Archive by Author
The Hobbit as English Literature Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 21, 2017
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. The Hobbit On September 21, 1937, a book was published which would have a profound and lasting effect on popular culture. It spawned other books by the same author, books about those books by scholars and fans, and an astonishing series of films. More importantly…
English Expressions of Sympathy Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 15, 2017
We’ve all been there. Someone you know is having a tough time. They are sad, or distressed, or even depressed. You want to say something to make them know that you care, but it can be awkward. What are the right words? Here are some expressions of sympathy and empathy for those moments when words…
Writing About Time in English Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 7, 2017
I’m sure that you know how to tell time, but do you know all the ways that time can be written out on a page? What’s the preferred method? And what does GMT, and a.m. and p.m. mean, anyway? Many years ago, I was a radio announcer. At least twice every hour that I was…
What is Syntax? Posted by Gary Locke on Aug 31, 2017
“When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not.” The way you order your words when you speak or write is important. You want everyone to understand you. When Yoda, of Star Wars fame, speaks it isn’t always easy to instantly comprehend his meaning because his syntax is a bit odd…
The English Village (and Other Places) Posted by Gary Locke on Aug 23, 2017
Do you live in a town, a township, a village, or a city? In English, we have different names for our communities, but what distinguishes one from another? And what is so special about those English villages, anyway? The Community Let’s start by defining a community. To live in a community is to live within…
How to Spend a Summer Vacation Posted by Gary Locke on Aug 3, 2017
If I asked you to name the world’s longest running musical you might not believe the answer. The Fantasticks opened on May 3, 1960 in a little theater in Greenwich Village in New York City and played for 42 years, with a total of 17,162 consecutive performances. Such plays are called Off-Broadway productions, because they…
Somewhere in the English Language Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 27, 2017
Where do you find something in a group? Between, among, amid, betwixt, amongst, and amidst are all similar prepositions. What’s the difference, and when should you use one over another? I have a lot of books. No. Really. I have hundreds and hundreds of books in my library and bedroom, packed neatly onto shelves, stacked…