“That’s” is correct when you mean “that is” or “that has.” “Thats” without an apostrophe is usually incorrect in standard English. For example: Simple, right? Apparently not. Because somewhere between typing quickly, arguing in YouTube comments, writing LinkedIn posts, and confidently correcting other people’s grammar, the apostrophe in that’s has become optional in the minds … Read more
A semicolon (;) is mainly used to connect two closely related independent clauses without using a conjunction like and, but, or so. For example: I wanted to go to bed early; the internet had other plans. Both parts could be complete sentences: I wanted to go to bed early.The internet had other plans. The semicolon … Read more
The correct spelling is involved. Envolved is not a standard English word. If you are involved in a project, involved in a relationship, or involved in an argument about whether “envolved” is somehow acceptable because everyone understood what you meant, the spelling is still involved. And yes, I have typed envolved before, looked at it … Read more
Short answer: use “cannot” almost every time. Yes, the answer is that simple. Cannot is the standard one-word spelling when you mean not able to or not permitted to do something. I cannot swim.You cannot park here.I cannot believe we are having a national emergency over one missing space. Can not does exist, but it … Read more
The correct word is emasculate. Demasculate is generally considered a nonstandard or mistaken formation and is not the word you want in formal or academic writing. Key takeaways A Conversation With Dr. Adrian Wells, Linguistics Consultant Doug Chernoff: Let’s settle this immediately. Is the correct word demasculate or emasculate? Dr. Adrian Wells: The correct term … Read more
There are some questions that change lives. Who am I?Why are we here?And, perhaps most importantly, is it “to fast” or “too fast”? To settle the matter once and for all, we sat down with Professor Richard Proper, the internationally celebrated authority on English grammar, speed-related confusion, and correcting people in group chats. Q: Professor, … Read more