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The difference between acronyms and abbreviations
This I only learned today thanks to Jo Baldwin, one of my readers, who pointed it out on my ‘Internet Acronyms’ article. Jo’s comment read: Your list of “acronyms” is actually a list of abbreviations....
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The Cruel Beauty of English verb forms
In my job it is English verb forms which cause the most furrowed brows and questions. Take these two examples:
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Longman’s A-Z of English Grammar and Usage
This is a book I recommend to all my students. It is a reference book with fantastic explanations, examples, diagrams, cartoons and definitions. If you like grammar or need a reference book for both...
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Everyday Grammar Fails
Every single day I see the following errors in English: Stationery, as in paper and office supplies, spelled stationary, which means not moving. Correct usage: I bought some stationery today Discreet,...
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Greengrocers’ apostrophes
A greengrocer’s apostrophe occurs whenever a writer attempts to pluralize a word by using an apostrophe plus “s” instead of the proper plural ending. A handmade sign in a local grocery store might...
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Onomatopoeia
Examples of onomatopoeia: bam bang clang clank clap clatter click clink ding jingle screech slap thud thump and more examples here
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Homophones and Homonyms
Homophones are “one of two or more words, such as night and knight, which are pronounced the same but differ in meaning, origin, and sometimes spelling.” For example: there and their ad and add air and...
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Mister Master Mr Miss Mrs Ms Messrs
The words Master and Mistress gave rise to Mr (for Mister) and Mrs/Miss/Ms. Nowadays the term Master is only used for boys and young men, while Mister is used to formally address anyone without a...
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Differences Between Might and May
Q. How do I use the words might and may? A. May expresses likelihood while might expresses a stronger sense of doubt or a contrary-to-fact hypothetical The difference in degree between “You may be...
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Qualifying Absolutes? Don’t do it?
unique fatal surround fill reverse gift free are all absolutes and therefore impossible to qualify. So please NO NO NO most unique more fatal completely surround fill up reverse back free gift...
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its/it’s and whose/who’s
its is possessive (genitive). The cat licked its tail it’s is a contracted form of it is. It’s cold outside. whose is possessive. Whose book is this? who’s is a contracted form of who is. Who’s on duty...
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Compliment and Complement
Compliment Merriam-Webster defines a compliment as “an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; especially : an admiring remark”. It comes from Middle French, via the Italian...
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Ascribe and Subscribe
by Tina Blue A common error is the tendency to confuse “ascribe” with “subscribe.” The word “ascribe” means to credit or attribute, to refer to a supposed cause, source, or author. EXAMPLES: This...
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Infer and Imply
by Tina Blue The best way to remember the difference between these two words is to think in terms of the model used by communications theorists. Communication consists of a message, a sender, and a...
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Discreet and discrete
Discreet and discrete are homonyms Discreet is probably the more familiar word, and is usually used to refer to people, especially their speech, appearance, or behaviour. It means unobtrusive,...
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Commonly misspelled and misused words
Some words are commonly misspelled – by both native and non-native English speakers stationary – means still, not moving. He hit a stationary car. stationery – office supplies. If you need more...
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