logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2022
19m 16s

Why Some People Say 'Might Could.' The S...

Quickanddirtytips.com
About this episode

892. We recently got a question about why people use a type of double-verb construction, such as "We might could go to the store." We have the answer! Plus, in honor of the upcoming National Hispanic Heritage Month, we look at the influence Spanish has had on English. You probably know more Spanish words than you realize!

Transcript: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/why-some-people-say-might-could

"Double Modals" was written by Neal Whitman.
"The Spanish Influence on English" was written by Susan K. Herman

Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.

Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.

Peeve Wars card game

Grammar Girl books

| HOST: Mignon Fogarty

| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) or https://sayhi.chat/grammargirl

| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.

  • Audio engineer: Nathan Semes
  • Editor: Adam Cecil
  • Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
  • Marketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina Tomlin
  • Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings.

| Theme music by Catherine Rannus at beautifulmusic.co.uk.

| Grammar Girl Social Media Links:

https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts

https://www.tiktok.com/@therealgrammargirl

http://twitter.com/grammargirl

http://facebook.com/grammargirl

http://instagram.com/thegrammargirl

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl

Up next
Oct 9
The fight for the modern dictionary, with Stefan Fatsis
1123. This week, we talk with author and self-described “word freak” Stefan Fatsis about his book "Unabridged." He shares his experience embedding at Merriam-Webster to become a lexicographer, sharing the contrast between the company's 1940s headquarters and the modern digital bu ... Show More
32m 52s
Oct 7
‘Math’ versus ‘maths’ and other British differences. ‘Spendthrift’ means what?
1122. This week, we look at two subtle but persistent differences between American and British English: why Americans say "math" and Brits say "maths," and why Americans are "in the hospital" while Brits are "in hospital." Then, we look at the historical meaning of the word "spen ... Show More
13m 22s
Oct 2
Why ‘Useless Etymology’ gives you super powers, with Jess Zafarris
1121. This week, we talk with Jess Zafarris about her book “Useless Etymology.” We look at three ways she says etymology gives you superpowers. We also look at the origins of simple words and learn why “girl” didn't always mean a female child, the unexpected historical figures be ... Show More
33m 23s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2022
#109 Ellen Jovin on “The Grammar Table”
Creator and proprietor of The Grammar Table, Ellen Jovin, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to talk about traveling the country to discuss grammar, learning the languages of New York, and finding joy in learning grammar.Featured Resources Rebel with a ClausePatreon Extended E ... Show More
47m 53s
Jan 2022
Bonus Episode 17 - How to get a "near-native" accent like Maria from @Mariaspeaksenglish
📝 Get FREE Episode Worksheet 🧐 Take English Level Test 👄 Improve Your Pronunciation Charlie invites a non-native English teacher from Spain on the show to talk about her language learning journey, especially regarding her accent acquisition. This teacher is called Maria and go ... Show More
38m 33s
May 2024
How Can We Be More Effective With Language?
Have you ever wondered what’s up with double negation, the history of gender neutral pronouns, or why swearing is taboo? Then get ready for this week’s guest, linguist Anne Curzan! Anne and Jonathan talk about how the English language has evolved since the 1300s and how our words ... Show More
55m 20s
Feb 2024
224. Los majísimos Jim y May de Spanish and Go
Jim y May de Spanish and Go me acompañan hoy en una colaboración muy especial. Él es estadounidense y ella mexicana, y juntos viajan y acercan el español a los estudiantes de todo el mundo. ¡Vamos a conocernos mejor! 😊 Página web: https://spanishandgo.com/ Podcast: https://spani ... Show More
27m 19s
Apr 2023
Colombia adivina frases mexicanas (ft. Spanishland)
Tenemos invitados. Andrea de Colombia y su esposo Nate de EUA (Spanishland) intentan adivinar algunas expresiones mexicanas. ¿Cuántas expresiones adivinaste tú correctamente?Spanishland en YT Página webPodcast Españolistos Ve el video aquí PARTE 2 del video aquí Exclusive content ... Show More
22m 13s
Nov 2021
S3/E3 - Stereotypes Americans Have of British People | Ft. Shana
📝 Get FREE Episode Worksheet 🧐 Take English Level Test 👄 Improve Your Pronunciation Let's see how an American reacts to a list of stereotypes Americans are known for having thought of British people over the years. Let's see what Americans REALLY think of us Brits by putting S ... Show More
39m 5s
Dec 2022
89: Errores ortográficos más comunes
A lo largo de la historia, la escritura ha ido tomando cada vez más peso y, gracias a ella, podemos dar una pequeña ojeada al pasado. Con el tiempo, hemos ido refinando cómo se escribe y hemos ido creando unas reglas para poder escribir con perfecta claridad. Acompañada a la escr ... Show More
30m 12s
Jan 2021
Pura Vida con Carlota Morales
Join Jim and May as they chat with Carlota Morales, a Tica who breaks down everything you need to know about her country - from ecotourism and typical food, to what makes Costa Rican Spanish so different from other Spanish-speaking countries.If you’ve never been to Costa Rica, yo ... Show More
45m 20s
Nov 2022
Explore Latin American Culture through Stories Pt. I (Interview With Carolina Quiroga, Tres Cuentos) ♫ 73 [ENCORE]
In this episode I interview Carolina Quiroga--storyteller, performer, author, and host of the bilingual podcast Tres Cuentos.  Tres Cuentos explores historical and literary narratives of Latin America. Last year, the podcast was mentioned by Oprah magazine as one of the best Lati ... Show More
26 m
Jun 2018
43: Legal English Grammar - The Subjunctive (Grammar)
EPISODE INFORMATION: In today's episode we are looking at some legal English grammar – yes!!! It’s time for the subjunctive! I will attempt to explain how the subjunctive is formed, when we use it and why, so that you can use it like a pro. The subjunctive is a mark of an educate ... Show More
24m 39s