lesser-known grammar rules:that many people are unaware of and rarely use

One grammar rule that many people are unaware of and rarely use is the use of "many a" as a determiner.

"Many a" is used to describe a large number of individual items or people, but it is used with a singular noun. For example, "Many a student has struggled with grammar" is correct, while "Many students have struggled with grammar" is also correct but has a different meaning.

Here are some more examples of "many a" used in a sentence:Many a time have I thought about quitting my job.
Many a good book has been ruined by a bad ending.
Many a man has fallen in love with a woman he cannot have.

Another grammar rule that is rarely used is the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is used to express hypothetical or uncertain situations, wishes, and recommendations. For example:If I were rich, I would travel the world. (subjunctive mood)
If I was rich, I would travel the world. (indicative mood)

Here are some more examples of the subjunctive mood used in a sentence:It is important that he be here on time.
She requested that he not tell anyone about the surprise party.
I suggest that he take a break and relax.




a few more examples of lesser-known grammar rules:

Using "whom" instead of "who" in certain situations. "Whom" is the objective form of "who," and it should be used when referring to the object of a verb or preposition. For example: "To whom did you give the gift?" instead of "Who did you give the gift to?"


Using the singular "they" as a gender-neutral pronoun. This has become more common in recent years, but some people still consider it incorrect grammar. For example: "Everyone should do what they feel is right."


Using the past perfect tense to show the sequence of past events. The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. For example: "I had finished my work before he arrived."


Using the conditional tense to express wishes or regrets. The conditional tense can be used to express a wish or regret about a situation in the present or past. For example: "I wish I could speak French fluently" or "If only I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam."


Using commas to set off nonessential information. Commas can be used to set off information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. For example: "My brother, who lives in California, is a lawyer." The information between the commas is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, but it provides additional information about the subject.


"Less" and "fewer" are both used to indicate a smaller quantity or number, but they are used in different contexts.

"Less" is used with uncountable nouns, which are things that cannot be easily counted, such as water, sugar, or air. For example, "I need less sugar in my coffee."

On the other hand, "fewer" is used with countable nouns, which are things that can be easily counted, such as apples, cars, or books. For example, "There are fewer cars on the road today."

Here's a quick way to remember the difference: Use "less" when you're talking about something that can't be counted or measured easily, and use "fewer" when you're talking about something that can be counted or measured easily.

Also, keep in mind that "less" is often used incorrectly in place of "fewer,", especially in advertising or marketing copy. For example, a sign in a grocery store might say "10 items or less" when it should say "10 items or fewer." While this is a common mistake, it's still considered incorrect grammar by many people who are sticklers for the rules.