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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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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!
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This version maintains the key points while removing informal language and unnecessary details.
English – The 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.”
Grammar – The 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.”
Misconceptions – Incorrect beliefs or ideas about something. – Example sentence: “There are many misconceptions about the difficulty of learning a new language.”
Conjunctions – Words 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.”
Paragraphs – Sections 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.”
Apostrophes – Punctuation 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’.”
Prepositions – Words 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.”
Infinitives – The 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.”
Whose – A possessive form of ‘who’, used to indicate ownership or association. – Example sentence: “Whose book is this on the table?”
Literally – In 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.”
