Madam Grammar
@madamgrammar.bsky.social
Professor, editor, grammar evangelist in the Sunflower State. Finding the joy in language and walking the fine red line between prescriptivism and descriptivism. She/her.
Only a few days left to apply for @ACESediting scholarships! If you are – or you know – students who are interested in editing, check it out! aceseditors.org/awards/schol...
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Only a few days left to apply for @ACESediting scholarships! If you are – or you know – students who are interested in editing, check it out! aceseditors.org/awards/schol...
Excited to see the @grammartable.bsky.social movie in a theater, with people!
September 28, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Excited to see the @grammartable.bsky.social movie in a theater, with people!
I was moving my "bad examples" file and this one fell out. Channel your inner Beavis, headline writers!
September 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I was moving my "bad examples" file and this one fell out. Channel your inner Beavis, headline writers!
I'd like to think they did this on purpose to get clicks, but I'd bet it was automated with no human in the loop. 🤦♀️
July 2, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I'd like to think they did this on purpose to get clicks, but I'd bet it was automated with no human in the loop. 🤦♀️
Ouch! (Thanks, Michael!)
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
May 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Ouch! (Thanks, Michael!)
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
Happy Star Wars Day to all who celebrate!
May 4, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Happy Star Wars Day to all who celebrate!
What could possibly go wrong? 🤦♀️
May 2, 2025 at 8:32 PM
What could possibly go wrong? 🤦♀️
April 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM
"The most powerful response to attacks on our integrity is truth. ... Journalism is still a noble profession."
--Lester Holt, receiving the 2025 William Allen White Citation
--Lester Holt, receiving the 2025 William Allen White Citation
April 10, 2025 at 8:28 PM
"The most powerful response to attacks on our integrity is truth. ... Journalism is still a noble profession."
--Lester Holt, receiving the 2025 William Allen White Citation
--Lester Holt, receiving the 2025 William Allen White Citation
I do appreciate a good punny business name
March 25, 2025 at 11:51 PM
I do appreciate a good punny business name
It's a great day for grammar! March forth for language! #NationalGrammarDay
March 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
It's a great day for grammar! March forth for language! #NationalGrammarDay
Not sure about that one in the middle...
February 14, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Not sure about that one in the middle...
rein = straps used to control a horse
reign = rule or authority of a monarch
It's "free rein" and "take the reins," but "reigns supreme."
Trick to remember: a kinG reiGns; both have a G
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
reign = rule or authority of a monarch
It's "free rein" and "take the reins," but "reigns supreme."
Trick to remember: a kinG reiGns; both have a G
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
February 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
rein = straps used to control a horse
reign = rule or authority of a monarch
It's "free rein" and "take the reins," but "reigns supreme."
Trick to remember: a kinG reiGns; both have a G
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
reign = rule or authority of a monarch
It's "free rein" and "take the reins," but "reigns supreme."
Trick to remember: a kinG reiGns; both have a G
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
February 6, 2025 at 7:11 PM
discrete = separate, delineated
discreet = understated, discerning, circumspect
The one you want when you're talking about keeping a secret is "discreet."
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
discreet = understated, discerning, circumspect
The one you want when you're talking about keeping a secret is "discreet."
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
February 4, 2025 at 7:31 PM
discrete = separate, delineated
discreet = understated, discerning, circumspect
The one you want when you're talking about keeping a secret is "discreet."
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
discreet = understated, discerning, circumspect
The one you want when you're talking about keeping a secret is "discreet."
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
Teachers don't tend to get apples anymore, but one of my freshers drew one on today's in-class writing ❤️
January 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Teachers don't tend to get apples anymore, but one of my freshers drew one on today's in-class writing ❤️
Happy #KansasDay to all who celebrate! 🌻🌪️🏀
January 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Happy #KansasDay to all who celebrate! 🌻🌪️🏀
Diffuse = to disperse or scatter
Defuse = to neutralize, literally as with a bomb and figuratively as with a tense situation
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
Defuse = to neutralize, literally as with a bomb and figuratively as with a tense situation
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
January 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Diffuse = to disperse or scatter
Defuse = to neutralize, literally as with a bomb and figuratively as with a tense situation
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
Defuse = to neutralize, literally as with a bomb and figuratively as with a tense situation
#SpellCheckCannotSaveYou
Reminder: "Sheer" means see-through – or perpendicular – pure/utter; "shear" is to cut or trim.
January 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Reminder: "Sheer" means see-through – or perpendicular – pure/utter; "shear" is to cut or trim.
Reminder: A cord is like a cable; a chord is musical.
Figuratively, something with impact "strikes a chord."
"Vocal cords" are extra confusing, because people associate voice with music, but they're like cables in your throat, so it's "cord." #SpellcheckCannotSaveYou
Figuratively, something with impact "strikes a chord."
"Vocal cords" are extra confusing, because people associate voice with music, but they're like cables in your throat, so it's "cord." #SpellcheckCannotSaveYou
January 14, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reminder: A cord is like a cable; a chord is musical.
Figuratively, something with impact "strikes a chord."
"Vocal cords" are extra confusing, because people associate voice with music, but they're like cables in your throat, so it's "cord." #SpellcheckCannotSaveYou
Figuratively, something with impact "strikes a chord."
"Vocal cords" are extra confusing, because people associate voice with music, but they're like cables in your throat, so it's "cord." #SpellcheckCannotSaveYou
Some days the Scrabble deities hate me 🫤
January 12, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Some days the Scrabble deities hate me 🫤
I love the Yarn Harlot’s mujadara recipe, but it does use a decent amount of oil for the onions. And my house smells delish for a couple of days!
January 1, 2025 at 5:54 PM
I love the Yarn Harlot’s mujadara recipe, but it does use a decent amount of oil for the onions. And my house smells delish for a couple of days!
Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate!
December 25, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate!