Nothing is set in stone

The Oxford comma is a choice, not a rule (and it is not about grammar)

Unlike languages like French or Spanish, the English language does not have an official academy that registers the use of the language and determines which rules still apply and which are obsolete. While institutions such as the Oxford Dictionary help with standardizing and registering the language, English evolves through the daily use of its speakers, and its rules evolve with it.

As a consequence, some rules are more fixed than others, and many of them are not so much rules as they are stylistic choices. Does this mean we can write however we please? Not exactly, but it means that many "rules" are not set in stone. Let’s see some language mandates that are more of a guideline.

As evidenced by daily language, it is perfectly acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition, no matter the context or the formality. In fact, it’s something that speakers tend to do naturally. The idea that ending sentences with a preposition is incorrect is a myth left over by 17th-century grammarians trying to impose Latin grammar on the English language.

‘To run quietly’ or ‘To quietly run’, which one is correct? The answer is both. The choice to place an adverb after the infinitive or in the middle of it has nothing to do with proper grammar, but with emphasis and sounding more natural. Again, this "rule" is a leftover from Latin grammar.

Not so long ago, this rule was set in stone, and saying "to who?" instead of "to whom" would get you a few stares. However, rules change as people change, and the use of ‘who’ to refer to the object has become increasingly more common. However, this only applies to informal contexts. In a more formal setting, it is recommended to still use ‘whom’.

Much like prepositions at the end of sentences, conjunctions —such as and, but, so, or, nor, for, and yet— can go at the beginning of a sentence. This helps with emphasis, breaks up long sentences, and provides flexibility, although it is recommended to use them sparingly in this way.

The first issue here is that the serial comma, better known as the Oxford comma, is a punctuation issue, not a grammar rule. That aside, although it is recommended to avoid confusion caused by lengthy enumerations, in the end, it is a stylistic choice, and it is only considered mandatory in contexts that follow a certain style guide.

Just because in most cases the adjective goes before the noun, it does not mean it should always do so. English speakers tend to naturally put the adjective first when talking about qualities and characteristics, but in many cases, putting the noun first will sound better. Again, it depends on your preferences and the flow of the sentence.

While this is technically correct and subjunctive has been used this way for centuries, this rule mainly applies to written language and formal contexts. In colloquial English, speakers tend to use both the indicative and the subjunctive for uncertain or contrary-to-fact scenarios, such as saying "If I was you" and "If I were you". The choice almost always boils down to what sounds more natural.

Once an unbreakable rule, the use of ‘they’, ‘their’, and ‘them’ for a singular antecedent is widely accepted nowadays, even in the most formal contexts, to fill the gap left by the lack of gender neutral pronouns. In fact, many style guides recommend using these words as singular to avoid awkwardness and assuming someone’s gender.

"Two negatives make a positive", a rule you must have heard about in school. While this is a fact in math, it is not always true in grammar. In more standard English variants, the rule applies, especially in academic writing and formal contexts. However, informal dialects and vernaculars follow the ‘negative concord’: here, the second negative intensifies the first one instead of cancelling it.

This is a myth made popular by old grammar books. ‘None’ can be used with both singular and plural verbs, depending on the meaning. When ‘none’ is used to mean ‘not any’, it is more natural to use a plural verb. When it means ‘not one’ or ‘not any of it’, the verb should be in the singular form. If you are unsure, pick the choice that sounds clearer and more natural.

Do you live in one of these?

Did you ever think about the origins of these common street names?

Image: Igor Shalyminov

Have you ever wondered why so many streets in the U.S. are named "Main," "Maple," or "Broadway"? From historical references to nature-inspired names and beyond, every street name has a reason behind it. Take a look at the following 11 common street names. How many of these names are present in your neighborhood?

Image: Brandon Jean

A self-explanatory name, for sure, "Main Street" is usually the most important avenue of a town or city, in its early stages. Sometimes, as it can happen, the city will grow and the "Main" street will no longer be the most important one, but the name almost always remains.

Image: KWON JUNHO

A testament to the U.S.’s most abundant tree, "Maple Street" is a common name found in towns and cities across the country. It has also appeared frequently in fictional settings, from novels and films to cartoons like The Simpsons.

Image: Timur M

Strangely enough, the name "Second Street" is more common than "First Street." One might assume that for every Second Street in America, there must also be a First Street—but that’s not always the case. The explanation lies in the fact that many "First Streets" have been renamed since their original naming.

Image: Seval Torun

Another common street name honoring one of America’s most widespread trees, "Oak Street," is a name that can be found in towns and cities of all sizes across the nation.

Image: Leroy Tan

Another self-explanatory name is the following example. The streets and avenues named "Park Street" in America usually start, end, or border a public park.

Image: gustavo nacht

A name somewhat similar in use to "Main Street" is "High Street." Though much less common in the US, it is often found in older towns with colonial or British influence and is typically bestowed upon the most important street in a town or city.

Image: S. Tsuchiya

Akin to "Main" and "High," "Central Street" is a name given to streets and avenues that are situated in the downtown area of a town or city, and pass through some of its most important features, like government buildings or central squares.

Image: Boyu Hu

Many street names originate as landmark references, pointing to notable features along the road. Nearly every town in America has a "Church Street," most of them named after a church that once stood—or still stands—along their path.

Image: Albert Stoynov

Across the country, streets named "Market Street" often serve as the center of commercial activity in a town or city. Like other landmark-based street names, the designation reflects the street’s primary use—in this case, as a commercial thoroughfare.

Image: Vlad Tchompalov

Unsurprisingly, "Washington Street," the Father of the Nation’s name, appears in nearly every American town and city, and in a larger proportion than any other historical figure’s name.

Image: Steve Lieman

The third and final tree-based street name in this list, "Elm Street," comes from a common North American tree. Like Maple and Oak, Elm Street has appeared in numerous fictional stories, television shows, novels, and movies, most notably, A Nightmare on Elm Street.