Top 10 Obsolete Grammar Rules – by Guest Blogger Steven Sawyer
Language purists, watch out! Here’s are 10 obsolete grammar rules you’re going to have to break if you want to keep pace with our ever changing language.
Common Grammatical Errors: Passover Readings and the Singular “They”
It has become common for writers to refer to a single person, who could be of either gender, as a “they.” This “singular they” construction is grammatically problematic. Clearly one person does not qualify as a “they,” “their” or “them.” Yet we refer, perhaps lazily, or even sloppily, to singles as multiples – because it would be challenging or awkward to be grammatically rigorous.
Common Writing Errors: Parallel Construction, Sentence Fragments
Lack of parallel construction can cause ambiguities and misunderstandings in your writing. Learn how to use parallel construction to write unambiguous sentences and be sure you get your exact point across.
Does the GEICO Gecko Need a Grammar Lesson?
Today I heard a GEICO commercial that included a line something like this: “To show our appreciation, call within the next 15 minutes…” Does this sentence contain a grammatical error? Read about it here.
Is it Okay to Split an Infinitive? Can I start a sentence with “And”?
The following is some basic writing help that answers your questions about split infinitives, whether to start sentences with “And” or “But,” and whether it’s okay to use a singular “they.”
Commas and Semicolons… The Comma (or Semicolon?) Chameleon
“Comma? Semicolon? Aaargh!! I’ll just pick one… I figure I have a 50% chance of getting it right.”
Does this sound like you? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s raise your average.
Can You Right Write? 10 MORE Common Writing Mistakes 2 Avoid
There’s a game embedded in this article! In the last example for each section, see if you can choose the correct word from the [two/too] options in brackets. If [your/you’re] not sure, the answer will be revealed in the next section.
Can You Right Write? 10 Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Note To Readers from Sam Diener: There is no possible way that I could have written this article. I rely on two editors to make sure my grammar is correct! So I invited Ms. Brenda Bernstein, the Essay Expert, to come along and write this series of two articles for me. She is quite the grammarian, and she is much smarter than I. So you all had better listen to her – and enjoy!
The “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks
Last week I wrote an article about quotation marks, and I did not cover the topic of their overuse. Quotation marks are often used to “emphasize” a word when they are grammatically unnecessary or incorrect. Thankfully, another blogger has taken on the gallant task of locating errant quotation marks so that I can take a…
The Quandary of Quotation Marks
Quotation marks are a beloved form of punctuation in the English language, used to indicate a verbatim report on what someone said, and used in a great deal of business writing. They are often misused. This week I will clear up some misconceptions held by many about proper usage of these marks.
