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Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

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June 2017 Words of the Day Quiz

Summer's first WOTD quiz.

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Quick: Read This!

'Quick' once had a very different meaning

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Kim and Kanye Might Have Hired a Surrogate Mother

From TMZ to the dictionary.

Pretty in 'Pink'

From Fuchsia to Baker-Miller Pink

Videos

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

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2016 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'surreal'

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Alright vs. All Right

Is 'alright' all right?

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Is None Singular or Plural?

Or both? Or neither?

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

Latest Videos

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

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The Serial Comma

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

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Is it 'I Could Care Less' or 'I Couldn't Care Less'?

Because we care

174,974 views

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2016 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'surreal'

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Hot Mess

"The public is a hot mess"

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How to Use the Subjunctive in English

If I were you, I'd watch this

106,105 views

Grammar and Usage

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

70,458 views

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There, They're, Their

There, there. We'll sort it out.

66,895 views

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Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

157,738 views

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

How the irregular _snuck_ sneaked into the dictionary

40,177 views

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Further vs. Farther

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

29,065 views

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Bring vs. Take

Both words imply motion, but the difference may be all in your head

19,818 views

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Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

295,373 views

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

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

267,509 views

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

237,287 views

Word History

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

680,580 views

Okay?

Bizarre origins of the world's most recognized word.

199,044 views

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Soop vs. Soup

Noah Webster: the man who changed the way we spell... up to a point.

59,369 views

Gridiron

From torture to tailgating—the origins of an American football term.

14,888 views

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Christmas vs. Xmas

The surprising history behind this controversial abbreviation.

64,646 views

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The Truth About the Plural of Octopus

What's the correct plural of 'octopus': 'octopuses' or 'octopi'? Yes – and then some.

249,112 views

Most Viewed

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

680,580 views

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Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

321,380 views

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Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

295,373 views

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

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

267,509 views

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The Truth About the Plural of Octopus

What's the correct plural of 'octopus': 'octopuses' or 'octopi'? Yes – and then some.

249,112 views

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That vs. Which

When to use each (and when not to get annoyed about their use).

247,769 views

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

237,287 views

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Old-School Grammar

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

231,399 views

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'Try and' vs. 'Try to'

When you're not sure which is right, try to remember to use 'try to.'

222,387 views

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WORD GAMES

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Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

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Words at Play

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Quick: Read This!

'Quick' once had a very different meaning

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'Pride': The Word That Went From Vice to Strength

Do you take pride in Pride?

Pink: The Color that Will Change Your Life

From Fuchsia to Baker-Miller Pink

That Sucks Word Alternatives

Your day is the worst. Your vocabulary is the best.

Word Games

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June 2017 Words of the Day Quiz

Summer's first WOTD quiz.

Take the quiz

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Yearbook Superlatives Quiz

Is that your picture under "Largest Vocabulary"?

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

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SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

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