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Usage Notes

Old-School Grammar

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.


Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

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play video old school grammar humorsome
Old-School Grammar

 

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

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Further vs. Farther

 

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

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How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

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How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

What our editors are looking for when they enter words in Merriam-Webster.

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Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

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Video: Why Is There a 'C' in 'Indict'?

 

And who put it there, anyway?

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How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

 

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary