Language, be it remember’d, is not an abstract construction of the learn’d, or of dictionary-makers, but is something arising out of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes, of long generations of humanity, and has its bases broad and low, close to the ground. Its final decisions are made by the masses, people nearest the concrete, having most to do with actual land and sea. It impermeates all, the Past as well as the Present, and is the grandest triumph of the human intellect.
– “Slang In America” in his Prose Works (1892)
by Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
In honor of tomorrow’s National Grammar Day 2015, I give to you a few of my favorite grammar pieces. Read them at your own risk…
When Your Punctuation Says it All! – Living in an 140 character world. [Comic by Ron Barrett]
Prepare yourself for National Grammar Day – The awesome John McIntyre, of the Baltimore Sun gives us words of wisdom. (You Don’t Say)
And for some fun, check out the entries in the National Grammar Day Tweeted Haiku Contest.
Some of my Grammar “Issues”:
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Their, They’re, There
Use there when referring to a place. Also use there with “to be” verbs.
Use their to show possession.
Remember they’re is the contraction of “they” and “are”. -
Affect and Effect
I remember this by using Edgar Allan Poe’s “RAVEN”.
Remember Affect Verb Effect Noun
Give it a try!
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Less vs. Fewer
I cringe in the grocery store when the sign says 10 items or less. It is 10 items or FEWER.
Quick way to remember: Less is for things you don’t count. Fewer is for those things you do count. Of course , there are exceptions… (that is for another post)
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Who versus Whom?
Grammar Girl (one of my favorites!) gives a great quick and dirty tip to remember Who or Whom. Here it is :
Like “whom,” the pronoun “him” ends with “m.” When you’re trying to decide whether to use “who” or “whom,” ask yourself if the answer to the question would be “he” or “him.”
What are your Grammar Pet Peeves?
Finally, celebrate National Grammar Day with the Grammartini, created by National Grammar Day Founder, Martha Brockenbrough.
Martha Brockenbrough’s grammartini recipe:
2 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 green olive
Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes.
Stir for 30 seconds.
Strain into a martini glass.
Drink
See you next time, and please remember to Pause before you Punctuate.
-Dara
