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Usage Notes

Old-School Grammar

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.


Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

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play video old school grammar humorsome
Old-School Grammar

 

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

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Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

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The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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Its vs. It's

 

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

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Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

 

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