The Word Guy

The Word Guy

The Word Guy

Teacher, writer, editor and language columnist Rob Kyff is an expert with words. Through his weekly columns in several publications, a multitude of published books, as well as in his classrooms, he shares his language and grammar tips and provides fun facts about the evolution of the English language.

Recently Published

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Speaking Words of Wisdom, 'Let It Be' Jul 01, 2026

Q: Is "leave him be" an acceptable substitute for "let him be"? — J. K. via email A: To some e... Read More

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The French (and Italians) Have a Word for It Jun 24, 2026

Even if you're an eminence grise who has fashioned a piece de resistance and mastered the lingua fra... Read More

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'Soc' It to Me, World Cup! Jun 17, 2026

As the World Cup tournament got underway last week, a reader asked me why this sport is called "socc... Read More

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Word Fiends Have an 'Ax' To Grind Jun 10, 2026

I get by with a little help from my fiends — word fiends, that is. In a recent column about th... Read More