'If' Versus 'Whether.' Why We Say 'The Exception That Proves the Rule.'
"If" and "whether" are often interchangeable, but sometimes using one or the other will change the meaning of your sentence. And if you've ever wondered why we say, "the exception that proves the rule...
8 Jul 202112min
Trundle, Amble, Roam, and Shamble. How Some Preposition Use Has Changed Over Time.
We look at the surprising origins of some of our favorite words for walking. Plus, how do you know when to write "The car almost ran me over" versus "The car almost ran over me"?Subscribe to the newsl...
1 Jul 202117min
Pedantic Nonsense Up with Which I Will Not Put! 'Discreet' or 'Discrete'?
Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HO...
24 Jun 202114min
Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction: Right or Wrong? Good 'Subpar' and Bad 'Subpar.'
Many people have been taught that it's wrong to start a sentence with a conjunction, but nearly all major style guides say doing so is fine. Neal Whitman investigates why there seems to be such a diff...
17 Jun 202115min
How Long Is a Good Sentence? 'Cord' or 'Chord'? Grumple.
How Long Is a Good Sentence? 'Cord' or 'Chord'?Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS ...
10 Jun 202111min
What Made 'Friends' Funny. How Cicadas Got Their Name. Dog Replacer.
You laughed and laughed while watching "Friends." One reason it was funny is that the writers took what you expect from a conversation and flipped it on its head. Plus, how cicadas got their name, and...
3 Jun 202113min
Is 'Graduated College' Wrong? Five Wonderful Latin Phrases.
I'm hearing "graduated college" much more often. Is it still wrong? Plus, five bona fide Latin phrases you can use to describe something wonderful.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watc...
27 Mai 202111min
'Bring,' 'Take,' and 'Carry.' 'The Queen's Gambit.' Sweepy Thing.
We go through the simple rules for "bring" and "take," but then talk about the fun exceptions and dialect forms. Plus, how "The Queen's Gambit" can help us remember the difference between "gambit" and...
20 Mai 202115min
