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Mind Your P's and Q's: Today is National Grammar Day
Can you spot the errors in this sign, found at a store near the LA Flower Market? (Lindsay William-Ross/LAist)
Today is the day no participle shall dangle and no modifier be misplaced! March 4th is National Grammar Day, brought to us by the fine people of the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar. How does one honor the occasion? Well, of course by speaking and writing well, and by spreading the word. The SPOGG wants "people to think about language and how it can be used best."
You can rock out to their Bad Grammar Hall of Fame Playlist full of songs worthy of loving, despite their bad grammar, which includes tracks by Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and ABBA. You can also bone up on the basics of good grammar by taking a lesson from our heroes in the media; the site Celebrity English breaks down error-laden sound bites and sentences from Hollywood stars and offers suggestions for correction.
SPOGG is also honoring the best of the worst of last year; their pick for the U.S. city with the worst grammar is Columbia, South Carolina, while top celeb honors go to former President George W. Bush.
Here in Los Angeles, today marks a dual challenge for even the most cunning of linguists. Not only must we mind our grammar, but we must also mind our words; we're in the midst of No Cussing Week, too!
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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