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mrs malaprop
Words at Play

What is a malaprop?

Editor Peter Sokolowski will tell you all the perpendiculars

A malapropism, or malaprop, is the usually unintentionally humorous misuse or distortion of a word or phrase, especially the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended but ludicrously wrong in context—like polo bears instead of polar bears.

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play mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

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

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

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

play onomatopoeia video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

 

Some imitative words are more surprising than others

play illustration of a man watching a washing machine overflow
'All over sudden' vs. 'All of a sudden'

 

Figuring it out at once

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How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

play serenity-carr-definitely-image
How to Remember the Spelling of 'Definitely'

 

A definitive answer.

Games & Quizzes

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Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
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Blossom Pick the best words!
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The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
girl-pencil-test
Challenging Standardized Test Words Quiz Vol. 3 You’re on your own for the math section.
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