Transcripts

June Casagrande:
Who is the subject of a sentence, whom is the object of a sentence. The litmus test is always just plug in he and him.

June Casagrande, author of the book, Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies…

If the word he, a subject, fits in your sentence you use the word, who. If the word him works better in your sentence you use the word whom. That plugging in method will save you pretty much every time.

When talking about a dream you had is a correct to say, "I dreamed" or "I dreamt."

Either one is fine. Dreamt is preferred in British English, dreamed is preferred in American English. But these are your toys, language is your tool, so, don't even ask yourself dreamed or dream. Say it the way you want to say it and people will hear your message more clearly.

Grammatically speaking at the dinner table is it ok to say, "Can I be excused?" or is it only correct to say, " May I be excused?"

The difference between "Can I" and "May I" has blurred over the years. "Can I" is now completely acceptable as a substitute for "May I". "May I" is best in formal situations but usually the family dinner table isn't a formal situation. So, there's nothing wrong with saying, " Can I be excused?" It's just not as formal or polite as saying, " May I be excused?" And the choice is yours.

Tomorrow is it "try TO get this done" or "try AND get this done?" I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know.