Fandom Grammar

daegaer asked, "How is the word 'cliché' used?"

( We answered. )

Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
by Mignon Fogarty

Description: Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty puts out a weekly podcast on grammar and usage. Some of her topics are common errors, while others are listener/reader questions.

Why is it useful? This is a straightforward and entertaining look at some of the trickier parts of grammar and usage. Fogarty uses a conversational style without a lot of intimidating grammar terms, and she often provides a mnemonic by which you can remember the rules. Despite being, as the title says, quick and dirty, the answers go into some depth: she'll often delve into the "why" of a rule as well as the "what." As a bonus, on the posted transcript pages, you'll often find interesting discussions in the Comments section.

This isn't a replacement for a good grammar tome; it's not organized like a rule book and it is not comprehensive. But on the other hand, you aren't going to find How to Write a Great Blog Comment in Strunk & White.

You can find Grammar Girl podcasts and episode transcripts here. Or, if you would rather have a book you can physically page through, Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing is available at Amazon and other retailers.

When is it appropriate to use "try to" vs. "try and"?
(With examples from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.)

( But Yoda says there is no try... )

This week we get two related questions for the price of one. rykaine wants to know, "What are the appropriate conjugations for verbs following either, neither, none, each, etc.?" And earth2skye asks, "Should it be a singular or plural verb after 'neither he nor'?"

With examples from QI, The Sentinel, and Jeeves and Wooster.

( No, verbs cannot just agree to disagree )

rkaine asks, “When is it appropriate to use ‘I’ vs. ‘me’?”

(with examples from The Sentinel, Firefly, and Saiyuki and general guidance from The Gregg Reference Manual and Garner’s Modern American Usage)

( Because  )