Writing Tips
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Index I
- I
- Ibero-
- ice
- iced
- icono-
- ideal
- ideo-
- idioms: blue-sky
- idioms: get your ducks in a row
- idioms: hat trick
- idioms: in a jiffy
- idioms: pushing the envelope
- i.e.
- if
- if and when
- if I was
- if I were
- if not
- igni-
- ignitable
- ignitible
- il-
- Île-à-la-Crosse
- Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- illegal
- illegible
- illicit (1)
- illicit (2)
- illusion
- im-
- imbue
- immanent
- immigrate
- imminent (1)
- imminent (2)
- immune from
- immune to
- impinge on
- impinge upon
- imply
- imports
- impress by
- impress on
- impress upon
- impress with
- impulse
- in
- in-
- in accordance to
- in accordance with
- in all probability
- inasmuch as
- incapable
- incapable of
- incidence
- incidents
- include
- inclusive
- inclusively
- in conjunction with
- in connection with
- in consequence
- in contrast to
- inculcate
- indefinite pronouns
- indexes: abbreviations and other reference tools
- indexes: alphabetical arrangement
- indexes: blind references
- indexes: capitalization
- indexes: choice of terms
- indexes: combined entries
- indexes: complex entry
- indexes: continued headings
- indexes: cross-references
- indexes: "dangling" entries
- indexes: definition
- indexes: double posting
- indexes: entry versus subentry
- indexes: geographical names
- indexes: government departments and agencies
- indexes: homonyms
- indexes: length
- indexes: listing of subentries
- indexes: newspapers and periodicals
- indexes: personal names
- indexes: referenced material
- indexes: scientific names
- indexes: scope and complexity
- indexes: simple entry
- indexes: syntax of heading
- indifferent to
- indifferent toward(s)
- indirect objects
- indiscriminate
- indispensable for
- indispensable to
- individual
- Indo-
- inequity
- in excess of
- in fact
- infer
- infest
- infested by
- infested with
- infinitive
- infinitive phrase
- inflammable
- influenza
- inform (1)
- inform (2)
- infra-
- infringe
- infringe on
- infringe upon
- infuse
- ingenious
- ingenuous
- ingratiate
- iniquity
- initiative
- initiative (on one’s own)
- innovation
- in preference to
- in proximity to
- in receipt of
- in regard to
- insanitary
- inside of
- insight about
- insight as to
- insight into
- insight regarding
- insinuate
- insinuate into
- insofar as
- in spite of the fact that
- instil
- instill
- insure
- integrate
- integrate into
- integrate with
- intense
- intensive
- intensive pronouns
- inter
- inter-
- intercede for
- intercede on behalf of
- intercede with
- interjections
- interment
- intern
- internecine
- internet
- Internet (1)
- Internet (2)
- internment
- internship
- in the absence of
- in the amount of
- in the circumstances
- in the event that
- in the near future
- in the neighbourhood of
- in the order of
- in the sum of
- in the wake of
- into
- into effect
- intra-
- intranet
- intro-
- Inuit
- Inuk (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)
- inukshuk
- inukshuks
- inuksuit
- inuksuk
- invalid
- invest
- invested as
- invest in
- invest with
- in view of the fact that
- invigorating
- in virtue of
- Iqaluit
- Iqalummiuq
- Iqalummiut
- ir-
- Iranian
- irregardless
- irrespective
- italics: emphasis
- italics: French and foreign words
- italics: identifying matter
- italics: introduction
- italics: legal references
- italics: letters and words cited
- italics: mathematical and scientific material
- italics: modes of transportation
- italics: peripheral matter
- italics: titles of works
- its
- it’s
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idioms: get your ducks in a row
To get your ducks in a row means to organize your tasks and schedule so that you are ready for the next step.
There are a number of theories behind the origin of this expression. Real ducklings, of course, walk in a line behind their parent, and the expression ducks in a row certainly brings that image to mind.
Other theories involve the precise set-up of duckpins (which are a type of bowling pin) or the mechanical ducks you can shoot at in a carnival firing range. Some sources suggest the phrase comes from the game of pool, when a number of balls, called sitting ducks, line up neatly near pockets and can be tapped in one after another.
Get your ducks in a row has become a cliché, and some people object to its use. You should avoid it when you write. Instead, simply say "get organized" or "prepare yourself."
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