Misconceptions about English (Ep. 26)

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In this lesson, Elliott from Mental Floss addresses common misconceptions about the English language and grammar, highlighting that many widely held beliefs are actually myths. He discusses various points, such as the acceptability of starting sentences with conjunctions, the flexibility of paragraph length, and the evolving meanings of words like “literally” and “decimate,” emphasizing the importance of understanding context and consistency in language use.

Misconceptions about English

Hi, I’m Elliott. Welcome to Mental Floss on YouTube. Today, we’re diving into some common misconceptions about the English language and grammar. Even grammar experts sometimes disagree on these points, so let’s explore them together!

Misconception #1: Never Begin a Sentence with a Conjunction

Many people believe it’s wrong to start a sentence with words like “and,” “but,” or “so.” However, the Chicago Manual of Style points out that this is a myth. In fact, many well-written pieces use conjunctions at the beginning of sentences, a practice that’s been around for centuries.

Misconception #2: Paragraphs Must Have a Certain Number of Sentences

Some think paragraphs need a specific number of sentences, but that’s not true. A paragraph only needs one sentence and one main idea. You can see this in books and newspapers. According to Martin Cutts in the Oxford Guide to Plain English, if you can express your idea in a single sentence, feel free to start a new paragraph.

Misconception #3: There’s a Clear Rule for Apostrophes in Possessive Singular Nouns Ending in “s”

There’s debate over whether to write “the boss’s report” or “the boss’ report.” If you’re following Associated Press style, you should use “boss’.” Other style guides suggest adding an extra “s” after the apostrophe. The key is to be consistent with whichever style you choose.

Misconception #4: Don’t End a Sentence with a Preposition

Some believe you shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition, but Fowler’s Modern English Usage calls this a myth. Modern grammar experts agree that sometimes a sentence is clearer with a preposition at the end.

Misconception #5: Don’t Split Infinitives

An infinitive is the form of a verb starting with “to,” like “to walk.” Some say it’s wrong to put a word between “to” and the verb, like “to quickly eat.” This rule became popular in the 19th century, but many grammar guides now accept splitting infinitives if it makes the sentence clearer.

Misconception #6: “Caesarian Sections” Are Named After Julius Caesar

It’s a common belief that Julius Caesar was the first person born via c-section, but that’s not true. The term might come from the Latin word “caedo,” meaning “to cut,” or from other associations with the name.

Misconception #7: You Are Not “Good,” You Are “Well”

When someone asks, “How are you?” you can reply with either “I’m good” or “I’m well.” Both are correct and can function as adjectives after a linking verb.

Misconception #8: Only Use “Whose” to Refer to People

Some think “whose” should only refer to people, but the Oxford English Dictionary shows that “whose” has been used for both people and things for centuries.

Misconception #9: “Literally” Can Never Mean “Figuratively”

While “literally” traditionally means “in a literal sense,” authors have used it to mean “figuratively” for a long time. The Merriam-Webster dictionary now includes both meanings.

Misconception #10: “Decimate” Means “to Kill One in Ten”

Originally, “decimate” might have meant “to kill one in ten,” but it also meant “to destroy.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary now defines it as “to reduce drastically especially in number.”

Thanks for watching Mental Floss on YouTube. If you have a topic for an upcoming episode, leave it in the comments. See you next week!

  1. How did the article challenge your previous understanding of English grammar rules, and which misconception surprised you the most?
  2. Reflect on a time when you followed a grammar rule that the article identifies as a misconception. How might this new understanding change your writing style?
  3. Considering the discussion on starting sentences with conjunctions, how do you feel about using this technique in your own writing?
  4. What are your thoughts on the flexibility of paragraph structure as described in the article? How might this influence your approach to writing?
  5. How does the debate over apostrophe usage in possessive singular nouns ending in “s” affect your view on language consistency and style guides?
  6. Reflect on the historical context of the term “Caesarian sections.” How does this information change your perception of language and its origins?
  7. In what ways do you think the evolving meanings of words like “literally” and “decimate” reflect changes in language and communication over time?
  8. How do you feel about the use of “whose” for both people and things, and how might this influence your future use of the word?
  1. Conjunction Sentence Starters Challenge

    Write a short story or a paragraph where each sentence begins with a conjunction like “and,” “but,” or “so.” This will help you understand how conjunctions can be used effectively at the beginning of sentences. Share your story with the class and discuss how it changes the flow of your writing.

  2. Paragraph Experimentation

    Choose a topic you are passionate about and write a series of paragraphs, each containing only one sentence. Focus on expressing a single idea clearly in each paragraph. Present your work to the class and explain your choice of paragraph breaks.

  3. Apostrophe Style Guide Exploration

    Research different style guides (such as the Associated Press, Chicago Manual of Style, and MLA) and their rules for using apostrophes in possessive singular nouns ending in “s.” Create a poster or digital presentation summarizing your findings and present it to the class.

  4. Preposition Placement Practice

    Write a series of sentences where you intentionally place prepositions at the end. Then, rewrite those sentences to avoid ending with a preposition. Compare both versions and discuss with a partner which sentences sound clearer or more natural.

  5. Infinitive Splitting Debate

    Engage in a class debate on the topic of splitting infinitives. Prepare arguments for and against the practice, using examples from well-known literature or grammar guides. After the debate, reflect on how your perspective on splitting infinitives may have changed.

Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript, with any informal language and unnecessary details removed for clarity:

Hi, I’m Elliott. This is Mental Floss on YouTube. Today, I’m going to discuss some misconceptions about the English language and grammar. It’s important to note that even grammar experts disagree on some of these points.

**Misconception #1: Never begin a sentence with a conjunction, like “but.”**
The Chicago Manual of Style states that there is a widespread belief that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction such as “and,” “but,” or “so.” In fact, a substantial percentage of sentences in high-quality writing begin with conjunctions, and this practice has been followed for centuries.

**Misconception #2: Paragraphs must be a certain number of sentences.**
A paragraph only needs at least one sentence and one main idea. It can even be a single sentence, as seen in books and newspapers. According to Martin Cutts in the Oxford Guide to Plain English, if you can express your idea in a single sentence without needing to connect it to another, you can simply start a new paragraph.

**Misconception #3: There’s a clear rule for apostrophes in possessive singular nouns ending in “s.”**
Experts disagree on whether to write “the boss’s report” or “the boss’ report.” If you’re following Associated Press style, you should use the latter. Other style guides recommend the extra “s” after the apostrophe. Consistency is key.

**Misconception #4: Don’t end a sentence with a preposition.**
Fowler’s Modern English Usage notes that the belief that prepositions should not be placed at the end of a sentence is a myth. Modern grammar experts recognize that sometimes a sentence is clearer with a preposition at the end.

**Misconception #5: Don’t split infinitives.**
An infinitive is usually the form of a verb starting with “to,” like “to walk.” Some believe it’s incorrect to insert a word between “to” and the verb (e.g., “to quickly eat”). This rule gained popularity in the 19th century, but many grammar guides now accept splitting infinitives when necessary.

**Misconception #6: “Caesarian sections” are named after Julius Caesar.**
Caesar was not the first person born via c-section, and many experts claim he wasn’t born that way at all. The term may derive from the Latin “caedo,” meaning “to cut,” or from other features associated with the name.

**Misconception #7: You are not “good,” you are “well.”**
You can answer “How are you?” with either “I’m good” or “I’m well.” Both can function as adjectives after a linking verb.

**Misconception #8: Only use “whose” to refer to people.**
The Oxford English Dictionary states that “whose” has been used as the possessive form for both people and things for centuries.

**Misconception #9: “Literally” can never mean “figuratively.”**
Authors have used “literally” to mean “figuratively” for a long time. The Merriam-Webster dictionary now lists two definitions for the word: 1) in a literal sense or manner, and 2) in effect.

**Misconception #10: “Decimate” means “to kill one in ten.”**
While some argue that “decimate” originally meant “to kill one in ten,” it also meant “to destroy.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary includes “to reduce drastically especially in number” in its definition.

Thanks for watching Mental Floss on YouTube. If you have a topic for an upcoming episode, leave it in the comments. See you next week!

This version maintains the key points while removing informal language and unnecessary details.

EnglishThe language primarily spoken in the United Kingdom, the United States, and many other countries around the world. – Example sentence: “Studying English can open up many opportunities for travel and communication.”

GrammarThe set of rules that govern how words are used to form sentences in a language. – Example sentence: “Understanding grammar is essential for writing clear and effective essays.”

MisconceptionsIncorrect beliefs or ideas about something. – Example sentence: “There are many misconceptions about the difficulty of learning a new language.”

ConjunctionsWords used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause. – Example sentence: “Conjunctions like ‘and’, ‘but’, and ‘or’ help to link ideas smoothly in writing.”

ParagraphsSections of writing that deal with a particular point or idea, usually consisting of multiple sentences. – Example sentence: “Each paragraph in an essay should focus on a single main idea.”

ApostrophesPunctuation marks used to indicate possession or the omission of letters or numbers. – Example sentence: “It’s important to use apostrophes correctly to show possession, like in ‘Sarah’s book’.”

PrepositionsWords that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. – Example sentence: “Prepositions like ‘in’, ‘on’, and ‘at’ are used to indicate location or time.”

InfinitivesThe base form of a verb, often preceded by ‘to’, used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. – Example sentence: “To read is my favorite hobby, where ‘to read’ is an infinitive.”

WhoseA possessive form of ‘who’, used to indicate ownership or association. – Example sentence: “Whose book is this on the table?”

LiterallyIn a literal manner or sense; exactly. – Example sentence: “When she said she was so tired she could sleep for a week, she didn’t mean it literally.”

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