Grammar Minute
272 episodes — Page 4 of 6
S3 Ep 126Should You Formally Study Grammar?
The answer might surprise you. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 125RERUN - None of Us Is Ready for This Grammar Rule
"None" is short for "no one," which makes it a singular noun. But do we really have to treat it like one? Find out on this episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 124RERUN - Banish Flabby Opinion Statements
Angels appear to people. Opinions do not. So don't use this one common phrase in your academic essay, under peril of your professor's red pen!
S3 Ep 123Brand Names Are Capitalized - And Yes, "Trampoline" Is a Brand
Brands that sound like commonly used terms should still be capitalized. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 122The Enormity of "Enormity" Misused
Welcome to Part 3 of my ongoing series, How Not to Use the Word Enormity.
S3 Ep 121Is There a Place for Cliches in Good Writing?
You just never know ... but you will after listening to today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 120Waiting "On" = Fancy Butlers
You don't "wait on" as many things as you think you do. Learn more in today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 118RERUN: The Conciseness of "Concision"
"Conciseness" or "concision?" Learn more on today's rerun episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 119SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview with Sophia Hansen, Author of Water's Break
Sophia Hansen is an organic writer, using no hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides on her words unless absolutely convenient. She’s lived on a tiny island in Alaska, the bustling cities of New York and Boston, and has settled in the southeast where she writes and edits in other worlds. Sophia loves plenty of coffee, crispy bacon, and—after 30+ years of marriage, seven children, and numerous pets—that she can still fit into her high school earrings.
S3 Ep 117RERUN: It's Not Unlikely That You've Seen This Before
The dreaded "not un-" construction returns in today's rerun episode of Grammar Minute.
S3 Ep 116Inflammable: In Flames or Un-Flammable?
Inflammable. Incombustible. Thanks, English. Learn the difference on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 115Imply vs. Infer
Who ate the last cookie--and what am I implying? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 114RERUN: Hoot Owls, Humans, and the Who/Whom Debate
Humans and hoot owls have some vocabulary in common. Learn how to use the "owl words" correctly in today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 113RERUN: Cats & Compound Nouns
If Hadrian and Mittens are sitting in front of the fire, could it be that Hadrian or Mittens ... are going to get up and eat dinner? Find out on today's (rerun) episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 112Is English Really That Hard?
It could always be worse ... right? Find out more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 111Should You Put a Comma Before "And?"
Like most things in English: It depends. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 110SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview with Dr. Hugh Ross, Author of The Creator and the Cosmos
Tune in today for a science and faith-filled conversation with author and astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross, of Reasons to Believe.
S3 Ep 109Corporations Aren't Alive (Singular "They")
"They" used in the singular sense has a long and complicated history. Here's one instance where it definitely doesn't work.
S3 Ep 108Incomplete Comparisons
"Mechanical pencils are just better." Well, yes--but better than what? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 107Does Your Story Really Need an Ellipsis?
The answer is probably no. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 106Recap: "Affect" vs. "Effect"
Your affect will show how effectively you understand the difference between "affect" and "effect." Test your English savvy on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 105"Enamored of" or "Enamored With?"
Preposition alert! "Enamored" can be used without an object, but the more common usage requires a preposition. The only problem is, which one should you choose? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 104How to Get What You Want
It's back to school season, and that means it's time to start sending emails. Here are a few quick tips and tricks to make sure your emails are well-received!
S3 Ep 103You Were Being Chased--By An Alligator!
Sentence order matters. Learn why on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 102Run, Forrest, Run--But Not Too Far!
Banish run-on sentences with these tips from today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 101Way Back Then Was Better Than You Thought
Then. Than. Thaen? Learn the difference between these words on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 100What Do You Mean, There's No Grammar Minute?!
English is weird. Really weird--even weirder than I can explain in almost 100 episodes. Learn how to get your questions answered on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 99"She laughed softly" or "she softly laughed?"
Weirdly put. Put weirdly? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 98Why "an hour" but not "a hotel?"
It's strange--but easy. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 96"Mean You" - Subjective vs. Objective
"Mean you" are going to the grocery store. Say it with me: What? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 95Commas After Adverbs
Actually, you might not need that comma. Especially if you're writing conversationally. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 97SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview with YA Science Fiction Author Lyndsey Lewellen
Where's the best spot to write a book? How do you ask for book blurbs, beta readers, and more? Join me for a conversation with Lyndsey Lewellen, author of the just-released novel The Chaos Grid.Lyndsey Lewellen is a YA science fiction and fantasy author. Her stories are filled with adventure, wonder, and journeys toward redemption. When she’s not writing, reading, or whittling down her endless TBR, she designs covers for novels and paints on shoes. Learn more about her work at lyndseylewellen.com.
S3 Ep 94Single-Sentence Paragraphs
It's official: One-sentence paragraphs are the new sliced bread. (Or is that a case of mixed metaphors?) Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and don't forget to visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks!
S3 Ep 93SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview with Cathy McCrumb, Science Fiction Author
Join me for a conversation with Cathy McCrumb, author of the Children of the Consortium science fiction series! We'll cover everything from what it's like to be a first-time author to picking yourself up after harsh feedback to moving cross-country with your favorite books.Cathy McCrumb graduated from Biola University with a degree in English Literature and a love for stories. She and her husband, whom she met while writing letters to soldiers, have five children. They currently live in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.Click here to read her work.
S3 Ep 92Preposition Endings - When You Don't Need Them
Welcome back to another episode of the Grammar Hall of Shame! This unremarkable entry showcases the blandness of short prepositions. For more tips and tricks, visit thegrammarminute.com.
S3 Ep 91Diaereses: The Best of Diacritical Marks
Hats off to this underrated, so-called "archaic" punctuation mark that can make pronunciation a whole lot easier. For more tips and tricks, visit thegrammarminute.com.
S3 Ep 90The Compelling Case for Admirable Adjectives
"Good." "Bad." "Fine." "Very." Learn how to banish these overused words from your lexicon in today's episode of Grammar Minute.
S3 Ep 89The Infamous "Not Un-"
It's not unlikely that you've seen this construction before ... but here's to hoping you never see it again. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.
S3 Ep 88The Magic of "Iff"
I sneeze if I pet cats, but I become joyful iff I pet cats. Learn the difference on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.
S3 Ep 87The Case for Ungrammatical Emails
Toss out your grammar book and your thesaurus when you're writing email subject lines (unless you want to sound like ChatGPT). Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.
S3 Ep 86You're LITERALLY So Wrong!
Learn why you've literally been using "literally" to mean exactly the opposite of what it literally means.
S3 Ep 85Prepping for the Nuclear Apocalypse
After today's episode of Grammar Minute, you'll be able to poetically stare off into the sunset just like the heroes of your favorite dystopian novels.
S3 Ep 84"Based On" vs. "Based Off"
Your tower might be based off a shaky foundation--unless it's on the foundation. Nitpick some popular grammar on today's episode of Grammar Minute.
S3 Ep 83Dr. Steele's Spelling Minute: British vs. American Words
This poem mysteriously turned up on the back of my economics quiz, imparting powerful knowledge from the keeper of American vs. British spellings and, also, of economics--Dr. Charles Steele of Hillsdale College. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 82It's Voting Season: Grammar Matters (Maybe More than You Think)
A 2011 study found that political candidates' grammar may influence voter perception on their chances of reelection. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute--and if you're curious, read the study at this link.
S3 Ep 81That vs Who (Will Make You Sound Smart)
"That" and "who" don't sound like obvious candidates for a mix-up, but I bet you've encountered this grammatical distinction--probably recently. Learn how to avoid the pitfall on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 80"More Than" vs. "Over" (Sorry, AP Style Guide)
I have more than a hundred books. Or ... do I have over a hundred books? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 79The Most Grammatically Confusing Holiday (Presidents' Day)
President's Day. Presidents' Day. Presidents Day. This holiday has long stumped grammarians, and in fact, the correct spelling depends on exactly what you want to celebrate. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
S3 Ep 78Plurals vs. Apostrophes (A Bigger Rivalry Than the Super Bowl)
Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we've finally discovered a hard-and-fast rule of the English language!
S3 Ep 77It's All Well and Good (Can You Say "I Feel Good?")
Let me be honest: "I don't know" appears frequently in this episode.