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Paul Yeager's language book
Category Archives: language
Linking Verbs De-mystified
Linking verbs have several things going on, so we’ll keep this one simple. Linking verbs are intransitive (Transitive and Intransitive Verbs); that is, they do not have direct objects after them. Linking verbs describe a state of being rather than … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, writing
Tagged English, grammar, language, linking verbs, predicate adjective, predicate noun, subject complement
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Anonymous or Unnamed Source
Not every post on this blog is as simple being correct or incorrect. Sometimes, it’s about clarification to ensure accurate communication, and I think that we could use some clarification about the use of the adjectives anonymous and unnamed when … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, writing
Tagged anonymous sources, anonymous versus unnamed sources, communication, grammar, language, Sarah Palin, unnamed sources
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Miami Book Fair, Here I Come
The Miami Book Fair is the largest and most prestigious book fair in the country, and I’m very excited to be one of the participating authors this year. The festival, which takes place on the campus of Miami Dade College … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, writing
Tagged Ammon Shea, grammar, language, literally the best language book ever, Miami Book Fair, Miami Book Fair 2008, Miami Dada College, Mim Harrison, paul yeager, Reading the OED, Smart Words, writing
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Is It Him and I or Him and Me?
I’ve already written some general information about pronouns, but I think that it might be more helpful if I tackle them individually. Here, I’ll talk about the personal pronouns him and I versus him and me. Let’s get a couple … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, writing
Tagged English, grammar error, him and I, him and me, language, nominative pronouns, objective pronouns, personal pronouns, writing
2 Comments
On Either Side of This Mistake
Either I’m missing something, or we’ve become very confused about the proper use of the word either. We still get it right when used in the way I just used it, either/or; it’s either one thing or another; however, either … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, writing
Tagged both not either, either/or, grammar, HGTV, interior design, language, on either side, writing
2 Comments
The Number Of versus A Number Of
A number of should be used with a plural verb. Think of it this way: A number of equates to the word they. A number of fans buy tickets at the game. (They buy tickets.) A number of dogs in our … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, writing
Tagged a number of, English, grammar error, the number of, writing
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Metrosexual
I often comment on the use of trendy words since a trend in language is about as good as a trend in fashion–if you’re not aware of when the trend fades, you’re left looking outdated. The word metrosexual, though, has … Continue reading
Brain ISSUE? Sounds Like a PROBLEM to Me!
In the Buffalo/Jets game on Sunday, quarterback Trent Edwards took a hard tackle and was knocked to the ground, where he hit every part of his body, including his head. He didn’t leave the game, but the announcers were concerned … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, sports, writing
Tagged Buffalo Bills, concussion, English, football, grammar error, language, New York Jets, NFL, Trent Edwards, writing
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Complete Lack of Tolerance for Tolerance
Tolerate means to allow or to permit, and a person has no more right to allow or to permit another person (or group of people) to be different from himself or herself than I have to permit or to allow you … Continue reading
True Patriotism
The terms patriotic and unpatriotic have been tossed around in recent years more than a drunken rookie bull rider, with its most common usage being a repeated assertion by the McCain campaign (on many fronts–by himself, Governor Palin, campaign workers, … Continue reading
Posted in language, politics, writing
Tagged election 2008, English, language, McCain, Palin, patriotic, patriotism, politics, Presidential election, unpatriotic
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Everything Language and Grammar 