THE ancient notion of English grammar was one of certain categories of words, and certain rules for their proper use. This is still the idea implied in most of the dictionary definitions of the word.

The Oxford comma. “Ask” instead of “aks.” There, their, and they’re. The legitimacy of “ain’t” and “y’all.” These are familiar, if sometimes contentious, issues in the usage of the English language.

English grammar is the foundation of effective communication, and understanding its basic rules is essential for beginners. Whether you're just starting to learn English or looking to strengthen your ...

November 12, 2010 Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google Though some might treat grammar as dead serious business, that's not a particularly fun way to learn it. Brush ...

It may seem from some of my recent newsletters — championing “they” as a singular pronoun and “me” as a subject pronoun — that there’s something about being a linguist that makes one strangely ...

Ellen Jovin is not the grammar police. She's more like a grammar guru, a gentle, nonjudgmental guide who knows English isn't etched into a linguistic stone, rigid and unchangeable. Instead, she knows ...