Podcast Episodes
Back to Search'If' Versus 'Whether.' Why We Say 'The Exception That Proves the Rule.'
Episode 831
"If" and "whether" are often interchangeable, but sometimes using one or the other will change the meaning of your sentence. And if you've ever wonde…
4 years, 8 months ago
Trundle, Amble, Roam, and Shamble. How Some Preposition Use Has Changed Over Time.
Episode 830
We look at the surprising origins of some of our favorite words for walking. Plus, how do you know when to write "The car almost ran me over" versus …
4 years, 8 months ago
Pedantic Nonsense Up with Which I Will Not Put! 'Discreet' or 'Discrete'?
Episode 829
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Grammar…
4 years, 8 months ago
Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction: Right or Wrong? Good 'Subpar' and Bad 'Subpar.'
Episode 828
Many people have been taught that it's wrong to start a sentence with a conjunction, but nearly all major style guides say doing so is fine. Neal Whi…
4 years, 9 months ago
How Long Is a Good Sentence? 'Cord' or 'Chord'? Grumple.
Episode 827
How Long Is a Good Sentence? 'Cord' or 'Chord'?
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Join the…
4 years, 9 months ago
What Made 'Friends' Funny. How Cicadas Got Their Name. Dog Replacer.
Episode 826
You laughed and laughed while watching "Friends." One reason it was funny is that the writers took what you expect from a conversation and flipped it…
4 years, 9 months ago
Is 'Graduated College' Wrong? Five Wonderful Latin Phrases.
Episode 825
I'm hearing "graduated college" much more often. Is it still wrong? Plus, five bona fide Latin phrases you can use to describe something wonderful.
S…
4 years, 9 months ago
'Bring,' 'Take,' and 'Carry.' 'The Queen's Gambit.' Sweepy Thing.
Episode 824
We go through the simple rules for "bring" and "take," but then talk about the fun exceptions and dialect forms. Plus, how "The Queen's Gambit" can h…
4 years, 10 months ago
Writing Dialogue. 'Associate Degree' or 'Associate's Degree'? Wiffy.
Episode 823
Is that dialogue feeling off? We're here to help! Plus, how to write about degrees this graduation season.
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4 years, 10 months ago
'Ketchup' or 'Catsup'? How to Punctuate Questions. Gmoing Gmoing.
Episode 822
Have you seen the tomato sauce spelled two different ways? "Ketchup" is the better spelling, but the history of the word is pretty interesting. We al…
4 years, 10 months ago