Russ Emerson | May 14, 2010
Prior to the Civil War, the usual usage when referring to the nation as a whole was “the United States are….” Since the Civil War, “United States” has been treated linguistically as singular: “the United States is….” Given the to-do over Arizona’s immigration enforcement law, as well as the incipient revolt of a number of […]
Category: Language, Politics |
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Russ Emerson | December 14, 2009
Sometimes I hear or read something that strikes me as an appalling failure of education. Having always had an affinity for language, certain misuses grate hard on me. I know, I know — you’re thinking “Russ, you’re such a relaxed and easygoing guy, how could anything trivial bother you?” Good point, but there are indeed […]
Category: Language |
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