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Usage Notes

Is singular 'they' a better choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

"Everyone should do his or her best in whatever situations he or she happens to find himself or herself in?" That's awkward. Perhaps everyone should just do their best in the situations they find themselves in. Even if their best involves they as a singular pronoun.

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play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

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How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

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'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.

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Why both words are equally good for you.

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Its vs. It's

 

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

Games & Quizzes

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Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
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Name That Tree! A quiz that’s all bark, no bite.
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