"Based On" vs. "Based Off"
Your tower might be based off a shaky foundation--unless it's on the foundation. Nitpick some popular grammar on today's episode of Grammar Minute.
Mar 07, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 84
Grammar Minute
Saving the English language 60 seconds at a time.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
Dr. Steele's Spelling Minute: British vs. American Words
This poem mysteriously turned up on the back of my economics quiz, imparting powerful knowledge from the keeper of American vs. British spellings and, also, of economics--Dr. Charles Steele of Hillsdale College. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Mar 05, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 83
It's Voting Season: Grammar Matters (Maybe More than You Think)
A 2011 study found that political candidates' grammar may influence voter perception on their chances of reelection. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute--and if you're curious, read the study at this link.
Feb 29, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 82
That vs Who (Will Make You Sound Smart)
"That" and "who" don't sound like obvious candidates for a mix-up, but I bet you've encountered this grammatical distinction--probably recently. Learn how to avoid the pitfall on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Feb 27, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 81
"More Than" vs. "Over" (Sorry, AP Style Guide)
I have more than a hundred books. Or ... do I have over a hundred books? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Feb 22, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 80
The Most Grammatically Confusing Holiday (Presidents' Day)
President's Day. Presidents' Day. Presidents Day. This holiday has long stumped grammarians, and in fact, the correct spelling depends on exactly what you want to celebrate. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Feb 20, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 79
Plurals vs. Apostrophes (A Bigger Rivalry Than the Super Bowl)
Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we've finally discovered a hard-and-fast rule of the English language!
Feb 15, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 78
It's All Well and Good (Can You Say "I Feel Good?")
Let me be honest: "I don't know" appears frequently in this episode.
Feb 13, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 77
Discrete vs. Discreet (Hint: It's Not British vs. American)
Up next in our series of commonly misused words, poor discrete is finally getting justice.
Feb 08, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 76
The Enormity of Commonly Misused Words, Part 2
Get ready for more fantastic news headlines that got things wrong with one of my favorite words: Enormity.
Feb 06, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 75
The Power of Short Sentences
Short sentences pack great punch. Like this. Or this. Discover the magic of varied sentence length on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Feb 01, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 74
Do you ever get anything "for free?"
Economists say no. Grammarians say no, too - at least, some of them do. Learn more about this wonky phrase on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Jan 30, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 73
SPECIAL EPISODE: "Haven" Sci-Fi Audio Drama
Welcome to this special episode of Grammar Minute - a short story audio drama by GM's host, Lauren Smyth! A dying star. A one-person shelter. A robot for company. Life on a barely habitable planet might be lonely, but it's also a great way to escape the past--or so Ozero thinks. But when an unfamiliar spaceship crash-lands near his shelter, Ozero is faced with a decision: Will he seek revenge for the destruction of his family, or will he find healing through forgiveness? Performed by Lauren Smyt...
Jan 03, 2024•12 min•Season 3Ep. 72
Using Foreign Words in English Writing
Change the status quo. Avoid Latin like you avoid cliches - that is, like the plague.
Nov 23, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 71
A Writer Responds to ChatGPT
I'm a hard news and fiction writer. Here's why I'm not worried about ChatGPT taking my job - plus an (un)grammatical approach to staying ahead of the robot army.
Nov 21, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 70
Pronoun Abuse - Stop It. Get Some Help.
These two simple tips will make your writing clearer - and once you see this mistake, you'll never fail to notice it. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Nov 16, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 69
Is It Time to Break the Rules of Grammar?
Grammar Minute usually isn't an opinion show, but could there be room for opinions among the many and often contradictory rules of Grammar? Hear the official opinion on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Nov 14, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 68
Me Either vs. Me Neither
Since when has Grammar Minute been an opinion show? Since we started talking about "me either" vs. "me neither!"
Oct 19, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 67
Toward or Towards?
What should you do about those pesky words that sometimes seem to be spelled with "s" but sometimes go without? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Oct 17, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 66
Based On vs. Based Off
Where's your grammatical foundation - and how solid is it? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Oct 05, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 65
Dangling Modifiers (In Honor of National Coffee Day)
It's National Coffee Day ... at least, it was the day I recorded this episode. You may not be sure how grammar and coffee are related, but you can find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Oct 03, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 64
The Golden Rule of Commas
Commas are suffering from severe overuse. Learn how not to use a comma on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Sep 28, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 63
What's an Interrobang ‽
Meet the interrobang, a non-standard punctuation mark that I wish we'd use more often. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Sep 26, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 62
How to Answer "How Are You?"
I am well. I am doing well. I am good. I'm not so good now because my English professor is asking about my day and I don't know what to say. Learn how to respond impressively on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Sep 21, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 61
Words That Don't Exist (So Don't Use Them)
Are there any common words you've been using that actually don't exist? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Sep 19, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 60
The Sin of Irregardless - Why It's Wrong
You probably already know this word is a travesty, but why? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Sep 14, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 59
Weird: Apostrophe Direction Matters
Depending on the font you're using, ' and ' don't actually mean the same thing. Find out why you should care (a little bit) on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Sep 11, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 58
Carrots, Karats, Carats, and Carets - What's the Difference?
Hint: This episode may help you impress your geology professor, if you have one. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Sep 08, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 57
Each Other vs. One Another
When my cats and I have a staring competition, are we looking at one another or each other? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!
Sep 05, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 56
Loose vs. Lose (Grammar Hall of Shame)
If you're not careful, you could ... lose? Loose? something important!
Aug 31, 2023•1 min•Season 3Ep. 55
Hosted on Transistor
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android