Grammar rules can be the bane of a creative jag. There you are, words flowing and your message coming together clearly, until you stumble upon an awkward turn of phrase that your fifth grade teacher would have frowned upon – or, to be more precise — upon which your fifth grade teacher would have frowned.
Poof. Your groove dissipates as you ponder a nit-picky grammar questions and its dos, don’t and exceptions.
It’s irritating to say the least.
This educated essay from the NEW YORK TIMES offers a nice reminder that few grammar rules are set in concrete, many are terribly arbitrary, and almost all can be intelligently debated.
For some welcome validation of the occasional use of “which” instead of “that,” and a reminder not to flog yourself whenever that big no-no, “hopefully,” creeps into your vernacular, READ THIS NOW:
Check out our FAVORITE FEATURES 