Grammar Questions & Answers
We welcome your questions about grammar and usage, whether they arrive by email, in forum posts, or in response to blog entries. Here we offer concise answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about grammar.
What Is Language?
The following observations on language, drawn from the works of various writers and scholars, take us beyond simple definitions. Approaching the subject from different metaphorical perspectives, sometimes in contradictory ways, these quotations should serve as points of departure for your own exploration of the mystery of language.
The following observations on language, drawn from the works of various writers and scholars, take us beyond simple definitions. Approaching the subject from different metaphorical perspectives, sometimes in contradictory ways, these quotations should serve as points of departure for your own exploration of the mystery of language.
What Is Grammar?
"Descriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as it is actually used by speakers and writers. "Prescriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as certain people think it should be used.
"Descriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as it is actually used by speakers and writers. "Prescriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as certain people think it should be used.
What Is Standard English?
The following comments--from linguists, lexicographers, grammarians, and journalists--are offered in the spirit of fostering discussion rather than resolving all the many complex issues that surround the term "Standard English."
The following comments--from linguists, lexicographers, grammarians, and journalists--are offered in the spirit of fostering discussion rather than resolving all the many complex issues that surround the term "Standard English."
Why Should I Study the English Language?
In his preface to "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language," David Crystal offers six good reasons for studying the English language.
In his preface to "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language," David Crystal offers six good reasons for studying the English language.
What Is Good English?
Professor George Krapp's engaging response to the question "What is good English?" remains as provocative as when it was first published in 1909.
Professor George Krapp's engaging response to the question "What is good English?" remains as provocative as when it was first published in 1909.
Why Is Grammar Important?
From the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), a lucid and sensible position statement on the value of teaching grammar in American schools.
From the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), a lucid and sensible position statement on the value of teaching grammar in American schools.
What Is the Difference Between Descriptive and Prescriptive Grammar?
"Descriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as it is actually used by speakers and writers. "Prescriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as certain people think it should be used.
"Descriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as it is actually used by speakers and writers. "Prescriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as certain people think it should be used.
What Is the Difference Between Grammar and Usage?
Grammar is the rationale of a language; usage is the etiquette.
Grammar is the rationale of a language; usage is the etiquette.
What Is a SNOOT?
After reading this article, decide if you are a SNOOT: one of "the Few, the Proud, the More or Less Constantly Appalled at Everyone Else."
After reading this article, decide if you are a SNOOT: one of "the Few, the Proud, the More or Less Constantly Appalled at Everyone Else."
What Is Sentence Combining and How Does It Work?
An alternative to traditional forms of grammar instruction, sentence combining gives students practice in manipulating a variety of basic sentence structures.
An alternative to traditional forms of grammar instruction, sentence combining gives students practice in manipulating a variety of basic sentence structures.
What Is Verbing?
Verbing is a time-honored way of coining new words out of old ones, the etymological process of conversion (or functional shifting). Sometimes it's also a kind of word play.
Verbing is a time-honored way of coining new words out of old ones, the etymological process of conversion (or functional shifting). Sometimes it's also a kind of word play.
What Is the Difference Between a "Weak Verb" and a "Strong Verb"?
"Weak verbs" (also called regular verbs) form the past tense by adding -ed, -d, or -t to the base form. "Strong verbs" (also called irregular verbs) form the past tense or the past participle (or both) in various ways but most often by changing the vowel of the present tense form.
"Weak verbs" (also called regular verbs) form the past tense by adding -ed, -d, or -t to the base form. "Strong verbs" (also called irregular verbs) form the past tense or the past participle (or both) in various ways but most often by changing the vowel of the present tense form.
What Is an Appositive?
An appositive is a word or group of words that renames another word in a sentence. Here we'll look at some of the ways in which George Orwell uses appositives in his essay "A Hanging."
An appositive is a word or group of words that renames another word in a sentence. Here we'll look at some of the ways in which George Orwell uses appositives in his essay "A Hanging."
What Is a Sentence Adverb?
The sentence adverb has served a useful function in English since the 14th century. In the past few decades, however, one sentence adverb in particular has come in for a lot of criticism. Here we'll look at some examples of sentence adverbs and consider what--if anything--is wrong with the ever-optimistic adverb "hopefully."
The sentence adverb has served a useful function in English since the 14th century. In the past few decades, however, one sentence adverb in particular has come in for a lot of criticism. Here we'll look at some examples of sentence adverbs and consider what--if anything--is wrong with the ever-optimistic adverb "hopefully."
Present Progressive & Present Participle: What's the Difference?
Find out what distinguishes a present participle ("singing," for instance) from the present progressive tense ("is singing").
Find out what distinguishes a present participle ("singing," for instance) from the present progressive tense ("is singing").
What Is the Oxford (or Serial) Comma?
The Oxford (or serial) comma is the comma that precedes the conjunction before the final item in a list of three or more items.
The Oxford (or serial) comma is the comma that precedes the conjunction before the final item in a list of three or more items.
What Is a Placeholder?
A placeholder (also known as a tongue-tipper) is a word used by speakers to signal that they don't know or can't remember a more precise word for something--a "thingie," for instance, or a "thingamabob."
A placeholder (also known as a tongue-tipper) is a word used by speakers to signal that they don't know or can't remember a more precise word for something--a "thingie," for instance, or a "thingamabob."
What Is an Eponym?
An eponym is a word derived from the proper name of a person or place. Some eponyms ("sandwich" and "valentine," for instance) are well known. But there are hundreds of other eponyms whose etymologies are less familiar. Here are a few.
An eponym is a word derived from the proper name of a person or place. Some eponyms ("sandwich" and "valentine," for instance) are well known. But there are hundreds of other eponyms whose etymologies are less familiar. Here are a few.
Which Words in a Title Should Be Capitalized?
Style guides disagree on which words to capitalize in a title (of a book, article, essay, movie, song, or video game). Here's a basic guide to the two most common methods: sentence case and title case.
Style guides disagree on which words to capitalize in a title (of a book, article, essay, movie, song, or video game). Here's a basic guide to the two most common methods: sentence case and title case.
What Is the Preferred Way to Write the Abbreviation for the United States?
As it happens, there's more than one preferred way to write the abbreviation for United States.
As it happens, there's more than one preferred way to write the abbreviation for United States.
Is It Wrong to Begin a Sentence With "But"?
It has been common practice to begin sentences with a conjunction since at least as far back as the 10th century.
It has been common practice to begin sentences with a conjunction since at least as far back as the 10th century.
Is It Wrong to End a Sentence With a Preposition?
Quite simply, no. A preposition is not a bad word to end a sentence with. Even in your grandparents' day a preposition was not a bad word to end a sentence with.
Quite simply, no. A preposition is not a bad word to end a sentence with. Even in your grandparents' day a preposition was not a bad word to end a sentence with.
What Is Family Slang?
Family slang refers to words and phrases (neologisms) created, used, and generally understood only by the members of a family. As a rule, these coinages do not appear in any conventional dictionary.
Family slang refers to words and phrases (neologisms) created, used, and generally understood only by the members of a family. As a rule, these coinages do not appear in any conventional dictionary.
What Is the NATO Phonetic Alphabet?
The NATO phonetic alphabet is a spelling alphabet used by airline pilots, police, the military, and other officials when communicating over radio or telephone.
The NATO phonetic alphabet is a spelling alphabet used by airline pilots, police, the military, and other officials when communicating over radio or telephone.