Articles Categorized Grammar & Usage

10 Nuances of Subject–Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement sounds simple but can be surprisingly complex. These 10 nuances of agreement will get you started.

“Don’t start a sentence with ‘and’ or ‘but,'” we’re told. But no one updates that rule when our skills grow. Let’s fix that.

FANBOYS can help us remember the coordinating conjunctions. Except that it’s wrong. Learn the truth about FANBOYS.

We’ve been taught not to start sentences with “however.” Why you can dismiss that rule.

The singular “they” zombie has been shuffling along for centuries. It’s time it bit the dust for good.

Have you been told that you can’t use “between” when talking about more than two items? That’s a zombie rule. Let’s rewrite it.

Why it’s OK to use “since” to mean “because” and when you should avoid it.

We learn a lot of grammar and writing rules in school, but not all rules are equal. Some are members of the undead.

Is “media” singular or plural? In classic English grammar fashion, the answer is a confident “it depends.”