Three More](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/adverbs-on-trial-innocent-on-two-counts-but-guilty-on-three-more) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) The *Wall Street Journal* put [adverbs on trial](http://online.wsj.com/articles/why-adverbs-maligned-by-many-flourish-in-the-american-legal-system-1412735402) some time ago. Witnesses for the prosecution: Stephen... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/adverbs-on-trial-innocent-on-two-counts-but-guilty-on-three-more) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_217965766_L.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-justice-scalia) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Five Ways to Write Like Justice Scalia](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-justice-scalia) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Who are the best writers in Supreme Court history? Poll a hundred lawyers, and just about all of... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-justice-scalia) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-04-21_12_15_04_3-300x300-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-john-roberts-the-brief-writer-alaska-v-epa) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Five Ways to Write Like John Roberts The Brief-Writer—Alaska v. EPA](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-john-roberts-the-brief-writer-alaska-v-epa) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) When Chief Justice John Roberts was a lawyer, he once wrote that determining the “best” available... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-john-roberts-the-brief-writer-alaska-v-epa) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Conway-Transition-Cloud-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-george-conway-iii) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Five Ways to Write Like George Conway III](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-george-conway-iii) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) When you hear the name George Conway III, do you think “Kellyanne” or “That Twitter Guy”? My goal... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-george-conway-iii) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_231218696_L.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-d-c-circuit-judge-patricia-millett) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Five Ways to Write Like D.C. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-d-c-circuit-judge-patricia-millett) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) I often tell lawyers to purge their writing of Latinisms: why say “*inter alia*” when “among other... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-d-c-circuit-judge-patricia-millett) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/The-Scream-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-grammar-myths-debunked) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Five Grammar Myths Debunked](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-grammar-myths-debunked) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) For scams and urban legends, check [snopes.com](http://snopes.com/). But what if grammar myths are getting you down? If... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-grammar-myths-debunked) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/down-stairs-300x276-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/using-footnotes) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Finessing Footnotes in Legal Briefs](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/using-footnotes) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) “Judges are not like pigs, hunting for truffles buried in briefs.” Footnote-averse judges love to... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/using-footnotes) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Avoid-Cliches-4-300x300-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/client-alert-or-client-asleep) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Client Alert or Client Asleep?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/client-alert-or-client-asleep) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Many law firms market themselves by sending out “client alerts” about the latest hot case or... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/client-alert-or-client-asleep) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Five-Ways-to-Write-Like-Justice-Kagan-scaled.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/case-study-fry-v-napoleon-community-schools-five-ways-to-write-like-justice-kagan) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Case Study: Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools—Five Ways to Write Like Justice Kagan](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/case-study-fry-v-napoleon-community-schools-five-ways-to-write-like-justice-kagan) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Are you a lawyer or a judge? Or do you just seek a writing muse? Look no further than Justice... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/case-study-fry-v-napoleon-community-schools-five-ways-to-write-like-justice-kagan) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_411192554_L-1024x576-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/case-study-ford-motor-company-v-bandemer-seven-ways-to-write-like-justice-kagan) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Case Study: Ford Motor Company v. Bandemer—Seven Ways to Write Like Justice Kagan](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/case-study-ford-motor-company-v-bandemer-seven-ways-to-write-like-justice-kagan) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) In Justice Kagan’s [debut opinion](https://briefcatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ransom-kagan.pdf), she imagined a debtor buying an old junkyard car “for a song.”... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/case-study-ford-motor-company-v-bandemer-seven-ways-to-write-like-justice-kagan) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blackbeard-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/case-study-allen-v-cooper-five-ways-to-write-like-justice-kagan) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Case Study: Allen v. Cooper—Five Ways to Write Like Justice Kagan](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/case-study-allen-v-cooper-five-ways-to-write-like-justice-kagan) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) It’s hard to get lawyers and judges to agree on much these days, but here’s one exception: that... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/case-study-allen-v-cooper-five-ways-to-write-like-justice-kagan) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cliche.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/avoid-these-cliches-like-the-plague) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Avoid These Clichés Like the Plague](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/avoid-these-cliches-like-the-plague) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) While a well-placed allusion can enliven your prose, the use of trite, uninspired clichés will... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/avoid-these-cliches-like-the-plague) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_36259067_XL-1024x553-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/avoid-the-most-common-comma-crimes-committed-by-counsel-eight-commandments) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Avoid the Most Commonly Committed Comma Crimes: Eight Commandments](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/avoid-the-most-common-comma-crimes-committed-by-counsel-eight-commandments) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) From the loftiest law firms to the grandest judicial chambers, I see the same comma errors time... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/avoid-the-most-common-comma-crimes-committed-by-counsel-eight-commandments) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2023-04-27-at-12_04_23-PM.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/are-indemnify-and-hold-harmless-the-same) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Are “Indemnify” and “Hold Harmless” the Same?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/are-indemnify-and-hold-harmless-the-same) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Drafting reformers hate couplets. They say, for example, that “terms and conditions” means nothing... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/are-indemnify-and-hold-harmless-the-same) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_21832823_L-1024x680-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/adverbs-on-trial-guilty-innocent-or-it-depends) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Adverbs on Trial: Guilty, Innocent, or It Depends?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/adverbs-on-trial-guilty-innocent-or-it-depends) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Several years ago, a *Wall Street Journal* legal columnist put [adverbs on trial](http://online.wsj.com/articles/why-adverbs-maligned-by-many-flourish-in-the-american-legal-system-1412735402). **Witnesses for the...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/adverbs-on-trial-guilty-innocent-or-it-depends) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/talk-to-self-3-scaled.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/talk-to-yourself-the-rhetorical-question) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Talk to Yourself: The Rhetorical Question](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/talk-to-yourself-the-rhetorical-question) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) I used to think that rhetorical questions in briefs were pompous, if not offensive. I shuddered at... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/talk-to-yourself-the-rhetorical-question) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_27786263_L-1024x686.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/what-makes-for-brilliant-writing) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [What Makes for 'Brilliant' Writing?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/what-makes-for-brilliant-writing) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Democratic stalwarts Seth Waxman and Lloyd Cutler, along with 156 prominent lawyers, signed a... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/what-makes-for-brilliant-writing) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2023-04-27-at-11_35_10-AM.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/kagan-and-kavanaugh-unite-stop-cutting-that) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Kagan and Kavanaugh Unite: Stop Cutting “That”!](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/kagan-and-kavanaugh-unite-stop-cutting-that) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Kagan and Kavanaugh disagree on a lot these days, including in their [*Borden v. United States*...](https://briefcatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/borden-v.-united-states.pdf) [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/kagan-and-kavanaugh-unite-stop-cutting-that) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/too-hot-to-handle.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/too-hot-to-handle) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Too Hot to Handle](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/too-hot-to-handle) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) The Delaware Supreme Court reprimanded a lawyer for “disruptive, disrespectful, degrading, \[and\]... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/too-hot-to-handle) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/readingsubway.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/ten-lessons-from-the-new-yorker) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Ten Ways to Write Like The New Yorker](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/ten-lessons-from-the-new-yorker) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Looking for some writing inspiration? Start with *The New Yorker*, the nation’s best-edited... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/ten-lessons-from-the-new-yorker) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0261-225x300.jpeg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/write-like-justice-oconnor-the-art-of-the-confident-concession) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Write Like Justice O'Connor: The Art of the Confident Concession](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/write-like-justice-oconnor-the-art-of-the-confident-concession) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) “Being a member of the Court is a little like walking through fresh concrete,” [said Justice...](https://www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/exhibitions/SOCExhibit/Section3.aspx) [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/write-like-justice-oconnor-the-art-of-the-confident-concession) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-08-18_00_24_56.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/writing-about-testimony-is-there-a-world-beyond-the-witness-further-stated) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Writing About Testimony: Is There a World Beyond 'The Witness Further Stated'?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/writing-about-testimony-is-there-a-world-beyond-the-witness-further-stated) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Many lawyers find themselves retelling—or regurgitating—testimony from fact witnesses, expert... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/writing-about-testimony-is-there-a-world-beyond-the-witness-further-stated) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Fruit.gif)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/writing-rules-for-fun-and-profit-the-agony-and-the-ecstasy) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Writing Rules for Fun and Profit: The Agony and the Ecstasy](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/writing-rules-for-fun-and-profit-the-agony-and-the-ecstasy) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Ever since I created an editing app, my usual workshop feats, like engaging bleary-eyed associates... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/writing-rules-for-fun-and-profit-the-agony-and-the-ecstasy) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-08-17_23_53_20.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/potshots-and-hyperbole) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### ['Potshots and hyperbole'?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/potshots-and-hyperbole) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Did you hear about the federal judge who called out the “potshots and hyperbole” in a motion and... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/potshots-and-hyperbole) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Copy-of-JasperArt_2023-04-21_13_03_05_2.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/lighten-up-john-roberts-the-brief-writer) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Lighten Up: John Roberts the Brief-Writer](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/lighten-up-john-roberts-the-brief-writer) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) An easy way to make your brief-writing more appealing? Shun deadweight openers—*however,...* [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/lighten-up-john-roberts-the-brief-writer) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-04-21_12_15_04_3.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/hyphen-nation) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Hyphen Nation](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/hyphen-nation) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) What’s the difference between a “little used car” and a “little-used car”? Between “more critical... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/hyphen-nation) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/supreme-court-scaled.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-supreme-writer-on-the-court-the-case-for-roberts) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [The Supreme Writer on the Court: The Case for Chief Justice Roberts](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-supreme-writer-on-the-court-the-case-for-roberts) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Here are two passages from a recent Supreme Court case called [*Already LLC v. Nike*](https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/568/85/). Guess which... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-supreme-writer-on-the-court-the-case-for-roberts) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/media-scaled.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-three-great-cuts) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [The Three Great Cuts](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-three-great-cuts) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Want to lighten your prose? Hunt for phrases that often clutter the page. Let’s consider three... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/the-three-great-cuts) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/helpmepls-scaled.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/writing-to-clients-and-the-public-in-the-covid-19-era-some-clarity-tips) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Writing to Clients and the Public in the COVID-19 Era: Some Clarity Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/writing-to-clients-and-the-public-in-the-covid-19-era-some-clarity-tips) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) So many are [clamoring for guidance](https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2020/03/31/ges-former-gc-clients-have-long-memories-for-outside-counsels-conduct-in-a-crisis/) from lawyers right now. And so many lawyers are clamoring to be... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/writing-to-clients-and-the-public-in-the-covid-19-era-some-clarity-tips) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-08-18_00_05_22.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/nine-writing-tips-nine-justices-one-tumultuous-term) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Nine Writing Tips. Nine Justices. One Tumultuous Term.](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/nine-writing-tips-nine-justices-one-tumultuous-term) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) The U.S. Supreme Court’s current ideological divide may be the sharpest we’ve seen in a long time.... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/nine-writing-tips-nine-justices-one-tumultuous-term) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture43.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-emphasize-or-expand) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Logical Transition Examples—To Emphasize or Expand](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-emphasize-or-expand) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Complex cases often require complex lines of argument. The downside, of course, is that a tired... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-emphasize-or-expand) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-03-24_16_57_46_3-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/poker-face-concede-bad-facts-but-put-them-in-context) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Poker Face: Concede Bad Facts But Put Them in Context](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/poker-face-concede-bad-facts-but-put-them-in-context) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) With legal disputes, rarely does every fact favor the prevailing party. To present a compelling... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/poker-face-concede-bad-facts-but-put-them-in-context) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/briefcatch%20-%20the%20subjunctive%20mood%20-%20hero.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/the-subjunctive-mood) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [The Subjunctive Mood](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/the-subjunctive-mood) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) The **subjunctive** is a special **verb mood** that expresses something **imagined** or **a command** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/the-subjunctive-mood) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_65374457_L-1024x683.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/kagans-power-of-examples) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Kagan’s Power of Examples](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/kagans-power-of-examples) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) “Kagan May Be Dangerous,” wrote the Wall Street Journal’s “Best of the Web” early on in her... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/kagans-power-of-examples) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_39521787_L-1024x684-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/what-partners-hate-eight-grammar-gripes-and-how-to-avoid-them) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [What Partners Hate: Eight Grammar Gripes—And How to Avoid Them](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/what-partners-hate-eight-grammar-gripes-and-how-to-avoid-them) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Although law-firm partners have too many grammar-specific issues to detail them all in one... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/what-partners-hate-eight-grammar-gripes-and-how-to-avoid-them) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/counting-1024x309.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-then-solicitor-general-elena-kagan-united-states-v-stevens) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Five Ways to Write Like Then-Solicitor General Elena Kagan—United States v. Stevens](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-then-solicitor-general-elena-kagan-united-states-v-stevens) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) As the nation’s first female Solicitor General, current Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan has... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/five-ways-to-write-like-then-solicitor-general-elena-kagan-united-states-v-stevens) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_187819932_S-1.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/25-ways-to-write-like-chief-justice-roberts) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [25 Ways to Write Like Chief Justice Roberts](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/25-ways-to-write-like-chief-justice-roberts) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Who doesn’t need some inspiration these days? On the writing front, consider Chief Justice... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/25-ways-to-write-like-chief-justice-roberts) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2023-04-27-at-11_35_10-AM-1.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/stop-cutting-that) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Stop Cutting 'That'](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/stop-cutting-that) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) When I ask my audiences which words or phrases they like to cut from their drafts, someone often... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/stop-cutting-that) [![courthouse mixing old and modern technology](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/briefcatch%20-%20judges%20of%20yester%20year%20-%20hero.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/the-judges-of-yesteryear) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [If the Judges of Yesteryear Were As Hip As Judges Today . . . .](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/the-judges-of-yesteryear) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Today’s judges pepper their opinions with nods to Marie Kondo, *Breaking Bad*, Bob Dylan, and Dr.... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/the-judges-of-yesteryear) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/briefcatch-Meet%20Word%20and%20Page%20Limits-hero.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/dont-cheat-on-me-the-healthy-way-to-meet-word-and-page-limits) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Don’t Cheat on Me: The Healthy Way to Meet Word and Page Limits](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/dont-cheat-on-me-the-healthy-way-to-meet-word-and-page-limits) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) **A court recently sanctioned counsel for Amazon for fiddling with formatting rules to squeeze in...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/dont-cheat-on-me-the-healthy-way-to-meet-word-and-page-limits) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/BriefCatch%20briefcase%20icon.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/135-transition-words-and-phrases) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [135 Transition Words and Phrases](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/135-transition-words-and-phrases) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) ### To Help Improve Your Prose #### To provide another point - Additionally - And - Along with - Also - Another reason [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/135-transition-words-and-phrases) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-09-01_23_57_00.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-conclude) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Logical Transition Examples—To Conclude](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-conclude) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Unsure of how to close out that brief? Conclude with aplomb by using short, light transition words... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/logical-transition-examples-to-conclude) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JasperArt_2023-08-30_15_53_19.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/punctuation-semicolons) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Punctuation: Semicolons](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/punctuation-semicolons) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) With more stopping power than the comma and the ability to connect two independent clauses (and... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/punctuation-semicolons) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture8.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-historic-historical) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Commonly Confused Words: Historic/Historical](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-historic-historical) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Is the American Revolution a **historic** or a **historical** event (or both)? ### **Historic (adjective):**  - **...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-historic-historical) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture4.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-farther-further) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Commonly Confused Words: Farther/Further](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-farther-further) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Is plaintiff’s claim **farther** or **further** attenuated than the bad precedent they cite to? ### **Uses of...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-farther-further) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture9.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/principle-principal) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Commonly Confused Words: Principle/Principal](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/principle-principal) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Are the **principles** of the constitutional interpretation clear? Or would that be constitutional **...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/principle-principal) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture15.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-verbal-oral-written) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Commonly Confused Words: Verbal/Oral/Written](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-verbal-oral-written) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Are **oral** and **written** contracts both considered **verbal** contracts? If so, what’s the difference? ### **...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-verbal-oral-written) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Picture6.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-forego-foregoing-forgo-forgoing) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Commonly Confused Words: Forego/Foregoing/Forgo/Forgoing](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-forego-foregoing-forgo-forgoing) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Would you **forego** the chance to sue for a decent settlement? Or would you be **forgoing** that chance? ### **...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/lessons/commonly-confused-words-forego-foregoing-forgo-forgoing) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Star-Trek-1024x1024.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/splitsville) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Splitsville](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/articles/splitsville) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Your seventh-grade English teacher told you never to split an infinitive: no adverb between “to”... 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The Justices...** [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/textualism-whiplash) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/MS%20Editor%20Report%20Blog.jpg)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/microsoft-words-new-editor-lawyer-beware) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Microsoft Word’s New Editor: Lawyer Beware?](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/microsoft-words-new-editor-lawyer-beware) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Legal writing is a specialized field that requires precision, clarity, and adherence to specific... 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Jumpstart your SAT... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/if-trump-tweets-were-sat-writing-language-questions) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/briefcatch%20-%20winning%20feedback%20-%20hero.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/winning-feedback) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Winning Feedback: Four Examples](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/winning-feedback) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) Good feedback does more than just boost morale. It can make you a magnet for better work product. [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/winning-feedback) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/briefcatch%20-%20feedback%20four%20-%20hero.webp)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/when-feedback-falls-flat) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [When Feedback Falls Flat](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/when-feedback-falls-flat) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) I often work with attorneys who are several years into their careers. They’ve received lots of... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/when-feedback-falls-flat) [![](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IRS-Original-300x189.png)](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/writing-about-regulations-remember-you-and-yours) [Writing Tips](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/tag/writing-tips) ### [Writing About Regulations? Remember 'You and Yours'](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/writing-about-regulations-remember-you-and-yours) ![Picture of Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ross%20Photo.jpeg?width=50&name=Ross%20Photo.jpeg) [Ross Guberman](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/author/rg) So many people yearn to understand regulations right now. If you want to help, think of yourself... [Read more](https://blog.briefcatch.com/bc/writing-about-regulations-remember-you-and-yours) ### Sign Up Sign up for our newsletter to receive expert legal writing tips and the latest product announcements from BriefCatch. © 2026 BriefCatch, Inc. [![BriefCatch Blue Logo_Rect_Reverse-1](https://blog.briefcatch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BriefCatch%20Blue%20Logo_Rect_Reverse-1.png?width=125&height=29&name=BriefCatch%20Blue%20Logo_Rect_Reverse-1.png "BriefCatch Blue Logo_Rect_Reverse-1")](https://briefcatch.com/pricing/) Copyright © 2026, BriefCatch, Inc.