Full disclosure, in high school, I once wrote an entire paper without than. I had convinced myself it wasn't a word. Part of that was writing the paper a little too late in the evening and part of it was general confusion. The day after I turned the paper in, my teacher stopped … Continue reading Than vs. Then: A Grammar Lesson
Bring vs. Take: A Grammar Lesson
I wasn't sure of the right answer on this one when a reader asked the other day. After some research and a quick visit to Grammar Girl, I learned that it is a fairly simple rule, you bring something to where you are, you take something to where you are going. Her example is, "I … Continue reading Bring vs. Take: A Grammar Lesson
Could Care Less vs. Couldn’t Care Less: A Grammar Lesson
This cliché sees to throw people for a loop. The right phrase is, "I couldn't care less." Because if you "could care less," you are caring some. Still want more proof? From the The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, "This expression originated about 1940 in Britain and for a time invariably used couldn’t. About 1960 … Continue reading Could Care Less vs. Couldn’t Care Less: A Grammar Lesson
Faze vs. Phase: A Grammar Lesson
Today's grammar lesson comes from Steve Woodruff, President of Impactiviti. He had a tweet a few weeks ago that made me laugh at first and then cringe a little as I started noticing it in various places and different contexts. Woodruff's tweet was, "btw, nothing will 'phase' you unless you are on a Star Trek … Continue reading Faze vs. Phase: A Grammar Lesson
Affect vs. Effect: A Grammar Lesson
Just when I think I've got this one down, something trips me up. Affect is something that happens. My favorite grammarian, Grammar Girl lists affect as a verb and is means to influence. Effect is a result and a noun. One is a noun, the other is a verb. With that, I shouldn't be able … Continue reading Affect vs. Effect: A Grammar Lesson