Category Archives: English rules

Oh no

Posted on by
1

In spite of all the kvetching I do here about the seeming decline in correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, I generally feel that there are certain absolutes in life. For example, I expect that any professionally-packaged food that I find at the well-known organic grocery store I frequent will be correct and error-free.

Apparently, I should lower my expectations:

IMG_20130131_141839

Now I do think perhaps it’s time to worry for America’s future.

(In case you’re not clear about why I am upset, I direct you to this post.)

In-laws

Posted on by
2

Yahoo Images

I just noticed on Facebook that someone I know referred to his “sister in laws” [sic]. This needs fixing in a couple of ways.

First off, all in-laws are hyphenated — brother-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, etc.

Second, when you are referring to plural in-laws of the same kind, you do not make in-law plural; rather, it’s the relationship that gets the S added at the end. Some examples:

  • My two mothers-in-law and my two fathers-in-law (yes, I had two of each at one point, as my husband’s parents were divorced and remarried)
  • My four brothers-in-law
  • My four sisters-in-law
  • And, one day, way in the future, my two sons-in-law

The easiest way to remember how to make these in-law relationships plural is to remember that if you were referring siblings, you would say, “my two sisters” or “my two brothers.”

Yeah vs. yay

Posted on by
4

On the heels of aw vs. awe I’ve been asked to discuss yeah vs. yay too. On Facebook, Twitter, and in blog comments, I often see yeah used when yay is meant.

Yeah is the informal version of yes.

Yay is what you say when your boss sends everyone home from work early or your football team gets a touchdown. It is an informal exclamation indicating approval, congratulation, or triumph.

Yay does not mean yeah and yeah does not mean yay. They are not the same and cannot be used interchangeably.

Make do

Posted on by
2

I’ve read a couple of things online this week in which someone wrote that they needed to “make due [sic] with…”

It’s make do, not make due.

In case there’s any confusion, here’s what make do means: “To manage to get along with the means available: had to make do on less income.”

Who that?

Posted on by
Reply

A friend has asked me to talk about the proper uses of who and that, specifically when it is correct to use each with nouns.

If you are referring to a name or a person, use who. For example: Jen took a gift to the person who was ill.

If you are referring to a thing or place, use that. For example: The gift that Jen gave was terrific.