9 Most Controversial Grammatical Rules that are Confusing!

English is a complex language which comes with several rules and regulations. Some of them are still in debate for many years. English grammar has its fair share of rules that spark debate. Several grammar rules can often confuse anyone who has just started learning this language. To understand some of the most controversial English grammar rules, make sure you keep reading this blog post. 

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What are the Most Controversial Grammatical Rules?

Since we are aware that English is a complex language which has many rules. To make it easier for you, all the grammatical rules are what make the language confusing. Here are all the rules in grammar that we will be talking about today which will help you get clarity and be able to use it properly in writing. 

English sentence with prepositions	Like as a conjunction
Split Infinitives	Oxford Commas
Incorrect Apostrophes	Who vs Whom?
Passive Voice	Pronoun Rules
Punctuation inside quotations	One space or two

Also Read: 23 Common Grammar Mistakes in English to Avoid From Now On

Ending Sentences with Prepositions

Yes, you can end a sentence with a preposition in the English language. While traditional grammar rules often discourage this, modern usage accepts it as natural and correct in many contexts. Here are some examples to justify this statement. 

• What are you looking at?
• This is the book I was telling you about.
• Which topic are you interested in?

By looking at these sentences, they sound grammatically correct. Talking about the rule, it comes from the traditional era when this rule came from Latin grammar, which doesn’t always apply neatly to English. On the other hand, modern English recognizes the fluidity and practicality of preposition placement.

Also Read: What are Prepositions? Definition, Types, Examples & Exercise

Which is Correct: Hanged or Hung?

This grammatical rule is not that controversial as compared to the other ones although people still mix it up. Both words have different meanings and are used in different contexts. To put it in simple words, the term ‘hanged’ is used when referring to the method of execution by hanging while the term ‘hung’ is used in all other contexts, such as hanging objects. 

Example: 

• The criminal was hanged at dawn.
• He hung the picture on the wall.

Starting Sentences with “However”

Starting sentences with “however” is grammatically correct and can be an effective way to introduce a contrasting idea or a shift in thought. Here are a few examples:

Introducing Contrast:

• I wanted to go to the park. However, it started to rain.
• The project was completed on time. However, it went over budget.

Shifting Thought:

• She was excited about her new job. However, she was also nervous about the challenges ahead.

Remember that when writing the word ‘however’, it should always be followed by a comma to separate it from a main clause. By doing so, you will provide clarity in the narrative.

Also Read: 11+ However Conjunction Examples That You Must Know!

Punctuation Inside Quotation Marks

This is a common question that everyone has. Well, the answer is simple. This rule depends on the English-speaking nation, for some punctuation marks go inside (America) while for others they can go outside. This is a long debate with no clear answers on it. 

Example:

• He asked, “Are you coming to the party?”
• Did she really say, “I don’t care”?

As you can see in the above-mentioned examples, here both punctuation inside quotation marks work fine. 

Also Read: Full Stop Before or After Quotation: Meaning & Exercise

Should You Use the Generic Masculine?

Before the 19th century, people used ‘he’ to refer to a person no matter what generation. This word was also used to refer to all women, men or mankind. Later on, people began to realise the sexist implications of this rule. Do women have no say? Are they inferior to men?

Say for example, “A good investor follows his instincts,” suggests that most investors ought to be men.

However, the bad news is that there is no solution to this rule. Both ‘he’ and ‘she’ are wordy and using ‘they’ goes against the rule of using a plural pronoun to refer to a single person. So, the only way is by using anything according to the situation. 

Can You Start Sentences with Conjunctions?

Yes, you can start sentences with conjunctions, however, this practice was discouraged in formal writing. However, in modern English, it’s widely accepted, especially in less formal contexts like informal writing and sometimes in formal writing when it enhances clarity or emphasis. Words like and, but, like, so, and yet are examples of commonly used conjunctions.

Example:

• And then, suddenly, everything changed.
• But why would she do that?
• So, what’s the plan for today?

Also Read: 100 Conjunction Words You Should Know to Improve Your English

Is ‘like’ a Conjunction?

The word ‘like’ is not a conjunction but a verb and preposition. It is commonly used as a preposition and a verb rather than being used as a conjunction. The use of the word ‘like’ as a subordinating conjunction since the 15th century is often frowned upon and not accepted in formal English writing. 

Also Read: 25+ ‘Therefore’ Conjunction Examples & Uses

Is It ‘Whom’ or ‘Who’?

Both the words, ‘whom’ and ‘who’ are pronouns which are used to refer to people but they both are used in different contexts in a sentence. The word ‘who’ is a pronoun which is used to ask about the subject of a sentence or to introduce a clause where the pronoun is the subject.

While the word ‘whom’ is used is used as an object pronoun.  It is used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition within a sentence. 

Example: 

• Who is coming to the party?
• Whom did you invite to the party?

Also Read: Top Grammar Rules,  Grammar Guide, Best Tips, and Sample Questions

What is the Difference Between “Less” and “Fewer”

The difference between ‘less’ and ‘fewer’ lies in their usage with countable and uncountable nouns. The word ‘less’ is used with uncountable nouns, which are things that cannot be counted individually or are treated as a mass. While, ‘fewer’ is used with countable nouns, which are things that can be counted individually. 

Example:

• I need less sugar in my coffee. (Uncountable nouns)
• There are fewer students in the classroom today. (Countable nouns)

Also Read: Countable and Uncountable Nouns: Rules, Examples, and Exercises

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