ChrisTCollins
@christcollins.bsky.social
📤 113
📥 143
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A linguist specializing in syntactic theory, English syntax and African languages.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/work...
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Worksheet for Syntactic Fieldwork
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/worksheet-for-syntactic-fieldwork.html#more
2 days ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/blog...
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Blog Posts on ELAN
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/blog-posts-on-elan.html#more
3 days ago
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Lecture 17 and Assignment 5 added.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
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Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/undergraduate-introduction-to-syntax.html
3 days ago
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MaS4 (Morphology as Syntax 4). You need to register to attend. There are both Zoom and in-person options.
sites.google.com/stonybrook.e...
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M&S4
CONFERENCE GOALS The purpose of this workshop is to investigate the relationship between morphology and syntax, and in particular to investigate the extent to which morphological generalizations can b...
https://sites.google.com/stonybrook.edu/mas4/home
5 days ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/audi...
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Audio Interview: Fieldwork in My Career (April 3, 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/audio-interview-fieldwork-in-my-career.html
6 days ago
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MaS4 on April 17, 2026, so not much time left, remember to register (either for Zoom or in-person):
sites.google.com/stonybrook.e...
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M&S4
CONFERENCE GOALS The purpose of this workshop is to investigate the relationship between morphology and syntax, and in particular to investigate the extent to which morphological generalizations can b...
https://sites.google.com/stonybrook.edu/mas4/home
9 days ago
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Added two lectures. One on T to C and other on Internal Merge more generally.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
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Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/undergraduate-introduction-to-syntax.html
10 days ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/guid...
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Guidelines on Grading Undergraduate Syntax Assignments
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/guidelines-on-grading-undergraduate.html#more
10 days ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-...
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The First Field Trip: 10 Pieces of Advice
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-first-field-trip-10-pieces-of-advice.html#more
10 days ago
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I have added lectures 12, 13 and 14, Assignment 4, and a supplement to lecture 9 (on coordination). Have fun! Feedback welcome.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
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Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/undergraduate-introduction-to-syntax.html
17 days ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/firs...
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First Steps: Writing the Kpelegbe (Ewe) Dictionary
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/first-steps-writing-kpelegbe-ewe.html#more
18 days ago
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Remember to register:
sites.google.com/stonybrook.e...
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M&S4
CONFERENCE GOALS The purpose of this workshop is to investigate the relationship between morphology and syntax, and in particular to investigate the extent to which morphological generalizations can b...
https://sites.google.com/stonybrook.edu/mas4/home
22 days ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/book...
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Book Notice: The Laws of Thought (2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/book-notice-laws-of-thought-2026.html
25 days ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/reco...
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Reconstruction and the New Minimalism
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/reconstruction-and-new-minimalism.html
25 days ago
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sites.google.com/stonybrook.e...
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M&S4
CONFERENCE GOALS The purpose of this workshop is to investigate the relationship between morphology and syntax, and in particular to investigate the extent to which morphological generalizations can b...
https://sites.google.com/stonybrook.edu/mas4/home
29 days ago
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Congratulations to myself! 400,000 Visits for Ordinary Working Grammarian.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/4000...
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400,000 Visits for Ordinary Working Grammarian
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/03/400000-visits-for-ordinary-working.html
about 1 month ago
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Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax. Added: Lecture 11 (Binding Theory) and a Mid-Term Review sheet. Comments welcome!
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
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Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/undergraduate-introduction-to-syntax.html
about 1 month ago
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I have added a new lecture, lecture 8 on DP Structure.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/unde...
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Undergraduate Introduction to Syntax (Lectures, Spring 2026)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/01/undergraduate-introduction-to-syntax.html
about 2 months ago
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I got a lot of interesting feedback on this, so I added four additional points and did some rewriting. I think this could be a very useful took for grads and younger faculty.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/02/tips...
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Tips on Answering Questions at a Talk
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/02/tips-on-answering-questions-at-talk.html
about 2 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/02/morp...
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Morphology as Syntax Workshop: Past, Present and Future
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2026/02/morphology-as-syntax-workshop-past.html
about 2 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.substack.com/p/ordinary-w...
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Ordinary Working Grammarian on Substack
Dear Readers,
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.substack.com/p/ordinary-working-grammarian-on-substack
3 months ago
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In case anybody out there teaches Syntax I at the graduate level: Class Exercises for Graduate Level Syntax (pedagogy)
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/11/clas...
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https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/11/class-exercises-for-graduate-level.html
4 months ago
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Let me remind people (and their advisors) applying to graduate school of this post:
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2019/12/writ...
You can also visit my blog. Lots of interesting posts for prospective graduate students about life in the field.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
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Writing a Statement of Purpose for Linguistics Graduate School
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2019/12/writing-statement-of-purpose-for.html
5 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/10/leon...
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Leonard Bloomfield Book Award Finalist (links)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/10/leonard-bloomfield-book-award-finalist.html
5 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/10/cong...
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Congratulations: Bloomfield Award Finalist (notification letter)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/10/congratulations-bloomfield-award.html
5 months ago
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It is that time of year again for linguistics students to start thinking of graduate school applications. In order to help them out, I wrote the following blog post. It is by far the most popular blog post I ever wrote.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2019/12/writ...
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Writing a Statement of Purpose for Linguistics Graduate School
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2019/12/writing-statement-of-purpose-for.html
6 months ago
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How to write a syllabus for an introductory graduate level course in syntax. Comments welcome!
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/08/crea...
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Creating a Syntax Syllabus at the Graduate Level
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/08/creating-syntax-syllabus-at-graduate.html#more
8 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/07/lang...
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Languages I have Studied
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/07/languages-i-have-studied.html
8 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/07/ling...
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Linguistic Subfields and Genetics
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/07/linguistic-subfields-and-genetics.html
8 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/07/on-f...
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On Foundational Work in Syntactic Theory
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/07/on-foundational-work-in-syntactic-theory.html
8 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/06/togo...
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Togo Diary (June July 2025)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/06/togo-diary-june-july-2025.html
8 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/08/summ...
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Summer 2025 Fieldwork (Kpelegbe) by the Numbers
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/08/summer-2025-fieldwork-kpelegbe-by.html
8 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/06/togo...
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Togo Diary (June July 2025)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/06/togo-diary-june-july-2025.html
10 months ago
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My blog is averaging about 200 hits per day (5,000-8,000 per month). If you are interested in posting, or responding to one of my posts, please let me now. Topics are: syntax and fieldwork, in the broadest sense. Let me know if you have ideas!
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com
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Ordinary Working Grammarian
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/
11 months ago
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This is one of the most useful posts I have written, on collaboration in syntax.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2017/07/coll...
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Collaboration in Syntax
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2017/07/collaboration-in-syntax.html
11 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/05/cong...
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Congratulations to John David Storment on successful dissertation defense.
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/05/congratulations-to-john-david-storment.html
11 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/04/top-...
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Top Likes and Dislikes of Working in Academics (Revised)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/04/top-likes-and-dislikes-of-working-in.html#more
12 months ago
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/04/new-...
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New Horizons in Morphology as Syntax: My Three Published Papers
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/04/new-horizons-three-published-papers-on.html
about 1 year ago
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Concept map of Collins 2024:
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/02/prin...
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Principles of Argument Structure: A Merge-Based Approach (Concept Map)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2025/02/principles-of-argument-structure-merge.html
about 1 year ago
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Some students have found this useful in writing their statement of purpose. Feedback welcome.
ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2019/12/writ...
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Writing a Statement of Purpose for Linguistics Graduate School
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2019/12/writing-statement-of-purpose-for.html
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
ChrisTCollins
Dr. JD
over 1 year ago
People who regularly use emojis, please choose the following sentence which is least acceptable. 1️⃣
🫵 are responsible for 🫵 own decisions
2️⃣
🫵 are responsible for your own decisions
3️⃣
You are responsible for 🫵 own decisions
4️⃣
I have no judgments on this
📊 Show results
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reposted by
ChrisTCollins
Dr. JD
over 1 year ago
People who regularly use emojis, please choose the following sentence which is least acceptable. 1️⃣
Wow, 🫵 must really love 🫵self
2️⃣
Wow, 🫵 must really love yourself
3️⃣
Wow, you must really love 🫵self
4️⃣
I have no judgments on this
📊 Show results
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reposted by
ChrisTCollins
Dr. JD
over 1 year ago
People who regularly use emojis, please choose the following sentence which is least acceptable. 1️⃣
🫵 said that 🫵 would help me!
2️⃣
🫵 said that you would help me!
3️⃣
You said that 🫵 would help me!
4️⃣
I have no judgments on this
📊 Show results
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ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2024/11/conc...
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Concept Map of my Work (Lucid version)
A blog about natural language syntax. Topics will include (but are not limited to): syntax, semantics, morphology, typology and syntactic fieldwork.
https://ordinaryworkinggrammarian.blogspot.com/2024/11/concept-map-of-my-work-lucid-version.html
over 1 year ago
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Here is the next version of my concept map for my career in syntax.
over 1 year ago
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I am here now at Bluesky. I have not yet abandoned Twitter/X. This is my very first post (5:32am Wednesday). Hello everybody! I hope I find some linguists and syntacticians here.
over 1 year ago
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you reached the end!!
feeds!
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