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Category Archives: language
Christmas Wish List
One of the benefits of working at a university is the extended “holiday break.” Of course, the holiday break lines up with Christmas every single year, so I’m beginning to suspect that the university is actually on Christmas break but … Continue reading
Posted in humor, language
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Try To or Try And
Although the phrase try and is commonly used, it is illogical, and the correct phrase is try to. Try needs the infinitive after it. (Remember, the infinitive is the to form of a verb, as in to read, to work, … Continue reading
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Continuous, Continual
Continuous means perpetual, uninterrupted, without a break. I ran continuously for 30 minutes means that I ran every second of every minute for 30 minutes. I did not stop for a water break or to catch my breath or to … Continue reading
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A lot, Alot, Allot
Alot is the incorrect spelling of a lot. Think of it this way: A lot is just like a little, only more. She plays a lot of tennis. He has a lot of extra time to finish his homework. She … Continue reading
Then and Than Grammar
Use than when making a comparison. My brother is older than I. She can do more than that. They would rather read the book than watch the movie. Use then when referring to the order of incidents, events, etc. It … Continue reading
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Portmanteau: Blame it on Lewis Carroll
A reader requested the following explanation: “…Perhaps you can tell me what word is used when a part of one word is combined with part of another word to form a whole new word.” Well, the short answer would have … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, writing
Tagged grammar, language, Lewis Carroll, neologism, portmanteau, writing
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No Exclusions!
I recently received a flier in the mail from a department store whose goal it was to alert me to their latest sale offer. Their big news was that I could get 10 dollars off my sale or clearance purchases … Continue reading
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Tagged christmas shopping, marketing, misleading language, no exclusions on apparel, promotioon
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Verb Moods: Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive. What Mood Are You In?
Verbs can have one of three moods: indicative, imperative, or subjunctive. The indicative mood only includes verbs in sentences that are either statements (declarative sentences) or questions (interrogative sentences). It is unfortunate that more people do not live their lives … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, writing
Tagged English, grammar errors, imperative, indicative, language, subjunctive, verb moods, writing
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Past or Passed: When the Past Has Passed
Use past to refer to the time that came before now or to refer to beyond something in distance. His ten years of working for a corporation with a bad reputation is in the past (the time before now). Their … Continue reading
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