Grammar Grater - Minnesota Public Radio

24 Episodes

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Episode 125: Pretty Mysterious

2009-11-2308:06

This week, we investigate the casual and formal uses of the word pretty. Also, we announce that the podcast will be taking a brief hiatus.

Episode 124: Literally? Actually, yes

2009-11-1107:25

This week, journalist Andrew Haeg joins us to talk about when to use literally -- and when not to use it.

Episode 123: A Chapter About Averse

2009-11-0506:19

This week, we examine two easily confused words: adverse and averse.

Episode 122: A Halloween Special

2009-10-2807:01

(Repeat Episode) We look at interesting words having to do with Halloween. We're joined by MPR News arts reporter, Euan Kerr.

Episode 121: Ellipsis Incorporated

2009-10-2109:11

This week, we're talking about the ellipsis. What's an ellipsis, you ask? Listen to the podcast to find out...

Episode 120: Little-Known Side Effects

2009-10-1407:16

We investigate the seldom-told story about the meanings of the words affect and effect.

Episode 119: Intensify

2009-10-0704:12

(Repeat episode) Adding intensifiers can give emphasis to your speech and writing; but sometimes they serve to weaken the message and are best left out.

Episode 118: Mixed Feelings... or Mixed Message?

2009-09-3006:21

(Repeat Episode) We address a couple of words that sound somewhat alike and come fairly close in meaning, yet can cause a bit of confusion: ambivalent and ambiguous.

Episode 117: The Word on the Street

2009-09-2308:43

This week, we investigate a figure of speech called metonymy.

Episode 116: Adverbs are Everywhere

2009-09-1606:31

As the title suggests, this week's episode is all about adverbs.

Episode 115: Homespun Language

2009-09-0907:18

We're back at the Minnesota State Fair to gain insights about vocabulary that comes from the crafts of weaving and spinning. Our special guest is Judy Payne of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota.

Episode 114: Whizz-Bang!

2009-09-0207:43

This week, we visit the Minnesota State Fair to talk about a literary device called onomatopoeia.

Episode 113: Street Cred

2009-08-2606:51

We investigate a trio of words that share a common root and all have something to do with some aspect of belief, trust or worth: credible, creditable and credulous.

Episode 112: Disco!

2009-08-1906:34

This week on Grammar Grater, we’re going to examine three words that sound similar yet they have subtle differences in meaning. Those words are discomfit, discomfort and disconcert.

Episode 111: Look it Up

2009-08-1208:28

Lexicographer Wendalyn Nichols joins us to give advice on how to best use and choose dictionaries.

Grammar Grater: Pesky Plurals

2009-08-0505:21

(Repeat episode) No other part of speech causes as much confusion -- and demonstrates the continuous evolution of the English language -- quite like plural nouns. Today we'll try to clear up some misunderstandings about some plural nouns that tend to give writers trouble.

Episode 109: Some Spicy Expressions

2009-07-2910:35

We feature some lighthearted summer fare by looking at expressions that include the word mustard. Joining us is Barry Levenson, an author of three books and the founder and curator of the Mustard Museum in Wisconsin.

Episode 108: Animal Farm

2009-07-2205:38

(Repeat Episode) We dissect a veritable carnival of idiomatic expressions, including "the elephant in the room" and "the 800 pound gorilla."

Episode 107: Misnomers and Malapropisms

2009-07-1510:26

Editor Catherine Winter joins us to talk about two common types of word confusion.

Episode 106: Now or Then?

2009-07-0806:08

We investigate the meaning and history of the word erstwhile.

#box-pro-ellipsis-173450551227761{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}Grammar Grater - Minnesota Public Radio

Grammar Grater - Minnesota Public Radio