Archive for 'English Language'
Somewhere in the English Language Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 27, 2017
Where do you find something in a group? Between, among, amid, betwixt, amongst, and amidst are all similar prepositions. What’s the difference, and when should you use one over another? I have a lot of books. No. Really. I have hundreds and hundreds of books in my library and bedroom, packed neatly onto shelves, stacked…
English Ologies, Ographies, and Onomies Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 20, 2017
In English, you will find many words with the same suffix, or word ending. Three of the most common suffixes sound somewhat alike, and are often confused with each other. Here’s how to tell them apart, and some of the most common examples of each. Ology Ology is a real word, a noun taken from…
Celebrating Thoreau Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 13, 2017
Henry David Thoreau was born in July 1817. He was one of the greatest minds in US history. Thoreau was an essayist, poet, philosopher, naturalist, historian, and social critic, and has continued to serve as an inspiration to people all over the world. His friend, poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, eulogized Thoreau by saying, “The country…
The Incomplete (English) Sentence Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 6, 2017
How can it be wrong, if it sounds so right? One of the first things you learn about constructing sentences in English is the very narrow definition of a complete sentence. A sentence must consist of A capital letter at the beginning A punctuation mark as a stopping point The main clause, consisting of an…
5 Patriotic Songs for the 4th of July Posted by sasha on Jul 4, 2017
It’s the 4th of July, which means Americans are wearing their red, white, and blue to celebrate the country’s Independence Day. All across the nation, people are gathering at parades, barbecues, and baseball games for the important holiday. In addition to lighting off fireworks and eating plenty of hot dogs, people will sing patriotic songs…
That’s a Real Word? Posted by Gary Locke on Jun 29, 2017
It is easy to mangle the English language. I hear native speakers do it all the time. But when I learn that a word, which I assume is either mispronounced or made up, is a real word then I’m gobsmacked. Gobsmacked Let’s start there. Gobsmacked is common British slang for being surprised and, to my…
Berry, Berry Good! Posted by Gary Locke on Jun 15, 2017
If you need a reason to celebrate summer, look no further than the four objects in this picture. Last week I made a delicious and refreshing strawberry dessert and, as I hulled and sliced up the fruit, I began to wonder…Why do we call a strawberry a strawberry? This, in turn, led me to wonder…