If you’ve ever been told not to end a sentence with a preposition or to never split an infinitive, you’ve brushed up against some of English’s most persistent grammar “rules.” But here’s the twist: many of these so-called rules are either outdated, misunderstood, or flat-out myths.
The truth is, English grammar is less about rigid laws and more about evolving conventions. We all “break” the rules daily—and most of the time, it makes our language clearer, not worse.
Let’s explore the myths, the mistakes, and the surprising ways English grammar works in real life.
Grammar Rules That Aren’t Really Rules
1. Never End a Sentence With a Preposition
- The classic example: “Where are you at?” vs. “Where are you?”
- This rule was borrowed from Latin in the 17th century, where prepositions couldn’t dangle at the end. But English isn’t Latin.
- Famous writers like Winston Churchill mocked it: “This is the sort of nonsense up with which I will not put.”
✅ Ending with a preposition is often more natural in English, especially in spoken form.
2. Don’t Split Infinitives
- Example: “To boldly go where no one has gone before.”
- Purists once argued infinitives (to go, to eat) should stay intact, again copying Latin structure.
- But in English, splitting can improve rhythm and emphasis.
✅ Modern linguists agree: split if it makes your sentence stronger.
3. ‘And’ or ‘But’ Can’t Start a Sentence
- Teachers often ban this in school, but historically, writers from the Bible to Shakespeare to modern journalism have used and or but at the start for emphasis.
- Example: “But the truth is, rules change.”
✅ Starting with conjunctions is fine—just don’t overdo it.
4. Double Negatives Are Always Wrong
- Example: “I can’t get no satisfaction.”
- In standard English, double negatives cancel each other out, but in many dialects (African American Vernacular English, Cockney, etc.), they intensify the meaning.
- In Middle English, double negatives were common.
✅ Context matters. In formal writing, avoid them. In poetry or song lyrics? Perfectly acceptable.
5. Passive Voice Is Bad Writing
- Example: “Mistakes were made.”
- Critics argue passive voice hides responsibility. While that’s true politically, passive voice can also shift focus or soften tone.
- Science papers use it frequently: “The sample was heated to 200 degrees.”
✅ Passive voice isn’t “bad”—it’s a tool. Use it intentionally.
Grammar Myths That Persist
So why do these myths stick around?
- Education: Teachers simplify rules for clarity. (“Never split infinitives” is easier to teach than nuance.)
- Prestige: Some rules were adopted to sound “more formal” and closer to Latin, once the language of the elite.
- Tradition: People repeat what they learned, even if linguists debunk it.
English grammar myths aren’t about correctness—they’re about social expectations.
The Rules You Should Care About
While some “rules” are myths, others truly matter if you want clarity:
- Subject-Verb Agreement: She writes vs. They write.
- Pronoun Clarity: Avoiding sentences like “John told Mark that he was late.” (Who’s “he”?)
- Punctuation in Complex Sentences: Misplaced commas can completely change meaning.
These aren’t arbitrary—they prevent confusion.
The Role of Style Guides
Grammar rules also shift depending on the style guide:
- APA, MLA, Chicago, AP all have variations.
- Example: The Oxford comma (apples, oranges, and bananas). Some guides demand it, others drop it.
✅ Grammar isn’t universal—it’s contextual.
Why “Breaking Rules” Can Make You a Better Writer
Great writers know when to follow convention and when to bend it.
- Split infinitives add emphasis: “To really understand grammar…”
- Ending with a preposition avoids clunky phrasing: “This is the book I told you about.”
- Passive voice shifts focus: “The window was broken,” instead of naming the culprit.
Rule-breaking works best when intentional, not accidental.
How Grammar Rules Evolve Over Time
English is always changing:
- Thou art became you are.
- Whom is slowly disappearing.
- Contractions (don’t, can’t, won’t) were once considered improper.
The “rules” of today may be the relics of tomorrow.
Practical Tips for Writers and Speakers
- Clarity beats correctness. If a “wrong” structure makes your meaning clear, use it.
- Read widely. Notice how professional writers bend rules.
- Match context. Formal emails? Stick to conventions. A blog post? Flex more freedom.
- Learn the history. Knowing why a rule exists helps you decide when to follow it.
Final Thoughts: Grammar as a Living System
English grammar isn’t a set of stone tablets. It’s a living, breathing system that adapts to the people who use it. We all break the rules—and in doing so, we keep the language alive.
The next time someone tells you never to start a sentence with but, remember: grammar is less about prohibition and more about possibility.
