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The Declaration of Independence: A Lesson in Language History

Language is constantly evolving – a fact made especially clear when we take a look at historical documents and note how writing norms have shifted over the years. The further back we go, the bigger the shift. The Declaration of Independence, for example, represents a version of English that is noticeably different than that which we use to communicate today.

What are the main grammatical differences between Thomas Jefferson’s version of English and our own? Read on to learn more.

Writing Style

The unusual writing style is one of the first things that many modern readers notice about the Declaration of Independence. Phrases and clauses are stacked together in sentences that threaten to become run-ons, and Jefferson was obviously in love with colons, semicolons, and dashes. The writing is also very persuasive, rational, and formal, using straightforward arguments to support moral principles. Government documents today tend to be dry and technical; few would read them voluntarily.

“That” vs. “Which”

Among the most troublesome of grammar nuances is the distinction between “that” and “which.” To summarize, “that” is used when the content that comes afterwards is necessary to the meaning of the sentence, otherwise known as a restrictive clause. “Which,” on the other hand, is used when non-essential information is being added to the sentence. The Chicago Manual of Style online has a great explanation and examples of how this works in practice.

In the Declaration of Independence, “which” is frequently used where “that” would be more appropriate (were the document to be revised today):

“…to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…”

“…they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Why is this? Well, there are two things going on. First, this grammar distinction is relatively new. Second, even today, British English and American English are on different wavelengths when it comes to the use of “that” and “which.” In 1776, American English had yet to separate very much from its British roots.

British English vs. American English

Speaking of “that” vs. “which,” another reason that the Declaration of Independence reads strangely is that, in 1776, British and American English had yet to become distinct forms. All English was still British English, but change was beginning to happen. Declaring independence from England most definitely helped that process along. Today, of course, English is a truly international language, with dozens of variations.

Gendered Language

In the 21^st century, we try to write in a way that doesn’t exclude or disempower any gender, race, or other group. Two centuries ago, we hadn’t quite reached that level of awareness. That’s why it’s not surprising to see phrases such as:

“…all men are created equal.”

“…Governments are instituted among Men…”

“…mankind are more disposed to suffer…”

In 1776, men ruled the world, so it seemed completely natural write using these masculine nouns. If we were gathering today with the purpose of writing a similar document, readers would probably see more words like “humanity,” “people,” and “society,” as these get the same idea across without ignoring half the population.

Spelling and Capitalization

Make no mistake: a few words here and there in the Declaration of Independence are absolutely misspelled by today’s standards. “Hath shewn,” “compleat,” and “Brittish” are the main offenders. The spelling of these words reveals a connection to the Middle English of Chaucer’s time. Regardless of the time period, spelling has always been a (sometimes unfair) way for people to judge others.

The non-standard capitalization of key words, on the other hand, functions to heighten emphasis and dramatic effect. Examples of the liberal use of capitalization in the Declaration of Independence include:

“Laws of Nature”

“Form of Government”

“Safety and Happiness”

“Standing Armies”

“Free and Independent States”

Although it’s been 238 years since the Declaration of Independence was drafted, only a few things stick out to strict grammarians as “wrong” by today’s standards. But as a whole, the text simply sounds strange to readers today.

Do you think that important documents, like the Declaration of Independence, should be updated to reflect today’s language standards? Share your thoughts in the comments, and Happy Independence Day (coming up on July 4)!

That’s How You Say It? 9 Words with Tricky Pronunciations

If you read a lot, you probably have an excellent vocabulary. But it also means that you may know a lot of words that you’ve only seen in writing and never heard spoken aloud. Sometimes even common words are easy to misread. Language enthusiasts have coined the term “misle” for a word that leads you to incorrect assumptions about its pronunciation. It comes from the word misled (as in, the past tense of mislead), which many language lovers admit to misreading at one time or another as the past tense of some imaginary verb along the lines of “to misle.”

Some common misles include:

Victuals: VITT-ulz (rhymes with “whittles”) n. Food; specifically, food fit for humans to eat

Biopic: BI-o-pik (portmanteau of “biography” and “picture”; does not rhyme with “myopic”) n. A movie about a person’s life

Ennui: on-WEE n. A pervasive feeling of boredom and dissatisfaction

Quay: KEE n. A structure at the edge of a body of water where boats load or unload passengers and freight

Chaise longue: SHAYZ LONG (not “chase lounge”) n. A type of long, low chair

Debacle: de-BOCK-ul (not DEB-uh-kul) n. A disaster

Desultory: DES-ul-tor-ee adj. Aimless, disappointing, or lacking serious effort

Spurious: SPYUR-ee-us (rhymes with “curious,” not “furriest” ) adj. Inauthentic, untrue, or deceitful

Caramel: KAR-mell, KAR-uh-mell, KEHR-uh-mell (They’re all correct! Just pick your favorite.) n. Candy made from butter, sugar, and milk; a light brown color

What misles have tripped you up? Let us know in the comment section below or via our Facebook or Twitter feeds.

Is vs. Are

• Use is with singular subjects and are with plural subjects.
• Collective nouns usually take is, but you can use are if you need to emphasize the individuals who belong to the group.
• Phrases like a number of… usually take a plural verb.

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When deciding whether to use is or are, look at whether the noun is plural or singular. If the noun is singular, use is. If it is plural or there is more than one noun, use are.

The cat is eating all of his food.

The cats are eating all of their food.

The cat and the dog are eating as fast as they can.

This is the most basic is vs. are grammar rule.

Is vs. Are with Collective Nouns

A collective noun refers to a group of people or things that is treated as a single entity in speech. Committee is a collective noun. A committee is made up of multiple people, but the word itself is singular in form. In American English, collective nouns take is. In British English, collective nouns can take is or are.

The committee is considering the budget right now.

The audience is getting antsy.

The couple is moving to California.

But even in American English, a collective noun can take are when you need to emphasize the individual members of the group.

The couple are keeping secrets from each other.

Is vs. Are with Mass Nouns

Mass nouns (also called noncount nouns) are similar to collective nouns. They refer to things that can’t really be counted. Sand and water are mass nouns. Mass nouns take is in both American and British English.

The sand is too hot to walk on!

Water is our most precious resource.

Pudding is very easy to make.

Is vs. Are with a Number of / a Pair of / a Group of

Collecting phrases like a number of or a pair of can make it hard to choose between is and are. Which verb do you use when you’re talking about a number of people? On one hand, number is singular, which calls for is. But people is plural, which calls for are. Typically, it’s best to use are with a number of. You may occasionally run into a pedant who disagrees, but actual usage is on your side.

A number of people are concerned about the lack of progress.

A number of people is concerned about the lack of progress.

Other collecting phrases like group of can take is when you’re emphasizing the group:

That group of protesters is sure to be distracting.

This series of books is phenomenal.

But they can also take are, when you’re emphasizing the individuals.

A bunch of my friends are going to different schools next fall.

A handful of new books are published each week.

When you’re talking about pairs, you’re usually treating two items as a unit, so it’s common to use is.

A good pair of shoes is a luxury in some parts of the world.

A good pair of shoes are a luxury in some parts of the world.

There Is vs. There Are

When choosing between there is and there are, you have to look at what comes after it.

There is a cat on the porch.

In the sentence above, cat is singular, so it requires there is.

There are many opportunities to learn at this company.

In the sentence above, opportunities is plural, so it requires there are. (Don’t let the word many throw you off—concentrate on the noun.)

Everytime or Every Time?

Everytime should be written as two separate words: every time. While some compound words like everywhere, everyday, and everyone have become commonplace in the English language, everytime is not considered an acceptable compound word. Consider the examples below:

You don’t need to remind me to do the dishes everytime.

You don’t need to remind me to do the dishes every time.

Everytime we breathe, we inhale pollutants.

Every time we breathe, we inhale pollutants.

5 Ways to Write Concisely

Nobody writes a perfect first draft. Whether you love the red pen or hate it with a passion, your first draft will require some polishing. The trick is to write prose that’s brilliant yet brief, colorful yet concise. Here are five tips for writing concisely.

Cut Weasel Words

Even the best writers fall prey to weasel words. These pesky critters sneak into your writing, take up space, and contribute nothing. Common weasel words include the following:

• Really
• Basically
• Actually
• Very
• More

They often attack in groups. Consider these weasely phrases:

• “The vast majority . . .”
• “Studies suggest that . . .”
• “Some would argue that . . .”

After you write a draft, take time to banish all weasel words back to the wilderness where they belong.

Axe Redundancy

Why do something twice if you only need to do it once? Redundant phrases clutter your writing and hinder its flow.

Consider the sentence: “I love the blue color of her eyes.”

“Blue color” is redundant. Your reader already understands that blue is a color. “I love her blue eyes” is more concise.

Another example: “The reason I’m reading this is because I love writing.”

You don’t need the word “reason” and the word “because” in the same sentence. One implies the other. “I’m reading this because I love writing” conveys your point with fewer words; it’s more concise.

Incorporate Transitional Words and Phrases

Transitional words and phrases unify ideas and make your writing easy to understand. Without them, your prose can come off as choppy and directionless.

• Transitional words like however, nevertheless, and conversely pave the way toward your next idea.
• Transitional phrases like for example and as shown by help readers understand that you’re clarifying an argument.

Next time you write, try to incorporate one or more transitional words or phrases to improve cohesion.

Go Easy on the Adverbs

Some writers resist adverbs the way a cat resists a leash. The grammar gods won’t strike you down if you insert an adverb here or there, but before you do, read these two sentences:

1. Adverbs aren’t horribly bad, but they’re usually not needed.
2. Your writing will be more concise if you avoid adverbs.

Which sentence packs more of a punch? The one without adverbs – number two. Words that end in “ly” are often just careless intensifiers that add no real meaning. Vivid writing shows the reader a picture; it doesn’t tell the reader what to think.

• “I broke my diet again!” Betty wailed sadly.
• “I broke my diet again!” Betty wailed, wiping salty chocolate tears from the corners of her mouth.

The second example includes no adverbs, and it creates a clearer picture in the reader’s mind than the first. We see the salty chocolate crumbs on Betty’s lips, and we feel her bittersweet anguish.

Skip “There is” and “There are”

You could be the most energetic person on earth, but writing “There is” or “There are” makes you look lazy. Consider rearranging your sentence parts when these passive pairings pop up in your writing.

• “There are lots of people in this world who love bumpy cake” becomes “People around the world love bumpy cake.”
• “There is a stink bug in every room of my house” becomes “Stink bugs have descended upon every room of my house.”

Plenty of writers, both amateur and professional, start their sentences with “There is” and “There are.” You needn’t be one of them.

Stephen King said, “To write is human. To edit is divine.” So the next time you find yourself wrestling with a few extra words, just remember: you’re in excellent company. Are you ready to pick up that red pen and start slashing?

Are gender-neutral pronouns the wave of the future?

The reader must understand that they are at the mercy of the author’s imagination.

What’s wrong with the sentence above? Some might say there is nothing at all is wrong with it. Others, however, will take issue with the use of ‘they,’ a plural pronoun, in place of the singular ‘reader.’ How can this sentence be corrected? Some would use ‘he’ in place of ‘they,’ with the understanding that masculine pronouns are a stand-in for proper nouns of either gender. Others would advocate ‘he or she’ in place of ‘they,’ because it includes both genders.

Gendered pronouns have a long history of causing grammatical confusion and debate. As far back as the 1800s, writers and linguists have proposed gender-neutral pronouns (including ze, co, hesh, thon, and zher) to solve the complicated issues that gendered pronouns cause in English.

Gender-neutral pronouns solve many grammatical problems, but why haven’t they caught on in English? According to John McWhorter at The New Republic, that’s because there are two kinds of words: open-class and closed-class. Nouns and verbs are among the open-class words and can be adapted or even made up depending on necessity and context. Pronouns and prepositions are closed-class words—words that we use as tools to show the relationships between open-class words. Closed-class words are harder to adapt and change since they’re already representing something else (for example, ‘he’ represents ‘Brian’).

McWhorter argues that since it’s unlikely that a new gender-neutral pronoun will ever gain wide acceptance in English, it’s okay to use the plural ‘they’ in place of ‘he’ or ‘she.’ Other alternatives include ‘one’ to mean ‘a person,’ and ‘you’ in certain contexts.

Many other languages don’t include gendered pronouns at all or include gender neutral pronouns in their structure.

Will the English language eventually accept the use of ‘they’ as a singular gender-neutral pronoun? Will an alternative like ze gain widespread acceptance and use? Let us know what you think in the comments section.

Sources: 1,2,3

March MADness Championship: What’s the Worst Work Habit?

The time has come to choose the most vile, odious, offensive, and obnoxious work pet peeve. March MADness has had its ups and downs, covering everything from emojis to people who like to lean in when they talk. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and the time has come to choose our March MADness champion.

Now, let’s meet our Final Infuriating Four. Vote for your least favorite habit to be crowned the worst work habit. Also, let us know what you think of the results of our month-long bracket below!

The Worst Chat Crime: Emoji Overload

��������☠️ These people like to send a string of seemingly useless emojis in work chat, especially in public channels. While they may think it’s cute, it actually shows they have nothing to say.

The Worst Email Fail: Autonotification Email Hell

Autonotifications are sent automatically when someone updates a task, project, or chat. In the best-case scenario, these autonotifications can be batched, but usually your inbox gets swamped by minor updates to various channels. Is it really necessary to know that someone left a chat? Rarely.

The Worst Call Catastrophe: Background Noise Nuisances

We’ve all joined a call where the other participants sounded like they were either in an echo chamber, a wind tunnel, or the middle of Times Square. Nobody likes those calls, and nobody likes distracting background noise.

The Worst IRL Irritation: “Well, actually . . .”

This phrase is the hallmark of a know-it-all. With a penchant for perfection and an inability to filter relevant details from irrelevant ones, this person never misses an opportunity to correct or clarify themselves and others.

What Are Possessive Nouns?

A possessive noun is a noun that possesses something—i.e., it has something. In most cases, a possessive noun is formed by adding an apostrophe +s to the noun, or if the noun is plural and already ends in s, only an apostrophe needs to be added. In the following sentence, boy’s is a possessive noun modifying pencil: The boy’s pencil snapped in half. It is clear that the pencil belongs to the boy; the ’s signifies ownership.

The cat’s toy was missing.

The cat possesses the toy, and we denote this by use of an apostrophe + s at the end of cat.

Is this Brandon’s book?

I pulled a feather from the goose’s tail.

When a noun ends in the letter s or an s sound, the same format applies. This is a matter of style, however, and some style guides suggest leaving off the extra s.

I have been invited to the boss’s house for dinner.

The trainer flipped a fish into the walrus’s open mouth.

Plural nouns ending in an s simply take an apostrophe at the end to form a possessive noun. Of course, there are many plural nouns in English that are irregular and do not end in s.

The chickens’ eggs were taken by the farmer early in the morning.

The children’s clothes were brand new.

Sometimes the idea of possession is more abstract. When you talk about long you’ve been doing something, it’s possible to use an apostrophe.

Ten years’ experience in marketing has taught me what works and what doesn’t.

Twenty years’ experience is nothing to sneeze at.

But it usually sounds better to use the word of instead of an apostrophe.

Ten years of experience in marketing has taught me what works and what doesn’t.

Twenty years of experience is nothing to sneeze at.

For more examples on how to use apostrophes to form possessives, read Apostrophe.

What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an independent clause. This word or phrase indicates that a clause has informative value to add to the sentence’s main idea, signaling a cause-and-effect relationship or a shift in time and place between the two clauses.

Sound complicated? Let’s break it down.

A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, is a clause with two specific qualities. Firstly, it does not express a complete unit of thought on its own; it cannot stand as its own sentence. Secondly, it depends upon an independent clause—one that can stand on its own as a complete sentence—to form a complete idea. If independent and dependent clauses could be likened to Batman and Robin, the dependent, or subordinate clause would be Robin, Batman’s assistant. The independent, main clause would be Batman, his superhero boss.

Subordinating Conjunctions Showing Cause and Effect

The subordinating conjunction that is simplest to explain is because. Because is a conjunction with just one purpose: to show a cause-and-effect relationship between a subordinate clause and a main clause. On its own, a clause beginning with because is incomplete.

Because he wouldn’t wear a seat belt.

We have the sense that there is something missing here. Let’s add an independent clause so this statement has something to lean on.

Robin wasn’t allowed in the Batmobile any longer.

Now we will combine the two in a complex sentence.

Robin wasn’t allowed in the Batmobile any longer because he wouldn’t wear a seatbelt.

In this sentence, “Robin wasn’t allowed in the Batmobile any longer” is an independent clause. It could stand on its own as a complete sentence. A clause that shows a causal relationship such as “because he wouldn’t wear a seatbelt” (answering the question “Why?” or “For what purpose?” is often referred to as a clause of purpose.

Other subordinating conjunctions that can show cause-and-effect relationships and function in the same way are for, as, since, therefore, hence, as a result, consequently, though, due to, provided that, because of, unless, as a result of, and so/so that.

Batman required strict compliance with seat belt rules, hence Robin was not allowed to ride in the Batmobile.

Since Robin refused to wear his seat belt, Batman has banned him from the Batmobile.

Subordinating Conjunctions Signaling Relationships of Time or Place

Another function of subordinating conjunctions is to show a relationship between two clauses involving a transition of time or place. Some examples of such subordinating conjunctions are once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, and after.

Once Batman learned that Robin had not been wearing his seatbelt, he took away his keys to the Batmobile.

Robin looked regretfully at the Batmobile whenever he passed it in the Batcave.

After Batman was done working for the night, Robin took a secret ride in the Batmobile.

Before Robin gets his job in the Batcave back, he must promise to stop playing with the Batmobile.

Comma Placement and Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions that fall in the middle of a sentence are generally not preceded by a comma. This is the opposite of what is done with coordinating conjunctions, or words that join two independent clauses (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and sometimes so).

When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, however, the whole clause (but not the subordinating conjunction itself) is followed by a comma.

Whenever, Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile.

Whenever Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile.

Robin drove the Batmobile, whenever Batman was away.

Robin drove the Batmobile whenever Batman was away.

A Handy List of Subordinating Conjunctions

• after
• although
• as
• as if
• as long as
• as much as
• as soon as
• as though
• because
• before
• by the time
• even if
• even though
• if
• in order that
• in case
• in the event that
• lest
• now that
• once
• only
• only if
• provided that
• since
• so
• supposing
• that
• than
• though
• till
• unless
• until, when
• whenever
• where
• whereas
• wherever
• whether or not
• while

Does Your Company Value Correct Grammar?

Mexican Novels to Help You Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Guest Post by Alice E.M. Underwood

No matter where you are, Cinco de Mayo is a day to celebrate Mexico’s country, culture, and misunderstood military history. The holiday doesn’t mark Mexican Independence, as is commonly thought in other countries that break out the margaritas in honor of May 5—instead, it recognizes Mexico’s unlikely victory over the French in 1862.

But this isn’t a history lesson: it’s a literature lesson. Cinco de Mayo may be an excuse to eat guacamole, but it’s also an excuse to dive into Mexican culture. So in honor of May 5, here are five top Mexican novels. Plus one more for good measure.

The Labyrinth of Solitude, by Octavio Paz (El laberinto de la soledad, 1950) Ironically, first up isn’t a novel at all: it’s a book-length set of essays on what makes Mexico Mexico. Winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature, Paz meditates on Mexican identity through ideas of solitude, colonialism, indigenous vs. Spanish roots, death, and fiesta—and explores how they all fit together, from Day of the Dead celebrations to politics. Later editions include his essays on the 1968 massacre of Mexican students and Mexico-US relations.

Pedro Páramo, by Juan Rulfo (Pedro Páramo, 1955) A man searches for his father in a town “at the very mouth of hell,” where even the inhabitants may be no more than spirits. Considered by some to be the book that started magical realism—and by Gabriel García Márquez to be the inspiration for One Hundred Years of Solitude—this is a tale of ghostlike memories, tyrannical landowners, and a land and people haunted by powers and passions beyond their control.

The Death of Artemio Cruzo, by Carlos Fuentes (La muerte de Artemio Cruz, 1962) A corrupt old coot on his deathbed recollects his life in flashbacks. While living, Artemio had his fingers in many pies: the Mexican Revolution, the emerging new government, economic dealings with gringo speculators, loves, hates, and a hidden will. Alternating between internal tensions and the broader world, Fuentes explores a body facing its final breaths.

Palinuro of Mexico, by Fernando del Paso (Palinuro de México, 1977) Meandering, mystical, and as medically precise as Gray’s Anatomy (the textbook, not the show), this book is easier to describe as an encyclopedia than a straightforward novel. Some highlights: mythology, Virgil, a medical student and his lover (who is also his cousin), a pile of bones, almost-animate objects, satirical digs at politics and advertising, and more than a touch of surrealism. Sound overwhelming? Dive into the writing: you won’t want to get out.

The Savage Detectives, by Roberto Bolaño (Los detectives salvajes, 1998) So, Bolaño is technically Chilean. At least, that’s where he was born. But he spent years of his youth in Mexico and, as far as books about Mexico go, TSD brings the capital and the country to life. There’s crime, youth culture, underground literary movements, historical events, the drudgery of existence over two decades, and some great Mexican authors thrown into the mix.

The Story of My Teeth, by Valeria Luiselli (La historia de mis dientes, 2012) A baby is born with four early teeth and a coat of fur, and grows up to become an auctioneer and a collector intent on telling the story of his teeth. That means the ones in his own head, but also, he claims, the mighty molars of folks like Plato and Virginia Woolf. In addition to teeth, he collects knowledge, straws, literary allusions, and stories—and his unique style of narration, light egomania, and possible unreliability make this novel an exploration of truth and fiction, as well as a literary adventure for the reader.

Whether you’re Mexican, study Mexico, or just like Mexican food, any and all of these books will give you a powerful story and a link to Mexican history, culture, and literature. What better way to boost the fiesta in your Cinco de Mayo festivities?

5 Famous Cats in Literature

Cats make frequent literary appearances as fascinating, thought-provoking, and sometimes sneaky characters. From early nursery rhymes to contemporary tales, cats are omnipresent stars and sidekicks. To celebrate Adopt-a-Cat month in June, here are five famous cats that feature prominently in some much-loved books.

The Cat in the Hat

One of the best-known title characters in children’s literature, readers can easily identify the Cat in the Hat by his elongated body, striped hat, and red bow tie. In Dr. Seuss’s story, the Cat is notorious for pushing boundaries and questioning the limits of his young charges while their parents are away. As a children’s book, “The Cat in the Hat” tests readers’ limits as well as their reading skills. Though this story is provocative, it’s also a reading primer that’s one of the best-selling children’s books of all time.

Puss in Boots

Puss in Boots, a classic fairy tale and now an animated movie, has its roots in a 16th-century fable by Italian author Giovanni Francesco Straparola. A 17th-century version of the story appeared in the first version of Mother Goose tales, making “Puss in Boots” one of the first nursery rhymes. Its basic premise focuses on the well-dressed cat prompting trickery and deceit to ensure riches and success for his undeserving master. The original story’s emphasis on lying to get ahead has been adapted and downright ignored in later adaptations of the tale.

The Cheshire Cat

The Cheshire Cat, who appears in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” is best known for his distinctive smile. In the story, this character can appear and disappear as he pleases, dissolving into nothing but a mischievous grin once he’s had his say. This motif also appears in a carving in a 16th-century English church, believed to be the inspiration for Carroll’s character. Though the cat has a knack for volunteering sage advice amidst confusion, he offers puzzling chatter and mystical sayings almost as often. Nevertheless, the Cheshire Cat represents a pleasantly sane character in a bizarre world.

Mrs. Norris 

This feline character in the “Harry Potter” series has a supporting role as the pet of Argus Filch, the unpopular caretaker of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A true sidekick, Mrs. Norris is known to have a strong connection with Filch, and even looks like him, with a scrawny build, yellow eyes, and gray fur. Mrs. Norris acts as an excellent spy and even a tattletale at times, alerting her master to unusual events on the school grounds. Throughout the series, the title character and his classmates survive narrow escapes from the sneaky cat, whom they believe can see them even when they’re wearing an invisibility cloak.

Richard Parker

A big cat in the contemporary novel “Life of Pi,” Richard Parker co-stars as the Bengal tiger who accompanies the title character throughout the story. The tiger’s name is somewhat of an inside joke, as it appears to be the result of improperly completed paperwork. Despite the mismatch, the name sticks as the story develops. Though the two characters aren’t friends at the beginning of the novel, they learn to coexist with one another after surviving a sunken ship and a series of struggles on a lifeboat. At the end of hundreds of days stranded at sea, Pi and Richard Parker develop a friendship, lending a happy ending to this unique story.

Throughout literature, cats serve as trusted companions and sneaky adversaries. Consider adopting one of your own, and create your unique adventure together. What famous character would be your cat’s namesake?

What kind of pirate are you?

Hey, mates! In honor of International Talk Like A Pirate Day on September 19th, we put together a wee test to find our which pirate ye be! Take the quiz to find out now.

Thrusted? The Past Tense of Thrust

• Thrust is the standard past tense form of the verb thrust.
• Thrusted exists, but it is rare.

Have you ever flown in an airplane? Thrust is one of the things that makes the aircraft move in the sky. According to HowStuffWorkst, thrust is “the aerodynamic force that pushes or pulls the airplane forward through space.” Planes use jet engines or propellers to create thrust. Why the lesson in aerodynamics? If you understand thrust as a noun, it will help you to get a sense of the verb. To thrust means to propel forward, to push something or someone forcibly in a certain direction.

How to Conjugate Thrust

Look at the conjugation below. Then, try to guess why thrust is one of the easiest irregular verbs to memorize in the present tense.

I thrust you thrust he/she/it thrusts we thrust you thrust they thrust

Thrust doesn’t change much in the present tense! Except for the third person singular form, which features an S at the end, thrust is the form to use. How about the past tense? Typically, you add an -ed to the base form of a verb to form the past tense. Applying this rule, the past tense of thrust would be thrusted. Are there any examples of this form on the web?

Jackson Post 158 was thrusted into the loser’s bracket at the Zone 4 Senior Legion Tournament following Friday’s loss but was able to prevail in thrilling fashion Saturday and advance back to the championship game, where it fell once again to the hosts and ended its season in Ste. Genevieve. —Southeast Missourian

Morin was first to take the stage in the final round of the eighth annual tribute artist competition in Immokalee. He started his set with “Burning Love.” On each “hunka hunka,” Morin punched the air and thrusted his hips, sending the beads on his waistband into a fury. It wasn’t long before a crowd at the Seminole Casino Hotel gathered at the stage, desperate for their moment with — at least in their minds — Elvis Presley. —Naples Daily News

Though you can find examples of thrusted, they are relatively rare. What do writers use instead? Examine these two quotes:

Between the rows of tomatoes were little arachnid weeds that sprouted out instead of up. He knelt down and his right knee—the bad one—flared up from the impact. After taking a moment to wince, he thrust his hand into the soil, which was surprisingly warm for this time of year. He figured the weeds would come up easily, but when he went to pull, they stayed firmly rooted. —Drew Magary, The Hike

Although she has been thrust into the limelight for her stunning performance on a reality TV singing competition in China, Adinda Tasya Mansor is not about to rest on her laurels. —The Star Online, “Adinda already eyeing next round of singing contest in China”

How much more popular is thrust than thrusted? Google Ngram Viewer is an online search engine that compares how many times certain words appear in a large text corpora. In comparison to thrust, thrusted is barely on the chart.

Thrusted just isn’t very popular. Most people use thrust. Now that you know so much about the verb, you can use it to talk about lots of things. In fencing, to jab with the sword is to thrust. You can thrust an object, but you can also thrust yourself figuratively into a conversation or a situation. How will you use this word?

Check Your Answers for Grammar Skills Test—Starter

So, you want to know what your English grammar level is? You’ve come to the right place. This post will cover the answers and additional learning resources for “Grammar Skills Test—Starter.” The Starter test covers Question formation, verb tense, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, and word order.

Correct answers are highlighted. Links go to additional learning resources to help you continue improving.

Fill in the blanks to complete the sentences:

1 ___ can you see? I can see three cats.

• which
• what

Subject(s) Tested: Question words

2 ___ is the sun? It’s in the sky.

• What
• Where

Subject(s) Tested: Question words

3 What __ she see? She can see a plane.

• can
• do

Subject(s) Tested: Question formation

4 Where ___ the students? They’re on the bus.

• is
• are

Subject(s) Tested: Question words, subject-verb agreement

5Are you __ busy?

• a
• an
• No word is needed.

Subject(s) Tested: Article use

6 What punctuation is needed?

Ms Jones went to dinner with Mr and Mrs Brown

• period
• question mark
• exclamation mark

Subject(s) Tested: Punctuation

7Please, call me ___ ten o’clock.

• at
• in
• on
• for
• with

Subject(s) Tested: Common prepositions

8 ___ my stay in New York, I made a few friends.

• During
• At
• On
• While

Subject(s) Tested: Common prepositions

9My uncle ___ in the center of town.

• live
• living
• lives

Subject(s) Tested: Verb conjugation

10What is the correct form of the word?

Are you good at ___ questions?

• write
• writing

Subject(s) Tested: Gerunds

11Select the most natural word order for this sentence.

• He told us an interesting story.
• Us he told a story interesting.
• Us he told an interesting story.
• He told us a story interesting.

Subject(s) Tested: Word order

12The train leaves ___ five minutes. Hurry up!

• at
• on
• in

Subject(s) Tested: Common prepositions

13Last night I went home and _______ TV for an hour.

• heard
• watched
• listened to
• looked at

Subject(s) Tested: Verb use, verb tense

14I love _________ to music.

• listening
• watching
• hearing
• looking

Subject(s) Tested: Gerunds, verb tense

15Which sentence is correct?

• I’m going to make my homework.
• Make the beds.
• I need to remake the task.

Subject(s) Tested: Make/do use