1162. This week, we look at why some names just "feel right" while others don't and how vowels like "ee" create associations with smallness and sweetness while back vowels like "ah" sound bigger and more serious. Then, we look at dependent clauses and when it's OK to start a sentence with "because."

The baby names segment was written by Valerie Fridland.

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Why 'Tonka' sounds big and 'bitty' sounds small. Why you CAN start a sentence with 'because.'

Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers.

Clauses versus phrases explained

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