Nothing is set in stone

The Oxford comma is a choice, not a rule (and it is not about grammar)

Unlike languages like French or Spanish, the English language does not have an official academy that registers the use of the language and determines which rules still apply and which are obsolete. While institutions such as the Oxford Dictionary help with standardizing and registering the language, English evolves through the daily use of its speakers, and its rules evolve with it.

As a consequence, some rules are more fixed than others, and many of them are not so much rules as they are stylistic choices. Does this mean we can write however we please? Not exactly, but it means that many "rules" are not set in stone. Let’s see some language mandates that are more of a guideline.

As evidenced by daily language, it is perfectly acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition, no matter the context or the formality. In fact, it’s something that speakers tend to do naturally. The idea that ending sentences with a preposition is incorrect is a myth left over by 17th-century grammarians trying to impose Latin grammar on the English language.

‘To run quietly’ or ‘To quietly run’, which one is correct? The answer is both. The choice to place an adverb after the infinitive or in the middle of it has nothing to do with proper grammar, but with emphasis and sounding more natural. Again, this "rule" is a leftover from Latin grammar.

Not so long ago, this rule was set in stone, and saying "to who?" instead of "to whom" would get you a few stares. However, rules change as people change, and the use of ‘who’ to refer to the object has become increasingly more common. However, this only applies to informal contexts. In a more formal setting, it is recommended to still use ‘whom’.

Much like prepositions at the end of sentences, conjunctions —such as and, but, so, or, nor, for, and yet— can go at the beginning of a sentence. This helps with emphasis, breaks up long sentences, and provides flexibility, although it is recommended to use them sparingly in this way.

The first issue here is that the serial comma, better known as the Oxford comma, is a punctuation issue, not a grammar rule. That aside, although it is recommended to avoid confusion caused by lengthy enumerations, in the end, it is a stylistic choice, and it is only considered mandatory in contexts that follow a certain style guide.

Just because in most cases the adjective goes before the noun, it does not mean it should always do so. English speakers tend to naturally put the adjective first when talking about qualities and characteristics, but in many cases, putting the noun first will sound better. Again, it depends on your preferences and the flow of the sentence.

While this is technically correct and subjunctive has been used this way for centuries, this rule mainly applies to written language and formal contexts. In colloquial English, speakers tend to use both the indicative and the subjunctive for uncertain or contrary-to-fact scenarios, such as saying "If I was you" and "If I were you". The choice almost always boils down to what sounds more natural.

Once an unbreakable rule, the use of ‘they’, ‘their’, and ‘them’ for a singular antecedent is widely accepted nowadays, even in the most formal contexts, to fill the gap left by the lack of gender neutral pronouns. In fact, many style guides recommend using these words as singular to avoid awkwardness and assuming someone’s gender.

"Two negatives make a positive", a rule you must have heard about in school. While this is a fact in math, it is not always true in grammar. In more standard English variants, the rule applies, especially in academic writing and formal contexts. However, informal dialects and vernaculars follow the ‘negative concord’: here, the second negative intensifies the first one instead of cancelling it.

This is a myth made popular by old grammar books. ‘None’ can be used with both singular and plural verbs, depending on the meaning. When ‘none’ is used to mean ‘not any’, it is more natural to use a plural verb. When it means ‘not one’ or ‘not any of it’, the verb should be in the singular form. If you are unsure, pick the choice that sounds clearer and more natural.

The truth about your brain

You won’t believe what happens in your brain while you sleep

Image: Milad Fakurian

Your brain is one of the most powerful and mysterious organs in your body. It controls everything from your thoughts to your emotions and even processes information at lightning speed. But how much do you really know about it? Some long-believed myths about the brain have been debunked, while other surprising facts reveal just how incredible this organ truly is. Get ready to be amazed by these fascinating brain facts!

Image: Natasha Connell

You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s completely false! While it’s true that not all parts of the brain fire at the same time, imaging studies show that most regions are active throughout the day, even when we sleep.

Your brain is constantly working, controlling bodily functions and emotions, and processing information. So next time someone says you’re only using 10% of your brain, you can confidently tell them that’s just a myth!

Image: Aarón Blanco Tejedor

Here’s a weird fact: While your brain processes pain signals from the rest of your body, it has no pain receptors of its own. This is why surgeons can perform brain surgery on conscious patients without causing them pain.

However, the membranes and tissues surrounding the brain do have pain receptors, which is why headaches and brain injuries can be so excruciating.

Image: Usman Yousaf

How come we have headaches if the brain has no pain receptors? Well, that’s because headaches are triggered by chemical activity in the brain, changes in nerves and blood vessels, and even fluctuating serotonin levels.

In some cases, hormones like estrogen can also play a role, which explains why migraines are more common in women.

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Dreams are proof that your brain never rests! (Warning: this fact can make you feel exhausted.) While you sleep, your limbic system, that is, the part of the brain that deals with emotions, becomes especially active, which is why dreams often feel so intense.

On average, humans experience four to seven dreams per night, even if we don’t always remember them. And what about that scary nightmare about falling? Well, you can thank your amygdala, the brain’s fear center, for that one.

Image: Brett Jordan

Have you ever walked into a room and instantly forgotten what you were after? That’s because short-term memory only lasts about 20-30 seconds! That’s not enough!

Your brain holds a limited amount of information in its active state before deciding whether to store it or discard it. Ironically, we can’t really choose what makes the cut, but we do hope these facts stay with you!

Image: BUDDHI Kumar SHRESTHA

That sharp, icy pain when you eat something too cold? It’s your brain’s way of telling you to slow down! Officially called sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, a brain freeze happens when cold food or drinks rapidly chill the blood vessels in your throat, causing them to constrict and then rapidly expand. This sends pain signals to your brain, warning you of the sudden temperature shift. It’s annoying, but it’s actually your body trying to protect itself!

Image: Josh Riemer

You didn’t need us to tell you, but let’s look at the details: The average person has between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts per day. What’s even more interesting? 95% of those thoughts are the same ones you had yesterday. Is that not surprising enough? Hear this out: 80% of them tend to be negative. That’s because our brains are wired for survival, constantly analyzing risks and potential dangers.

Image: Terry Vlisidis

Even though it only makes up about 2% of your body weight, your brain employs a major quantity of energy! It consumes 20% of your oxygen and blood supply, making it one of the most demanding organs in your body.

If your brain goes without oxygen for just five minutes, brain cells start dying, leading to irreversible damage. This is why deep breathing and cardiovascular exercise are great for brain health!

Image: Alexander Andrews

Do you know that feeling when you hit the back of your head and see stars? That’s because your occipital lobe, which controls vision, is located at the back of your brain. If you get hit there, your brain momentarily misfires, causing flashes of light.

Interestingly, your brain processes vision on the opposite side; while your right brain controls your left eye, your left brain controls your right eye. It’s one of the many ways the brain operates in a complex way.

Image: Rodion Kutsaiev

Believe it or not, your brain generates between 12 and 25 watts of electricity when you’re awake. If you can’t really grasp how powerful that is, check this out: It’s enough to power a small light bulb! Your brain’s electrical activity is what allows neurons to send signals at speeds of up to 260 miles per hour.

Image: Robina Weermeijer

Your brain may be the fattiest organ in your body, consisting of at least 60% fat! This is why consuming healthy fats, like omega-3s and omega-6s present in fish, for example, is essential for brain health.

Healthy fats stabilize brain cell walls, reduce inflammation, and support cognitive function. So go ahead and enjoy that avocado toast, it’s food for your brain!

Image: Robina Weermeijer

It’s not just your memory that fades over time; the brain itself physically shrinks as one gets older. It continues developing until your late 40s, but after that, it slowly decreases in size.

Now, size doesn’t equal intelligence, so a smaller brain doesn’t necessarily mean a less capable one. Staying mentally active, exercising, and eating brain-boosting foods can help keep it in top shape!

Image: Lisa Yount

We often think of cholesterol as bad, but your brain actually depends on it! In fact, 25% of your body’s cholesterol is stored in your brain, where it helps with learning and memory. However, unlike other organs, the brain can’t absorb cholesterol from the blood, it has to produce its own. So, while too much cholesterol in the body can be harmful, the right amount is vital for brain function. At least you can use that as an excuse to get that burger!