Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Why some sentences have double subjects. The story behind the old F-like letter S. Schwen schwen on dill.
May 21, 2024
Exploring the oddity of double subjects in sentences and the historical significance of the old F-like letter S. Delving into left dislocation in English sentences and the informality and usage of this technique. Uncovering the evolution of the medial S in English typography and sharing a nostalgic family phrase "Schwent Schwent on Dill".
16:49
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Quick takeaways
- Left dislocation can enhance sentence clarity and informality but should be used sparingly in formal writing.
- The historical medial S, resembling an F, created spelling challenges and vanished with the printing press's emergence.
Deep dives
Left Dislocation in English Sentences
Left dislocation in English sentences involves moving a noun phrase to the beginning of a sentence and replacing it with a pronoun later on for clarity and style. The podcast explains how this strategy can help introduce new information effectively and maintain a friendly tone, especially in informal writing or speech. While left dislocation can be useful for readability, it is recommended to limit its use in formal contexts to avoid language quirks.
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