Great Grammar Debates Writers Should Know

Most people who have known me for a while know that I am a self-proclaimed grammar nerd. While I do enjoy editing for grammar, I’m actually most intrigued by the permissible inconsistencies that arise and how passionate writers are about them. 

Over the years, many grammatical conventions have been hotly debated. Despite being called rules, some of them are really preferences, suggestions, or even misconceptions. Let’s break down some of the biggest grammar debates and their origins so you can decide what’s “right” for your writing.

1. The Oxford Comma

   The Oxford comma, also known as the final serial comma, is used before the final conjunction (usually and or or) in a list. For example, “I want cheese, chicken, and onion on my pizza.” 

   
   

   Although it had been used previously, it became officially recognized as the Oxford Comma in 1905 when Horace Hart updated the Oxford University Press style guide to mandate its use. Ever since then, writers and academics have spent much time debating whether it’s truly needed. In fact, it can quickly become a point of contention. 

   
   

   I’m personally very pro-Oxford comma, but whether you use it really boils down to personal preference and the style guide you’re following.

   
   
   
   

2. Em Dashes

   This debate now has two aspects, thanks to the popularity of generative AI. The original question surrounding em dashes was whether or not it should have a space on both sides. Again, the answer is really dependent upon preference and style guide, but many writers will use one variation and one only. I’m a copywriter by trade, and every time I have a client that requires em dashes to be accompanied by spaces, I cringe a little as I type. 

   
   

   In the age of AI, the em dash debacle has evolved into wondering whether we should use them at all. This is because generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) tend to use them frequently and incorrectly, and writers worry that their work may be flagged as AI-generated if they use em dashes. However, in my opinion, em dashes alone aren’t a reliable indicator of AI use.

   
   
   
   

3. Ending Sentences With Prepositions

   For anyone who doesn’t remember, prepositions connect a noun or pronoun to another part of a sentence to indicate their relationship. In the sage words of the “Schoolhouse Rock!” song “Busy Prepositions,” “Nine or ten of them / do most all of the work / of, on, to, with, in, from / by, for, at, over, across.”

   
   

   Many people in the writing field, especially those from older generations, tend to be adamant that sentences absolutely cannot end with a preposition. This idea likely stems from writers Joshua Poole and John Dryden, who wanted to make English more similar to Latin. Authoritative sources, like Merriam-Webster and the Modern Language Association (MLA), state that this is a choice, not a rule.

   
   
   
   

4. Starting Sentences With Conjunctions

   Let’s hop back on the “Schoolhouse Rock!” train (pun intended) and return to “Conjunction Junction” for a quick review: “Conjunction Junction, what’s your function? / Hooking up words and phrases and clauses. / Conjunction Junction, how’s that function? / I got three favorite cars / that get most of my job done. / I got “and,” “but,” and “or,” / they’ll get you pretty far.”

   
   

   I’m unsure where the “rule” that you shouldn’t start sentences with conjunctions came from, but the truth is that there isn’t an official rule against it. According to Merriam-Webster, people have written sentences beginning with conjunctions as far back as the 9th century Old English Chronicle. Even the 1959 edition of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White includes sentences beginning with conjunctions, so don’t let naysayers hold you back!

   
   
   
   

5. Split Infinitives

   A split infinitive is when an adverb (words ending in -ly) or adverb phrase (groups of words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs) is placed between “to” and the the verb in an infinitive phrase. For example, the famous Star Trek quote, “To boldly go where no man has gone before, is a split infinitive. 

   
   

   Although avoiding split infinitives seems to have gained momentum in the Victorian era, there’s not a rule against it. Some writers refuse to split infinitives, while others simply decide based on what sounds right.

   
   
   
   

6. The Possessive Version of Words Ending in S

   Words ending in ‘s’ can make possessive apostrophe placement tricky. Should we write it as ‘s or s’? For example, the bus’s wheels vs. the bus’ wheels. According to thesaurus.com, there has never really been a consensus. Different style guides have different rules, and writers have their own opinions. Interestingly, the Associated Press (AP) considered changing their style guide from s’ to ‘s in 2019, but there was quite an uproar over it and no changes were made.

Final Thoughts

While many academics and writers (myself included) have very specific grammar opinions and there are grammatical conventions set in stone, some widely used “rules” are really only a matter of personal preference. Grammar gives language structure so we can be easily understood, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for innovation or individual voice. 

If you live or attend school in North Carolina and want to share your unique writing style with the world, submit your work to Ink & Oak today.

FAQs

What is the purpose of grammar?

The purpose of grammar is to provide structure and logic for languages. This enables people to communicate clearly and effectively.

Can I break grammar rules when writing?

Yes, you can absolutely break grammar rules when writing. There are often times in which you should (or are expected to) break these rules, like when writing certain types of poetry or dialogue. Doing so can make your writing stand out, but you still want readers to understand your work, so make sure you break rules intentionally and thoughtfully.