You may know your syntax, but do you know your Greek prefixes? In the first part of this blog series, we’ll investigate the Greek prefix “syn.”
Articles Tagged usage
Language by the People
What qualifies a usage as “proper” grammar? Perhaps the better question is who qualifies a usage as “proper”? Let’s dig a little deeper.
Plural or Singular? Here’s How to Handle Collective Nouns
There are a few significant ways in which British and American English differ, one of them being the handling of collective nouns.
When Adverbs Fall Flat
We’re taught from a young age that adverbs end in –ly and modify verbs. This is correct, however, adverbs are more complicated than the rule implies.
Rewriting the Zombies: Don’t Use Double Negatives
Double negatives are widely considered illogical, as they often result in an unintended positive meaning. However, there are some cases where a double negative might benefit a writer’s work.
The Reason Why is Because…
Many editors believe that the phrase “reason why” is redundant. That’s true, but it’s also true that why means “for which,” resulting in “reason for which.” Let’s determine whether this phrase fits into your sentence.
Mostly Useful Redundancies
Critical language experts often encourage editors to remove redundancies from written works. However, redundancies are not all bad, and there are times when repetition can help the author drive their message home.
What’s It Worth? A Confusing Use of the Apostrophe
Writers and editors commonly misunderstand what we use the apostrophe for and what possession is. And this misunderstanding dates back to the 18th century!
Rewriting the Zombies: “Curate” and “Reveal”
Zombie rules seem follow you around like the undead, though some are just stylistic choices. Here’s a breakdown on the outdated rules involving “curate” and “reveal.”
Passersby or Passerbys: Clarifying the Confusion of Plural Compound Nouns
Should you use “attorneys general” or “attorney generals”? Here’s everything you need to know about how to pluralize compound nouns.