Who vs. Which vs. That | The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Relative Pronouns: What Is a Relative Pronoun?

GrammarBook.com — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 11:00:04 +0000

A relative pronoun substitutes for a noun to introduce a subordinate (dependent) clause, which is one that must be joined with an independent (main) clause to complete the sentence in which it appears. A dependent clause led by a relative pronoun is also referred to as a relative clause. You might hear it called an […]

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Restrictive Clause: What Is a Restrictive Clause?

GrammarBook.com — Mon, 17 May 2021 11:00:43 +0000

Understanding restrictive clauses is a valuable skill in applying English grammar. With this information, you’ll gain further insight into how sentences are constructed for clarity. The Anatomy of a Restrictive Clause A restrictive clause is a dependent clause that modifies a word (noun). The information it gives is necessary for description or identification. In other […]

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To Restrict or Not to Restrict: That Is the Question

GrammarBook.com — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 05:00:54 +0000

Who, that, or which; restrictive or nonrestrictive: Most of us have at some point had to grapple with interpretation, pronoun choice, and punctuation for a statement containing essential or nonessential information. For example, what would be succinct within the following statements? Jayla always orders the surf and turf that the master chef prepares for her. […]

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Digging Out Extra Details, Clauses, and Words

GrammarBook.com — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 05:00:58 +0000

Writers often walk the fine line of how much information to include in a sentence. What qualifies as too much? We want to include only the details and words that will leave a central point or image clear without slowing the way. Consider the following sentences: On the night of December 25-26, 1776, General George […]

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Declining or Just Changing?

GrammarBook.com — Wed, 08 May 2019 05:00:28 +0000

If you think you know your English, Ammon Shea’s Bad English: A History of Linguistic Aggravation might make you question your most cherished notions. The book has a lot to offer grammar sticklers with open minds, but it will challenge—and enrage—most traditionalists. People who care about language tend to deplore the slovenly habits of their […]

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Commonly Confused Words That Bring Bumps to Writing

GrammarBook.com — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 15:07:29 +0000

The English language—its words, its structure, its stylistic possibilities—is rich, descriptive, and versatile. It can communicate with precision and convey vivid, persuasive thoughts and ideas. At times, it can also confuse. Those not familiar with the nuanced or multiple meanings of many English words and the finer points of grammar can sometimes trip where they’re […]

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Media Watch: Pronouns, Prepositions, Danglers and More

GrammarBook.com — Wed, 11 May 2016 13:46:13 +0000

Here is another set of recent flubs and fumbles from usually dependable journalists. • “Yet my relationship with the game was simple and uncomplicated.” How did this one get by the editors? One of those two adjectives has to go. • “He is accused of fleeing to London in March while owing more than $1 […]

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Ain’t That a Shame

GrammarBook.com — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 20:14:47 +0000

We are gratified that our readers are uncompromising about the English language. Over the course of fifty articles annually, we get our share of lectures, challenges, and rebukes. We welcome all your comments, but before you write, keep in mind the final edict in last week’s Stickler’s Ten Commandments: Be sure you are correct before […]

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That and Which: Rule or Guideline?

GrammarBook.com — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 20:36:34 +0000

A sentence in our recent article on spelling ruffled a few readers. See if you can spot what caused the commotion: “The other errant site offered a quiz which claimed that ‘inflammation of the membrane of the brain’ is spelled ‘meningitas.’ ” Did you catch it? Our correspondents insisted “which” was wrong and should be […]

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Rules and Preferences

GrammarBook.com — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 19:09:17 +0000

There were fervent protests from readers reacting to “Old Superstitions Die Hard.” The article established that the relative pronoun that refers to people as well as to things and has done so for centuries. Never was an essay more aptly named. “I don’t care what all of your quoted sources say,” wrote a fiery businesswoman. […]

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