Dear Sars,
I’m not sure if I’m crazy or if this kind of
construction is actually wrong:
“My laptop is being temperamental today.”
Isn’t “is being” redundant? They’re both forms of the
same verb, and “My laptop is temperamental today”
conveys …

To: The cats
From: The tall, exasperated food source to whom you never, ever listen
Re: Policy review
It has come to my attention of late — if by “of late” I mean “beginning in August of 1995” …

Dear Sars,
So there’s this boy.Psych.Actually it’s a man.Actually it’s a professor.
No, it’s not that kind of problem.I just figured you needed a break from the
usual opening.
So I’m in the midst of a year-long directed studies …

Hey Sars,
I love your site! I have a word that’s been bothering me for years but I’ve
always been too lazy to actually find out if my annoyance is valid. I’m
referring to the overuse of the …

It’s still here. Things still happen on it. You’ve got a friend’s birthday party written in it, and another friend’s wedding. You know that a whole day can’t go anywhere, really, but it seems like …

Ninety-five percent of the ping-pong I’ve played, I’ve played on a single table. The table is in the basement of my aunt and uncle’s house on Cape Cod, in the laundry room, and the house …

Shelley told Olivia to sit on the brown couch in the office, so Olivia is sitting there, rubbing the strap of her bag with her thumb, watching Marie stick Post-It flags on a take-out menu. …

Hi Sars —
This is in response to the baseball rookie looking for answers to stupid baseball questions. The New Dickson Baseball Dictionary by Paul Dickson is AWESOME. I’ve found the answer to every dumb baseball …

Hi Sars —
My problem: I have been dating a great guy for over four years. He is incredibly loving and sweet. I love spending time with him and want to spend the rest of my …

O Sars, answerer of questions grammar, cat, and relationship:
There’s this boy. But, surprise! The problem isn’t with the boy, or any boy, for that matter. The issue is with my roommate. I’m in college and …