Welcome to the Grammar Table

Look carefully along the streets of New York City and you might be lucky enough to spot the iconic turquoise sign and the grinning grammarian. At the Grammar Table, Ellen Jovin invites passersby to ask questions, resolve their “semicolonphobia” or simply vent about grammar.

On a 2023 trip to NYC, I was lucky enough to stop by the Grammar Table in person. It’s no great shock that an editor wanted to visit a pop-up grammar stand. But what about people who don’t spend their days scanning through style guides? As it turns out, they have a lot of feelings about language. 

And in a new documentary, the grammar love and grammar disdain are laid bare — with humour, passion and a genuine desire to connect.

Rebels with a fifty-state cause

Ellen Jovin is an internationally acclaimed grammar and language expert. She’s the founder of the Grammar Table, which she writes about in her bestselling book Rebel with a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian.

Brandt Johnson is a filmmaker and playwright who has written, produced and performed in three plays and the comedy web series Brad Advice.

Together, they’re the husband-and-wife duo behind the new documentary Rebel with a Clause, which chronicles their travels to all fifty states so Ellen could answer the grammar questions of total strangers on the street.

Meet the team

Have you always had an interest in grammar?

Ellen: Some of my earliest memories are language-related, though consciousness of my conjugations took a while. But yes, I have loved grammar since grammar school, and not just in English. Spanish grammar was also an early favourite.

Brandt: When I was little, I loved listening to my mother read me poems she had written. She showed me the fun and structure of language. Ellen and I play with words constantly. There’s a lot of grammar and language humour in our lives.

Ellen: Brandt won the English award in high school! I indexed him in my book under “apostrophes, husband who knows how to use.”

The Grammar Table itself began in 2018. How did the idea of a movie come about — and did you always envision it as a “docu-comedy”?

Ellen: I didn’t have any thought of a movie. Or a book. I was just out there engaging in grammar hedonism.  

Brandt: When Ellen first started taking out the Grammar Table, I would often go out and watch what was happening. The interactions were funny, surprising and moving. Pretty soon I thought, “I need to film this.” When I first started shooting, I didn’t specifically think, “Oh, this should be a docu-comedy,” but I did, above all, want the film to be entertaining.

From candy-coloured shops to fiery rainbows of alpine flora, the places feel as much like characters in this documentary as the people do. What was it like filming in such a wide range of settings? 

Brandt: It was a thrill to explore so many different places. I had cameras mounted to the windshield of our car and would flip them on when beautiful landscapes came into view. I also loved walking around cities and towns with my camera, looking for the stuff that spoke to me, that would give a sense of the place.

Ellen: During this part of the filming process, I regret to say that my main contribution was often grumpily asking Brandt if he was done yet. I am patient about grammar but not about wanting to eat or get coffee.

Are there certain topics that are more prevalent in specific places?

Ellen: In Ohio, two different people asked me if “ain’t” was a word. No one else asked me that in any other state. I think it was just a coincidence, but who knows? 

I ended up discussing “ma’am” and “y’all” more in the South than anywhere else, but in the end, despite plenty of regional variations, there were far more similarities than differences. People travel, they move and they take their language anxieties and interests with them. People in all fifty states need to punctuate.

In one scene, you’re discussing pronunciation with your car rental agent in Decatur, Alabama. What do you consider your most unconventional Grammar Table location?

Ellen: Maybe the side of a mountain in Anchorage? We were along a hiking trail. People didn’t seem all that surprised, though. A couple of them already knew about the Grammar Table. 

Brandt: Maybe the People Mover in Detroit. Ellen talked to a group of young women on the train about Oxford commas. She has a smaller Grammar Table for train purposes.

Ellen: Sometimes people ask me grammar questions in public restrooms.

“I’m not very good at grammar” is a common confession at the Grammar Table. Some even admit to feeling shame and isolation. What do these remarks tell you?

Ellen: I want conversations at the Grammar Table to be happy, or at least cathartic. I think these comments show in part that, given a choice, people would actually prefer to know more about those little language details. Knowing comma patterns, or irregular verb forms, or even spelling also reduces writing stress. There’s less background noise in your brain, less uncertainty, while you’re trying to make your way through all your words to find the best way to express your ideas. 

A book launch, a movie premiere and all fifty states checked off your list — what’s next for you? 

Brandt: Rebel with a Clause will be coming to public television in the US in 2026, and we’re working on an idea for a series.

Ellen: Also, mostly just going to as many places as possible to show the film and have a whole bunch more grammar parties! Including in Canada!

Step up to the Grammar Table

Rebel with a Clause has been showing to sold-out audiences! Visit the documentary’s website to find a screening near you, or look for Ellen’s book at your local bookstore or library.

To see what the Grammar Table is up to, follow Ellen on Instagram, X or Bluesky at @grammartable.

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