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A College Professor Explains Why "Like" and "Literally" Are Actually Good English

Write About Now

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The Evolution of the Word 'Like' in English Language

This chapter explores the evolution and usage of the word 'like' in English, highlighting its prevalence among younger generations and its role as a discourse marker. It discusses how language innovation is driven by youth through cognitive plasticity and social influences, leading to novel uses of words like 'like' as prepositions or conjunctions. The speaker compares this linguistic evolution to the adaptability of language over time, showcasing how 'like' adds subjective flavor to sentences without strict meaning.

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