Blog

In the early days of movable type printing, p and q were easily confused due to their mirrored appearance, especially when arranging letters in reverse. Typesetters had to be meticulous to avoid embarrassing or expensive errors. Thus, “minding your P’s and Q’s” was a matter of professionalism and quality control.

Other theories link the phrase to childhood instruction. In schools of etiquette and penmanship, children were reminded to “mind their P’s and Q’s” as they learned proper behavior and how to form letters neatly on a page. In this case, the expression becomes a dual lesson: write carefully and act courteously.

No matter the origin, one truth remains: the phrase is all about awareness and precision; virtues still highly prized in modern communication.

So, which linguistic rules have stood the test of time? Despite the ever-shifting sands of language, there are a handful of grammar principles that continue to influence how we’re perceived; whether in a job application, business report, or thoughtful op-ed. Let us explore some grammar rules that have refused to go quietly into the night, and why honoring them still matters.

The Oxford comma is the comma before the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”) in a list:
With Oxford comma: We brought apples, oranges, and bananas.
Without Oxford comma: We brought apples, oranges and bananas.

At first glance, it seems trivial. But this tiny punctuation mark can make or break a sentence’s meaning.

Consider the classic example:

I dedicate this book to my parents, Ayn Rand and God.

Without the Oxford comma, the reader might infer that the writer’s parents are Ayn Rand and God. A second comma clears things up, and potentially avoids both confusion and blasphemy.

While some publications (like The New York Times) omit the Oxford comma as a style choice, others especially in legal, academic, and technical writing insist on its usage. Why? It is because precision is paramount, and clarity leaves no room for misinterpretation.

Here’s a grammar rule that’s evolved over time. Traditionally, we were told: never place a word between “to” and the verb. For example:
❌ She decided to quickly leave the room.
✅ She decided quickly to leave the room.
The latter is technically correct by old standards. But in modern usage, splitting an infinitive can often enhance rhythm and clarity, especially when writing conversationally or poetically.

Think of the phrase: “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” Try rephrasing that as “To go boldly...” and you lose some of the punch.

Today’s rule of thumb: don’t be afraid to split an infinitive if it improves readability or emphasis. Just be conscious of the tone you're setting; formal documents may still favor the classic format.

Double negatives like “I don’t know nothing” and “Ain’t nobody got time for that.” are often used in casual speech for emphasis. However, in standard English, they create a logical paradox: two negatives cancel each other out, leaving a positive.

❌ I don’t have no time. (Implies you do have time) Here's why: "Don’t" = do not (negation) and "No time" = also negation

When you combine them, "don’t have no time", you're technically saying: "I do not have no time." which logically means: "I do have some time".

In standard English, two negatives make a positive (especially in formal or academic writing). So, the sentence unintentionally cancels out its negative intention and implies the opposite.

✅ I don’t have any time.

In academic or business communication, clarity is critical. The moment your sentence becomes a riddle, your credibility takes a hit.
That said, linguists recognize that double negatives have cultural significance, especially in dialects like African American Vernacular English (AAVE), where they serve a unique grammatical role. So while they may be nonstandard in formal writing, they’re not necessarily wrong in the broader tapestry of English.

The key is to understand your audience and purpose. For formal contexts, steer clear of double negatives. For storytelling or dialogue, they might just add flavour.

Still Tricky but still Relevant
“Who” is a subject. “Whom” is an object. Easy, right? Not quite. Most people use “who” across the board in conversation and get by just fine. But in writing, especially where professionalism is key, using “whom” correctly signals refinement and grammatical awareness.

Try this shortcut:

• Replace with he/she → use who
• Replace with him/her → use whom

Whom did you speak to? → I spoke to him → ✅ Correct
Whom did you speak to? → I spoke to him → ✅ Correct

You may not use “whom” often, but knowing how and when to do so gives your writing an extra layer of polish and helps you stand out in a crowd of “who’s.”

The phrase “Mind your P’s and Q’s” might sound old-fashioned; but, it appears to still have much relevance today. The idea behind it is timeless: pay attention to how you present yourself, especially through language

We live in a world that celebrates speed, emojis, and autocorrect. Slowing down to write clearly and intentionally is a small act of care, with a big payoff. In this respect, the classic grammar rules we have inherited aren’t just about being proper; they’re about being understood, respected, and sometimes, even taken seriously. Sincerely speaking, you don’t have to be a grammar purist to appreciate the value of clean, thoughtful communication. Whether you're sending an important email, writing a blog post, or updating your LinkedIn profile, polished language helps you stand out for the right reasons. Over time, this mindfulness can naturally sharpen how you express yourself, both in writing and in speech.

So go ahead: split that infinitive if it helps the flow. Use the Oxford comma when clarity calls for it. But always take a moment to read things over. Because in the end, minding your P’s and Q’s isn't about rules- it’s about impact.