“Though the historical accounts in the Old Testament are fictitious (or at best artistic reconstructions, like Shakespeare’s historical dramas), they offer a window into the lives and values of Near Eastern civilizations in the mid-1st millennium BCE. Whether or not the Israelites actually engaged in genocide, they certainly thought it was a good idea. The … More Quote of the Day
Clauses beginning with who, which, that Nonessential clauses are set off by commas; essential clauses are not set off by commas. Examples: Nonessential clause: My mother, who was Italian, made great pasta. Because I had only one mother, the clause “who was Italian” doesn’t identify her, so it’s nonessential. I … More Punctuation Essential and Nonessential Clauses
“It is not easy to write clearly, especially on philosophical topics, and it is risky. Clear writers stand naked before their critics, with all their argumentative blemishes visible; but they are braver, more honest and more respectful of the true aims of intellectual enquiry than ones who shroud themselves in obscurity.”—Keith Frankish https://aeon.co/opinions/is-great-philosophy-by-its-nature-difficult-and-obscure?utm_source=Aeon+Newsletter&utm_campaign=800d535b02-Daily_Friday_December_25_201512_23_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_411a82e59d-800d535b02-68749541
“Roses are reddish/ Violets are bluish/ If it weren’t for Christmas/ We’d all be Jewish.”–Benny Hill
Choose the correct word: As much as $25,000 (is/are) is a bit more than I can afford to pay for a parrot. Neither the students nor the teacher (was/were) sorry to hear the fire alarm. Neither my wife nor I (am/is) planning to go to the party. Neither of the clerks (is/are) able to remember … More Subject/Verb Agreement
“Yes, the long war on Christianity. I pray that one day we may live in an America where Christians can worship freely! In broad daylight! Openly wearing the symbols of their religion… perhaps around their necks? And maybe — dare I dream it? — maybe one day there can be an openly Christian President. Or, … More Quote of the Day
If asked to define a verb, most people would say it’s an action word, which is true. Jump, run, sleep, snore—these verbs express actions. They’re action verbs. But not all verbs are action verbs; some are linking verbs. You can probably get through life just fine without understanding the difference between action verbs and linking … More Verbs that Link and Verbs that Don’t
“The most preposterous notion that Homo sapiens has ever dreamed up is that the Lord God of Creation, Shaper and Ruler of all the Universes, wants the saccharine adoration of His creatures, can be swayed by their prayers, and becomes petulant if He does not receive this flattery. Yet this absurd fantasy, without a shred … More Quote of the Day
A mystery about Donald Trump has emerged that trumps (so to speak) all of the other mysteries about him such as how on earth he is still in the race. The new mystery is his bizarre reaction to Hilary Clinton’s alleged bathroom break during the Democratic debate. He was clearly visibly shaken and disgusted by … More Trump and the Bathroom Break–Mystery Solved
“All extremes of feeling are allied with madness.” ― Virginia Woolf
No Harm Spilt 