1061. Ever wonder why we say "It's raining" even though "it" doesn't refer to anything? We explain the logic behind this quirky English rule. Then, we look at some of the most dramatic moments in grammar history, including a semicolon duel, a costly comma mistake, and a famous book with 5,000 typos.

The "dummy 'it'" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips editor and digital pioneer who's been spinning words into gold since before cat videos ruled the internet. She created one of the first online writing workshops, and she's published thousands of articles on the art of writing. These days, she leads personal narrative writing retreats and helps writers find their voice. Visit her at ChanterelleStoryStudio.com.

"Ghost Town Mad" by Lex Friedman.

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The mystery of ‘it’ in English. The most dramatic moments in grammar history. Ghost Town Mad, the song

Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers.

The mystery of ‘it’ in English. The most dramatic moments in grammar history. Ghost Town Mad, the song