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Regardless vs. Irregardless, Sneaked vs. Snuck, Assure vs. Ensure vs. Insure

Regardless vs. Irregardless Some words in the English language are so overused that we don’t notice that they are incorrect or don’t even exist. A perfect example is irregardless. Many scholars maintain there is no such word as irregardless because regardless already means "without regard." The -ir prefix is redundant. Sneaked vs. Snuck Both sneaked …

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Assure vs. Ensure vs. Insure

The three words, assure, ensure, and insure, are often confused. All three words share an element of "making an outcome sure." However, rather than using these words interchangeably, I'd like to point out the unique aspects of each word so that you can use them to communicate your intention clearly. Assure is to promise or …

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Commas with Appositives

The definition of an appositive is a word or word group that defines or further identifies the noun or noun phrase preceding it. Rule: When an appositive is essential to the meaning of the noun it belongs to, don’t use commas. When the noun preceding the appositive provides sufficient identification on its own, use commas …

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Commas Before and in a Series

In American English usage, many writers and editors feel that a comma should precede and with three or more items in a series. Example: I would like to order a salad, a sandwich, and dessert. Newspapers and magazines do not generally use this rule as print space is too valuable to use on what might …

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Using Commas, Semicolons, and Colons Within Sentences

Punctuation within sentences can be tricky; however, if you know just a few of the following rules, you will be well on your way to becoming a polished writer and proofreader. Rule: Use a comma between two long independent clauses when conjunctions such as and, or, but, for, nor connect them. Example: I have painted …

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Modal Verbs: Definition and Examples

Imagine an English language in which we strictly used structures such as the following for expressing an action: I left. Pete swims on Tuesdays. I choose a double major in college. You assist me? It happens. Candace finishes that. We understand these sentences at a basic level. But to what extent do they inform us? …

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Finite and Non-Finite Verbs: Definition and Examples

Most of us probably well understand a verb's vital role as a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being. A verb also is the main word of a sentence's predicate and may be used with another verb as an auxiliary. What not all of us may be familiar with are certain verb …

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What Is a Neologism? Definition and Examples

I'm unsure of the answer. Just google it. Camila thinks her boyfriend might be ghosting her. The marketing team seems to take a lot of selfies. Many of us have spoken or heard expressions including words such as those identified above. While many principles of good grammar remained fixed in English, our vocabulary is always …

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Year-End Quiz: 2025

There's a good chance you follow GrammarBook.com because you are thoughtful and curious about language, and you appreciate what gives it precision and eloquence. In 2025, we continued exploring the grammar that provides American English its system for expression, structure, and clarity. Our discussions roamed from finer points such as determiners to broader topics such …

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What Is a Determiner? Definition and Examples

Imagine for a moment if current English had expressions such as these: Raymond has been looking for notebook. Does Busara have shoe? The baseball team will not board plane. Aside from sounding primitive, these sentences leave us with potentially incomplete information. For example, in the first sentence, has Raymond been looking for any notebook or …

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