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Words of the Year

2019 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Editor Peter Sokolowski discusses 'they' and the rest of our Word of the Year 2019 selections


How did we choose they as our Word of the Year? Peter Sokolowski explains the data behind our decisions, and how this and the other Words of the Year reflect what was on people's minds this year.

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2019 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

 

How we chose 'they'

play video healthy vs healthful
Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

play mrs malaprop
What is a Malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

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Video: Why Is There a 'C' in 'Indict'?

 

And who put it there, anyway?

play illustrated notebook that says everyday vs every day
'Everyday' vs. 'Every Day'

 

A simple trick to keep them separate

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

Games & Quizzes

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Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
girl-pencil-test
Challenging Standardized Test Words Quiz Vol. 3 You’re on your own for the math section.
See All