Archive for January, 2012
A Review of Parts of Speech in English – Overview and Verbs Posted by Gabriele on Jan 8, 2012
Today I am going to start a 5-post series on parts of speech. In each of my next five posts I am going to review one or two parts of speech and give you the bare bones* information you need to know about each of these parts of speech. These posts will be quick but…
Understanding Homophones Posted by heather on Jan 7, 2012
One of the confusing things about English is the number of words that sound the same but have totally different meanings. There and their; aloud and allowed; and sew and so, are just three examples that cause some confusion. In English, we call these words “homophones.” A homophone is a word that sounds the same…
Common Abbreviations in English Posted by Gabriele on Jan 6, 2012
Abbreviated words are everywhere in writing. Abbreviations are so plentiful I thought I’d go over some useful ones here. First though, let us define what an abbreviation is. An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Abbreviations are good to use in writing, to save space and time, but they are essential…
A drive through Boston, Massachusetts Posted by Gabriele on Jan 5, 2012
For this post I’ve selected a short video driving tour of Boston, Massachusetts to share with you. Boston is New England’s largest city. This video will give you a nice glimpse* into what there is to do and see in this city. I have highlighted the different landmarks shown in the video and given you…
“Alot” is Not a Word Posted by heather on Jan 4, 2012
I’ll never forget my first day of fourth* grade. We all entered the classroom complete with fresh supplies of notebooks, folders, pencils and glue. We sat at our desks full of optimism and anticipation and then the teacher, whose name I can’t remember, stood up and wrote something on the blackboard. “alot” No doubt we…
The Alphabet of Nations Posted by Gabriele on Jan 3, 2012
Here is a fun video that is a great reminder of the English alphabet and also a number of country names in the English language. This is a children’s song by the group They Might Be Giants (TMBG). TMBG is an American alternative rock band that formed in the 1980’s. They are known for their…
Happy New Year! Posted by Gabriele on Jan 1, 2012
How did you celebrate the coming of the new year last night? Another way I could ask that question is: “How did you ring in the new year?” The expression “to ring in” the new year is a modern expression with an old origin. This expression is connected to the aged custom to ring the…