The invisible rules of English that you were likely taught incorrectly
In short: From splitting infinitives to starting sentences with 'but', much of what we consider 'proper' English is actually a collection of modern myths. Many of these perceived errors are actually centuries-old traditions, often born from attempts to force Latin grammar onto the English language.
Many linguistic prohibitions are not rooted in grammar, but in historical shifts in style. For instance, the idea that one cannot end a sentence with a preposition likely gained traction in the 17th century, following an essay by poet John Dryden. Despite this, 'preposition stranding' has been natural in English since Anglo-Saxon times, appearing frequently in the works of Shakespeare.
Similarly, the prohibition against splitting infinitives—placing an adverb between 'to' and the verb—stems from a 19th-century movement. Grammarians like Henry Alford, in his 1864 book *A Plea for the Queen's English*, sought to apply Latin rules to English. Because Latin infinitives are single, inseparable words, splitting them is impossible in that language, but perfectly valid in English.
Other 'rules' are equally unfounded. The belief that sentences should not begin with conjunctions like 'and' or 'but' is described by some as a 'folk commandment.' In reality, up to 10 percent of sentences in high-quality writing begin with conjunctions, a practice used by professional writers for centuries. Even the idea that 'nauseous' only means 'causing nausea' lacks historical evidence prior to a 1949 letter by physician Deborah Leary.
Ultimately, English lacks a central language academy to enforce standards. As noted by Reginald Close, many rules found in textbooks are simply unverified assumptions made by authors. This can lead to 'hypercorrection,' where speakers use archaic or overly formal terms—like 'healthful' instead of 'healthy'—in an attempt to appear more correct than they actually are.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Common English usage misconceptions
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-common-english-usage-misconceptions.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Misconceptions · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
